Georgetown heritage site is declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites last July 7, 2008 along with the town of Melaka. This was made possible by showcasing a great example of multicultural town deeply embedded with fascinating history. Guided tours and touring the area is termed Georgetown Heritage Walk since you can literally walk to all four corners of Georgetown or if you insist, you can hire rickshaw to explore the whole vicinity. Rickshaws are paid by the hour.
Georgetown Heritage Site is considered as a surviving testimony of their glorious past. It also reflects the cultural and religious diversity of the place. It is only here in Georgetown that you can actually see churches and religious community situated side-by-side and coexisting peacefully.
Georgetown heritage walk is mostly century-old houses or landmarks and religious communities all in one great, ancient town.
HOUSES AND LANDMARKS
These homes were built and preserved by their owners. Georgetown houses demonstrate exquisite Chinese art and architecture. The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion offers daily guided tours to the residence of Zhang Bishi, a Qing Dynasty consul and a Hakka magnate. This mansion won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Award in year 2000. Penang Mansion on the other hand displays antique collections of Baba Nyonya. It is home to Ching Keng Kwee, a mine owner. Another historical gallery is the house of Yeap Chor Ee which showcases charming possessions of the Yeap residence. There is also the Leong Yin Khean Mansion which houses Thirty-Two restaurant.
Fort Cornwallis was built in 1786 by Captain Francis Light. The Fort is complete with a chapel, lighthouse and gallery. Near the fort, you can find the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Clocktower that was built in 1902 to commemorate the 60th year of the Queen's reign. Other historical sites nearby are state assembly building, Zhemchug wreck marker, the memorial cemetery, city hall, town hall and supreme court building. All of these buildings were built from 1800-1905, no more.
Georgetown, Malaysia has its share of landmarks that can touch hearts. One of them is the Logan's monument dedicated to lawyers and scholars who died in 1869 fighting for the rights of locals. Another point of interest is the Penang State Museum. This museum opened its door in 1965 and showcases hundreds of old pictures, paintings, porcelains and other artifacts that highlights the essence of Penang.
RELIGIOUS GROUNDS
Worshippers and tourists walk this charming street representing diverse religion beliefs of Georgetown, Malaysia. Here you can experience Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity religions.
Church of Assumption was built in 1787 and still uses the original pipe organ of the church. The first Anglican Church was built in 1818 and was called St. George Anglican Church. It is also the main church of the British administration officers based in Penang. Nagore Shrine is a Muslim shrine built for South Indian Muslim saint in 1801 and Kapitan Keling Mosque, also for our Muslim brothers. For Hindus, visit Sri Maha Mariaman temple erected in 1833.
Travelers can experience Chinese and Islamic fusion in streets of Armenina, Acheen and Cannon Streets. Temples of the two faiths live harmoniously with each other and function well. Hock Teik Cheng Sin temple is a Chinese temple, while Yap Kongsi temple is for Yap clansmen. Nearby is the Malay mosque in Acheen Street. Your Georgetown visit will not be completed after stopping by the Penang Islamic Museum where you can experience heritage of Penang's Muslim communities. You can find it in the 19th century Syed Alatas Mansion.
Truly, Georgetown Heritage Walk in Malaysia is a walk to remember. With its fascinating sights and sounds, one can easily be transported back in time. It is not hard to imagine why UNESCO selected Georgetown as one of the world's heritage sites, just one visit and you will understand why. Guided tours and tourists' assistance can be found in the Penang heritage center.
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