R. Doug Wicker — Author | Stories of Mystery and Adventure

August 26, 2026 · 5:35 am

Malaysia — George Town; Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Pinang Peranakan Mansion (a.k.a., George Town Mansion), George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia

While the signs at today’s George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia may say George Town Mansion, the true name is the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. That becomes an important distinction if you start going internet services because this mansion is located at 29 Church Street (GPS: 5.417884N, 100.341275E). The other “George Town Mansion” is museum, formerly a home built in 1925, at 23, Lebuh Clarke. Pinang Peranakan Mansion, however, dates back to 1893 (completed in 1897) and was built by Chung Keng Quee. Today it is a museum showcasing Malaysia’s Peranakan Chinese heritage.

It’s an impressive, and imposing, two-story green structure:

Pinang Peranakan Mansion, George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia

Stepping off Church Street and onto the parking lot places you directly in front of the mansion entrance and below the upper floor balcony:

And that is one very decorative balcony:

Time for a quick peek inside:

But not all the antiques and ornamentations are inside. Just inside the entrance gate to the mansion parking lot you’ll find a patinaed bronze statue depicting a soldier in Roman Empire-style armor:

After our brief stop at Pinang Peranakan Mansion, we boarded for our next destination, which I will show you next week. But along the way we passed by the wonderful Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal. The amazing thing about this blast from the past is that it’s not really a blast from the past. Despite the old-style appearance, this building was completed in 2009.

This week’s Fun Photo Friday will present the second of four featuring Penang favorites. Then next week I’m going to take you high above George Town for a fun ride and some wonderful views.

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Malaysia — George Town; Hitting Armenian Street and Chew Jetty

Armenian Street, George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia

When I left you last week, I was about to show you Armenian Street (Gat Lebuh Armenian), George Town, on Penang Island, Malaysia. Today we’re going to continue that tour, then stroll out onto Chew Jetty, the largest and most famous of George Town’s clan jetties. But before we discuss Chew Jetty, let’s concentrate for no on what makes Armenian Street worth a visit. For one thing, Armenian Street lies deep within the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. For another, Armenian Street greets you with lots of quaint shops, lively restaurants, and some really cool architectural details:

Seemingly everyone gets in on the act by decorating their places of business:

The gentle curve of the street helps frame shots nicely:

Don’t forget to look up as well for vibrant color and whimsical fun:

But perhaps the most famous sights on Armenian Street is the street art. And the most famous example of this street art is a 2012 piece by Lithuanian born, London trained artist Ernest Zacharevic, and his work here is titled Little Children on a Bicycle.

Little Children on a Bicycle at GPS coordinates 5.414694N, 100.338238E

Continuing east southeast on Armenian Street eventually leads you to the largest and most famous of George Town’s famed Chinese Clan Jetties — the Chew Jetty. Chew Jetty was founded as a small fishing village by the Chew family, who still reside there, but it has grown to become a collection of small shops, homes, and other businesses that have their own charm. The Chew family even have their own Chew Jetty Temple: