The Esplanade, George Town

The Esplanade, George Town, Penang (1 June 2013)


The Esplanade (GPS: 5.4222, 100.34193; Chinese: 舊關仔角; Penang Hokkien: Ku33 Kuan3na1 Kark3 ) of Penang refers to the waterfront area on the northern coast of George Town facing Light Street. It is the sight that greeted Francis Light when he landed in Penang in 1786. It was also the first area on the island cleared by Light.

In keeping with the format of British civic areas, the Esplanade area has a parade, similar to the Padang in Singapore and the Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. The parade ground is today known as Padang Kota Lama, or "old fort field", in reference to Fort Cornwallis. Indeed, the whole Esplanade area is also known as Padang Kota Lama, after the field.

Within Padang Kota Lama itself are several sights, such as the Millennium Monument and Speakers' Square. Most of the trees around the field were planted by visiting dignitaries, such as Emperor Akihito, then Crown Prince Akihito. Between Fort Cornwallis and the parade field is a city park called Taman Kota Lama.

Some of the structures on the field have long gone. Among them, there was the Municipal Band Stand where Speaker's Square is located today. It was built by the 19th century Hakka towkay Cheah Tek Soon in 1884. In proximity to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building across Light Street was the Vermont Monument, now also just a memory.

On either sides of Padang Kota Lama were the clubhouses of the Penang Sports Club, then located at Esplanade itself, and the Penang Recreation Club. They were destroyed during the Second World War.

Esplanade is today bordered by Light Street to the south, and Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah on three sides. Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah comprises Fort Road, which runs on the east side of Fort Cornwallis until Fort Point, and The Esplanade, the waterfront section from Fort Point to the Cenotaph.

The road linking Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, in front of City Hall and Town Hall, is now called Jalan Padang Kota Lama. It was laid originally known as Esplanade Road.

At the junction of Esplanade Road with Light Street is the fountain donated by local 19th century millionnaire, Koh Seang Tat. The fountain is known today as the Municipal Fountain or Koh Seang Tat's Fountain.

Running parallel to Jalan Padang Kota Lama is Duke Street. It was the road leading towards Koh Seang Tat's mansion, which he called Edinburgh House, to commemorate its most imminent resident, the visiting Duke of Edinburgh, who lodged there in 1869. The mansion has long been pulled down.

The creation of Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah extended the former Esplanade to exit parallel to Green Hall. More recent structures added to this part of the Esplanade includes Dewan Sri Penang in the 70's, and the court complex in the first decade of the new millennium. Relocated to the junction facing the Supreme Court building is Logan Memorial.

Today the Esplanade continues to play an important part in Penang. It is the venue for many celebrations such as the anniversaries of George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bon Odori Festival, and others.

Eateries at the Esplanade

What to eat at the Esplanade

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Esplanade, Penang (1 June 2013)


The Esplanade, Penang (7 May 2010)


Esplanade (7 May 2010)


The Bunga Tanjong Tree planted by Emperor Akihito of Japan, when he was crown prince (7 May 2010)

Updates on the Esplanade

4 January, 2020
The Star reports that so far, six cannons have been discovered along the Esplanade not far from Fort Cornwallis. The Bloomfeld cannons weigh about three tonnes each, and measure about 3.6 meters in length. The inscription "1757" on the cannons suggests that they possibly pre-date the founding of Penang as a British settlement by Francis Light in 1786.

The first two cannons were unearthed on the west side of the fort on 19 February, 2018. These two cannons have been fully restored and are being exhibited at Fort Cornwallis. Another two cannons were unearthed at the south side of the fort on 24 December, 2018. These are still being restored and will be placed somewhere in the vicinity. The latest two cannons, discovered on 9 Dec 2019 and 27 Dec 2019, were also the largest found to date.

21 August, 2018
The Star reported that a new seawall will be built at The Esplanade at a cost of RM13.6 million to prevent further erosion at the promenade. The work will be carried out in phases, with the first nine month being the stretch from the children's playground to the Cenotaph and from the Astaka Food Court to the Royal Malaysian Navy Base. This is followed by work in front of the Medan Renong Food Court and the children's playground in front of Dewan Sri Pinang, over 12 months. The third phase, taking another 15 months, is a 193-meter stretch from the Cenotaph to the Astana entrance.

7 March, 2018
The Star reports that the Penang State Government is restoring the sea wall stretching from Medan Renong to the Navy base, at a cost of RM15million. This will be done in June, 2018.

The Esplanade is on the Map of Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Penang

List of Waterfront Promenades in Penang and Waterfront Promenades in Malaysia