Kampung Kolam

Kampung Kolam, Penang (1 September 2008)


Kampung Kolam is a road within the core zone of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, in George Town, Penang. It links Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling with Kampung Kaka, which continues to Carnarvon Street.

Kampung Kolam got its name from the village that was located there. The village got its name from the tank, or kolam, in front of home of Cauder Mydin Merican, also known as Kapitan Keling, the founder of the Kapitan Keling Mosque. The villagers were mostly Indian Muslims who can trace their origin from South Indian districts such as Tanjore.

When Dr Sun Yat Sen chose 120 Armenian Street as his Penang base, he did so partly because Kampung Kolam offered him a safe getaway from authorities, should the need arise. Like the adjacent Kampung Kaka, Kampung Kolam existed as a village right up to the turn of the 20th century, when it eventually gave way to the brick shophouses that stand today.

Map of Kampung Kolam

Updates

3 December, 2010: Recent sprucing up of the Kampung Kolam area has revealed the Kapitan Keling's Tomb.

House in Kampung Kolam (17 November 2010)


Kampung Kolam, looking towards Kampung Kaka (28 January 2009)

Getting there

You can reach Kampung Kolam by taking the Rapid Penang Free Shuttle Bus to Station No. 15 (Kampung Kolam).

Kampung Kolam roadsign (17 November 2010)


Old Kampung Kolam sign (12 November 2008)


Kampung Kolam plaque (12 November 2008)


View Kampung Kolam, George Town, Penang in a larger map

List of Streets in Penang and Streets in Malaysia