Kau Keng Chu, Kek Chuan Road

Kau Keng Chu, Kek Chuan Road, George Town, Penang (26 October 2011)


Kau Keng Chu (GPS: 5.41517, 100.32453), Penang Hokkien Taiji Romanisation: Kau1-keng3 Chu3 , literally "nine houses") is a row of nine colourfully painted restored pre-war townhouses along Kek Chuan Road in George Town, Penang. These were converted from residential townhouses to commercial shophouses, and the Kau1-keng3 Chu3, are stylized as 9KC.

Each of the Nine Shophouses of Kek Chuan Road is painted a different colour. From left to right, the colours are sky blue, lilac, lemon yellow, cobalt blue, ash, grey, torquoise, amber and pink.

Since the restoration of the Kau Keng Chu, another row of shophouses has been similarly restored. The Pink Row along Kimberley Street is a row repainted in shocking pink.

Updates on Kau Keng Chu

3 June 2023
House Beautiful selected Kek Chuan Road as one of the 40 most beautiful streets in the world, on the strength of buildings such as Kau Keng Chu.

Getting there

Take Rapid Penang Bus 10, 101 or 104 to Macalister Road, alighting at bus stop near Menara JKP.

Part of the Kau Keng Chu (26 October 2011)


Kau Keng Chu, Kek Chuan Road, George Town, Penang (26 October 2011)


Kau Keng Chu five-foot way (25 November 2012)


Nine shophouses in rainbow colours (26 October 2011)

Kau Keng Chu is on the Map of Kek Chuan Road, Penang