Market Lane (Lorong Pasar)

Market Lane, George Town, Penang (23 January 2007)


Market Lane is a minor street in the inner city of George Town. It is the western extension of Market Street.

Market Lane is "slightly younger" than Market Street, which was (and still is) the main street for the Indian community of inner George Town. During the time of Francis Light, it existed as a mere rural lane extending from Market Street. Not much is known about its usage back then. It probably leads to vegetable plots and then the jungle beyond. This is not so today, of course, as Market Lane is now engulfed by George Town.

Tuak shop on Market Lane, George Town (30 June 2012)


Perhaps the only sight of historical interest along Market Lane is the Tuak Shop. The shop, now closed, provides a glimpse into a time when there was a high number of Indians in the area (the population has since been overtaken by the Chinese long ago). It was a popular culture among the Indian labourers to drink tuak, or toddy, a palm wine made from secretion of the underdeveloped coconut flowers. Today the shop is in disuse, and many Indian men have graduated from tuak to beer.

Market Lane, George Town (5 February 2013)

Hotels on Market Lane

Coffee Shops and Restaurants on Market Lane

Market Lane, as seen from Chulia Lane (31 December 2012)

Street Art on Market Lane

Since the inscription of George Town as a World Heritage Site, the tuak shop also spots a steed-rod sculpture, the Toddy Shop Sculpture, providing an explanation on tuak using caricature.

Getting there

Although Market Lane is not served by public transport, you can easily take a bus to Pitt Streeet and walk from there. It is possible to walk all the way from the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal. Take the pedestrian bridge to cross Weld Quay, then turn left and walk along Weld Quay until you reach the junction of Market Street on your right. Follow Market Street through George Town's Little India until you emerge at Pitt Street. On the other side of Pitt Street is Market Lane.

Lorong Pasar road sign (31 December 2012)


History plaque of Market Lane (31 December 2012)


View Market Lane, George Town, Penang in a larger map

List of Streets in Penang and Streets in Malaysia