Penang Street (Lebuh Penang), George Town

Penang Street, George Town, Penang (25 July 2012)


Penang Street (Malay: Lebuh Penang; Penang Hokkien: Kau1-Keng3 Chu3 , Kng3tang3 Kay1 , Cet3tiah1 Kay1 ) is one of the oldest streets of George Town. It is located within the core zone of the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.

Penang Street is within the original grid laid out by Francis Light for his early settlement of George Town in the late 18th century. The earliest known documentation of Penang Street appears in the 1798 Popham map. On that map, Penang Street was known as China Street. However, the name Penang Street has been in use since 1803 in the map of George Town drawn under the administration of George Leith as Lieutenant Governor.

Today the section of Penang Street south of Church Street is within Little India. You can notice a change in character to the street, particularly between Church Street and China Street.

Penang Street is known in Hokkien by different names according to different section. Between Light Street and Bishop Street, it was known as Kau1 Keng3 Chu3, meaning "Nine Houses", in reference to a row of nine townhouses there. Between Bishop Street and Market Street, it was known as Kin1tang3 Kay1 or "Cantonese Street", and between Market Street and Chulia Street it was known as Cet3tiah1 Kay1 or "Chettiah Street". As this is the street where the Tamil moneylenders have their office, the Kattangi, the Tamils call Penang Street Kattangi Teru, meaning "street of the Chettiar office"¹.

Property numbers increase as you head from Light Street towards Chulia Street. The properties on the left side of Penang Street have odd-number addresses while those on the right side have even-number addresses.

Getting there

From the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal, cross Weld Quay and then turn right. Walk along Weld until the junction of China Street Ghaut. Take China Street Ghaut. The next road after Beach Street is Penang Street.

Map of Lebuh Penang

Accommodation on Penang Street

Sights along Penang Street

Historic Buildings on Penang Street

Commercial Properties on Penang Street

Clinics on Penang Street

Businesses along Penang Street

What to eat on Penang Street

Eateries along Penang Street

What to eat on Penang Street

Members' dining experience on Penang Street

Coffee shop along Penang Street (25 July 2012)


Indian businesses operating on Penang Street (25 July 2012)


Koong Har Tong, a Chinese clan house at Penang Street (25 July 2012)


Junction of Penang Street with Light Street (21 August 2011)


Penang Street, as viewed in the direction towards Light Street (23 January 2007)


Sentral Tower, at the junction of Penang and Bishop streets, is one of the few high-rise buildings erected before World Heritage inscription of inner George Town (18 November 2012)


Koong Har Tong Association at Penang Street, the ground floor now houses a cafe (18 November 2012)


One of the two outlets of Sri Ananda Bahwan Restaurant along Penang Street (18 November 2012)


The new Lebuh Penang road sign (12 November 2008)


The old Lebuh Penang road sign (30 November 2008)


Penang Street history plaque (12 November 2008)

References

List of Streets in Penang and Streets in Malaysia