The Penang State Government is collaborating with the Penang Chinese Clan Council and the Clan Associations Youth Committee in organizing the Chinese New Year Cultural and Heritage Celebration 2009. The event will showcase the richness of the living heritage in Malaysia in line with our status as a Unesco World Heritage City.

The objective of this special event is to introduce traditional Chinese culture in a grand manner and celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. The highlights of the programme include ‘Seven Towns’ (Hokkien, Canton, Hainan, Teochew, Hakka, Wushu and Malaysian cultures), a culture exhibition and a lion dance performance.

The event, to be held on 1st February 2009 from 12noon till 12midnight is spread out along Armenian Street, Cannon Street, Ah Quee Street, Acheen Street, Soo Hong Lane and Chulia Street.

The New York Times recently featured Penang on its ‘44 places to go in 2009‘ list, coming in at a respectable #22. Frequent visitors and locals have known for ages that Penang is one of the world’s most culturally unique locations; rich in heritage, culture and culinary delights.

For those who think that the island has lost its charm, think again. The Pearl of the Orient can now proudly proclaim that it is worthly of its title! Whether you are here to experience the culture and the heritage or just visiting to eat your way around the island, Penang has it all.

The Penang Khoo Kongsi (Winner of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award) is a large Chinese clanhouse with elaborate and highly ornamented architecture, a mark of the dominant presence of the Chinese in Penang. The famous Khoo Kongsi is the grandest clan temple in the country. It is also one of the city’s major historic attraction. The clan temple has retained its authentic historic setting, which includes an association building, a traditional theatre and the late 19th century rowhouses for clan members, all clustered around a granite-paved square. It is located in Cannon Square in the heart of the oldest part of the city of George Town, in the midst of narrow, winding lanes and quaint-looking pre-War houses exuding a palpable old world charm.

The Straits Chinese (or Peranakan) are a unique community that have blended Chinese and Malay customs, language, fashion and cuisine, over centuries. The rich cultural legacy of the Straits Chinese lives on today, predominantly in the former Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. The Pinang Peranakan Mansion, epitomizes the opulent architectural and lifestyle of a wealthy Peranakan family. Built at the end of the 19th century by one of Penang’s famous personalities, the mansion once served as the residence and office of Kapitan Cina, Chung Keng Kwee. Its Straits eclectic architecture, complete with open air courtyard, are typical of a Peranakan home. The large house incorporates Chinese carved-wood panels, English floor tiles and Scottish ironworks. Today, the mansion is open to the public as a heritage museum.

Kek Lok Si temple is a focal point of festivals of the Chinese community in Penang. The Chinese New Year celebrations are particularly impressive: for 30 days following Chinese New Year, Kek Lok Si temple remains open until late at night whilst thousands of lights turn the scenery into a sea of light. (Kek Lok Si lights on from 21st Jan 09 – 22th Feb 09)

Muka Head Light House, Penang

Sitting on a cliff 227 metres above sea level, Penang Muka Head Light House was built in 1883. You shall never forget the spectacular view from the Muka Head lighthouse.

Muka Head Beach, Penang

Get in touch with Mother Nature and explore Penang’s abundant natural beauty after traipsing along Georgetown, Penang heritage. The Penang National Park is the smallest National Park situated along Pantai Acheh.