• Search
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
    • TRAVEL GEAR
  • KETO LIFESTYLE
    • ECO LIFESTYLE
  • DESTINATIONS
    • BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
    • VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE
    • JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDE
    • THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE
    • CAMBODIA TRAVEL GUIDE
    • MALAYSIA TRAVEL GUIDE
    • AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDE
  • WORK WITH US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Gadsventure

Lifestyle Blog, Adventures all around the world and at home with a family of six. We will share our stories, travel tips, travel destinations, lifestyle choices and sustainable living to help you build a better life.

  • Search
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
    • TRAVEL GEAR
  • KETO LIFESTYLE
    • ECO LIFESTYLE
  • DESTINATIONS
    • BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
    • VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE
    • JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDE
    • THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE
    • CAMBODIA TRAVEL GUIDE
    • MALAYSIA TRAVEL GUIDE
    • AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDE
  • WORK WITH US
You are here: Home / All / Pinang Peranakan Mansion (Why you must visit)
The Most Fun Things to do in George Town Penang

Pinang Peranakan Mansion (Why you must visit)

Updated December 1, 2019 By //  by Kris. This post contains affiliate links. This means we may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

No visit to the exciting and historic town of George Town would be complete without a stroll around the opulent Pinang Peranakan Mansion.

Table of Contents

  • Where is the Peranakan Mansion?
  • When to go?
  • Tickets for Peranakan Mansion
  • Can I take my kids to Peranakan Mansion?
  • Who are the Peranakans?
  • The History of Pinang Peranakan Mansion
  • Exploring the Peranakan Museum
  • The Pinang Peranakan Mansion – The Verdict
  • Other Things to do in Penang
  • Elsewhere in Malaysia…

Where is the Peranakan Mansion?

The official address of the Pinang Peranakan Museum is 29 Lebuh Gereja (Church Street). This lies just on the East of George Town’s old centre. See the location on Google Maps here.

When to go?

For all the details on the best times to visit Malaysia, please read this. Visiting the museum is very popular during weekends and school holidays. Malaysia also has many public holidays and long weekends too and locals are fantastic tourists. So it is wise to plan your visit to Pinang Peranakan Mansion to avoid these peak times.

Opening times are from 9.30 to 5 pm daily.

Guided tours of the mansion operate at 11.30 am and 3 pm every day and are included as part of your admission.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion
The mansion is the best place to visit when visiting George Town

Tickets for Peranakan Mansion

Tickets are available at the gate and cost 20 MYR per adult. Children under 6 are free.

Can I take my kids to Peranakan Mansion?

Yes! Just keep a super close eye on them as the “once broken consider it sold” rule has a lot of clout in a house full of precious antiques. Our kids (the girls especially) love seeing the richly decorated rooms and imagining their bedrooms being so beautiful.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Don’t touch, if you break something consider it sold! Our little girls love touching beautiful pieces

Who are the Peranakans?

Otherwise known as the Straits Chinese, the Peranakans are the Babas and Nonyas who built their own unique culture in Penang. The wealthy Chinese immigrants of Penang drew on parts of Malay and British lifestyles creating a unique and eclectic blend of elements. This rich heritage is still evident today, especially in the food and language of Penang.

The History of Pinang Peranakan Mansion

The original builder of the mansion called it the “Hai Kee Chan”, or Sea Remembrance Store. Chung Keng Kwee was not a Peranakan at all. But rather a Chinese immigrant mining magnate who became the Superintendent of all Chinese in Penang. He designed the house in the interesting style favoured by the Peranakan of Penang at the time using a combination of architectural elements from both the East and the West. Traditional Chinese courtyards are framed with traditional Glaswegian ironwork as an example.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Relaxing at the Pinang Peranakan Mansion and taking in the history

After the family lost their fortune, the house was purchased by a local Penang Peranakan architect Peter Soon who set about restoring the house to its former glory. He installed his own vast collection of luxurious antiques. Wandering through this house really gives you a glimpse into how the upper-class Straits Chinese might have lived last century.

Exploring the Peranakan Museum

Entering through the ground floor courtyard, you are immediately impressed by the grandeur that is present here. The British floor tiles, Chinese artwork and Glaswegian columns all effortlessly and gracefully combine to make you feel welcome. The front of the house is where the ladies’ chambers are found. Here the women of the house including Chung’s 4 wives would hang out.

The Most Fun Things to do in George Town Penang
The Pinang Peranakan Mansion courtyard

There is a vast dining hall where important guests would have dinner and then retire to the adjacent British or Chinese sitting rooms to discuss business. The British room is furnished with European furniture and bone china, while the Chinese room houses traditional Chinese furniture and carvings.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Dining here back in the day would have been a privilege

On the upper floor, you will find several stunning bedrooms with canopy beds, elegant antique furniture and clothing. Note that there are no bathrooms up here, it was all done in chamber pots which were carried away by servants.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion
The kids loved the bedrooms, they all tried to claim each room as their own

Heading through to the rear of the house you will find an incredible collection in the Peranakan Jewellery Museum. There is also a small cafe for refreshments. The family temple next door still belongs to the Chung family.

The Pinang Peranakan Mansion – The Verdict

We visited this magnificent mansion during our 2 week stay in George Town. It is definitely one of the top things to do in the city. Afterwards, we checked out Cheong Fatt Tze’s Blue Mansion as well. They are both so different, and both worth visiting in their own rights.

I think the sheer enormity of the collection of precious antiques in the Peranakan Museum makes it a very interesting place to see. You could easily spend hours looking at each and every piece. It is all displayed beautifully and everything is in sublime condition.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Hanging out on the veranda enjoying our visit

Other Things to do in Penang

Penang is such a great place to visit. You can get lost strolling around between narrow laneways and traditional shophouses, hunting for street art. Or visit the historic clan jetties. Step back in time at Cornwallis Fort, or visit the northern Batu Ferringhi Beach.

Penang is a very interesting place thanks to the blend of cultures here. Nowhere else can you visit a mosque that is next to a Buddhist temple, adjacent to a Hindu temple and a Christian church. The food reflects this blend of cultures and sampling different cuisines here is one of the top things to do in George Town. We ate everything from Syrian and Pakistani food, to Indian, Nonya, Malay, Thai, and Western too. The street food vendors which come out at night sell awesome little coconut pancakes, spring rolls, nasi goreng, and delicious soups such as curry mee.

For more information on your visit to George Town, read this now:

13 Fun Things to do in George Town, Penang

Make sure you visit:

  • The Top Komtar (especially if you have kids)
  • Kek Lok Si Temple

Elsewhere in Malaysia…

  • Ipoh (best secret spot ever!)
  • Cameron Highlands Ultimate Guide
  • Malacca (our favourite)
  • Legoland Themepark and Legoland Waterpark

Filed Under: All, Malaysia Tagged With: george town, malaysia, penang, southeast asia with kids, things to do

Previous Post: «Underwater World Langkawi Underwater World Langkawi (Number 1 Attraction)
Next Post: The Most Fun Things to do in George Town Penang The Most Fun Things to do in George Town Penang»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Meet the Family

Gadsventure

Welcome, We are the Gadsventure Team! Our family of 6 is constantly seeking fun and adventure …

Follow Our Journey!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Find Flights


Find Hotels



Booking.com

Find Deals


Discounts on Tours


15% Off Asia

Find Tours


real food


Footer

 

 

“Travel, as much as you can, as far as you can, as long as you can…………. Life’s not meant to be lived in one place.”

Find Out How

  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · Mai Lifestyle Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
0 shares