China Street, George Town

Lebuh China

China Street, or Lebuh China, is one of the commercial streets in George Town. It is located within the core zone of the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site. It connects two major roads, Beach Street and Pitt Street, and is intersected by Penang Street, King Street and Queen Street. Land reclamation toward the end of the 19th century extended China Street, creating China Street Ghaut.

China Street is said to have been established by Koh Lay Huan, the Chinese community leader and pioneer settler who had arrived with Francis Light when the latter landed in Penang in 1786. The street was laid out not long after Light Street and Beach Street, and is therefore one of the oldest streets in Penang. The Koh family featured prominently through the 18th and 19th century history of Penang. Koh Seang Tat, the grandson of Koh Lay Huan, was the one who presented the Municipal Fountain to the government in the late 19th century, on the occasion of the construction of Town Hall.

Until the third quarter of the 19th century, China Street faces the sea. It was the main commercial street for the Chinese. The Hokkiens called it Tua Kay, meaning "main street". The Hokkiens and the Cantonese jointly established their earliest place of worship at what was then a mount at the head of China Street. This is the beginning of the Kuan Yin Teng temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Penang.

Getting there

From the Weld Quay Bus Terminal, cross Pengkalan Weld and then turn right. Walk a short distance until you reach China Street Ghaut. Turn left, walk along China Street Ghaut until Beach Street, and you will see China Street across the road.

Click for list of Streets of George Town

In Other Words ...

Hokkien: Tua Kay ("main street")

China Street Location Map

China Street (12 November 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Photos of China Street

China Street sign (12 November 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

China Street plaque (12 November 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.