Dato Kramat Road, George Town

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Dato Kramat Road, or Jalan Dato Keramat, is one of the main road out of George Town. It starts at the six-point junction formerly called the Magazine Circus, and ends at the start of Ayer Itam Road, at the junction with York Road.

Dato Kramat Road (15 December 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

The name Dato Keramat means a Muslim shrine, usually to a holy man or ascetic. It probably refers to a shrine somewhere near Kampung Makam, where there has been a Muslim settlement predating the opening of George Town by Francis Light.

During those early days, the settlers travelled upriver by boat. Today, however, boat traffic is largely forgotten - the river itself has also gotten too shallow to allow proper navigation. In any case, Dato Kramat Road is now the main artery connecting the inner city of George Town to the outskirts, which until the mid 20th century refers to Ayer Itam.

Getting there

Rapid Penang Bus 11, 201, 202, 203, 204, 206, 301, 302 and 502 pass through Dato Kramat Road.

Click for list of Streets of George Town

Sights Along the Way

Nagarathar Sivan Temple

Sri Kamatchi Amman Temple

Penang Times Square

Padang Brown

In Other Words ...

Dato Kramat Road is known to the local Hokkiens by various names. The section at Lorong Kulit in front of the Penang Prison is known as Si Kham Tiam, or "row of four shophouses". The namesake has seen been demolished a long time ago. The section in front of Penang Times Square is known as Kamma Hooi or Lime Garden. As would be expected, the names given are a description of the place as it once was.

Dato Kramat Road near Komtar