King Street

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Lebuh King

King Street is a street within the historic core of George Town Unesco World Heritage Site. It runs from Light Street to Chulia Street. The street dates to the late 18th century, and was already in the original grid laid out by Francis Light. In the earliest days, the street leads from Light Street, which was reserved for Europeans, towards land parcelled out to the Chinese community. By the mid-19th century and into the 20th, as Europeans moved away into the suburbs, wealthy Chinese began to buy up the real estate all the way until Light Street itself.

The Hokkiens in Penang call King Street by different names, depending on its location. The section from Light Street to Bishop Street was called Kau Keng Chu Au, meaning "the back of the nine townhouses". This name refers to nine terrace houses with their front towards Penang Street and their back to King Street. They were the favored addresses of the Chinese nouveau riche.

The section of King Street between Bishop Street and China Street was the heart of the Cantonese community in 19th century George Town. A number of Cantonese district associations and temples are located here. The Hokkiens called it the Kuin-Tang Tua Pek Kong Kay, in reference to the Cantonese Tua Pek Kong Temple located there.

The section of King Street between China Street and Market Street was called Ku Ho Seng Kongsi Kay, meaning "Former Ho Seng Association Street", because the Ho Seng Secret Society used to have its base at 53 King Street, next to Poe Choo Seah.

From Market Street to Chulia Street, King Street enters the Little India part of George Town. In the 19th century, this section was inhabited by the South Indians who were dock workers at the Penang harbour. Understandably, the Hokkiens called this section Kelinga Kay, or "Southern Indian Street".

Getting there

Take the Free Rapid Penang Shuttle Bus to Bus Stop No. 5 (Bank Negara) and walk a short distance down Light Street to King Street.

Sights along King Street

Wisma Great Eastern

Heong San Hoay Kuan / Chong San Wooi Koon

Cantonese Tua Pek Kong Temple

Click for list of Streets of George Town

In Other Words ...

Hokkien: Kau Keng Chu Au, Kuin-Tang Tua Pek Kong Kay, Ku Ho Seng Kongsi Kay and Kelinga Kay

King Street (3 September 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

King Street Location Map

Photos of King Street

King Street sign (3 September 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.