Northam Road, George Town

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Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah

Northam Road is the main thoroughfare on the northern coast of George Town. It starts in front of St Xavier's Institution, and ends at the junction with Kelawei Road and Pangkor Road.

For much of its history, and until a proper road existed, the area was known as North Beach. When the road was laid, it was given the name Northam Road, after Northam in Devon, England - I suppose after the birthplace of one of the early Governors of the Straits Settlements. It was given the present name Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah in conjunction with the visit of Sultan Ahmad Shah, who visited Penang as the 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia in 1982.

Northam Road was the choice address of the Europeans during the 19th century. That was why the Hokkiens in Penang called it Ang Mor Lor, especially the section west of Transfer Road. However, by the early part of the 20th century, Europeans were moving out in search of "greener pastures", literally speaking, as they vacate the urban streets of Northam Road and Light Street, heading for the Ayer Rajah neighbourhood, to places such as Western Road and Ayer Rajah Road, now Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. The properties along Light Street and Northam Road were snapped up with rich local Chinese, who proceeded to put forth ostentatious mansions to flaunt their new-found prosperity. These were the most sought-after real-estate in town, and they are all beach front properties (and if I may add, the beach was pristine then).

Today Northam Road is punctuated by the mansions of these early Penang millionaires. However, the days of their grandeur have long past, and many of these mansions are now converted to other uses. Some of the properties along Northam Road have also given way to skyscrapers - this is one of the places in Penang that one is allowed to build high, as it is outside the heritage zones.

Getting there

Rapid Penang Bus 103 and 104 pass through Northam Road.

Sights along Northam Road

Istana Kedah, residence of the Sultan of Kedah in Penang

Wawasan Open University Campus at Homestead

Northam Tower

Northam All Suite Hotel

MBf Tower

Sri Perdana Condominium

Menara PSCI

Menara Liang Court

Wisma Penang Garden

Menara KWSP

Click for list of Streets of George Town

In Other Words ...

Hokkien: West of Transfer Road: Ang Mor Lor (European Road), East of Transfer Road: Ang Mor Ku Thiong (Old European Cemetery)

Northam Road Location Map

Photos of Northam Road

Northam Road plaque (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.