Penang Heritage Centre or Pusat Warisan Pulau Pinang is a government body under the State Economic Planning Unit of the Penang State Government. It was set up in June 1995 with an objective to instil a sense of awareness of local history and cultural heritage, and to encourage developers, property owners and heritage lovers to restore heritage buildings by realising their economic potential.
Penang Heritage Centre was initially housed in the Syed Alatas Mansion, which today houses the Penang Islamic Museum. In August 2002, it was moved next door, to the corner lot between Carnavon Street and Armenian Street. This building once housed the clinic of Dr Ong Huck Chye, who was also a Municipal Commissioner during the 1930's.
Under the new state government, the Penang Heritage Centre plays a second role as the Penang Tourist Information Centre. According to state executive committee member in charged of tourism, culture, arts and heritage, Danny Law, tourists can come and receive information about the various sights in the inner city.
Getting there
The Penang Heritage Centre can be reached by taking the Rapid Penang Bus 10, 301, 302, 307, 401 and U502, disembarking at Lebuh Carnavon. Check the Rapid Penang Bus Routes for details. Walk along Lebuh Carnavon to the junction with Lebuh Armenian. The Penang Heritage Centre is at the left corner of the junction.
What to see and do there
View exhibits of old Penang, including displays of shophouses until different periods. There are also interesting Life in Penang Dioramas.
Nearby Sights
The following sights are reference against the main entrance of the Penang Heritage Centre.
Penang Islamic Museum: Coming out from the Penang Heritage Centre, turn left and walk along Lebuh Armenian. The Penang Islamic Museum is at the left side of Lebuh Armenian, next to the Penang Heritage Centre.
Dr Sun Yat Sen's Penang Base: Coming out from the Penang Heritage Centre, turn left and walk along Lebuh Armenian. Dr Sun Yat Sen's Penang Base is at 120 Lebuh Armenian, on the left.
Li Teik Seah Building: Coming out from the Penang Heritage Centre, cross Lebuh Carnavon and then turn left.. A short distance down the street is Li Teik Seah Building, on the right.
Yap Kongsi: Coming out from the Penang Heritage Centre, turn left and walk along Lebuh Armenian. A short distance down the street is Yap Kongsi, on the right.
Choo Chay Keong Temple: Coming out from the Penang Heritage Centre, turn left and walk along Lebuh Armenian. A short distance down the street is Choo Chay Keong Temple, on the right, at the junction with Medan Cannon.
Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple: Coming out from the Penang Heritage Centre, turn left and walk along Lebuh Armenian. After crossing the junction with Medan Cannon, you reach the entrance archway to Hock Teik Cheng Sin on your right.
Cheah Kongsi: Coming out from the Penang Heritage Centre, turn left and walk along Lebuh Armenian. After crossing the junction with Medan Cannon, continue a short distance, past Lorong Soo Hong on your left, and you will reach the entrance archway to Cheah Kongsi on the left.
Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong): Coming out from the Penang Heritage Centre, turn left and walk along Lebuh Armenian. After crossing the junction with Medan Cannon, turn right into Medan Cannon. The entrance archway to Khoo Kongsi is on your left, a short distance down Medan Cannon.
Acheen Street Mosque: Coming out from the Penang Heritage Centre, turn left, cross Lebuh Armenian to Lebuh Acheh. The Acheen Street Mosque is on the right side of Lebuh Acheh, across the junction of Medan Cannon.
Stretching your budget in Penang
If you are a prudent traveller, you can spend less than $20 per day in Penang, including your accommodation! Here's some useful tips for budget travellers to Penang, to help you manage your budget and have a great time.
Penang Tour Guides
If you're on a shoestring budget, you can explore Penang using the travel articles in Penang Travel Tips. You may print them out for your own personal non-commercial use. However, nothing compares to having a professional tour guide to show you around. If you need a tour guide, contact me and I'll arrange one for you, according to your schedule and interest. If I happen to be free, I would gladly show you around too. Just write to me at:
Finding Budget Accommodation in Penang
If you're coming to Penang on a budget, you'd be pleased to know that there's quite a number of places in George Town as well as in Batu Ferringhi that offers good clean accommodation without costing you an arm and a let. If I am allowed to be biased, I would recommend Hotel Mingood, which happens to belong to a friend of mine. If it is occupied, there are plenty of other places that cost less than US$12.00 per night. Here are some suggestions:
Hutton Lodge, from US$8.25
Baba Guesthouse, from US$7.57
E.T. Budget Guesthouse, from US$6.05
YMCA Penang, from US$6.53
Ali's Ferringhi Guest House, from US$9.63
Despite the best intentions to provide you information that is as accurate as possible, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.
Penang Heritage Centre (1 September, 2008)
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