Penang Street, George Town

Lebuh Penang

Penang Street, or Lebuh Penang, is one of the oldest streets of George Town. It is located within the core zone of the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.

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

Penang Street Location Map

Penang Street is within the original grid laid out by Francis Light for his early settlement of George Town in the late 18th century. The earliest known documentation of Penang Street appears in the 1798 Popham map. On that map, Penang Street was known as China Street. However, the name Penang Street has been in use since 1803 in the map of George Town drawn under the administration of George Leith as Lieutenant Governor.

Getting there

From the Weld Quay Bus Terminal, cross Pengkalan Weld and then turn right and go along Pengkalan Weld until the junction of Gat Lebuh China. Turn left into Gat Lebuh China. Go straight, crossing the junction of Lebuh Pantai, and proceed to Lebuh China. Lebuh Penang is the next road.

In Other Words ...

Penang Street is known in Hokkien by different names according to different section. Between Light Street and Bishop Street, it was known as Kau Keng Choo, meaning "Nine Houses", in reference to a row of nine townhouses there. Between Bishop Street and Market Street, it was known as Kintang Kay or "Cantonese Street", and between Market Street and Chulia Street it was known as Chettiah Kay or "Chettiah Street".