Rope Walk (Jalan Pintal Tali)

Rope Walk, Penang (9 January 2016)


Rope Walk, or Jalan Pintal Tali, is one of the roads in George Town. It runs from Chulia Street to Prangin Road. The road got its name from the traditional rope spinner that used to set up shop there, making ropes out of coconut husk. This was in the 19th century, when ropes were in demand for bullock carts and other forms of carriages. The ropes were also required for the mooring of ships at the harbour.

When the Malays and Chinese in George Town became polarized into two camps, the rope spinners supporting the White Flag (Bendera Putih) Secret Society based at Masjid Pintal Tali. The White Flag Secret Society teamed up with the Ghee Hin, which by then also had its base at Meng Eng Soo in Rope Walk. The congregation at Masjid Pintal Tali also split into two camps by the turn of the 20th century. The splinter group set up their own mosque, the Masjid Al-Jamiul Azzakirin, better known as the Prangin Road Mosque.

For much of the 20th century, Rope Walk was a working-class part of George Town. It had a flea market, which has since been relocated to Lorong Kulit, while the road is lined with hardware stores that are still operating today.

Location of sights along Rope Walk

Hotels on Rope Walk

Street Art

Sights along Rope Walk

Eateries along Rope Walk

Commercial Properties on Rope Walk

Businesses on Rope Walk

Getting there

From the Komtar Bus Terminal, walk northeast along Jalan Ria until junction with Prangin Road. Turn right and walk southeast on Prangin Road until junction with Jalan Pintal Tali on your left.

The shophouses of Rope Walk, as seen from the junction with Claimant Place (25 January 2013)


Aerial view of Rope Walk (7 July 2012)


Rope Walk history plaque (12 November 2008)


The old Jalan Pintal Tali road sign (12 November 2008)


Jalan Pintal Tali road sign (25 January 2013)

List of Streets in Penang and Streets in Malaysia