Toh Aka Lane

Lorong Toh Aka

Toh Aka Lane, also written Tok Aka Lane, is a narrow lane with much character within the core zone of George Town's Unesco World Heritage Site. The lane has three arms forming the letter "T" - one arm leads out to Beach Street, another to Malay Street while another ends at the back gate of the Acheen Street Mosque. Carnarvon Lane also ends at Toh Aka Lane.

Toh Aka Lane is said to have been named after a Chinese person whom the Malays called "Tok Aka", or Grandpa Ah Ka. The profession along Toh Aka Lane during the early days was ironwork, and its inhabitants are mostly Cheah clansmen of the Cheah Kongsi. For that reason, Toh Aka Lane is often known among the Hokkiens as Phak Cheek Kay, or Ironworks Street.

The proximity of Toh Aka Lane to Acheen Street Mosque means that it once served the Malay settlement on its western side, which has since shrunk in size, as George Town of the 20th century evolved to be more homogenously Chinese.

Photo Gallery

View the Toh Aka Lane Photo Gallery, shot at dusk. Click the thumbnail below to enter.

Getting there

From the Weld Quay Bus Terminal, turn left and walk along Pengkalan Weld until the junction with Gat Lebuh Acheh. Enter Gat Lebuh Acheh. At the junction of Lebuh Pantai, turn left, walk along Lebuh Pantai, and you will arrive at Toh Aka Lane on the right side of Lebuh Pantai.

Sights along Toh Aka Lane

Eng Tai Association

Click for list of Streets of George Town

In Other Words ...

Hokkien: Phak Cheek Kay, Ironworks Street

Tok Aka Lane sign (4 December 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Toh Aka Lane Location Map

Photos of Toh Aka Lane

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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. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.