Weld Quay, George Town

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Weld Quay (see map), or Pengkalan Weld, is a coastal road on the east side of George Town. It was built at the turn of the 20th century, following the land reclamation of the eastern shore that took place between 1881 and 1904 that created a new coastal land for a deeper port. Weld Quay was named after Sir Frederick Weld, the Governor of the Straits Settlements from 1880 to 1887 who was instrumental in the land reclamation and port expansion project.

Weld Quay, Penang (4 January, 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

In the past one hundred years, Weld Quay has changed tremendously. In the early days, the road would be lined with bullock carts, ready to receive goods off-loaded from the bumboats. The area would be a hive of activity.

By the 1970's, the character to Weld Quay began to change as the role of the passenger wharves declined with increased air travel. Until the Penang Bridge was completed in the mid-1980's, the Penang ferry was the only means to cross the channel between George Town and Butterworth. Then as it is today, Weld Quay is the main transportation hub. Visitors as well as locals arriving here can easily catch a bus to anywhere within Penang Island. There are also trishaws waiting for passengers along with taxis.

Between Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda and MacCallum Street Ghaut are the clan jetties. For a while, this has become a deteriorating enclave, rescued in part by efforts to preserve it for posterity.

Getting to Weld Quay

You can reach Weld Quay by taking the Rapid Penang Free Shuttle Bus to Station No. 1 (Pengkalan Weld). In fact, the main bus terminal for Penang Island is located at Weld Quay, within easy reach of the ferry.