Street of Harmony Self-Guided Walking Tour

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Welcome to the George Town Street of Harmony Self-Guided Walking Tour

Estimated Duration: 60 Minutes
Route: Jalan Masjid Kapitan keling, from Lebuh Light to Lebuh Armenian

This tour is designed to help you explore the heart of George Town at your own pace. Over the course of about 60 minutes, you'll walk the length of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (aka Pitt Street). Located within George Town's World Heritage Site, this street is often called the Street of Harmony as it has the places of worship from all the main ethnic groups in Penang.

You will start at the junction of Lebuh Light and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, and end your journey at the intersection of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling with Lebuh Armenian. Along the way, we will make several stops to learn about the sights along the way.

At each stop, simply click on the speaker icon to hear a short narration about the place you are seeing. Whether you are a first-time visitor or returning to Penang, this walk is a wonderful way to connect with the rich tapestry of life in the heritage enclave.

Put on your walking shoes, charge your phone, and let’s get started!

At each stop, click the speaker icon in order to listen to the audio guide

Stop 1

You're now standing at the start of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, once known as Pitt Street. Today, it is often called the Street of Harmony - and for good reason. Along this very road, different communities built their places of worship, side by side: Anglican, Chinese, Hindu, Muslim. This walk invites you to experience the peaceful coexistence of cultures that makes George Town so special.

Stop 1 - look to the right

To your right, you'll see the Penang High Court Complex, a grand colonial-era structure with stately columns and a commanding dome. It has long been the centre of Penang's judicial life. The present building was originally designed in the Palladian style and completed in 1903, to replace the original courthouse built in 1809. It has been expanded multiple times since then.

Stop 1 - look to the left

To your left, you will see the Bank Negara Malaysia Building, designed in the Brutalist architecture style that was fashionable in the late 1970s. This is the Penang branch of the Malaysian central bank.

Now we are going to walk along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. If possible, cross to the right side of the street. As you walk a short way down the street, look to your right.

Stop 2 - look to the left

The white church building:



The elegant white structure on the right is the St. George's Church. Completed in 1819, it is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. It was designed in the Georgian Palladian style, a combination of the Georgian style and the Palladian style. This was the spiritual home for the British colonial administrators and traders who once lived in Penang.



Look at the structure in front of the church



This is the Francis Light Memorial. It is believed to have been erected in the 1840s and possibly given a makeover in 1886 for the 100th Anniversary of the founding of George Town as a British trading port by Captain Francis Light.



Continue down Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling until you see a Chinese temple on your right.

Stop 3 - Kuan Yin Teng (Goddess of Mercy Temple)

This Chinese temple with a wide cobblestone courtyard, is Kuan Yin Teng, or Temple of the Goddess of Mercy. Built in the early 1800s, it is the oldest Chinese temple in George Town.

Originally built for Machor, the Goddess of the Sea, it was later rededicated to the Goddess of Mercy as the principal deity. The Goddess of Mercy, or Kuan Yin, is the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion.

Admire the ornate decoration and ceramic figurines on the roof, and stone lions guarding its entrance. On major festivals, especially during Chinese New Year or the birthday of Kuan Yin, the temple is bustling with devotees, creating an immersive, sensory-rich experience. Yet even on quiet days, it offers a peaceful glimpse into traditional Chinese religious practices.



Continue down Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, while looking to your left. Look for a Hindu temple.

Stop 4 - Rear of Sri Mahamariamman Temple

Here you'll see the rear wall of the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in George Town, established in the early 1800s. Though you're currently viewing its less decorative back, you may hear temple bells or catch a whiff of sandalwood incense. The temple's magnificent front entrance faces Lebuh Queen, just behind these walls, adorned with a towering gopuram richly covered in colourful statues of Hindu deities.

This temple is the spiritual centre for Penang's Tamil Hindu community. During Thaipusam, you'll see vibrant chariot processions originating from here. Though modest in appearance from this angle, the temple's cultural and religious significance runs deep.



Continue down Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling until a busy intersection.

Stop 5 - Lebuh Chulia Junction - Chulia, Eu Yan Sang, Money Changers

At this busy intersection with Lebuh Chulia, pause for a moment. The name Chulia comes from the Chulias, Tamil traders who settled in Penang during colonial times. This road was once a major artery of the Indian Muslim and Chettiar communities.

Look to the right



To your right, the building with red signage is the Eu Yan Sang Chinese Medical Hall, part of a renowned traditional medicine chain founded in the late 1800s. Here, herbs, roots, and tonics are still prescribed in keeping with ancient Chinese remedies.



Look to the left



Look to your left, and you'll see a row of shops. These are the Indian Muslim money changers and goldsmiths, who have been crafting and selling exquisite jewellery for generations. Their presence adds another layer to the Street of Harmony, showing how commerce and tradition intertwine.



After crossing Lebuh Chulia, continue down Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and look to the right.

Stop 6 - Masjid Kapitan Keling

On your right now is the majestic Masjid Kapitan Keling, one of George Town's most iconic landmarks. Built in the early 19th century by Indian Muslim traders, it is one of the oldest mosques in Penang. Its graceful Mughal-style dome, wide prayer halls, and sweeping arches make it a stunning example of Islamic architecture.

The mosque was named after Kapitan Keling, a title given to the community leader of the Indian Muslims under colonial rule. The word Keling, though outdated today, historically referred to people from the Indian subcontinent.

The mosque, namesake for Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, welcomes visitors outside of prayer times, and you may even meet volunteers who explain the practices of Islam to curious passersby. It stands proudly at the centre of the Indian Muslim community and anchors this stretch of the Street of Harmony.



Continue on down Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling until the intersection with Lebuh Armenian. To the right is a Chinese temple.

Stop 7 - Choo Chay Keong (Yap Temple)

Your walk ends at the Choo Chay Keong Temple, also known as the Yap Temple. Built by the Yap Clan Association, this modest yet richly decorated temple is dedicated to Taoist deities.

The temple's interior glows with red lanterns, gold calligraphy, and ancestral tablets. It may not be as large as the Goddess of Mercy Temple, but its intricate craftsmanship and quiet dignity are captivating.

Across the road is Lebuh Armenian, a vibrant cultural lane known for street art, souvenir shops, and local cafes. It's the perfect place to take a rest, reflect on the walk, or explore further if you wish.

This marks the end of your Street of Harmony tour - a journey through the spiritual and cultural layers of George Town.

Suggested detours and extension

If you wish to extend your exploration of George Town beyond Stop 7 of the above self-guided tour, here are some suggestions.

George Town Heritage Enclave Self-Guided Tour

This is another walk which intersects with the Street of Harmony walk at the Choo Chay Keong Temple.

Discover Khoo Kongsi and Cannon Square

Distance: 7 minutes' walk via Lebuh Cannon
Why go: Enjoy the grandeur of the most opulent Chinese clan temple in George Town. The Khoo Kongsi is a beautifully restored clanhouse that resembles a Chinese imperial palace. It’s an architectural and cultural gem. Nearby Cannon Street offers more murals, temples, and insight into George Town's residential past.

Discover Little India

Distance: 10 minutes' walk to Lebuh Chulia, then to Lebuh Queen and Lebuh Pasar. Why go: You've seen Masjid Kapitan Keling, now step into the vibrant Little India precinct, sample samosas, banana leaf rice and sip a teh tarik while soaking in Bollywood tunes.
You've seen the Sri Mahamariamman Temple from the rear. Now visit its front entrance, go in, and experience what's it like inside.
Walk the streets of Little India, browsing at spices, garlands and Indian fashion.

Map of the Street of Harmony Self-Guided Walking Tour

Street of Harmony Self-Guided Walking Tour (3 August 2019)

Page Details

This page was created on 15 July 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

Taking the bus in Penang