Chinatown in Penang

Penang will have its very own Chinatown pretty soon. According to The Star, PENANG’S UNESCO world heritage site will soon boast of having the country’s first ‘cultural hotel’.

Property owner K.H. Seah said three pre-war houses along Jalan Pintal Tali would be restored and re-opened as a high-end hotel to be named ‘1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel’.

These triple-storey buildings, which have been around for over a century, is located where the area will be developed as Penang’s Chinatown.

Big plans: The three pre-war houses along Jalan Pintal Tali will be restored and reopened as a high-end hotel to be named ‘1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel’

Penang already has Little India and the Malay Kapitan heritage enclaves here but no Chinatown. Work on the cultural hotel will start at the end of the month and is expected to complete by the end of the year.

The cultural hotel would have a library, mini cafe and museum featuring extensive antique collections dating back to the 18th century. The library resources and exhibition area will be open and free to everyone.

Priceless piece: The intricately carved wooden door in one of the three houses will be preserved

Source: The Star..
Heritage boost for Penang