Penang – Malaysia
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion/ Boutique Hotel, known as The Blue Mansion, is the finest example of a Chinese Courtyard house. It was built in the late 19th century in collaboration with Penang’s master of feng shui. Over the years, it was handed down from generation to generation until 1980, when it fell into disrepair. In 1990, this architectural and historical treasure was painstakingly restored.
The Blue Mansion is an eclectic mix of Art Nouveau, stained glass windows, Gothic timberwork, Victorian Cast iron elements, decorated Chinese rooftops, and archways.
Who was Cheong Fatt Tze?
Born in China in 1840, Cheong Fatt Tze was a politician, a philanthropist, and a banker. He rose from being a water carrier to a shopkeeper, a wealthy industrialist dealing in rubber, coffee, and tea, and the owner of ships that sailed between Penang and Medan. He was regarded as the wealthiest man in Malaysia and often referred to as the Rockefeller of the East.
For an unforgettable experience, spend a few nights at the Blue Mansion and immerse yourself in its charm, warmth, and elegance. If you don’t choose to stay there, you have the option of purchasing tickets to take a guided tour.
Every Sunday a “High Tea” – accompanied by a jazz band is held in the central courtyard with its high ceiling, decorative archways that resemble patterned British doilies, slender columns, and balloon-pendant light fittings. The miniature pastries, sandwiches, quiches, and English scones served with whipped cream and jam are irresistible.
Chung Ken Kwee was born in China in 1827. He was a tin tycoon who also made his fortune trading in tobacco and opium. The Penang Peranakan Mansion houses his exotic collection of priceless antique furniture and artwork, Chinese ceramic vases, dolls, and jewelry.
One steps back in time to glimpse the lifestyle of the ultra-wealthy. They entertained royally; their interior design favored bright colors, embroidered fabrics, and intricately carved rich dark wood in the living areas and bedrooms.
The Jetties – Penang’s Floating Villages.
In the early 1800s, a wave of Chinese arrived in Penang and built their homes on stilts in no man’s land in the sea. The homes were connected by wooden planks and soon became clan villages. The occupants prospered as fishermen, boat builders, and laborers loading and unloading cargo. Some residents began small-scale trading, selling from their homes or on the jetties. Different clans often focused on a particular trade. There were originally nine clan jetty villages; seven of them remain today.
A small temple was always built at the end of the jetty facing the sea to bring good fortune to the village. The Clan Jetties became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008 when UNESCO designated George Town as a World Heritage Site.
A Chinese temple at the end of the jetty faces the sea.George Town offers a glimpse of the coexistence of multiple religions on Penang Island. Within a block of each other stands a Buddhist temple, a Christian Church, a Hindu Temple, and a Mosque. The Goddess of Mercy Temple, built in 1728, is Penang’s oldest Buddhist temple.
The Goddess Of Mercy Temple.
The Hindu Temple.Penang Hill is known for its sweeping views of the Island. On a clear morning, watching the sunrise from Penang Hill is an impressive sight. A funicular that departs every half-hour, starting at 6.30 am, makes the steep vertical climb to the hilltop.
The lush green forests, where monkeys swing through the trees and birds sing, have some enchanting hiking trails. Unfortunately, sections of the forests have been converted into a quasi Disneyland where children’s attractions and restaurants are scattered among the lush foliage of what once was a pristine forest.
Fortunately, several trails are still untouched. A walk along Bypath A in the early morning light was a treat. There is also the Habitat Walk and Bypaths B, C, and D. Walking these trails in the peace of the early morning when the sun filters through the trees, the birds sing in chorus, and the air is fresh and fragrant is a long-lasting, beautiful memory.
**A map of the trails is helpful.