Pinang Peranakan Mansion, George Town

Pinang Peranakan Mansion, George Town (must see)

Chung Keng Quee was appointed "Kapitan China" by the British government of Malaysia in 1877. Mr. Quee was a multimillionaire philanthropist and industrialist and a member of the Advisory State Council set up by the British colonizers. He was also reputed to be a leader of the Hai San Chinese secret society.

The Pinang Peranakan Mansion was commissioned by Chung Keng Quee in 1893 to be his private residence. He originally called it Hai Kee Chan, which means "Sea Remembrance Hall." Mr. Quee died in 1901. The mansion passed to his descendants. The property gradually declined until it was bought in the 1990s by a real estate developer.

The Sea Remembrance Hall of Mr Quee was built on the site of the former headquarters of the Ghee Hin, a rival secret society which is said to have executed their enemies by throwing them down a well now hidden in back of Quee's mansion. The Ghee Hin are not missed in George Town.

After the mansion was acquired from the Quee family it was painted green and carefully restored to its glory days. It is the leading Peranakan museum on Penang Island. It has more than 1,000 Peranakan antiques and furnishings. The Peranakan or "Straits Chinese" are the descendants of Chinese entrepreneurs who settled in Malaysia centuries ago.

The mansion has several interior courtyards like many Chinese townhouses of the era. There are also European furnishings including Stoke-on-Trent floor tiles and Scottish cast iron gratings and railings. The European elements are combined with Chinese features like carved wooden panels and screens on the walls.

A temple dedicated to Chung Keng Quee was installed next to the mansion. Inside the temple is a full-sized statue of patriarch Chung and portraits of Chung family members.

The mansion has served as a location for film and media, e.g., "Crazy Rich Asians" in 2018. There is an admission charge but children are admitted free.

Operation Hours: Monday - Sunday: 9.30 am - 5 pm

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in George Town. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Pinang Peranakan Mansion on Map

Sight Name: Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Sight Location: George Town, Malaysia (See walking tours in George Town)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in George Town, Malaysia

Create Your Own Walk in George Town

Create Your Own Walk in George Town

Creating your own self-guided walk in George Town is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

George Town has much to be proud of when it comes to religious heritage, as the city has a host of wonderful churches, temples, mosques and other religious centers. Each is beautifully decorated and has its own unique story to tell. Check out the most interesting historical religious edifices in the city with this self-guided walking tour.

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Farquhar Street Walking Tour

Farquhar Street Walking Tour

The Farquhar Street is home to a number of interesting historic buildings and other heritage sites. In fact, it has been listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site since 2008. Here you can see the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, the St. Xavier school and the Protestant Cemetery, where Francis Light's tomb is located. While you’re here, take this self-guided walking tour to admire the beautiful...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
George Town Introduction Walking Tour

George Town Introduction Walking Tour

Some felt in Malaya that the city of George Town should be renamed Tanjung Penaga ("Cape Penaga"). That was the name of the area where George Town now stands. But the Chinese, British, Muslim, Malay and Indian movers and shakers of the town wisely declined. It might be bad for business.

Captain Francis Light, R. N., came to Tanjung Penaga in 1786. He wanted to set up an entrepôt for...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles