Love Penang Heritage: The Story

Awesomed because of Awesome Penang Heritage value, and the story behind them.

Photos from: Love Penang. Thinking of contributing articles?

Some of the stories of these beautiful Penang Heritage sites…

1926 Heritage Hotel. An atmosphere of nostalgia – a unique blend of Malay, Indian and English architectural influences typical of the colonial era.

Built in 1926, it served as a home to the British colonial officers and local administrators. Today, it has been refurbished into a Heritage Hotel with most of its Anglo-Malay architectural essence still intact. 1926 Heritage Hotel Penang occupies 24 beautifully restored link houses along Jalan Imigresen in the heart of Jalan Burma. Georgetown’s heritage enclave, shopping and financial districts are nearby – and the Penang International Airport is a mere 25-minute drive away.

Odeon Cinema at Penang Road. The Iswaria Veenai Odeon Cinema.

Odeon Penang, also known as Iswaria Veenai Odeon Cinema is located at Penang Road since British occupation. It is one of the few remaining cinemas in the nation which now screens only mainstream Hindi and Tamil movies to cater to the niche crowd of Indian cinema fans.

Old E&O Hotel Penang. Colonial-style Penang Heritage hotel, known for its luxurious accommodation and restaurants.

The Eastern Hotel was founded by the Sarkies Brothers in 1884. Within one year, the hotel had prospered and gained so much popularity that the brothers established another hotel, the Oriental Hotel in 1885, leading to the merging of both hotels to form the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in 1885.

After World War II, the hotel went through a period of decline and in 1996, it was closed down. After major restoration works to restore the hotel back to its former grandeur under its new owner, The E & O Group, the hotel was reopened to the public in 2001.

Ghee Hiang Penang. Since 1856.

Originated from Fujian, China since 1856, Ghee Hiang has become an integral part of Penang, Malaysia's colourful heritage and mesmerising traditions.

In 1856, during a period when the tin mining and rubber industries in Malaya (now Malaysia) was flourishing and attracted many Chinese immigrants from Southern China, the founder invited a Fujian Pastry Chef to penang and adopted the name Ghee Hiang. This marked the beginning of Ghee Hing traditional pastries in Penang.

Then in the 1900's, Ghee Hiang Baby Brand Pure Sesame Oil was introduced, usign methods and techniques learned from Fujian, China.

Today, it is a trusted brand name.

Gurney Drive roundabout. A deluge of hawker delights and exciting restaurants that come alive at night.

Gurney Drive is perhaps one of the most well-known places in Penang. Often referred to as ‘The New Esplanade’ (to differentiate it from the original Esplanade in Georgetown). Gurney Drive was named after Sir Henry Gurney, a Malayan High Commissioner who was assassinated by the guerrillas of the Malayan Communist Party during the Emergency period in the early 1950s.