George Town: From a port city to World Heritage Site

George Town and Malacca

The historic city of George Town is located in Penang, one of the state in Malaysia. It is one of the components of the serial property “Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca”, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008.

Melaka and George Town have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the towns with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. The two towns constitute a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.

From a port city to a World Heritage Site

George Town was founded in 1786 as a free port to serve British interest in South-East Asia. The establishment of the port made George Town a centre for global trading, attracting foreign merchants, largely from China, India and Arab countries. As a result, George Town developed a multi-ethnic society that still exists today. This diversity is reflected in the architecture of the city, as well as its rich intangible cultural heritage.

Today, the different cultural and religious communities that inhabit George Town continue to live in harmonious coexistence through the understanding of multicultural traditions that have been passed down through generations despite cultural and ethnic differences. The local communities have a very strong sense of ownership of their cultural identity, acting as safekeepers and guardians of this unique heritage.

The community

The different communities that inhabit George Town are the main safekeepers and guardians of its heritage. Through the continuation of traditional businesses, traditions and activities, the local communities and community associations ensure that George Town is preserved not only in its physical form, but also in its rich social and cultural aspects. The government has supported these activities since the 1990s, as it contributes to the unique multiculturalism of Penang, and increases its attractiveness as a heritage city.

Heritage spots to visit

With the inscription of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, stakeholders of George Town have worked together to preserve and rejuvenate many parts of the heritage city. Some of the interesting spots that are worth exploring includes:

• Fort Cornwallis
• Clan houses, provincial associations and trade guilds such as the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi clan house, Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi clan house, Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce
• Places of worship such as the Masjid Kapitan Keling, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, St. George’s Church
• Public spaces including the Armenian Park, China Street Ghaut and Lebuh Light
• Various heritage shophouses built in different eras across the site.