George Town, A World Heritage City? A Revelation

"George Town, A World Heritage City? A Revelation" is our first project highlighting the essential part of the inner city called George Town. In this project we covered only the Heritage Trail # 1 (as projected by the American Express sponsored pamplet on Heritage Trail , published by Penang Heritage Trust http://www.pht.com/) where we walk through the street and captured what we think are beautiful to our eyes. We would like to bring you along with us in this pictorial journey of George Town Heritage Trail 1.

Objective

To aim at revealing the close-up beauty of the inner city and to promote awareness on the potential of George Town as living Heritage City particularly to the local people and international visitors who loves this part of the world. This project is also to support the effort by the state government and the NGOs (especially Penang Heritage Trust) who promote peace and wellbeing of the inner city folks. By having this initiative, we hope to share the effort and reach out to the local to come forward to support the George Town sustainability as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (admitted to the List on 7 July 2008).

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As the clock ‘ticks’ away, it reminds us of our past…

Some are forgotten and left behind in a sad condition…
While some were rescued and adopted, thus regained their beauty to awe and inspire passerby…
Time flies and man continues to chase for pleasure, hope is high for status and lifestyle…

However the REAL hope remains LOCKED as many do not see the significant and potential of the inner city, our city of George Town…

PART 1-
STREET OF HARMONY- the witness of our forefathers’ tolerance.

Different ethnic groups living side-by-side harmoniously without formal segregation are best seen within the inner city, like along Jalan Kapitan Kling where it begins with St. George Church, followed by Kuan Ying Teng (Goddess of Mercy Temple), then Mahamariamman Temple and finally, the Kapitan Kling Mosque, hence it’s name, ‘Street of Harmony’- except from’Ooh! Penang’pp155

Where in the world can we find such combination? Aren’t we special?

The inner city can be explored! Even a peep on arch ways, a perk at the windows and doors provide fascination on cultural diversity and legacy…

PART 2- Clan Houses

The Clan Houses located within this small enclave around Armenian Street reflect both hardship and successful examples of the early Chinese settlers who had to endure in order to protect the welfare (education, financial and social) of their own clan. Yap, Cheah and Khoo Clans are among the few successful clans in Penang and this is well reflected with the effort put up in the aspect of building their Clan Houses, all dated back to the 19th century. The jewel of all the Kongsi - The Khoo Kongsi still prevails as the most outstanding example of Chinese Temple architecture with its gloriously ornate carving and design, definitely a worth to explore. We highlight the ‘cut and paste’ or Chien Nien artwork of the Clan Houses with special emphasis on the 24 Paragons of Chinese Filial Piety of Khoo Kongsi.