Abby heads off to the wilds of Borneo with a small group of friends from Malaysia to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gunung (Mount) Mulu National Park in the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. Travelling on a tight budget the group chooses to stay in a small but comfortable guesthouse on the perimeter of the park.
Built in the 1880s, this famous indigo-blue Chinese Courtyard House in Georgetown was the residence of Cheong Fatt Tze, a prominent Chinese figure in the newly established Penang Straits Settlement during the 19th century. The mansion was built by master craftsmen brought in especially from China, who used their skills to fashion the mansion with 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows.
Built in the 1880s, this famous indigo-blue Chinese Courtyard House in Georgetown was the residence of Cheong Fatt Tze, a prominent Chinese figure in the newly established Penang Straits Settlement during the 19th century. The mansion was built by master craftsmen brought in especially from China, who used their skills to fashion the mansion with 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows.
Rescued from the perils of development in the 1990s by a small group of Heritage preservationists led by Laurence Loh, the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion possesses splendid Chinese timber carvings, Gothic louvre windows, russet brick walls and porcelain cut & paste decorative shard works, art nouveau stained glass panels, Stoke-on-Trent floor tiles and Scottish cast iron work.Its layout is based on feng-shui principles, and filled with rare a collection of sculptures, carvings, tapestries and other antiques.
In 2000, the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion received the inaugural Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award, selected as the 'Most Excellent Project' in the Asia Pacific Rim following its RM7.6 milllion restoration works.
Key
Tips
Today, visitors have the chance to stay at the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion as its doors are open to visitors who wish to experience and absorb the aura of 19th-century architecture. Tours of Cheong Fatt Tze mansion are available at 11.00 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays.
How
to get there
By Foot or Taxi Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is on Lebuh Leith, in between Lebuh Chulia and Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah.
This destination is a boutique hotel in its own right. If you choose to stay elsewhere in town, Penang has a wide range of accommodation available, from basic backpacker's hostels to 5-star hotels.
Be the first to add comment!.
Rate and Leave Your Comment
Penang Attractions
Khoo Kongsi - The elaborate Khoo Kongsi, dating back to 1906, is by far the grandest clan temple on the island, and should not be missed.
Tanjung City Marina - Tanjung City Marina (TCM) in Penang, the first inner city marina in the country.
Pinang Peranakan Mansion - Pinang Peranakan Mansion showcases elegant Straits Chinese antiques and collectibles.
Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa
- This Penang institution is set on the best stretch of the famous Batu Ferringhi beach.
Hotel Equatorial Penang
- Combining the flexibility and space options with the hotel's unique ambiance and convenient location, have made the hotel a top choice for businessmen and conference organisers.
Lone Pine Hotel
- A contemporary Beach Resort, infused with touches of colonial Penang charm.
