Penang Boutique Hotel

The most charming boutique hotel in Georgetown Penang, Straits Collection is a total eclectic mix of Retail, Restaurants and Residences, over two separate rows of heritage Chinese Shophouses. It sits on the Armenian Street and Steward Lane is surrounded by a plethora of restaurants, shopping venues and is just minutes away from Harmony Street where guests will be delighted to visit the Chinese Temple, Indian Temple, Islamic Mosque and Christian Church.

Indeed a prestigious location, this recently refurbished and renovated property was built in 1927. Retaining its original classic, elegant and authentic look, Straits Collection also features timeless furnishings and up to the minute facilities at the same time. A property suitable for all whether it’s a romantic holiday, a family vacation, a social or business trip; Straits Collection pampers guests by offering full housekeeping service and a butler is available on call for all guests needs. All in all, magnificent and timeless Straits Collection is exemplary.

More photos on Straits Collection:

47a Stewart Lane Bedroom

47b Stewart lane Bedroom

49a Stewart Lane Bedroom

51a Stewart Lane Bedroom

Beijing Opera Ghaffar Pourazar

Ghaffar Pourazar, an Iranian-born, British-raised, former computer animator turned Chinese Opera performer, and Chie Morimura, a Japanese woman who is a founding member of the International Centre for Peking Opera – will stage a short excerpt from one of the most famous plays, “The Monkey King,” based on stories of the mythical Chinese figure on 7 July, 5pm-9pm at Khoo Kongsi.

7th July 2010
Time: 7-9pm
Type: Street Celebration
Venue: Khoo Kongsi
Ticket Price: FREE

More detail on GHAFFAR POURAZAR & CHIE MORIMURA – BEIJING OPERA

Penang Heritage Building

Without paying single cents, indulge yourself in public and private heritage buildings open house throughout the Georgetown Penang at 7th July 2010. Some of the heritage building require ticket fees on normal day visit such as Sun Yat Sen Penang Base and Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. But exclusively for the celebration of 2nd Anniversary George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will entitle for free visit at Sun Yat Sen Penang Base (10.00am-12.00pm) and Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (1.30-2.30pm, limited to 120 pax).

Other free public and private heritage building open house: Location: Penang State Museum, Penang Islamic Museum, Konsenih Building (Equator Academy of Art), Segara Ninda Residence, Wisma Kastam, Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang Tourist Guide Association, Carpenter’s Guild, Hai Nan Association, Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi, Yap Kongsi, Cheah Si Hock Haw Kong Kongsi, Ong Si Thye Guan Tong, Lee Sih Chong Soo, Han Jiang Ancestral Temple (Penang Teochew Association), Tsen Lung Fui Kon, Poh Choo Seah, Hock Teik Cheng SinTemple, Town Hall, Lighthouse, World Heritage Office, Anak-anak Kota, Penang Heritage Trust-PAPA, The Sire (House of Yeap Chor Ee). In addition, many other sites in George Town will be open to the public including Indian and Chinese temples, mosques, churches, tombs, and shrines.

Download full program list of Georgetown Festival 2010

EMILY OF EMERALD HILL

Scheduled to be an annual event, Georgetown Festival opens as a feast of theater, music, dance, film, art, opera, food, fashion, photography, talks and more! One the feature program, Emily of Emerald Hill theatre live in Georgetown Penang at 1, 2, 4th July 2010.

Background: Malaysia’s foremost film director Saw Teong Hin (Puteri Gunung Ledang) directing Emily of Emerald Hill with Neo Swee Lin, Pearlly Chua and Leow Puay Tin. This production will be the first time of the part of Emily is played by 3 actresses on the same stage. This dinner theatre will be at our historically elegant Town Hall that for that evening will be totally transformed to a grand dining room by Malaysian artist and set designer, Liew Kung Yu. Click here for more details.

Penang Matta Fair 2010

Penang Matta Fair Is Back!!The most awaited and anticipated travel fair of the year returns with loads of offers from hundred of exhibitors. Penang Matta Fair 2010 will be held at Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) from 2nd-4th of July 2010. Penang Matta Fair presents a diverse range of destinations for Penang consumers at fabulous discounts which is a must attend expo. There are lot of value added tour packages and great travel incentives are offered at this tourism fair. Specialize travel agents will help you with flights, hotels, and ground transportation to any destinations in the world. Don’t miss out this opportunity to get the best deal on travel.

Georgetown Penang Festival

Georgetown Festival  July 2010 - Georgetown Penang is celebrating its 2nd anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 7th July 2010. A month-long “George Town Festival” is inaugurated in conjunction with this year’s celebration, featuring over 30 programs throughout the month of July! This is a concerted effort to promote ARTS and HERITAGE in Penang by the Penang State Government, Municipal Council of Penang Island, George Town World Heritage Incorporated and Penang Global Tourism.

Scheduled to be an annual event, George Town Festival opens as a feast of theatre, music, dance, film, arts, food, fashion, photography, inspirational talk and visual spectacle on the streets. By bringing together different artistic communities from local and abroad-schools, amateur groups, cultural groups, professional performers-George Town Festival thus becomes the stage for local and international artistic exchange. It is a guarantee to treat the audiences with both traditional and contemporary artistic trends from around George Town.

George Town Festival also offers creative practitioners and educators and business operators opportunities to create new works and dialogues within the context of heritage George Town. With an approximate reach-out of 200,000 people, the festival will help to promote your works to a big pool of local and international audiences. http://www.georgetownfestival.com/

Penang 12 Best Food Must Eat

Penang is best known for its heavenly, delicious hawker food. It is called hawker food because it was traditionally hawked by peddlers who carried them around in baskets or on push-carts. There are so many of varieties of street food from kuih(cakes) to noodles to our staple food – rice. Being a city with such diverse cultures, each ethnic community has their distinct flavors of mouth watering food. Tourism Development And Culture Penang has selected the Top 12 Must Eat Penang Foods from 100 type of Penang foods. These foods may be exceed more than 50 years history in Malaysia and best to represent Penang’s life cultural. Download the Penang 12 Must Eat Best Foood brochure.

Old Penang Guesthouse

Seeking for the unforgettable heritage stay at Georgetown Penang, UNESCO World Heritage City? Think about Old Penang Guesthouse. Old Penang Guesthouse is a heritage guesthouse that combines the charm of Penang’s yesteryears with modern amenities. Conveniently located in the heart of Georgetown, Penang, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by antique and bric-a-brac shops, it is only a stroll away from Penang’s historical landmarks. The design integrates old with new, modern with historic, ensuring that the total experience is one that is authentic, honouring the past while bringing every modern convenience to bear. Old Penang Guesthouse offers amazing value for Seeking for comfortable and unforgettable heritage stay at Georgetown Penang, UNESCO World Heritage City. Let’s explore the heritage and find your old time memory here!

Penang 1st Avenue

A RM300 million highly anticipated city centre retail mall, Penang 1st Avenue is expected to open in Georgetown, Penang in the third quarter of Year 2010.

The lower ground floor of the mall called “Chill” would feature outlets that cater to the young with its fashion and lifestyle offerings. The ground floor called “Style”, would showcase high fashion clothes, accessories and beauty products, dotted with al-fresco cafes. The first floor is “Modish” featuring men’s apparel, sports, gadgets, kidswear and toys. “First Asia” on the second floor was designated to feature some of the best Asian lifestyles like Thai spas. The third floor will offer various beauty and wellness stores and shoppers can also enjoy good meals at various themed, casual and specialty restaurants. The supermarket and food court will be located on the fourth floor and the mall will also have a cineplex and karaoke lounge.

The mall is jointly developed by three property and retail heavyweights, namely Asian Retail Mall II Limited (ARML II), Belleview Group and Lion Group, hopes to bring Penangites and a new wave of shopping experience.

Ice Kacang Puppy Love is a movie directed by Ah Niu, popular singer in Malaysia, Taiwan and China. The story of Ice Kacang Puppy Love was set in early 80s which is based largely on Ah Niu’s puppy love story and childhood experiences in Penang. That’s why the movie features a few heritage sites in Penang such as Chew’s Jetty, Esplanade, Penang Ferry and Khoo Kongsi.

Below are some photos during shooting of  “Ice Kacang Puppy Love” at Penang Chew’s Jetty.

Ah Niu & Lee Sin Jie on Ice Kacang Puppy Love

Shooting at Penang Chew's Jetty

Chew Jetty -  this is where Ah Niu and the actress, Lee Sinje back to hometown at Penang Chew Jetty to look for her father. Chew Jetty is one of the largest clan jetties along Weld Quay.  This is unique chinese settlements along Weld Quay, with homes built along wooden piers that extend to Penang Channel. It has been in existence since 19th century. The residents of each clan jetty are descendants of chinese immigrants that reflect the distinct historical, geographical and lineage of its populace.