Penang, Malaysia Photo Gallery by Choo Tse Chien at pbase.com

Penang, Malaysia

Glimpses of where I live.

I have pictures from all over Asia in my other earlier galleries but never got around to doing one on my front doorstep. I must say that I make a better attempt at getting good pictures when I am away from home travelling and am quite complacent (=lazy) with attempts on shooting local. It's always like that isn't it? You always think that because you live at a certain place or are located near a certain location, you can always go there anytime and do not give priority to getting serious to photograph.....after all "you can always go there anytime for a shoot". The thing is, often, you never get around to actually doing it.

For those of you from far away, this is a gallery about the city island state of Penang located on the northern part of peninsula Malaysia. It's not too big a place (pop about 1.5 million) and not too small...just nice enough to be cosmopolitan without being impersonal and cozy without going nuts. There are nice sandy coconut lined tropical beaches buzzing with sunseekers, busy streetlife in downtown Georgetown to middle class surburbia and secluded fishing villages. We've even got a highland retreat in the form of Penang Hill that offer respite for those seeking to escape the tropical heat at sealevel. Despite having some highly developed parts, Penang island is still mostly shrouded in tropical jungle and there are still parts which are impenetrable & inaccessible except to a determined few.

It's only about 45kms to go around the island and you can go from sprawing urbania to secluded villages to absolute jungle in a space of less than half a day. It's relatively small geographically but jammed packed with contrast & stuff to see.

This gallery is forever work in progress as I go out and shoot more. So please come back often. To make it easier for repeat visitors, I have captioned the latest updates as "NEW".


		Nightime View Of Georgetown From Penang Hill	Daytime View Of Georgetown From Penang Hill
View Of North Coast From Fort Cornwallis	Khoo Kongsi Lit At Dusk Penang	NEW : Kek Lok Si Temple At Chinese New Year	NEW : Kek Lok Si Temple At Chinese New Year
NEW : Kek Lok Si Temple At Chinese New Year	NEW : Kek Lok Si Temple At Chinese New Year	Kek Lok Si Temple At Chinese New Year	Lanterns At Kek Lok Si Temple At Chinese New Year
Prayer Oil Lanterns At Kek Lok Si Temple At Chinese New Year	Kek Lok Si Temple Lit At Night	View Of East Coast Of Penang Island With Pulau Jerjak & Mainland	Sunrise Over Southside Of Penang Island
View Of Southwest Coastline Of Penang Island With Pulau Betong	Coconut Tree Swaying In The Wind At Batu Ferringhi	Yatch Anchored Off Pulau Jerejak	Tranquil Southside Beach At Tanjung Asam
KOMTAR & Prewar Row Of Shophouses	KOMTAR & Prewar Houses At Weld Quay	No 10 Downing Street	Hungry Ghost Festival
Hainanese Guild At Love Lane	Seri Rambai 17th Century Dutch Cannon At Fort Cornwallis	Seri Rambai 17th Century Dutch Cannon At Fort Cornwallis	View Across The Channel To Butterworth From Fort Cornwallis
Clock Tower Commemorating On Queen Victoria's Jubilee	Another View Of The Clock Tower	City Hall Building With Colonial Architecture Georgetown	Boats Along The East Coast Of Penang
Colonial Building Georgetown Dispensary Beach Street Penang	Doorway Along Beach Street Georgetown Penang	Dragon Carving In Kek Lok Si Temple Penang	Flower Garlands For Sale Along Pitt Street
Figurehead For Lion Dance For Chinese New Year	Fruit Stall At Ayer Itam Market Penang	Man Selling Fresh Prawns Chowrasta Market	Goddess Of Mercy Temple Pitt Street
Burning Joss Sticks In Front Of Goddess Of Mercy Temple Pitt Street	Devotees At Goddess Of Mercy Temple Pitt Street	Devotees At Goddess Of Mercy Temple Pitt Street	Prayer Joss Sticks At Goddess Of Mercy Temple Pitt Street
Prayer Joss Sticks Goddess Of Mercy Temple Pitt Street	Joss Sticks Along Kimberley Street	Joss In The Shape Of Money For Prayer Offerings Along Pitt Street	Chinese Prayer Paraphernalia & Joss Sticks Along Kimberley Street
Lion Guarding Doorway To A Kimberley Street Shop	Prayer Paper Goddess Of Mercy Temple Pitt Street	Dome Of Kapitan Kling Mosque	Kapitan Kling Mosque
Minaret Of Kapitan Kling Mosque	Government Building Along Farquhar Street Georgetown Penang	Fresh Chicken For Sale In Chowrasta Market	Man Selling Potatoes Garlic & Onions Chowrasta Market
Old Man Selling Antique Coins At Chowrasta Market	Row Of Motorbikes Along Cintra Street	Idyllic Fishing Village Of Batu Maung Southside Penang Island	India House Along Beach Street Georgetown Penang
Kek Lok Si Temple Ayer Itam Penang	Mangrove Lined West Coastline Of Penang Island	Northeast View Of Georgetown From Penang Hill	Campbell Street Market Facade
Inside The Old Campbell Street Wet Market	Pineapples At Ayer Itam Market Market	Pre WW2 Buildings Along Love Lane Penang	Rainy Day At Jetty Of Teluk Bahang Fishing Village Northside Penang Island
Secluded Southside Beach At Gertak Sanggul	Southern Bank Building Beach Street Georgetown Penang	St George Church Pitt Street	Standard Chartered Building Beach Street Georgetown Penang
Swingdoor Bar Bishop Street Georgetown Penang	Chinese Pork Jerky Bacon & Sausages Hanging Along Campbell Street	Roasted Chestnuts Along Penang Road	Hanging Meat At The Butcher's Chowrasta Market
Local Chinese Jerky & Sausages Chowrasta Market	Flower Offerings Along Pitt Street Temples	Animated Chinese New Year Figurine Along Campbell Street	Chicken Seller Chowrasta Market
Aquarium Fish For Sale At Chowrasta Market	1st Chapel In Penang At Fort Cornwallis	Cannons On Ramparts Of Fort Cornwallis	Captain Francis Light Founder Of Prince Of Wales Island Now Penang
Customs & Excise Dept Building With Clock Tower Georgetown	Lighthouse & Flagstaff At Fort Cornwallis	Narrow Corridors Along Weld Quay Floating Village	Plank Jetty At Weld Quay Floating Village
Tan Jetty Floating Village At Weld Quay	Trishwa Rider Taking A Break	View From Chew Jetty At Floating Village At Weld Quay	18th & 19th Century Graves At First Christian Cemetary Of Penang
18th & 19th Century Graves At First Christian Cemetary Of Penang	18th & 19th Century Graves At First Christian Cemetary Of Penang	18th & 19th Century Graves At First Christian Cemetary Of Penang	Lover's Isle At Batu Feringghi
A Secluded Beach At Batu Feringghi	Penang Bridge - The 3rd Longest Bridge In The World	Penang Bridge	View From Bukit Jambul
Hanging Laundry On Prewar Shophouse	Prewar Facade Kampung Malabar	Prewar Facade Kampung Malabar	Prewar Shophouses Cintra Street
Spiral Staircase Cintra Street	A Rainy Day Along The Weld Quay Floating Village	Barges Anchored Off Weld Quay	Beach Along Penang Swimming Club
Birds In A Pet Shop Weld Quay	Cargo Ships Berthed At The Butterworth Wharves	Chinese Altar Along Kampung Malabar	Container Ship At Penang Port
Crab Pots At Weld Quay On A Rainy Day	Cross Channel Ferry Underway	Cruise Ship & Navy Ships Berthed at Port Swettemham	Monkey At Botanical Gardens
Penang Swimming Club Tanjung Bungah	Pulau Tikus Off Tanjung Bungah	Row Of Prewar Shophouses At Kampung Malabar	View Of KOMTAR & Georgetown From The Ferry
Bicycle & Rattan Baskets Along Stewart Lane	Colourful Antique Tiles On Prewar Shophouse	Colourful Antique Wall Tiles On Prewar House	Corner Of Leith Street & Stewart Lane
Pillars Of Wan Hai Hotel Love Lane	Trisha Carrying Schoolkids Chulia Street	Trisha Carrying Scrap Along Stewart Lane	Trisha Carrying Scrap Metal Near Love Lane
Trisha Rider At Stewart Lane	Trisha Rider Stewart Lane	Banana Seller Carnavon Street	Hawker Junction Of Chulia & Carnavon Streets
Little Guardian Lion Rope Walk	Prewar House Facade Love Lane	Roadside Magazine Stall Chulia Street	Side Of A Prewar House Love Lane
Taking A Nap Along Rope Walk	Trishas Along Rope Walk	Utensil Shop Campbell Street	Wan Hai Hotel Love Lane
Window Cintra Street	Shopping Mall	Shopping Mall	Mr Lee The Joss Stick Maker Stewart Lane
Old Man Pushing Bicycle At Chew Jetty Weld Quay	Garland Seller Pitt Street	Giving Prayer At Goddess Of Mercy Temple Pitt Street	Little Girl On A Stack Of Chairs In Coffee Shop
Trisha Along Stewart Lane	5 Foot Way Along Jalan Melayu	Altar On A Weathered Pillar	Antique Tiles
Corner Prewar House	Doorway Along Lorong Prangin	Doorway	Gold & Diamond Dealer Carnavon Street
Gold Bullion Dealer Along Carnavon Street	Houses Along Jalan Melayu	Ice Boxes At Fishmonger's Prangin Market	Minaret Of Mosque
Mosque	Old Man On A Bicycle Carnavon Street	Prewar Shophouse Facade	Rattan Baskets Prangin Market
Road Junction Along Carnavon Street	Row Of Prewar Shophouses	Row Of Shophouses	Signage Along Carnavon Street
Sleepy Dog On A Doorway	Sweeping The Road On A Sunday Morning	Syed Alatas Mansion	Taking A Quiet Sunday Afternoon Nap
Used Bottle Shop	Used Bottles For Sale	Weathered Walls Jalan Melayu	Windows
Fuel Pump In Imperial	Blue Skies across the channel	Penang Bridge Middle Span	Penang Bridge Middle Span
Beach along Pantai Bersih on the mainland	Beach along Pantai Bersih on the mainland	Chinese Temple Roof Detail Near Church Street	Colourful Prewar Shophouses Along Pitt Street
Drowsy Sunday Morning In Little India	Gertak Sanggul Beach Southside	Little India Queen Street	Mosque Minaret Chulia Street Near Little India
Pitt Street-Chulia Street Junction	Row Of Prewar Houses Near Cannon Square	Tanjung Asam Beach Southside	Unofficial Traffic Warden In King Street Little India

post a comment

Dr Lynne Ridgway		22-May-2009 22:16
Terima Kasih for the inspirational photos. I was born in Penang (RAAF parents) but left when I was 8 months old and have been wanting to get back since. I will be in Penang for a brief visit on July 19-22 this year and your photos have started my list of places to visit. I loved the trishaws and fishing village shots particularly. cheers and thanks Dr Lynne Ridgway (Brisbane Qld Australia)

Edwoo		01-Jan-2009 02:46
Great works!! As an old Pg boy, I particularly enjoy the colonial and pre-war buildings shots. Keep these heritage buildings alive, in print at least.

Guest		14-Dec-2008 01:19
Thank you very much for your excellent photos of Georgetown. My wife & I have visited many times over the years & consider Penang our favorite city/island in Asia. Though there have been some changes over time it's still magical. Can't wait for our next trip. Thanks again! Lester Stewart

Guest		15-Jul-2008 20:55
these building are so beautiful,actually there are much more pre war building in penang but sadly some was destroyed during world war 2 and some have to pill down for development,hope these antique building will stay alive and well mantained.

Guest		05-May-2008 12:08
Hi Chien Loved the pix of the beaches and old buildings.....can't wait for the summer hols, will be spending some time in Pg! hey u shud consider coming to Shanghai, loads of old magnificent buildings right at my doorstep . Also viewed yr avian photos, am sure they involve different skills, very well executed! cs

Wayne Hosker		04-Nov-2007 15:02
What a great idea. I went to Malaysia for 3 wks in Aug/Sept this year. I found Penang to be a vibrant and contrasting place to stay (Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Eastern and Oriental). I loved every minute I spent there so much that I am going again in 2008. I personally met Mr. Lee and I have foto's of him teaching me to make joss sticks! I also went to Balik Pulau and was introduced to Mr. Fong, a silversmith in a dying trade. Any hope of you taking pics of him too? Anyway, thanks for a great site and I wish you continued success with it. Wayne Hosker. UK

Khoo Khek Chuan		23-Aug-2007 16:21
"Wah, velly nice one lah your website." Like many other Penangites who are "stranded" abroad this is a great site to remind one of "home". Thanks for the great images. I'll certainly recomend the site to others, especially those who have not visited Penang before. When I get the time (sound familiar?), maybe I'll get a site up to compliment this one from the many hundreds of images I've taken of Penang over the years!

lorraine Buhagiar.Malta 2007		19-Jul-2007 17:52
Just came across your pictures.....they brought back lovely memories of Penang, Batu Ferringhi etc...my husband and i visited in 2002 and spent 2 months in SouthEastAsia,Malaysia was the first stop and a brilliant start!

Azlin Ahmad		28-May-2007 07:28
You have many good images here, well done to your labour of love!

Guat Chin		19-Dec-2006 05:45
Those shots are awesome. Didn't know PG can look that good...! Well, certainly there are many places that I need to visit in PG... esp Kek Lok Si on the CNY :) Cheers! ~ gc

Bjarne		23-Sep-2006 11:23
Thank you for let us see all your lovely picture from Penang...I was there in 1973-74-75 and I remember alot when I see this picture.. Thank you again. Bjarne in Norway.

kelvin		09-May-2006 11:54
your photos are exquisite!i have more photos on Mr Lee,the joss stick maker. contact me via email if you're interested!

YC Wong - Malacca		05-May-2006 13:22
Wonderful & a delightful presentation of Penang Views. I shall draw my students' attention to your site to view these works, especially to feel the vitality of life in the midst. Congratulations and Thanks for sharing

Eleanor Brodie		05-Mar-2006 22:59
Beautiful and memory provoking pictures, thank you. My brother who lives in New York showed me the link .... I was looking specificaly for views of Balik Pulau and the hilly land opposite Pulau Betong. We were born in B.Pulau and spent our later school years in Bukit Glugor. I have been living in Dubai for several years .... it's time to balik kampong to have a look. Next trip .....

Guest		19-Jan-2006 23:25
Tse Chien, it's Chrissy. How are you? I now live in Florida. My sis sent me this link. The pics are beautiful. Made me homesick.

Cindy Khoo-Robinson		14-Feb-2005 18:53
Chien, Thanks so much for sharing all your photos. Enjoyed them very much. Brings home so much closer, especially around this time of the year. My aunt sent me the link to your photos for Chinese New Year. I grew up in Penang and now reside in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kepp up your great work. Cindy

Aw Eng-eam		17-Nov-2004 12:06
Hi Choo Tse-chien, Thanks for sharing the vibrant pictures of your home town. U captured the spirit of lives in Penang. It was also helpful to record the foto. stats along the images. I was brought up in Pg. in Carnarvon St. ( Chulia St. end). Left Pg. 35 yrs ago. Am now living in Auckland(NZ). Thanks for the memory & keep them coming. Aw Eng-eam 17/11/04

Franz Bauer		10-Mar-2004 19:16
Enjoyed it a lot to visit Penang,thanks for this interesting journey,so easy in front of the PC-screen.Beautiful shots Franz Bauer

Jeff Thoroughgood		03-Feb-2004 08:48
Great collection of photo's keep it up.

Jinny Choo-Jackson		16-Jan-2004 12:24
Good stuff, nice angle on my old office (the Stanchart building). How on earth did you get the hawkers to move?

Matt Reichel		12-Jan-2004 01:54
Beautiful shots, nice insight into Penang!

tamago		03-Jan-2004 19:02
good shots - i visited Penang many years ago and this brought back lots of memories! thanks!

click on thumbnails for full image