Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Penang

The Peranakan Chinese is the term used to describe the descendents of Chinese immigrants to the Malay archipelago in the late 15th and 16th century. Over the centuries, the Peranakan assimilated and adopted many of the local Malay culture and customs, whilst maintaining much of their Chinese heritage, creating an interesting blend and fusion of customs and lifestyle unique to the region.

In the Malay peninsula, the Peranakan mainly settled in Malacca, and later in the British Straits Settlements of Penang and Singapore. Hence their other common name of the "Straits Chinese". The Peranakan are also known as the Baba and Nyonyas. "Baba" probably originates from Persian traders and was used as a honorific to address your grandfather. Whereas "Nyonya" was probably from the Javanese word "Nona" which means lady. Whatever the origin, the word "Baba" eventually became used to describe the Peranakan male, and "Nyonya", the Peranakan female.

In the Straits Settlements, many of the Peranakan later took to also adopting selected ways of the colonial British on top of their unique blend of chinese-malay culture. The influence of the Peranakan on food, culture and language can be felt until today, as well as rich legacy of antiques and architecture.

In George Town, Penang it is possible to view how the Peranakan must have lived in the past, at the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Located in the heart of the heritage zone of the city, the Mansion is right on Church Street and is easy to get to.

The mansion is a turn-of the 19th century house that once belonged to the Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee. After falling in to ruin and neglect, it has now been lovingly restored in the style of a typical Baba and Nyonya house with various antiques and furniture of the period.

The mansion is in the Straits Eclectic architectural style.

You enter into a lobby facing into a central courtyard.

There is a small entrance fee (Adult RM10, Children RM5) for entering the mansion which you pay upon entry into the lobby. You are immediately greeted by an airy and naturally lit central courtyard reminiscent of a Chinese Courtyard home.

Chinese wood carvings, english floor tiles and scottish ironworks

A spectacular staircase leads upwards from the Courtyard.

In typical eclectic fashion, the Mansion is a combination of Chinese influences as well as Western. Chinese wood panels and carvings combine with English floor tiles and balusters made of cast iron from Glasgow, Scotland.

 

The rooms of the mansion have been lovingly restored and decorated with european style teak furniture, victorian ceramics and peranakan antiques. A beautiful restoration that gives you a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the affluent Peranakans of Penang in a bygone era.

Walk through here to the rear of the mansion for a surprise.

After wandering through the mansion, do not leave. Walk around to the rear of the mansion and through a narrow corridor and portal and emerge into a hidden surprise - a small ancestral temple.

Before leaving, treat yourself to some nyonya kuih and cendol at the attached cafe. Pinang Peranakan Mansion is a must-do on a visit to Penang.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Address: 29, Church Street, 10200 Penang, Malaysia.

Telephone:  +(604) 2642929 
Opening Hours: 9:30am - 5:00pm