Three-day George Town Heritage Celebrations kick off with cultural workshop
Held at Armenian Park, Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple, Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi and along surrounding streets, it attracted a crowd of thousands.
Featuring some two-dozen interactive activities, the workshop allowed locals and tourists alike to experience and learn about traditional art forms, games, handicraft, rituals, cuisines, dialects and more.
There was also an interactive stage where various communities put on inviting dances that convinced many spectators to get up and join in the fun.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai and other state and community leaders.
The celebration continues on Sunday (July 6) with the George Town Heritage Walk flagging off from Beach Street at around 7am.
Around 2,000 participants have signed up for the 5km early morning stroll whose route was designed to take in some of the city's most iconic sights and structures.
On Monday (July 7) - which is Heritage Day and a public holiday in Penang - there will be Open Houses across eight heritage buildings from 9am to 5pm.
They are the Kwangtung and Tengchow Association, Makam Dato Koyah, Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, Nam Hooi Wooi Koon, St. George's Church Sun Wui Wui Koon, Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple and the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) building.
This will give the public a rare opportunity to explore the structures and learn about their historical significance and preservation efforts.
GTCH 2025 is themed Doors and Doorways in reference to the event serving as a gateway to the city's rich cultural tapestry, community legacies and lesser-known narratives.
The celebrations started in 2009 in commemoration of George Town's Unesco World Heritage inscription alongside Melaka a year earlier (2008).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur wins top MICE venue award
KUALA LUMPUR: World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), originally known as Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) has been named Best Established MICE Venue & Special Event at the Tourism Industry Awards 2025 (TIA 2025), cementing its status as a leader in Malaysia's business events scene. The award, presented on Aug 9 by Selangor's EXCO for Local Government and Tourism Datuk Ng Suee Lim, Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling, and TIA 2025 organising chairman Datuk Emmy Suraya Hussein, recognises industry players that deliver exceptional, holistic, and inclusive tourism experiences. TIA 2025, organised by the Malaysia International Tourism Development Association (MiTDA) in collaboration with Tourism Selangor and Santai Travel magazine, was graced by Menteri Besar Selangor Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib. "This award reflects the continuous efforts of WTCKL's team to lead the MICE or business events, industry not only in Malaysia but also internationally," said Datuk Sri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim, group managing director of WTCKL and board member of the World Trade Centres Association (WTCA). "It further strengthens our drive to position Malaysia as a global hub for business events while also showcasing Malaysia's exquisite hospitality to the world." As one of Malaysia's most iconic convention centres, WTCKL continues to attract world-class conferences, exhibitions, and events, leveraging its professional services and strategic location. It offers a wide array of event spaces, exhibition halls, pillarless banquet halls, and functional rooms including the famous Dewan Merdeka. Its largest theatre can seat up to 3,000 guests. This latest accolade serves as a springboard for WTCKL to further expand its global reach and competitiveness in the fast-evolving business events sector.
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang mulls cable car link to Gurney Bay as hill project progresses
The proposed 2.5km cable car line from the Botanic Gardens to Gurney Bay could complement Penang's ongoing hill cable car project. (Bernama pic) GEORGE TOWN : A feasibility study is being conducted for a cable car line linking Penang's Botanic Gardens to Gurney Bay, chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said today. Chow did not give specific details or an implementation schedule, but said the proposed 2.5km route made sense due to Gurney Bay's rising popularity, adding that it could help spread visitor flow. He also said the Gurney Bay line would serve as a second route to Penang Hill, especially during peak times and service outages. 'It supports our vision for sustainable tourism and better planning,' he said before witnessing the signing of a financing partnership between Hartasuma Ropeways Sdn Bhd and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) for the Penang Hill cable car project. The Botanic Gardens-Gurney Bay link, if approved, would complement the Penang Hill cable car project that has secured RM367.2 million and is expected to be completed by early 2027. The 2.73km main line for the Penang Hill cable car project will run from the Botanic Gardens to the hill's summit, climbing 700m above sea level in under 10 minutes. It will feature 50 eight-seat gondolas, moving up to 1,400 passengers per hour each way. The line is being built by Hartasuma Ropeways in partnership with Austrian firm Doppelmayr. It will serve as a gateway to the Unesco-listed Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, create 400 jobs, and offer disabled-friendly access, according to the planners. Hartasuma's executive director, Ravindran Menon, said the project cost rose from RM245 million to RM367.2 million due to post-pandemic price hikes and added facilities, including a car park, food outlets and sports areas. 'It won't just be a cable car. It will have shops, cafes, and even yoga space or pickleball courts,' he said. Penang Hill Corporation general manager Cheok Lay Leng said the gondolas would help manage visitor flow, keeping within the hill's maximum capacity of 6,463 people at a time.
The Sun
06-08-2025
- The Sun
Penang plans cable car link from Botanical Gardens to Gurney Bay
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has asked Hartasuma Sdn Bhd to study a proposed cable car route linking the Botanical Gardens to Gurney Bay. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the study is in its early stages, and the state will assess its viability. 'Gurney Bay is another iconic tourist attraction, therefore it makes sense to connect the Botanical Gardens with Gurney Bay via cable car as well.' He added that the 2.5-kilometre route could become a major tourism draw if feasible. Chow clarified that no final decision has been made on the implementing company yet. Hartasuma, a local rail industry expert, partnered with Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH for the Penang Hill cable car project. The Penang Hill project, awarded via a Public-Private Partnership, will transport 1,400 passengers hourly. The 2.73-kilometre route includes three stations: Garden Station, Turn Station, and Hill Station. A multi-storey car park and commercial plaza are also part of the development. – Bernama
