Chew Jetty, George Town

Chew Jetty, George Town (must see)

The historic waterfront settlement of Chew Jetty stands among the six clan jetties that form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in George Town. Named after the Chew clan, pioneers who arrived in Penang during the 19th century seeking greener pastures, this historic enclave paints a vivid picture of the island's early Chinese settlers.

In those days, the Chew clan, largely impoverished, toiled near the port and sought refuge by constructing their homes atop stilts above the sea. Today, their settlement serves as a captivating living museum, offering a window into the past while immersing visitors in the present of this unique community.

As the largest and most well-preserved of the clan jetties, the area comprises 75 elevated houses, along with several Chinese temples, a community hall, and an array of tourist amenities, all connected by elevated wooden walkways. A stroll along these paths promises encounters with docked fishing vessels, locals preparing traditional dishes in their homes, and the laughter of children at play.

Many of the residents have transformed their homes into shops or stalls, peddling a variety of souvenirs, snacks, and traditional handicrafts to eager tourists, adding to the atmosphere of the locale.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in George Town. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Chew Jetty on Map

Sight Name: Chew Jetty
Sight Location: George Town, Malaysia (See walking tours in George Town)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in George Town, Malaysia

Create Your Own Walk in George Town

Create Your Own Walk in George Town

Creating your own self-guided walk in George Town is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

George Town, Malaysia, has much to be proud of when it comes to religious heritage. The city boasts a plethora of wonderful churches, temples, mosques, and other religious sites – each beautifully decorated and with its own unique story. Follow us on this self-guided walk and see some of them up close.

We start at the Acheen Street Mosque. Dating back to the early 19th century, this is one of...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
George Town Introduction Walking Tour

George Town Introduction Walking Tour

Some felt in Malaya that the city of George Town should be renamed Tanjung Penaga ("Cape Penaga"). That was the name of the area where George Town now stands. But the Chinese, British, Muslim, Malay and Indian movers and shakers of the town wisely declined. It might be bad for business.

Captain Francis Light, R. N., came to Tanjung Penaga in 1786. He wanted to set up an entrepôt for...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Farquhar Street Walking Tour

Farquhar Street Walking Tour

Farquhar Street, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008, is a culturally rich thoroughfare in George Town, Malaysia, and home to many interesting historic properties. Let's take a brief journey down this storied street and see what they are.

At the outset of Farquhar stands the impressive Supreme Court building, a symbol of justice and governance in Penang. Just a stone's throw away,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles