Wednesday, February 8, 2023

CHEW JETTY - THE CHINESE SETTLEMENT THAT HAS BECOME A TOURIST ATTRACTION


  17TH DECEMBER 2022  ~ The next destination after Fort Cornwallis was Chew Jetty. Basically the jetty was row of houses built on stilts on the water with a long plank of walkway in between that led to one small jetty. And it has now become a tourist attraction in Georgetown.








Here is some background history of the popular jetty in town:

Chew Jetty Penang is located at Weld Quay, George Town, Penang and is 21 kilometres away from Lexis Suites Penang. It is the biggest of the waterfront settlements in Georgetown and was part of the Clan Jetties Penang settling at the southern section of Weld Quay. The wooden piers built by the Chinese were divided between the different surname-based clans such as “Lim”, “Tan”, “Lee”, “Yeoh” and finally “Chew”, which was the most famous of all. Chew Jetty has also become one of the focal points of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Penang in recent years.

Back in 1918, the Chinese ancestors of Chew Jetty Penang heard that jobs were aplenty in Penang and many were attracted to earn a living there. The Clan Jetty was built on stilts by Chinese immigrants and each jetty comprises row houses on stilts joined by wooden walkways over the water. The most joyous moment with a carnival atmosphere at Chew Jetty Penang is when the Weld Quay settlements celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday by making offerings on a 20-metre long altar decorated with sugarcanes, a colourful dragon, joss sticks, roasted piglets, traditional cakes and fruits that are offered to the deity. During this event, throngs of people, be it devotees, locals or tourists, will visit Chew Jetty Penang to enjoy the lion dance and fireworks lit at midnight.
















































Other than observing the houses of the people staying here, there is another activity you could when you are at Chew Jetty.

No comments:

Post a Comment