The Blue Mansion
Penang: George Town, Travel: Penang

The Blue Mansion

Of Cheong Fatt Tze

The Blue Mansion
The Blue Mansion

Penang is a land of diverse cultures. Situated at Penang’s famous George Town, The Blue Mansion forms an integral part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to this legendary mansion of Cheong Fatt Tze is a must. Having won several awards such as the Best Tourist Attraction, National Architectural Award and many more, it is known to be one of the greatest mansions in the world.

  

At the entrance...
At the entrance…

About Cheong Fatt Tze:

Cheong Fatt Tze also known as Tjong Tjen Hsoen, was a renowned capitalist and businessman of China. Born in 1840, he was a successful industrialist, diplomat, economic advisor, financier, minister, philanthropist and an eminent personality.

Known for having built a number of houses across the world, this mansion is the most famous of them all.

About Cheong Fatt Tze
About Cheong Fatt Tze
Historical details
Historical details

Facts:

  • The mansion was constructed during the late 19th century
  • It was one of Cheong Fatt Tze’s favourite houses
  • It incorporated a modern Western touch with a traditional twist
  • It has served as his family’s home, housed tenants and run as an office in the past
  • Its walls are believed to have been painted with a diluted form of indigo dye. However, it wasn’t as blue as it has been maintained off late.
Why so blue?
Why so blue?

Features:

  • The Blue Mansion has 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, 220 windows and 7 staircases
  • A part of it operates as a hotel with 18 rooms categorized into Han, Liang, Tang, Jin, Zhou and the 50’s Room
  • Its 2 beautiful courtyards stay fresh with good cross-ventilation
  • The blue architectural marvel houses traditional furniture, plunge pools and luxurious amenities for its in-house guests
  • The mansion has a restaurant serving modern Chinese as well as traditional Sichuan and Cantonese cuisines over lunch (12-2.30 pm) and dinner (6-10.30 pm)
  • It is open for important functions like parties, dinners and weddings

 

Courtyard and plunge pools
Courtyard and plunge pools

 

Architectural highlights:

  • Gothic windows
  • Chinese floor plan
  • Art Nouveau stained glass
  • Straits Settlement architecture
  • Intricate gold foiled work at the inside door
  • Porcelain work of the typical cut-and-paste style
  • Immense natural lighting and fresh air circulation
  • Depiction of all 5 elements of life at the main courtyard
  • Stoke-on-Trent floor tiles that remain untarnished even today
Art Nouveau stained glass
Art Nouveau stained glass

Tour:

Take a guided tour of this blue and catchy edifice and delve into historical grandeur. Gain a thorough insight on the architecture, influences and significance of the mansion.

Timings: The mansion offers a guided tour at 11 am, 2 pm and 3.30 pm every day.

Entry fee: RM 16/adult, RM 8/child, extra for non-Malaysians.

Display on the 1st floor - used for the 'cut and paste' porcelain work
Display on the 1st floor – used for the ‘cut and paste’ porcelain work
Remnants of the past
Remnants of the past

Getting there:

From George Town: Take a bus or trishaw to get to Leith Street.

From Lebuh Light: Turn towards Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, enter Lebuh Farquhar on the right and make a left turn to Lebuh Leith.

From Love Lane: Walk down towards Eastern & Oriental Hotel and take a left just before the fuel bunk, before the hotel.

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This post first appeared on Lyf&Spice

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24 thoughts on “The Blue Mansion”

  16. I’ve never been in Asia. Lately I read a lot of enticing posts about this continent and yours is yet another one that makes me want to start exploring it. Thank you for joining #TheWeeklyPostcard this week-end.

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