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Heritage Reside

Chew Jetty 02
A unique living heritage, the clan jetties are waterfront settlements of houses on stilts belonging to various Chinese clans dating back to 1882 when the quay was under construction.
Originally a wood yard, the jetties were built for the loading and unloading of goods and for the mooring of boats. Settlements grew on these foundations and seven different clans still reside at the Clan Jetties: the Lim, Chew, Tan and Yeoh jetties are the oldest and the Koay, Lee and Mixed Surname jetties were built later.
Among all the clan jetties, the Chew Jetty which has the most number of stilt-houses, longest walkway and a temple, is more popular with tourists. Visitors should be mindful when taking photos as many of the clan descendants still live in these water homes. It is indeed one of the most visited settlements in Penang.
During the Jade Emperor God’s birthday on the 9th day of the Chinese New Year every year – an important day of worship for the Hokkiens who refer to it as Thni Kong Seh, the Hokkien community in Chew Jetty celebrates it in a grand scale with a 36.5m-long altar of various offerings such as food and fruits, big bottles of cognac and trays, baskets and sugarcane stalks. This cultural celebration attracts not only the devotees, but also locals from different corners of Malaysia as well as tourists.
Chew Jetty 01Chew Jetty 03
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