Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Overview

The Pinang Peranakan Mansion on Church Street is a lavishly furnished Baba-Nyonya heritage house displaying over 1,000 antiques that illustrate the opulent lifestyle of the Straits Chinese community. The mansion combines Chinese carved-wood partitions with European floor tiles, Scottish ironwork, and English fittings.

Highlights

• Antique Collection: Over 1,000 pieces including Nyonya porcelain, gold jewellery, embroidered textiles, and Victorian-era furniture.
• Architectural Fusion: The building seamlessly blends Chinese, Malay, and European design elements—from Chinese moon gates to Renaissance columns.
• Film Location: The mansion was a filming location for the movie Crazy Rich Asians (2018).

History

The mansion was originally the home of Chung Keng Quee, a 19th-century Kapitan Cina (headman of the Chinese community) and one of Penang's wealthiest tin-mining magnates. It has been restored and opened as a museum to preserve Peranakan heritage.

Visitor Tips

• Audio guide: A free audio guide is available and highly recommended to understand the cultural context.
• Photography: Permitted throughout; the ornate interiors are extremely photogenic.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.