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What is more memorable than spending time together visiting a Living Heritage of Penang on Valentine's Day! The plan of Chew Jetty tour was suggested by My Significant Other only a couple days ago since both of us had yet visited this remarkable historical site of Clan Jetties despite the fact we have been passing by countless times!

Located along Weld Quay, just a few hundreds meters away from Penang ferry terminal, Clan Jetties are unique Chinese settlements with their homes built on stilts along the wooden pier that extend to the sea or Penang Channel. They have been existence since 19th century whereby the residents of each clan jetty are descendants of Chinese immigrants. Houses here are supported by wood/cemented beams, stand in a row on one or both sides of about a couple meters width wooden walkway. These single-storey houses are usually covered by a triangular shaped zinc roofing and a slightly elevated porch to park bicycles or motorcycles at door front. At some corners, there are a few alleys leading to more houses and ending at a cul-de-sac. They are total of eight clan jetties along Weld Quay namely Chew Jetty, Koay Jetty, Lee Jetty, Lim Jetty, Peng Aun Jetty, Tan Jetty, Yeoh Jetty and Mixed Clans Jetty.

The most famous clan jetty is Chew Jetty, being the highest occupancy among all. Named after their last name Chew, this waterfront village houses the largest community whom still uphold most of the traditional lifestyles and cultures. The families here are the descendants from Xin Lin She village, Tong Aun District, Quan Zhou Prefecture of Fujian Province.



One of the significant traditions associated with Chew Jetty is the annual prayer to Jade Emperor ('Tee Kong' in Hokkien which literally means God of Heaven) that occur on the 9th day of the first month in Chinese calendar. Grand offerings comprises roasted pork, crabs, chickens, Chinese cakes, cookies and fruits would be lined up in a long stretch on the elevated altars serving to Jade Emperor as a thankful gesture. Many cultural activities are still in practiced including lion dances, dragon dances and not to miss the spectacular fireworks that mark the celebration of Hokkien New Year.

Today, Chew Jetty still serves its function as a public jetty in instances of ferrying goods to the bigger boats that anchored further away from the harbour like captured in the following images.

Chew Jetty's entrance is exactly in-between Chew Jetty Cafe and Chew Boon Sai Coffee Shop at Armenian Street Ghaut. Once you have passed these cafe, there is a Chew Jetty Kongsi (Association) and a Chinese Temple on your right.

Walk straight following the wooden pier and it will lead you to experience the life in the houses that are built at waterfront. I believe most of the families here earn their living as fisherman judging from the boats and equipments at their door front. We also spotted a sundry shop (picture below: bottom right), a souveniar shop and a hair saloon (picture below: bottom left) business among the houses along Chew Clan Jetty.

Take a slow walk and enjoy the sights of their daily life. Give these folks a smile and they will return you similarly in a friendly gesture to greet or welcome you!

To my surprise, Chew Clan Jetty is very clean as I hardly spotted any litter on the wooden pier. Each house is allocated with a city council garbage bin for waste clearance. Stinky smell during low tide was previosuly reported at this area. But somehow when we were there, the air did not smell unpleasant. Apparently from a conversation I overheard between the resident leader and a housewife; it seems the residents are continously being educated to keep their homes tidy with proper means of waste disposition.

Visiting hours: Open daily - no entrance fee
How to get there? 
Click here for Google Map and explore the options available. Alternatively, hop on a Rapid Penang bus, get down at Ferry Terminal (Weld Quay stop) and take a short walk to Chew Jetty.

Great salutation to these folks - our inspiring Living Heritage and Living Treasure!

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