Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Blue Mansion) Built — 1897
Built between 1897-1904 by one of Asia's richest men, the Blue Mansion on Leith Street blends Qing dynasty architecture with Scottish ironwork and English stained glass. A UNESCO Award-winning restoration turned it into a boutique hotel.
Between 1897 and 1904, Cheong Fatt Tze — a Hakka merchant born in poverty in Guangdong who became one of the richest men in Asia — built his Penang residence on Leith Street. The mansion was designed by Cantonese craftsmen, combining Chinese courtyard architecture with Art Nouveau ironwork imported from Glasgow, stained glass from England, and handmade Qing dynasty tiles. After Cheong's death in 1916 the mansion fell into disrepair and by the 1980s was threatened with demolition. A meticulous restoration completed in 1995 won UNESCO's Most Excellent Project Award and turned the property into a boutique hotel. The Blue Mansion is now one of Penang's most photographed heritage buildings and served as the backdrop for the film 'Indochine' starring Catherine Deneuve. Guided tours reveal the hidden symbolism woven into every tile, column, and courtyard.
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Insider Tips
- 1Guided tours run at 11am and 3:30pm daily (RM 25 per adult, 45 minutes) — the only way to access the interior
- 2Even from Leith Street the distinctive indigo blue walls and Art Nouveau gates make for excellent photography
- 3The on-site restaurant serves Nyonya-influenced breakfasts and lunches (no tour required)
- 4Rooms book up months ahead — if staying, request the courtyard-facing rooms in the heritage wing
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When
Built 1897–1904
🏛 Historical event — 1897
Next: January 1897
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Where
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Blue Mansion), 14 Leith Street, George Town
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A must-see highlight of Penang's cultural calendar