MY · Penang · 5.42°N 100.33°E

cheong fatt tze mansion

Guided tours of George Town's indigo-blue courtyard mansion and its merchant's story.

Best time
Any time of year. Tours are small and often sell out, especially at weekends and in the school holidays, so book online a few days ahead.
How long
1–2 hours
Getting there
Penang is about 4 hours' drive from KL over the Penang Bridge, or about an hour's flight. The mansion is on Leith Street (Lebuh Leith) at the northern edge of the heritage zone, a few minutes' walk from Lebuh Chulia.
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MY · Penangcheong fatt tze mansion5.42°N 100.33°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Guided tours of George Town's indigo-blue courtyard mansion and its merchant's story.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingCheong Fatt Tze MansionMY, Penang
KLcheong fatt tze mansion
≈ 295 km from KL, as the crow flies
This is a photo of a monument in Malaysia, identified by ID

Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข้อความบอกกล่าวด้วย) Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract. · CC BY 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Cheong Fatt Tze, a Hakka trader once called the Rockefeller of the East, built this indigo-blue house on Leith Street between 1897 and 1904. Penangites bought it in 1989 to save it from development and restored it; it's now a small hotel, and guided tours take you into the hall, the main courtyard and an upstairs exhibition.

Makan

  1. Nasi kandar at Line ClearThe rice-and-curry shop in the lane off Penang Road, about 10 minutes' walk, has been feeding George Town for decades.Map ↗
  2. Wantan mee on Lebuh ChuliaThe night hawkers along Chulia Street do springy egg noodles with char siu and dumplings. It's pork, so skip it if that matters.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The guided tourAbout 45 minutes through the reception hall, the courtyard and the exhibition, with the family story and the feng shui behind the layout.Map ↗
  2. The numbers38 rooms, five granite-paved courtyards, seven staircases and 220 louvred windows.Map ↗
  3. The blueThe colour comes from lime mixed with indigo dye, which the British brought in from India.Map ↗
  4. Film locationsIndochine and Crazy Rich Asians were both shot here.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book a tour online. Numbers are capped to protect the house, and walk-ins often find them full; if they are, an app-based audio tour (bring earphones) also needs booking.
  • It's a working hotel, so keep to the areas the tour covers.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.