A Peek into the Life of Baba and Nyonya

While Penang is known for its vibrant and quirky arts, there are still plenty of treasures left to be discovered. One of them is the Peranakan (Baba and Nyonya) community, which is still prominent in Penang.

Peranakan, according to ancient history is the fusion between Chinese culture and certain local Malay customs - resulting in rich traditions, scrumptious cuisines, and beautiful language of Peranakan.

Located at the Church Street, Pinang Peranakan Mansion is the perfect portrayal of Peranakan’s past life. The mansion was built by a ‘Kapitan Cina’ (Chinese Captain) by the name of Chung Keng Wee, a business mogul who rose to fame through the mining industry.

Design and Structure

As you enter the mansion, the natural bright light penetrating through the impressive sky well; a common character in pre-war houses, will surely give an astonishing view for you to feast on. The shining light gives way for a more shimmering display of the mansion’s intricate Chinese arts and golden wood structure. Although the mansion is heavily influenced by the Chinese, it also boasts a number of European furniture, monuments and sculptures.

The mansion showcases different sections, portraying their own distinctive qualities. The first dining room of the mansion is fully decorated with wide tables, elaborate golden woodwork, and a display of Chinese plates and cups. The second one provides a shift of culture, with more unique sightings consisting of European furniture and unique floor tiles.

"Apart from the variety of fauna, an abundance of flora also thrives within the forest."

The central courtyard exhibits a more green scenery of the mansion as the dark wooden furniture in the area are accompanied by bonsai trees.

At the Bridal Chamber, you will get a glimpse of the newlyweds’ room in the past - a room which is heavily decorated with vintage furniture such as wooden cupboards, a mirror table with old makeup, and the unique bed frame of Peranakan, which truly showcases the detailed artwork of Peranakan. There are also bridal dresses lying on the bed for you to see.

Other sections of the mansions are the Family Hall, Treasure Hall, a grand living room and many more.

The Nyonya Kitchen, established within the compound of the mansion, is a perfect demonstration of Peranakan’s cooking utensils; displaying rare metal utensils, thermos, jugs, and wooden shutters. The kitchen also possesses a small café where visitors can take a break and sip a cup of coffee and taste the local dishes.

The exterior and the compound of the mansion also offer a tremendous display for visitors, adorned by gigantic Chinese figure paintings, a big altar for an ancestral temple, as well as a water fountain.