Chew Jetty

Top 10 place in Penang to visit after visiting Umbrella Alley’s streets, you are only 10 minute walk to Chew Clan Jetty to view & experience how they built their homes on top of the ocean & offering jetty for boats to dock. There is a beautiful temple there, plenty of snacks & drinks available. The residents of Chew Jetty are very friendly & local Penang citizens. Next to Chew Jetty is Lee Clan Jetty.

Chew Jatte has a nice, relaxed vibe that makes it easy to enjoy your time there. The place feels comfortable, well maintained, and welcoming. It is a good spot to unwind, meet friends, or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Chew Jetty, the largest and most famous of the historic Clan Jetties in George Town, Penang, is a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site offering a unique glimpse into a traditional waterfront lifestyle. It is not a single floating structure, but a community of floating houses—or, more accurately, stilt houses—built entirely over the water on wooden piers. These rustic, interconnected wooden homes have been continuously inhabited by descendants of the Chew clan since the 19th century, creating a living, breathing village seemingly suspended between land and sea. Visitors can explore the long wooden walkway to witness this unique way of life. While primarily a residential area, the jetty has become a popular tourist attraction, with many ground-level rooms in the houses converted into small shops selling souvenirs and local treats. For those interested in the water perspective, boating is a popular activity. Tour operators often offer short boat rides from the jetty, providing scenic views of the stilt houses and the George Town coastline from the sea. The cultural and religious heart of the community is marked by its temples. There are two significant Chinese temples on Chew Jetty. The temple near the entrance is dedicated to the God of Heaven (Jade Deity), and another temple at the very end of the main jetty is dedicated to the Taoist Sea Deity, Haisen, to ensure good fortune and safe journeys at sea. While the primary temples follow Taoist and traditional Chinese folk religion, a prominent, striking structure adjacent to the Chew Jetty is the beautiful Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Temple, often referred to as the Floating Temple. While this temple is not physically on Chew Jetty, its stunning location perched right on the water makes it a major highlight when viewing the jetties from the coast or on a boat tour.

Chew Jetty is an interesting place to visit for its cultural and historical value, especially if you want to see traditional wooden houses built over the water. It gives a glimpse into the old Chinese clan jetty lifestyle and is worth a short stop while exploring George Town. However, the area is quite small and can feel overcrowded, especially during peak hours. Many parts are very commercial now, with souvenir stalls dominating the walk, which takes away from the authentic feel. Cleanliness could also be improved in some sections. Overall, it’s worth visiting once for the experience and photos, but don’t expect to spend too much time there.

We read the history about the clans and jetties and visited chew jetty. We had an unique experience visiting in the night. Shops were shut and it was peaceful to walk. Fewer people. Very interesting to see the houses built on the water and the way of living was fascinating. We didn't get to visit in the morning time though.

It's your average tourist hotspot with loads of souvenir shops along the way. A traditional jetty that's now a popular tourist spot for pictures. If you ask me personally, it's worth a pit stop if you're already in the area - especially if you're exploring Armenian Street and the cafes in its vicinity. However, do keep in mind to be respectful because most of the houses along the jetty are still homes to locals. People actually still live there. So when taking pictures, be respectful! 😬

I came around 6PM and it was a bit crowded with foreign visitors. The entrance is nice, with a temple located right in front of it. There isn’t much to do here, except if you enjoy photography, as there are quite a few aesthetic spots to capture.

A fishermen village where you can walk around to observe their marine lives. You can also look for souvenirs to buy like cloth bag. pin badge, and cute little things. Walking to reach the end of the way to see the sea view with clear blue sky. The weather is nice, too.