A trip to Penang, Malaysia | Experience Nyonya culture

This time the route is:
1️⃣【Overseas Chinese Museum】: Nyonya culture, wealthy overseas Chinese mansion, Nyonya photo shoot inside (free admission), many valuable collections.
2️⃣【St. George's Church】: Under construction, group photo
3️⃣【Little India】: Curry, Samgodoo, and handicrafts
4️⃣【Mural Street】: Souvenirs along the street, check in at the murals, don’t buy food
5️⃣【Longshantang Qiu Company】: The most beautiful ancestral hall with a strong atmosphere

Recommended food:
✔Qingwu Prawn Noodles: Michelin three stars, long wait, after buying food from the restaurant next door, you must order Qingwu Prawn Noodles for roast pork and chicken feet
✔Mo Dingbiao Nyonya Cake (colorful glutinous rice cake, recommended by Michelin) George Hotel offers Nyonya afternoon tea! Like 👍

Overseas Chinese Museum

• Location: 29 Church Street, George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
• Construction date: 1895.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9:30-17:00.
• Ticket price: RM25 for adults and RM12 for children.

Historical Origins

This museum was originally the private residence and office of Chinese Kapitan Zheng Jinggui. It was later bought and renovated by a real estate developer and antique collector, who collected more than 1,000 antiques and turned it into Malaysia's leading private museum.

Architectural Style

The overall style is Straits Eclecticism, with cast iron columns from the British Straits Settlements and red brick walls from southern Fujian complementing each other, glazed floor tiles imported from the Netherlands matched with Chaozhou wood carvings, and Scottish stained glass and Roman capitals in the hall complementing each other. It is a typical representative of Nanyang style.

Cultural Exhibition

• Rich collection: The museum houses thousands of antiques and collectibles, including exquisite furniture, porcelain, clothing, pewter tea sets, etc. Nyonya clothing combines elements such as lace, embroidery, tulle, and beads, showing a unique beauty.

• Restoration of life scenes: The collections are placed in their original places in life, restoring the lifestyle of overseas Chinese families in Penang in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are gold-painted screens, wedding room scenes, etc. The wedding dress made of Malay Songji brocade is decorated with Fujian gold embroidery, and Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain is served with nasi lemak. Diverse cultures blend here.

• Fusion of multiple faiths: In the family shrine, Nyonya rice dumplings are offered in front of the gilded Guanyin statue, and Quranic calligraphy is hung next to the wooden ancestral tablet, reflecting the delicate balance of multiple faiths.

Film and TV Related

This is the filming location for TV series such as "Little Nyonya" and "Night Brightness". The popularity of these works has attracted more people to come and experience the Nanyang style and Nyonya culture.

In addition, there is also a Nyonya Museum in Malacca, which, like the Penang Overseas Chinese Museum, is an important place to showcase Nyonya culture.