Old Protestant Cemetery, George Town

Established in 1786 by the British colonial administrators, this site is Penang's oldest Christian cemetery. Beneath a canopy of magnolia trees lie the resting places of Captain Francis Light and numerous others ranging from governors and merchants to sailors and Chinese Christians fleeing the Boxer Rebellion in China, only to succumb to fever in Penang. Notably, the cemetery also houses the tomb of Thomas Leonowens, a young officer who wed Anna, the schoolmistress to the King of Siam, immortalized in the musical "The King and I".

In 2012, the cemetery underwent a comprehensive conservation effort, beginning with the removal of weeds, mosses, and fungi from the headstones. Subsequent phases involved repairing tomb structures, eliminating encroaching trees, and introducing amenities such as walkways, seating areas, and rest spots for visitors. These efforts concluded by the year's end, with significant improvements in visibility and cleanliness. Many tombstones, once obscured by grime and mold, were cleaned to reveal their original white plaster surfaces.

While unconventional, exploring graveyards can be a fascinating experience, offering insights into the lives and histories of those interred. However, visitors should be mindful of the abundance of mosquitoes in the area and come prepared with repellent. Also, keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that inhabits the cemetery grounds.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in George Town. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Old Protestant Cemetery
Sight Location: George Town, Malaysia (See walking tours in George Town)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Farquhar Street Walking Tour

Walking Tours in George Town, Malaysia

Create Your Own Walk in George Town

Creating your own self-guided walk in George Town is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Farquhar Street Walking Tour

Farquhar Street, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008, is a culturally rich thoroughfare in George Town, Malaysia, and home to many interesting historic properties. Let's take a brief journey down this storied street and see what they are.

At the outset of Farquhar stands the impressive Supreme Court building, a symbol of justice and governance in Penang. Just a stone's throw away,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

George Town, Malaysia, has much to be proud of when it comes to religious heritage. The city boasts a plethora of wonderful churches, temples, mosques, and other religious sites 鈥� each beautifully decorated and with its own unique story. Follow us on this self-guided walk and see some of them up close.

We start at the Acheen Street Mosque. Dating back to the early 19th century, this is one of... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

George Town Introduction Walking Tour

Some felt in Malaya that the city of George Town should be renamed Tanjung Penaga ("Cape Penaga"). That was the name of the area where George Town now stands. But the Chinese, British, Muslim, Malay and Indian movers and shakers of the town wisely declined. It might be bad for business.

Captain Francis Light, R. N., came to Tanjung Penaga in 1786. He wanted to set up an entrep么t for... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles

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