Clan Jetties Of George Town (George Town (Penang)) FAQs In 2026 - 2027

The Clan Jetties are a collection of waterfront house settlements located in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. They are historic traditional stilt houses that were established by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century. Each jetty is named after a Chinese clan, and the settlements were originally established by fishermen from Fukien, China who built their homes over the water on stilts.

There are several Clan Jetties in George Town, but six are open to the public: Chew Jetty, Tan Jetty, Lim Jetty, Lee Jetty, Yeoh Jetty, and Mixed Clans Jetty.

The Clan Jetties are significant as they represent the way of life of early Chinese settlements in Penang. They demonstrate the strong clan and kinship ties among the migrant Chinese community, as well as their adaptive lifestyle living above the water. The jetties also reflect the maritime heritage and the socio-economic background of Penang’s coastal inhabitants.