Visiting a World Heritage City

Saturday, 13 September 2014 00:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

It was reported recently that the millionth tourist for this year arrived in Sri Lanka.

This is a clear indication that tourists are no longer scared to come. At the same time, more and more people seem to be travelling these days. My granddaughter and I recently spent a few days in Penang. We noticed so many tourists in George Town, the capital of Penang, where we stayed. They were from different countries. George Town is a special city. It is a World Heritage Town. “A unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and South East Asia” is how UNESCO describes it.

The town got that status due to its rich heritage, culture and history. Recognition came in July 2008when the World Heritage Committee made the declaration in Quebec City, Canada. George Town was acknowledged as having developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. It had got a mix of influences of Asia and Europe. The old buildings – both residential and commercial – in George Town are well maintained. Government institutions are housed in these. Most of them date back to the British era from the end of the 18th century. Not only government departments, museums, art galleries and cultural centres but shops and other places the tourist would like to visit occupy these buildings. Some look pretty archaic from outside – the authorities obviously want them that way. The new posh hotels offer a contrast in architecture. The World Heritage Incorporated is responsible for the management, monitoring and promotion of the city of George Town as a World Heritage Site.

George Town has been named after Britain’s king George III after a trader for the British East India Company Captain Francis Light (1740-94) founded it in August 1786. He made it the base of the company in the Malay States and got it from the Sultan of Kedah and built Fort Cornwallis at the [point he landed. It is one of the key tourist sites. It is very easy to get about in George Town. The bus is the most convenient mode of transport. Within the city bus travel is free and outside it’s a nominal charge. The buses ply to a strict timetable keeping to the scheduled times. I was intrigued to see a notice on the bus door ‘No Durian,’ obviously because of the smell of the fruit.

Just as much as travel is cheap, so is food. The variety available from kiosks on the pavements to restaurants gives the visitor a wide choice. Asian dishes are the most popular. As we walked along the pavements in the late-afternoon, kiosk staff were busy pulling out tables and chairs out of the kiosks. By early evening the cooks were busy preparing the food. I asked whether they would mind my taking a few pictures. They were more than happy to pose. The night food stalls are very popular with tourists. They give an opportunity to try out dishes from numerous Asian cuisines. The tables are laid out in the open virtually adjoining the beach. The experience is worth a try. Accommodation is also not a problem. The choice is varied where one can find a place to suit the purse. Places to see will be discussed later.