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The home of the Babas and Nyonyas.
The Peranakans — also known as the Babas and Nyonyas — were a prominent community of acculturated Chinese unique to the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore. Adopting selected ways of the local Malays and later the colonial British, they created a lifestyle and customs that left behind a rich legacy of antiques, cuisine, and language still evident in Penang today.
At the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the typical home of a wealthy Baba from a century ago has been meticulously recreated. Built at the end of the 19th century, the mansion once served as the residence and office of Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee — the "Hai Kee Chan" or Sea Remembrance Store. Though not a Baba himself, his Chinese courtyard house embodied the eclectic Peranakan style, incorporating Chinese carved-wood panels, English floor tiles, and Scottish ironworks.
Having survived decades of neglect, the mansion has been restored to its former glory as a stately home, offering visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle and customs of a bygone era. The mansion has been featured in television series including The Little Nyonya, The Amazing Race, and The Amazing Race Asia.
1,000+
Rare artifacts and antiques spanning furniture, jewellery, clothing, and ceremonial pieces.
1890s
Built at the end of the 19th century by one of local history’s most famous personalities.
TV featured
Appeared in The Little Nyonya, The Amazing Race, and international productions.
