Chulia Street Penang

Well taking about the street of malaysia there Chulia Street.Chulia Street in Penang is no doubt a backpacker, flashpacker or the general travelers favourite must-visit place while holidaying in the Pearl Of The Orient called Penang. Chulia Street has for many years been a truly nostalgic place with lots of memories and one of the important stopovers for many travelers heading up to Thailand via Penang.Chulia Street is also located within the core zone of the recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site of Penang. The street was apparently named during the rule of Sir Francis Light in the 1800s when Penang was known as the Prince of Wales Island. There were four original four streets of George Town and they were Beach Street, Light Street, Pitt Street (now Masjid Kapitan Keling Street) and Chulia Street.Chulia Street still maintains the old charm with many pre-war buildings dominating both sides of the street while a number of guest houses and hotels stand out with bright signages hoping to attract the backpackers and travelers. Various shops cater to the tourist by offering everything travel related from buying second hand books to renting out motorbikes, internet cafes to instant laundries.Chulia Street also offers a number of money changers or foreign currency exchange services while visa arrangements to Thailand are a popular sight along the entire street. If you are looking for a good deal, it would be best to take your time and check with the various services offered here as one can easily walk the entire street in under an hour. Visa Runners, see end of posting.My memories of this old street go back about 10-15 years when I remember the street being popular with Antique Shops selling all sorts of curios and collectibles while the old style hotels looked pretty much grand during their heyday. These days, backpacker guest houses are the popular choice of lodging as you see a number of them throughout the street offering you amazing lodging deals.Gone are many of the original coffee shops and restaurants that once served a packed floor. These days, younger generation cafes, bars and bistros are mushrooming along Chulia Street or Lebuh Chulia in Malay. Even Bob Marley is not spared as a Reggae Club is located along this street catering to the backpackers who frequent places like these nowadays.Tourist guesthouses who double as Internet cafes and everything else are the norm here as competition is pretty much stiff. Prices are reasonable while lodging is very basic but guaranteeing you a place in the heart of town withing walking distances to most attractions in and around Georgetown.As I walk pass one of the old hotels called Nam Wah Hotel and Bar, it is now sealed shut. Probably due to the lack of business, the place once looked like a mini mansion with grand doorways in a stand alone building surrounded by intricate carved walls. I wonder why no one wanted to take over this beautiful nostalgic place. Well, before you know it, it could happen on my next visit there.