Returning to the Former Residence of Cheong Fatt Tze : Penang Blue House

On an old street full of charm in Penang: Lianhuahe Street (Leith Street), there is a chic blue mansion - it is the former residence of the well-known Nanyang richest man Zhang Bishi, most people call it "Blue House" or " Blue House". This used to be the residence of his favorite Seventh Aunt, and it is also the only one that has been preserved most completely among all his former residences. No matter walking or passing by, it is hard not to be attracted by this old house: the indigo garden-style ancient house, exquisite and delicate eaves and beam carvings, can be described as carved beams and painted buildings, and the beauty is amazing!

This gorgeous blue is not as simple as using ordinary polyester paint. The wall paint is made from the blue flower (Indgofera Arrecta), which is abundant in Penang; the processed flower juice is turned into pulp, and then sun-dried The resulting paint is applied to the wall to become the so-called non-fading blue house today. Now let us embark on the time tunnel to review the history and structure of the Blue House, and restart the dusty memories of generations.

About Cheong Fatt Tze

Photo taken from Sohu

Zhang Bishi's life is like a legend; he was born in Dapu County, Guangdong Province in 1840. Due to his poor family background, he already sailed across the sea to Nanyang alone to make a living in his teens. With his astute business acumen and hard-working perseverance, he worked his way up from a small handyman in a rice shop in Jakarta to become the leading wealthy businessman in Nanyang; he was also the first person to open a Chinese bank overseas and invest in the construction of a domestic railway. Since 1894, he has been involved in countless investment projects; in addition to banking and railways, it also includes agriculture, animal husbandry, mining, insurance and other fields. Of course, the famous Changyu Brewing Company is not only the first industrial wine manufacturer in China , it also won the reputation of "Father of Wine" for Zhang Bishi.

In 1897, Zhang Bishi served as the Consul General of the Qing government in Singapore, and also oversaw the affairs of Penang, Malacca and the nearby British colonies. He has been traveling back and forth between Penang and Singapore for a long time, and he is also marrying his seventh wife, Chen Jinbao, so he decided to build a mansion in Penang for his beloved wife to live in. It was in this year that the construction of the Blue House began. It took a full 7 years to complete. It covers an area of ​​53,000 square feet, with 38 rooms, 7 staircases, 5 patios and 220 windows. The project is very large. No matter how busy he is, Zhang Bishi will find time to spend time with Mrs. Qi and their two sons in the Blue House. It is reported that the only wife mentioned in Zhang Bishi's will is Qitai, which shows that the status of Qitai and Lanwu in his mind cannot be underestimated.

The original taste of the blue house has been preserved to this day

Photos taken from https://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/

According to legend, when the Japanese occupied Penang, they thought the Blue House was a temple. Because they believed in Buddhism very much, the Blue House survived the war. But the blue house at that time has lost its former glory, and the whole house and courtyard have become very old. But fortunately, a group of heritage protectors in Penang decided to buy the Blue House in 1989 and put in effort to renovate it. It took 6 years to renovate it, giving this old house a new life and recreating its historical features. Cheong Fatt Tze Blue House is one of the world's cultural heritage, and in 2000 won the Excellence Award of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award. Don’t think that the blue house is just magnificent and luxurious on the outside. In fact, there are many things inside: retro-style spiral staircase, exquisitely carved beams and columns, Chinese-style ceiling fans, Gothic Louvre windows, etc., and even the patterns of the terraced bricks are very elegant. , every corner here is worth savoring carefully.

Photo via Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion Facebook

Today's Blue House is not only open to the public, but also provides services such as accommodation and restaurants. The opening hours are divided into three stages, namely: 11:00, 14:00 and 15:30. There will be a guide to explain the whole process, so that you can better understand the essence of the Blue House and the original historical stories. As for accommodation, there are only 18 rooms here, and the design style is like a traditional inn: the rooms are full of mahogany furniture and historical exhibits, giving people an antique feeling. What about the situation of not being able to live! When you visit Penang, remember to visit the former residence of Cheong Fatt Tze, feel the Nyonya style from under the blue house, and return to the historical scene.