Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Penang is better known as The Blue Mansion. And it is an architectural wonder. Out of all the places to visit in Penang, you can actually stay overnight at this beautiful place!
Built towards the end of the 19th century, this boutique hotel is now a historical attraction and even has its own UNESCO Conservation & Heritage award.
Visitors can join daily tours of the mansion, dine at the elegant on-site restaurant or stay at one of the luxurious suites!
Table of Content:
- About The Blue Mansion
- Entrance Fee
- Opening Hours
- Guided Tour
- Wedding
- Hotel
- Hotel Review
- Getting To The Blue Mansion
About Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion – The Blue Mansion
Discover the story behind the name Cheong Fatt Tze, the original owner of the Mansion.
From the daily tours, you can also learn about the intense restoration work that brought the building back to its former glory!
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion History
In the late 19th Century, Cheong Fatt Tze made plans to build a grand house for his family, having consulted a top Feng Shui master before doing so.
While the architectural trend back then might have Indian or British influences, Cheong Fatt Tze remained loyal to traditional Chinese architecture, complete with courtyards!
Note: To be specific the architectural style is known as Straits Chinese Eclectic.
No expense was spared into building The Blue Mansion. This included importing building materials and master craftsmen from mainland China.
Spectacular detail went into every inch of The Blue Mansion, as it served a dual purpose as both a home and meeting point for Cheng Fatt Tze to conduct his business ventures.
Formal gatherings took place at the center of the building, while back rooms remained private for family use.
Outside the mansion are several stables and outhouses, and the numerous staff who managed the mansion and household affairs stayed in separate buildings close by.
Despite its grandiosity, the mansion sadly fell into neglect years after Cheong Fatt Tze passed away in 1916. It was eventually sold to avid Penang conservationists who wanted to restore the mansion.
Carried out using Penang craftsmen and local materials:
The lengthy restoration work strictly relied on traditional building methods and took 6 years to fully complete in 1995.
Fun fact: A catastrophe in 1996 damaged the Blue Mansion, which led to a ruling that no hammer piling is allowed in Penang or wherever there would be a risk of damage to any heritage building!
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Architecture
Upon entering the Blue Mansion, see if you can notice the use of metal, wood, earth, fire and water; all of which represent the basic Feng shui elements.
As with many traditional Chinese residences with a courtyard, the main hall is central to the whole building with two wings on either side of it.
But while the Hakka and Teochew-style Chinese architecture are certainly prominent:
Western architecture was prevalent in Penang during the late 19th Century. And some of it is present in the design of the Blue Mansion. Like the Scottish cast-iron balusters!
But you do need a keen eye for details to notice these different influences!
Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion Entrance Fees
Price (Plus Guided or Self-Guided Tour):
- RM25 per adult
- RM12.50 per child (6-12years old)
Take note that tickets are nonrefundable and you can’t cancel them either.
Those that purchase the self-guided tour need to bring along their own earphones and be ready to download a SmartGuide app.
The benefit of taking the self-guided tours is that you won’t need to strain to hear the tour guide in a large group.
And you get to explore the mansion at your own pace. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about being late for your scheduled tour session too.
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Opening Hours
Check the availability of tours on your intended date to visit on the official website.
Note: If you get there too early, you can still enter the bar and wait for the tours to start.
- Location: 14, Leith St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
- Opening Hours: Daily only at the tour hours (11am, 2pm)
- Contact Number: +604-262 0006
And since each tour session allows a maximum of 42 pax at a time, it is a good idea to book ahead if you plan to visit on a weekend.
Plan to reach the mansion at least 15 minutes before the tour session starts.
Guided Tours At The Blue Mansion In Penang
Plan your visit for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at 11 am or 2 pm if you want to join the guided tours for Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion.
The tour will start at the reception hall before moving on to the courtyard. The tour guide will bring you along upstairs too.
The roughly 1-hour tour stops at different exhibits and rooms before ending at the gift shop.
While it is not easy to hear everything the guide says unless you stand close to them, the history and anecdotes they include are fascinating.
Our tour session was by an engaging middle-aged petite woman who had plenty of experiences to share – these she learned from previous guests to the mansion. Some of whom are Feng Shui masters or direct descendants to Cheong Fatt Tze.
You can learn about how Cheong Fatt Tze made his fortune and who ended up on his will (and who did not). Additionally, the guide will point out many examples of how the mansion meets many Feng Shui criteria.
- Duration: ~ 45 minutes
- Tour Times: 11 am, 2 pm, Friday – Sunday
- Max Capacity: 42 pax per tour session
Note: While the tours are in English, you can specially request guides in other languages like Mandarin or Japanese too. But only with prior arrangement and private groups!
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Wedding
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion has their own team of planners should you wish to have your special day at the Oriental Garden of this historic and luxurious venue!
You can even book out the whole mansion for a private party with a maximum capacity of 100 people!
Note: Up to 38 people can stay in the 18 rooms.
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Hotel
Expect luxury, elegant surroundings, and comfort at the Blue Mansion hotel! Even if just for a night!
All guests can enjoy the complimentary daily evening tours of the mansion at 6:30pm!
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Rooms
Tastefully furnished, there are 18 gorgeous rooms hidden within the premises of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion!
They are grouped into 4 themes:
- The Ming Collection
- The Liang Collection
- The Tang Suites
- The Han Suites
Note: Prices listed below are subject to change by the hotel. Sometimes they have discounts depending on the date you choose too!
1. The Ming Collection
Live in the incredible opulence of the 19th century, together with modern amenities when you stay in these rooms!
- Pool & Oriental Garden access
- Room Type: Double & Twin Rooms
- Price Range: ~RM850 a night for a room
2. The Liang Collection
These rooms match the elegance of the rooms of The Ming Collection.
The only difference is that they are on the ground and first floor. And with no direct access to the pool or garden!
- Room Type: Double & Twin Rooms
- Price Range: ~RM550 a night for a room
3. The Tang Suites
There are only 2 of these lavishly spacious rooms with their private plunge pool. Besides this, guests can also access the main pool.
- Room Type: Double Rooms
- Price Range: ~RM800-1000 a night for a room
4. The Han Suites
Suitable for families, The Han Suites have an additional sitting room besides the bedrooms!
- Room Type: Triple Rooms
- Price Range: ~RM850 a night for a room
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Restaurant & Bar
As a guest at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, it’s really convenient that the boutique hotel has its own restaurant and bar!
And if you’re just visiting for a day, then you can pop in for a meal or drink too!
1. Indigo
On the first floor of The Blue Mansion, Indigo is open every day for lunch until dinner. It is a suitable venue for private events too.
They serve both Asian and Western food and to avoid getting stale, the menu rotates regularly.
The food, service, and ambiance are all incredible here.
Note: This is a fine-dining restaurant so expect prices to be high
If you dine here, you can join the complimentary evening tours at The Blue Mansion too! These start at 6:30pm.
2. The Bar
Open daily from 11am to midnight, guests can come here to lounge after their tour.
Take your pick from their selection of cocktails, wine, coffee, and tea, alongside a bevy of bar food as well.
During the weekends, evening guests have the pleasure of listening to a live performance by a guzheng player!
3. Café Mangga
A casual café situated below an old mango tree of the mansion:
Enjoy both traditional and modern comfort foods, alongside tantalizingly refreshing drinks from 8 am to 4pm, and again from 6 pm to 11pm daily.
Note: Opening hours are different on Monday – 8am to 6pm.
In line with the pricing of the hotel bar and restaurant, Café Mangga has higher than average pricing too. But the ambiance here meets expectations accordingly.
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Hotel Review
What You’ll Like:
- An opportunity to stay in a mansion!
- Engaging and informative guided tour is included with your stay
- Delicious breakfast
- Excellent staff service
- Massage services are available
- Live guzheng performances in the evenings on weekends
- Free bicycle rental
- Hotel guests have free and secure parking for their cars
- Walking distance into historic George Town
- Next to a large hawker center (Red Garden Food Paradise)
Good To Know:
- The movie, Crazy Rich Asians was filmed here!
- Depending on the current occupancy of the hotel, the guide may limit visitor access to certain areas of the building during the tour to give the hotel guests privacy.
- The Edison hotel (just opposite) is a lovely building to admire too!
- Smaller than the Pinang Peranakan museum
- 60 minutes’ by taxi to the hotel from the Penang airport
Read more:
- Top 11 Luxury Resorts In Penang
- Khoo Kongsi – An Ancestral Clan House Right In George Town
- Kek Lok Si Temple – If You Only Have Time For 1 Temple In Penang, Let It Be This One!
Getting To Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
1. How To Go To Blue Mansion By Public Bus
Rapid Penang has bus routes that you can take. As long as they head towards Chulia Street! These are the bus numbers you should choose, CAT, 103, 204 and 502.
You can also take your chances with Penang taxis or e-hailing services, which are more convenient but on the pricier side of things.
For those with their own cars, there may be space to park right in front of the mansion!
But you know what’s easier?
2. How To Go To Blue Mansion By Tour
Booking a private Penang day tour service! Then, you won’t have to worry about your transport around Penang for most of the day!
Including drop off back to your Penang hotel after the tour!
And you’ll have your own personal Penang guide who you can discuss with on where next to go with our flexible itineraries!
Further reading:
- How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown (4 Easy Ways)
- How To Get To Penang Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)
Conclusion
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion) is more than a pretty building. It doubles as both a unique boutique hotel and a heritage Penang attraction!
So, you’ve always wondered what it was like to live in the world of Crazy Rich Asians, this is the place! Visit for a day or stay as long as you can afford to!
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- Fort Cornwallis Penang – UNESCO Heritage Site In George Town
- Entopia Penang Butterfly Farm – Walk Among Hundreds Of Live Butterflies!
- Penang Botanical Gardens – Visit The Green Lungs Of Penang!
- Little India Penang – Immerse Yourself At This Cultural Street In Georgetown
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