When you are visiting Georgetown and you would like to take a ride in one of the authentic Trishaws, let the owner of the Trishaw decide where you are going. There is a big chance you will visit the Clan Piers or Clan Jetties and their Floating Village. This is a complete village on stilts above the water where Chinese clans live. In the 19th century many Chinese immigrants came to Malaysia. To enlarge their chances clans were established, so together they could survive in their new environment.
The small villages are characterized by old traditions and habits, from candles outside the door to complete prayer temples inside the house. In total there are six of these villages, in every village lives one clan, and every village has their own temple. The hou
ses are built of a special kind of wood, which makes them resistant to the influences of the seawater.
The clans used to live mainly of fishing, but since 2006 most inhabitants work in town. Tourists are welcome and are free to stroll about the wooden piers. The best time of the day to visit the Clan Jetties is in the early morning (around 7am). Not only are there no other tourists, you can witness the local Chinese Clan People practice their daily morning rituals, ranging from preparing food to praying at the temple at the main entrance.
The Clan Piers can be found along Pengkalan Weld. This is situated on the outskirts of Chinatown, along Pengkalan Weld near the harbor (Swettenham Pier). It takes 10 minutes on foot from Komtar; the trishaw costs only a few ringgits. You can also take a RapidPG bus ride from the center of Georgetown, bus numbers 307 and 401E.
