Penang Straits & Oriental Museum Guided Tour

The Straits & Oriental Museum occupies a restored former Peranakan mansion, where every corner reflects the fusion of Chinese and Malay traditions. Upon entering, you'll be struck by the Straits Chinese-style façade, a symbol of the opulence of a wealthy family who lived here in the 19th century.

Inside, you'll wander through several themed galleries: an extensive collection of historic porcelain recovered from shipwrecks such as the Wanli, Royal Nanhai and Xuande; embroidered clothing, including exquisite baju kebaya; and furniture and jewellery illustrating the everyday luxury of the era. Each display case is accompanied by interactive displays that narrate the provenance and context of the pieces.

Don't miss the Police Situation Simulator... sorry, I meant the multimedia experience that puts you into the life of a Peranakan family: you'll see reconstructions of their home, hear accounts of pottery-making techniques and map their trade networks through digital panels.

With the guided tour in English, you'll learn details and anecdotes that don't appear on the signs, further enriching your tour.

For those curious about sailing, you'll learn how pieces were recovered from sunken ships and the significance of each mark on the porcelain. In the end, you will come away with a clear picture of the importance of Peranakan Heritage and its influence on Penang today.