Clan Jetties form part of the Penang Heritage Trail. There used to be seven jetties until one was demolished by fire and now six remain. Billed as one of the last bastions of old Chinese settlements on the island, this waterfront society is home to houses on stilts of various Chinese clans.

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 houses 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.