Cheong Fatt Tze: The Blue Mansion

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, universally called the Blue Mansion for its indigo lime-wash walls, is the most photographed house in George Town and one of the finest surviving Chinese courtyard mansions in Southeast Asia. It was built in the late 19th century for Cheong Fatt Tze, a Hakka merchant who rose from poverty in China to become one of the wealthiest businessmen in the region, sometimes called the Rockefeller of the East. The house was designed to the rules of feng shui, with courtyards, airwells and a layout meant to bring good fortune and ventilation, and it blends Chinese craftsmanship with European touches such as cast-iron work, Scottish ironwork and Stoke-on-Trent tiles. After decades of decline the mansion was rescued and restored in the 1990s, and the work later won a UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage award. Today it works as a boutique hotel, a restaurant venue and a museum visited on daily guided tours. The tour is the best way to see it: a guide leads you through the courtyards, staircases and rooms, explains the symbolism of every detail and tells the story of the man and his family.

Why the tour matters: the house is full of details that are easy to miss, from the layout of the airwells that cool the interior to the carved timber screens, the stained glass and the symbolic placement of doors and stairs. The guides are well informed and entertaining, and they bring the building to life with anecdotes about the family, the restoration and the film scenes shot here. Tours run on a daily schedule, and it is wise to check the timetable and book ahead.

Practical details: dress comfortably, expect uneven floors and stairs, and note that parts of the house are private because it operates as a hotel. Photography is generally allowed in public areas but may be restricted in some rooms, so follow your guide. The mansion is in the old town on Leith Street, within walking distance of Khoo Kongsi, the street art lanes and many cafes. After the tour you can have lunch or a drink at one of the on-site venues, which makes it an easy morning or afternoon activity.

Make it more: if you love heritage, consider staying a night. The mansion's rooms and suites are furnished with antiques and arranged around a courtyard with a pool, and overnight guests experience the house after the tour groups leave. Others may prefer to simply visit, then return to a modern hotel. Either way, the Blue Mansion is a highlight for architecture lovers, history fans and photographers.