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<p>GEORGE TOWN: A trip to Malaysia’s UNESCO treasure trove is incomplete without a scenic trishaw ride and a visit to the charming, century-old Chowrasta Market.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the effects of the pandemic have brought these iconic attractions to its knees, as trishaw men now sleep in the streets and decades-old stall owners face closure, due to the drought in tourists.</p>
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		</style><div class="robo-gallery-wrap robo-gallery-wrap-id1761695 robo-gallery-" ><div id="rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231-block-loader" class="rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231Spinner"><div class="rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231Rect1"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231Rect2"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231Rect3"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231Rect4"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231Rect5"></div></div><div id="robo_gallery_main_block_rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231" class="robogallery-gallery-1761695" style="width:100%;margin:0 auto;  display: none;"><div id="rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231" data-options="rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231" style="width:100%;" class="robo_gallery  "><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="The closure of Chowrasta market involves 157 traders, 56 shop lots and 62 outdoor traders.

 " ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1-front.jpg"  title="1-front"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1-front.jpg"  title="1-front" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">The closure of Chowrasta market involves 157 traders, 56 shop lots and 62 outdoor traders.

 </div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Chowrasta Market is one of the oldest markets in Malaysia and it’s century-old history dates back to the mid - 19th century." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2-chow.jpg"  title="2-chow"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2-chow.jpg"  title="2-chow" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Chowrasta Market is one of the oldest markets in Malaysia and it’s century-old history dates back to the mid - 19th century.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Before it was populated by locals in search of fresh groceries, it was crowded by ex-convicts and prisoners who sold fresh produce to make an honest living." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/3-meat.jpg"  title="3-meat"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/3-meat.jpg"  title="3-meat" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Before it was populated by locals in search of fresh groceries, it was crowded by ex-convicts and prisoners who sold fresh produce to make an honest living.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="The market moved off the streets in 1890 and ever since then, people of all backgrounds have gathered underneath Chowrasta’s roof to sell their freshest produce." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/4-veggies.jpg"  title="4-veggies"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/4-veggies.jpg"  title="4-veggies" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">The market moved off the streets in 1890 and ever since then, people of all backgrounds have gathered underneath Chowrasta’s roof to sell their freshest produce.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="70-year-old Gao has been running this vegetable store daily since he was 14 and only rests during Chinese New Year." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/5-gao.jpg"  title="5-gao"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/5-gao.jpg"  title="5-gao" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">70-year-old Gao has been running this vegetable store daily since he was 14 and only rests during Chinese New Year.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Saw Kai H Cheong’s father sold fresh fruits at Chowrasta Market some 40 years ago. These days, they are known for preserving nutmegs and papayas." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/6-preserved.jpg"  title="6-preserved"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/6-preserved.jpg"  title="6-preserved" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Saw Kai H Cheong’s father sold fresh fruits at Chowrasta Market some 40 years ago. These days, they are known for preserving nutmegs and papayas.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Ch’ng Choi Kim’s father started this joss stick and joss paper shop in 1971 and it’s now the oldest Chinese incense shop at the market." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/7-joss.jpg"  title="7-joss"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/7-joss.jpg"  title="7-joss" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Ch’ng Choi Kim’s father started this joss stick and joss paper shop in 1971 and it’s now the oldest Chinese incense shop at the market.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="This ais tingkap stall is over a century old and first sold it’s pink icy drinks back in 1919. " ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/8-ais.jpg"  title="8-ais"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/8-ais.jpg"  title="8-ais" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">This ais tingkap stall is over a century old and first sold it’s pink icy drinks back in 1919. </div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Abdul Majeed’s grandfather introduced his secret ginger tea recipe from Sri Lanka to Penangites in 1942. It’s warm ginger aroma has perfumed Tamil Street since then." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/9-tea.jpg"  title="9-tea"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/9-tea.jpg"  title="9-tea" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Abdul Majeed’s grandfather introduced his secret ginger tea recipe from Sri Lanka to Penangites in 1942. It’s warm ginger aroma has perfumed Tamil Street since then.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Traditional popiah skin makers like Rebecca Lim have been scooping balls of sticky dough and whipping them against iron griddles ever since she was 8 years old. " ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/10-popiah.jpg"  title="10-popiah"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/10-popiah.jpg"  title="10-popiah" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Traditional popiah skin makers like Rebecca Lim have been scooping balls of sticky dough and whipping them against iron griddles ever since she was 8 years old. </div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Although the market is still frequented by locals, many stalls like local fish butchers are suffering from the lack of customers over the course of various lockdowns." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/11-fish.jpg"  title="11-fish"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/11-fish.jpg"  title="11-fish" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Although the market is still frequented by locals, many stalls like local fish butchers are suffering from the lack of customers over the course of various lockdowns.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="As Chowrasta’s second floor lies morbidly still, the second hand bookstores that once overflowed with colourful books, now suffocate in darkness and dust. " ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/12-empty.jpg"  title="12-empty"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/12-empty.jpg"  title="12-empty" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">As Chowrasta’s second floor lies morbidly still, the second hand bookstores that once overflowed with colourful books, now suffocate in darkness and dust. </div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="The old trishaw riders of George Town face a similar destitute situation as the lockdown has hit the brakes on their industry, turning many of them homeless. " ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/13-down.jpg"  title="13-down"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/13-down.jpg"  title="13-down" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">The old trishaw riders of George Town face a similar destitute situation as the lockdown has hit the brakes on their industry, turning many of them homeless. </div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="74-year-old Koay Ah Ching has been serving the streets of George Town since 1983. Today, Koay showers in public toilets and sleeps on the lonely streets of Jalan Magazine due to the lack of income." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/14-ching.jpg"  title="14-ching"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/14-ching.jpg"  title="14-ching" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">74-year-old Koay Ah Ching has been serving the streets of George Town since 1983. Today, Koay showers in public toilets and sleeps on the lonely streets of Jalan Magazine due to the lack of income.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="66-year-old Samsudin Ahmad lives on just RM100 a month and spends most nights with a ravenous stomach as most of his funds go towards paying his trishaw rental fees." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/15-sams.jpg"  title="15-sams"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/15-sams.jpg"  title="15-sams" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">66-year-old Samsudin Ahmad lives on just RM100 a month and spends most nights with a ravenous stomach as most of his funds go towards paying his trishaw rental fees.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1761695 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="There used to be 120 active trishaw peddlers, but as numbers have declined to a dismal 80, George Town may be forced to say goodbye to more trishaw men over the years." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/16-car.jpg"  title="16-car"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/16-car.jpg"  title="16-car" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">There used to be 120 active trishaw peddlers, but as numbers have declined to a dismal 80, George Town may be forced to say goodbye to more trishaw men over the years.</div></div></div></div></div><script>var rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231 = {"version":"3.2.1","id":1761695,"class":"id1761695","roboGalleryDelay":1000,"mainContainer":"#robo_gallery_main_block_rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231","loadingContainer":"#rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231-block-loader","loadingContainerObj":"rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231-block-loader","columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"resolutions":[{"columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"maxWidth":960},{"columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"maxWidth":650},{"columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"maxWidth":450}],"descBox":true,"descBoxClass":"rbs_desc_panel_dark","lightboxOptions":{"gallery":{"enabled":true,"tCounter":"%curr% of %total%"}},"facebook":true,"twitter":true,"pinterest":true,"vk":true,"overlayEffect":"direction-aware-fade","boxesToLoadStart":12,"boxesToLoad":8,"waitUntilThumbLoads":1,"LoadingWord":"Loading...","loadMoreWord":"Load More","noMoreEntriesWord":"No More Entries","horizontalSpaceBetweenBoxes":15,"verticalSpaceBetweenBoxes":15,"lazyLoad":1,"wrapContainer":"#robo-gallery-wrap-rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231","filterContainer":"#rbs_gallery_68d390c8c2231filter","loadMoreClass":"button-flat-primary button-large "};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cms.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/robo-gallery/js/robo_gallery_alt.js"></script><link id="gallery" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cms.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/robo-gallery/css/gallery.css"><link id="font" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cms.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/robo-gallery/css/gallery.font.css">


LatestHeadlines

George Town’s most iconic stars are losing their shine

What was once a vibrant city filled with life and charm, is slowly losing its allure due to the effects of the pandemic.

Chowrasta Market

George Town

Lifestyle

Penang

Simple Stories

tourism

trishaw