Batu Lanchang Explained

Official Name:Batu Lanchang
Settlement Type:Neighbourhood of George Town
Translit Lang1:Other
Pushpin Map:Malaysia Penang George Town city centre
Coordinates:5.3833°N 100.3°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Malaysia
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:City
Subdivision Name2: George Town
Leader Title1:Local government
Leader Name1:Penang Island City Council
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:11600
Leader Title2:Mayor of Penang Island
Leader Name2:Rajendran P. Anthony
Leader Title3:Batu Lancang State Assemblyman
Leader Name3:Ong Ah Teong (DAP)
Leader Title4:Jelutong Member of Parliament
Leader Name4:RSN Rayer (DAP)
Timezone:MST
Utc Offset:+8
Timezone Dst:Not observed
Translit Lang1 Type2:Mandarin
Translit Lang1 Info2:Chinese: 峇都兰樟

Bā dōu lán zhāng
Translit Lang1 Type3:Hokkien
Translit Lang1 Info3:Bâ-too-lân-tsiang
Translit Lang1 Type4:Tamil
Translit Lang1 Info4:பத்து லஞ்சங்
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within George Town in Penang

Batu Lanchang is a residential neighbourhood within the downtown core of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. It is sandwiched between Farlim to the west and Jelutong to the east.

Formerly an agricultural area, Batu Lanchang has turned into a suburban residential area, with a mix of high-rises and landed properties. Green Lane, in particular, has become an affluent neighbourhood, whilst also serving as a major thoroughfare through Batu Lanchang, linking the city centre with Gelugor.

History

Batu Lanchang was once an agricultural area, where coconut groves stretched all the way to the hills of Air Itam. At the time, Green Lane was the only road through Batu Lanchang; true to its name, it was a country path lined with trees.Urbanisation of the area began in the 1950s, when residential high rises were first built along Green Lane. The development of residential estates around Green Lane, such as Island Park and Island Glades, have transformed it into a wealthy suburban neighbourhood. Development then gradually spilled out across Batu Lanchang, leading to residential high rises like the Central Park condominiums.

Transportation

To this day, Green Lane serves as the main thoroughfare within Batu Lanchang. It forms part of the Penang Middle Ring Road and is heavily used by motorists daily.[1] Other major roads within this suburb include Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim (formerly Batu Lanchang Road) and Batu Lanchang Lane; the former leads towards Jelutong while the latter links the suburb with Air Itam.

Rapid Penang buses 11, 13, 206 and 304 serve the residents of the suburb, by connecting Batu Lanchang with various destinations such as Jelutong, Gelugor, Air Itam and Paya Terubong.[2] [3] [4] [5]

Education

A total of two primary schools, seven high schools and a vocational school are located within Batu Lanchang. Notably, Green Lane is home to two of Penang's top missionary schools – Penang Free School and Convent Green Lane. Penang Free School is also the oldest English school in Southeast Asia, with a history dating back to 1816.

Aside from Penang Free School and Convent Green Lane, Batu Lanchang contains two of the more well-known Chinese high schools in Penang – Chung Hwa Confucian High School and Heng Ee High School. Chung Hwa Confucian High School was established in 1904, making it the oldest Chinese school in Penang.[6]

The schools within Batu Lanchang are as follows.

Primary schools

High schools

Vocational school

In addition to these schools, the Penang Digital Library is also located within the grounds of Penang Free School.[14] [15] Launched in 2016, it is the first digital library in Malaysia and contains a digitalised collection of over 3,000 reading materials.[16] [17]

Demographics

The following is based on the 2020 Malaysian Census conducted by Malaysia's Department of Statistics.

Population within Batu Lanchang!Ethnicity!Population!Percentage (%)
Chinese29,33183.96
Malay2,9858.55
Indian1,8185.20
Other ethnicities1710.49
Non-Malaysian citizens6291.80
Total34,934100.00

Health care

Lam Wah Ee Hospital, one of the several private hospitals on Penang Island, is located at the junction of Green Lane and Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim. Since its establishment in 1883, the hospital continues to provide traditional Chinese health care to this day, whilst also offering modern treatments as with other private hospitals.[18]

Two other private specialised medical centres within Batu Lanchang are the Carl Corrynton Medical Centre and the Optimax Eye Specialist Hospital.[19] [20]

Tourist attractions

Neighbourhoods

Notes and References

  1. News: Penang CM defends tree removals, says extra road needed to alleviate jams. 2016-02-25. 2017-05-19.
  2. Web site: Archived copy . 2017-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160702062505/http://www.rapidpg.com.my/journey-planner/route-maps/details/11.gif . 2016-07-02 . dead .
  3. Web site: Archived copy . 2017-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160722221643/http://www.rapidpg.com.my/journey-planner/route-maps/details/13.gif . 2016-07-22 . dead .
  4. Web site: Archived copy . 2017-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160702063223/http://www.rapidpg.com.my/journey-planner/route-maps/details/206.gif . 2016-07-02 . dead .
  5. Web site: Archived copy . 2017-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160702062434/http://www.rapidpg.com.my/journey-planner/route-maps/details/304.gif . 2016-07-02 . dead .
  6. Book: Jin Seng, Chuah. Penang 500 Early Postcards. Editions Didier Millet. 2013. 9789671061718.
  7. Web site: SK BATU LANCHANG - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia. www.sekolahmy.com. ms-MY. 2017-05-19.
  8. Web site: SJK(C) KHENG TEAN – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia. www.sekolahmy.com. ms-MY. 2017-05-19.
  9. Web site: SMJK CHUNG HWA CONFUCIAN (CF) – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia. www.sekolahmy.com. ms-MY. 2017-05-19.
  10. Web site: SMK HAMID KHAN – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia. www.sekolahmy.com. ms-MY. 2017-05-19.
  11. Web site: SMK GEORGETOWN – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia. www.sekolahmy.com. ms-MY. 2017-05-19.
  12. Web site: SMK HAJI ZAINUL ABIDIN – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia. www.sekolahmy.com. ms-MY. 2017-05-19.
  13. Web site: SMV BATU LANCHANG – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia. www.sekolahmy.com. ms-MY. 2017-05-19.
  14. Web site: Penang's digital library to run 24/7 from May 1 – Community The Star Online. www.thestar.com.my. 2017-05-19.
  15. Web site: Penang Digital Library. www.penangdigitallibrary.com. 2017-03-20.
  16. Web site: Portal Rasmi Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang – The Penang Digital Library. Zabidi. Nor Diana. www.penang.gov.my. ms-my. 2017-03-20. 2017-03-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20170320233143/https://www.penang.gov.my/kenyataan-akhbar/359454-the-penang-digital-library. dead.
  17. Web site: Paperless library option – Community The Star Online. www.thestar.com.my. 2017-03-20.
  18. Web site: HLWE :: History. www.hlwe.com.my. 2017-05-19.
  19. Web site: CONTACT US Carl Corrynton Medical Centre Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic/Sports Medicine. www.carlcorrynton.com. 2016-11-10.
  20. Web site: Penang Eye Specialist Hospital OPTIMAX Eye Specialist Malaysia. www.optimax2u.com. en. 2017-05-19.
  21. Web site: myPenang – Batu Lanchang Market. www.mypenang.gov.my. 2017-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20170714050955/http://mypenang.gov.my/itemfull-2146-batu_lanchang_market.pgt. 2017-07-14. dead.
  22. Web site: Top 10 nibbles from Penang – Focus The Star Online. Ahmad. Aida. 2017-05-16.
  23. News: Malaysian kuih: A marriage of flavours and cultures. 2016-03-27. 2017-05-16.