Blast from the past

Once the domains of martial art masters, Penang's inns did not only serve as resting and dining places for these hardy fighters but also doubled as the venues for the kung fu contests.

In George Town, just as elsewhere in Malaysia, the remarkable legend of the Dragon Inn is still cherished.

Anyone that enjoys reliving the past will find a home at 1881 Chong Tian Hotel in Ropewalk. This George Town inn is the oldest in the country and the emergence of the new 1881 spread over three shoplots in town may well mark the resurgence of inn culture in this part of the world. The 130-year-old inn, which once catered to wealthy merchants, today offers 11 rooms, plus a relic hall, a meeting room, activity room, library and mezzanine bar.

The owner, Xie Guo Xing says he wants to revive the Dragon Inn style, which is why he's been careful in placing his collection of antiques throughout the inn. To Xie, 1881 is more than an inn; it's also a chic Chinese boutique hotel.

Those who enjoy good food will see the inn as a fine hotel serving the best of Chinese and Western fares while backpackers willing to spend to enjoy culture will most definitely not want to miss an opportunity to put up for a night at the inn.

There is a refined antique wooden bed in the rear hall with a pillow and teapot on top of it. It might look like a set up in a wealthy local family during the olden days, but was in actual fact an opium bed that allowed people to indulge then slowly drift into sleep.

The chairs placed in front of the wooden bed, Xie says, were for the opium smoker's friends, often addicts themselves.

A golden dragon and phoenix hang on the wall of the dining hall. These two auspicious creatures symbolise eternity and happiness and are also used during traditional Chinese wedding ceremonies.

During the mid-autumn festival, another set of the golden shimmering accessories will be hung opposite the dragon and phoenix to ring in the festive season while announcing to the public that moon cakes are now available for sale at the hotel.

Wooden ladders and bamboo decorate the patio along with water tank complete with duckweed while windows of the guestrooms look down on elaborate ceramic tile paintings.