The most interesting street to explore by foot in Penang is Chulia Street or Lebuh Chulia (Malabar street). Chulia street get its name because of majority of traders come from Tanjore and to a lesser extent from Ramnad, both districts in Tamil Nadu. You can find multi-cultural character, antique building, budget hotel, antique shop and many money changer shop along Chulia street. You just need to start your walk from Penang Road. If you can find Pasar Chowrasta or Penang Road Mydin, just go straight until you see Oriental Hotel. You can see the signboard of Chulia Street from there. The walk will be about one kilometer long but it will be an exciting one. If you love antique and taking pictures.
You can start searching for your coin, banknote or antique stuff from that signboard post. On your right (since you're heading to Chulia street), you can see one money changer and one antique shop. Just be sure to do your walk after 12pm since many money changer, coin shop or antique shop aren't open before that time. The best day to do the walk is on working days, Monday to Thursday. Some Money Changer shop will be closed for a while on Friday afternoon. Most antique shop, coin shop and money changer will be closed on Sunday. It is best if you try to avoid walking on Friday until Sunday. If you want your hunting trip to be a rewarding one.
You can found almost ten money changer like this. Look for coin or banknote on display at their counter. If you want a best cheap price, don't forget try to be their first customer. Start your walk as early as possible. As with my experience doing a coin hunting trip here, select your banknote or coin first before you want to bargain for their price. They love it if you want to buy many item in the early morning. You still can buy the item that you feel is cheap with good bargain and leaving the expensive coin or banknote. If you're looking for world currency, world coins, world paper money, Straits Settlements coins or banknotes, Malaysia coin or banknotes, Malaysia commemorative coin (not proof coin), silver coins; this is the best place to hunt for them cheap.
The walk will bring you to Masjid Kapitan Keling Road or Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. Kapitan Keling Mosque built in the 19th century by the India Muslim trader coming to Penang. The term ‘keling’ derived from the ancient Hindu kingdom on the Coromandel coast of South India. It was generally used to denote all those who came from there. As the Indians found it difficult to pronounce certain English words, the title “Captain” was somehow transformed into “Kapitan”. From there, the Kapitan Kelings (or Captains of the Kelings) came about. Beside the famous "nasi beratur" or "nasi ganja", you can also found Money Changer shop along that road.
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