George Town on the Malaysian island of Penang played a central role in Dr. Sun Yat-sen's successful campaign to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and found modern China. He spent several months in George Town and visited frequently, raising support and funds for his revolution. Penang ended up playing a vital role in Dr. Sun's revolution. But Dr. Sun and his followers also left a lasting legacy in Penang, as people can learn from several sites documenting his ties to the city. Rian Maelzer reports from Penang, Malaysia.

It was to George Town, Penang that Dr. Sun Yat-sen moved the Southeast Asian headquarters of his revolutionary movement in 1910. And this became the home of the organization he created as a cover, the Penang Philomatic Union. His followers established 'reading clubs' here, and across Malaya and Singapore to build support for the revolution. In November 1910, Dr. Sun convened the Penang Conference to plan the Huanghuagang uprising, and to raise funds to topple the imperial order.

CHUANG KENG KUNG CHAIRMAN, PENANG PHILOMATIC UNION "When he held those Penang meetings, they can be seen as a real turning point of the movement, for raising funds among the Chinese diaspora. It played a big role in the success of the revolution."

The Philomatic Union later moved to this building. Both here, and at the Sun Yat-sen museum, the memory of his struggle, and Penang's role in it are highlighted for visitors.

WANG LIFENG CHINESE TOURIST "They've preserved a lot of precious information and artifacts related to Chinese history so far from our homeland. It shows everybody still respects the memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and it makes me very proud."

Just as the people of Penang made a significant contribution to Dr. Sun's cause, Dr. Sun had a lasting impact on Penang.

KHOO SALMA NASUTION FOUNDER, DR. SUN YAT-SEN MUSEUM "The movement actually left behind some very significant contributions, for example, it was like a civic movement, he started a newspaper, they started schools which are very famous today and also they started these clubs which were always about training people to be citizens and to be active in the civic and political life."

RIAN MAELZER GEORGE TOWN, PENANG, MALAYSIA "History buffs have also created a heritage trail winding its way through the old city past the most important sites linked to Dr. Sun and his supporters."

These include buildings formerly housing schools, businesses and a newspaper they founded. It's all ensuring not only that the memory of Dr. Sun, but also the prominent role George Town played in his revolution live on. Rian Maelzer, CGTN, George Town, Penang, Malaysia.