Khoo Kongsi: The grandest clan temple of the country

31-Dec-2020, 09:00

31 Dec 2020, 09:00

The Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi is one of George Town’s most famous landmarks, known for its highly elaborate and ornamented architecture.

The complex was set up in the 19th century to serve the Khoo clan. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi (or Khoo Kongsi for short) was founded in 1835 to serve the Khoo clan who originated from the Hai Teng area of Chiang Chew prefecture in China’s Hokkien province, or Fujian, to use the modern spelling.

This temple was added in the early 20th century. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

The magnificent temple building was completed in 1906 and last restored in 2001.

An artwork in the gallery. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

The clan house was one of the locations for the filming of ‘Anna and the King’ (1999) starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun Fat (the Thai government had prohibited the shooting of the film in Thailand so it was mostly filmed in Malaysia).

The courtyard of the Khoo Kongsi. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

There is a courtyard in front of the temple that contains former clan dwellings, a stage for cultural performances, a souvenir shop, toilets and an art gallery.

The museum features a mock-up of a simple kitchen of the time the Khoo Kongsi was built. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

There is a museum section at the side and rear of the main temple, providing more information on the clan houses, the history of the Khoo Kongsi and the history of the Chinese community in Penang.