Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
centenary in 1995 refreshed its distinctive swirling dragon pillars and brightened up the
ornate carvings.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
CLANHOUSES
Between the mid-1800s and the mid-1900s, Penang welcomed a huge influx of Chinese immigrants, primarily
from China's Fujian province. To help introduce uncles, aunties, cousins, 10th cousins, old neighbourhood bud-
dies and so on to their new home, the Chinese formed clan associations and built clanhouses to create a sense of
community, provide lodging and help find employment for newcomers. In addition to functioning as 'embassies'
of sorts, clanhouses also served as a deeper social, even spiritual, link between an extended clan, its ancestors and
its social obligations.
As time went on, many clan associations became extremely prosperous and their buildings became more or-
nate. Clans - called 'secret societies' by the British - began to compete with each other over the decadence and
number of their temples. Thanks to this rivalry, today's Penang has one of the densest concentrations of clan ar-
chitecture found outside China. Arguably George Town's most impressive clanhouse is the Khoo Kongsi (
Click
here
), while other notable clanhouses include the following:
assembly hall, this building has also been the registered headquarters of several secret societies. Each society oc-
cupied a different portion of the temple, which became a focal point during the 1867 riots. The fighting became
so intense that a secret passage existed between here and Khoo Kongsi for a quick escape.
1870 clanhouse was renovated in 2005 by Chinese artisans and features informative displays on the immigration
of the eponymous Chinese group.
painted a distinct shade of light green and originally built in 1924 in 'Straits Eclectic' style, is not always open to
the public; instead, stop in at the adjacent temple, Choo Chay Keong.
Colonial District & Little India
PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION
(
www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my
;
29 Lebuh Gereja; adult/child RM10/5; 9.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat)
This
building rivals the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion as the most stunning restored residence in
the city. Every door, wall and archway is carved and often painted in gold leaf; the grand
rooms are furnished with majestic wood furniture with intricate mother-of-pearl inlay; and
bright-coloured paintings and fascinating B&W photos of the family in regal Chinese
dress grace the walls. The house belonged to Chung Keng Quee, a 19th-century merchant,
MUSEUM
