Cheah Kongsi, George Town: Hours, Address, Cheah Kongsi Reviews: 4.5/5
Cheah Kongsi
Cheah Kongsi
4.5
12:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday
12:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
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Restaurants
1,422 within 5 kms
SUPE - Georgetown Branch
245
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Sushi • Asian
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419
0.3 km$ • Cafe • Asian • Malaysian
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651
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293
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Lavish
1,539
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Fusion • Vegetarian Friendly
Puree Juice
61
0.2 km$ • Cafe • International • Asian
Bistro Tang
243
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Asian • Fusion
The Book Sandwich Cafe
298
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • International • Vegetarian Friendly
D'Loovi's
89
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Asian • Pub
Attractions
183 within 10 kms
Khoo Kongsi
1,775
0.2 kmSpeciality Museums
Lim Jetty
4
0.1 kmHistoric Sites
Chew Jetty Art Gallery
2
0.1 kmArt Galleries
Beach Street
1
0.2 kmHistoric Sites • Historic Walking Areas
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49
0.2 kmArt Museums
George Town
492
0.3 kmHistoric Sites
Asia Camera Museum
280
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums
Lee Jetty
3
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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415
0.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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367
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
89 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
32
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
0
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland21,151 contributions
Nov 2019
The Khoo Kongsi may be more opulent and more famous, but the Cheah Kongsi is very interesting and pleasant to see, especially since it is also less visited. There are two entrances: the old one from Armenian street and a newer one from Beach street (Lebuh Pantai). Unusual is the fact that seen from Beach street there is a big manicured, very British lawn in front of the building. It was added with the restoration 2013-2015, when historically inappropriate elements, that had been added later, were removed to make it look more like the original from 1873.
The Cheah Kongsi is one of the 5 big Kongsi in George Town, but together with the Khoo Kongsi it is the only one that can be visited on a regular basis. The other three: Yeoh Kongsi, Lim Kongsi and Tan Kongsi are generally not open to the public. Entrance fee is 10 MYR and it is open every day except Sundays. A little leaflet is handed out with the ticket and one can visit the place on one's own. Photography is allowed.
As at Khoo Kongsi one has to admire the roof with its upturning corners and all the dragons and other decorative elements made with 'Chien Nien' (cut and paste) ceramics in many colours. The main temple with three altars is on the upper floor, which can be reached by a wooden staircase from a small courtyard. Especially downstairs there are several small rooms, where clan members, often new arrivals from the home village of Sek Tong in Fujian province, were temporarily lodged and fed.
An interpretation centre tells about the home village and the perilous trip on Chinese junks to other shores and a hopefully better life. The Kongsi were meant to help each member of the same clan, to offer business contacts, and to meet and worship the traditional deities and ancestors.
The Cheah Kongsi is one of the 5 big Kongsi in George Town, but together with the Khoo Kongsi it is the only one that can be visited on a regular basis. The other three: Yeoh Kongsi, Lim Kongsi and Tan Kongsi are generally not open to the public. Entrance fee is 10 MYR and it is open every day except Sundays. A little leaflet is handed out with the ticket and one can visit the place on one's own. Photography is allowed.
As at Khoo Kongsi one has to admire the roof with its upturning corners and all the dragons and other decorative elements made with 'Chien Nien' (cut and paste) ceramics in many colours. The main temple with three altars is on the upper floor, which can be reached by a wooden staircase from a small courtyard. Especially downstairs there are several small rooms, where clan members, often new arrivals from the home village of Sek Tong in Fujian province, were temporarily lodged and fed.
An interpretation centre tells about the home village and the perilous trip on Chinese junks to other shores and a hopefully better life. The Kongsi were meant to help each member of the same clan, to offer business contacts, and to meet and worship the traditional deities and ancestors.
Written 11 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Leonardo D
Penang, Malaysia19 contributions
Sep 2020
Still couldnt compare of course with the leong san tong Khoo Kongsi, but it is second best clan house and you dont have to pay for a photo because it is just right on beach street. Take a photo and move on!
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Harrison F. Carter
Cologne, Germany10,039 contributions
Aug 2020
Interesting to learn of its background ... and although we didn't have time to go in, it was good to have seen it at least.
Written 15 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rosario_it
Belgium1,826 contributions
Mar 2019
This maybe is the oldest Clan House in George Town.
There was a large number of Chinese who migrated in the past in Malaysia and they given some special influences to the town.
The house is full of Chinese objects and furniture of several periods of time.
The visit is self guided and so you are free to wander around.
There was a large number of Chinese who migrated in the past in Malaysia and they given some special influences to the town.
The house is full of Chinese objects and furniture of several periods of time.
The visit is self guided and so you are free to wander around.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dnaray
Aberdeen, UK837 contributions
Feb 2020
we found this by accident but actually much preferred it to Khoo Kongsi as we were practically the only visitors so more chance to enjoy the peace and tranquility of a beautifully renovated clan house.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AnnArmstrogn
Kuching, Malaysia64 contributions
Dec 2019
On a recent visit to Penang, as I was strolling along Beach Street, I stopped in awe at an open archway - the Seh Teck Tong Cheah Kongsi. The Kongsi, a Chinese clan house, looked to have been just built. It was actually built in 1810, but the 2015 renovation remained true to the original.
It is an amazing example, as stated in tourist brochures, of fusion between traditional Hokkien (Chinese language group), Malay and English architecture. The spotless interior gave glimpses of what a kongsi building and life would have been like. The kitchen, for example, had a full range of cooking implements that would have been used for creating the traditional delicacies of then (and now), but there was little explantation.
This was common feature of all the exhibits. They were exquisite, stunningly beautiful, historically important, but visitors who have little knowledge of the culture and traditions would not extend their understanding. However, what I did come away with was a sense awe and a wish that there had been more information.
It is an amazing example, as stated in tourist brochures, of fusion between traditional Hokkien (Chinese language group), Malay and English architecture. The spotless interior gave glimpses of what a kongsi building and life would have been like. The kitchen, for example, had a full range of cooking implements that would have been used for creating the traditional delicacies of then (and now), but there was little explantation.
This was common feature of all the exhibits. They were exquisite, stunningly beautiful, historically important, but visitors who have little knowledge of the culture and traditions would not extend their understanding. However, what I did come away with was a sense awe and a wish that there had been more information.
Written 28 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
r1karegina
Wuxi, China632 contributions
Dec 2019
Must visit temple that built since 1810 and very artistic, only costs you 10 RM/person. I spend like 30 mins to looking around here. Recommended.
Written 12 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tricia N
Penang Island, Malaysia119 contributions
Mar 2019
Loved this place, our 5th visit, very interesting to wander around. So would advise people not to miss a trip there
Written 7 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Roadtrippers.asia
Penang, Malaysia2,793 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
The Cheah Clan Ancestral House is one of the nicest clan house in Georgetown and restored very beautifully. It is also the oldest of the five major Hokkien clan house in Penang.
It cost RM10 to enter this beautiful mansion and I would say is very much worth it.
The best view of the mansion is of course from Beach Street entrance with its nicely manicured lawn.
It cost RM10 to enter this beautiful mansion and I would say is very much worth it.
The best view of the mansion is of course from Beach Street entrance with its nicely manicured lawn.
Written 16 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mary G
8 contributions
Aug 2019
Visiting this clan complex provided an insight into the support which the clans have provided for members of their extended family for hundreds of years. The interior and exterior of the temple are a work of art.
Written 14 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheah Kongsi
- Cheah Kongsi is open:
- Mon - Fri 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
- Tue - Sat 12:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Cheah Kongsi tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Cheah Kongsi tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Cheah Kongsi:
- (0.02 km) Sekeping Victoria
- (0.13 km) SAVV Hotel
- (0.16 km) Container Hotel Penang
- (0.24 km) B Street Hotel
- (0.24 km) Lang Hoose
- Restaurants near Cheah Kongsi:
- (0.00 km) Ming Xiang Tai
- (0.02 km) Rabbit Breaks
- (0.02 km) The Boat Food Court
- (0.02 km) Da Shu Xia Seafood House
- (0.03 km) Awesome Canteen at Sekeping Victoria