Carpenters' Guild (Lo Pan Hang)

Carpenters' Guild, Penang (30 June 2014)


The Carpenters' Guild (GPS: 5.41908, 100.3364) at 70 Love Lane is one of the oldest trades association in Penang. It was established by carpenters and brick layers who were mostly Cantonese of the Sing Leng sub-dialect group and dedicated to the patron saint of the Cantonese tradesmen, Lo Pan, literally "North Duke", and was called Lo Pan Hang. Despite the English translation of the name as "carpenter's" guild, the association actually encompass all types of craftsmen.

The Carpenters' Guild was founded in 1850. Its original premises was at 5 Lebuh Penang. This is the starting point for craftsmen and builders - to be noted, mostly Cantonese - who arrived in Malaysia, whether to live here permanently, or on a limited-time contract, as artisans for temples and clan houses.

The guildhouse has quarters for contractors, who go out to look for contracts, and the craftsmen, who execute the jobs. As those who brought in the business are considered to have the "tougher" job, they were rewarded with better living quarters, on the front part of the guildhouse. The craftsmen, who comprised the masters and their apprentices, had to make do with the more crowded apartments in the back. Crafts are handed down from masters to apprentices, and a novice wanting to become a craftsman had to undergo a three-year apprenticeship, during which time he is only paid with meals and board.

The temple at Love Lane that we see today, called Lo Pan Ku Miau, or North Duke's Old Temple, was built in 1865, and continues to function today as the guildhouse. However, the function of craftsmen guildhouses diminished with the advent of modern building techniques, so much so that the ancient crafts needed to repair and restore many of the clan temples in Penang could no longer be sourced locally. Today the Carpenters' Guild exists more as a throw back to a bygone era than that of a functioning guild.

Carpenters' Guild (30 June 2014)


Carpenters' Guild, Bayan Baru (29 January 2005)


A guardian lion at the Carpenters' Guild (29 January 2005)


Front porch of the Carpenters' Guild (29 January 2005)

Contact

Carpenters' Guild
70 Love Lane
George Town, Penang
Phone: +60 4 262 0202

Getting to Carpenters' Guild

The easiest way to get to the Carpenters' Guild is to take a bus to Lebuh Chulia and then walk down Love Lane. The Carpenters' Guild is on the left side of Love Lane if approached from Lebuh Chulia. Take any of the Rapid Penang Bus No. 11, 101, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204 or 206 to reach that part of Lebuh Chulia.

If you prefer to walk all the way, from the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal, cross the pedestrian bridge and then turn left, walk along Pengkalan Weld until junction of Gat Lebuh Chulia. Turn right and follow Gat Lebuh Chulia. Passing the junction of Lebuh Pantai, it changes name to Lebuh Chulia. Continue until you reach the junction of Love Lane, turn right into it, and the Carpenters' Guild is on the left side of the lane, about 50 meters from the junction.

The Carpenters' Guild is on the map of Love Lane

Ornate couplets flank the doorway of the Carpenters' Guild (29 January 2005)

Nearby Sights

Directions to the following sights are in reference to the front gate of Carpenters' Guild:

List of Clan Temples in Penang, Chinese Temples in Penang and Chinese Temples in Malaysia