Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre

Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (4 December 2015)


Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (GPS: 5.41522, 100.33849) is a centre that provides insights into the history of Cheah Kongsi, and the relationship between the Cheah clansmen with Penang. It will be officially opened to the public on Wednesday, 9 December, by the Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng.

The history of Cheah Kongsi is closely intertwined with the history of George Town, Penang. The clan association was established in 1820 by clansmen of the village of Sek Tong, in Sam Toh subdivision of the district of Hai Teng, in the city-level prefecture of Zhangzhou, in Fujian Province. This makes it one of the oldest clan associations in Penang. Today it owns much of the properties in its immediate vicinity, and these it is now painstakingly renovating, to bring them back to their original state, but in accordance with modern technology and in keeping with conservation guide lines.

The Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre is equiped with a resource room in which visitors can review photographed copies of ancient manuscripts. These were discovered in a locked safe recently and are now being archived and preserved. There are touch-screen panels where you can learn about the Kongsi. This offers an interactive and fun way for visitors to get an understanding of the clan association.

On the upstairs chamber is the meeting hall. The period furnishing here has been carefully preserved, so that you have a feel of how it was like when clansmen held their meetings. To the side of the meeting hall is a den where the members could adjourn for a game of mahjong.

Admission to the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre

The Chean Kongsi Interpretation Centre will open on 2 January, 2016. Opening hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Mondays to Fridays, and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays. It is tentatively closed on Sundays. Entrance fees are as follows:

Adult: RM10 per person.
Child (aged 3-12): RM5 per person
Students in student groups: RM2 per person

Entrance fees include GST 6%. Terms and conditions apply.



Main entrance of Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (4 December 2015)


Here I am with the map at Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (4 December 2015)


I am standing beside the Bao Shu, or Previous Tree, the emblem of the Cheah clan. The tree here symbolises the story of the Cheah clan's migration to George Town. (4 December 2015)


Here I am with the vignettes. (4 December 2015)


The busy George Town harbour, at the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (4 December 2015)


The Swatow Lodging House, a vignette at the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (4 December 2015)


Vignette of people smoking opium, at the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (4 December 2015)


My wife looking at old seals that were once in use at Cheah Kongsi. These seals, or "chops", are stamped to represent a person's signature, and have been part of Chinese culture for thousands of years. (4 December 2015)


My wife trying out the interactive touch screen at the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (23 December 2015)


The Meeting Hall at the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (23 December 2015)


Mother-of-pearl inlaid mahogany furniture at the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (23 December 2015)


Mother-of-pearl inlaid mahogany furniture at the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre (23 December 2015)


Some of the gifts received by the Cheah Kongsi. Gift giving is an essential part of Chinese life, as a way to express gratitude, respect, hospitality and friendship. (23 December 2015)


The den with mahjong tables at the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre. (23 December 2015)


Exterior view of the Cheah Kongsi Interpretation Centre. (23 December 2015)

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