Chong San Wooi Koon, George Town

Chong San Wooi Koon, George Town, Penang (11 February 2013)


Chong San Wooi Koon (GPS: 5.41855, 100.34015; Hokkien: Heong San Hoay Kuan) is a Cantonese district association located at the junction of Lebuh King (King Street) and Lebuh Gereja (Church Street) in George Town, Penang. It is the association of Cantonese clansmen from Heong San district in present-day Guangdong Province in southern China. The association is housed in a heritage building built in the 19th century. The building was already in its place during a 1870s document, and so is believed to have been constructed in the mid 19th century.

The association was founded as Heong San Hoay Kuan in 1801. It was renamed Chong San Wooi Koon in the early 20th century, in honor of Dr Sun Yat Sen, who came from Heong San district and who is also known among the Cantonese by the name of Sun Chong San. Both names can be seen at the front facade. The original name is in relief on the lintel of the front door while the latter name on wooden plaques on both sides of the door.

What to see

Admire the Cantonese-style architecture, with its decorated glazed tile roof and granite columns. Its lantern beams, with its intricate design, terracotta relief at the corbels and granite columns are all very attractive.

The front fac¸ade of Chong San Wooi Koon (11 February 2013)


The door gods of Chong San Wooi Koon (11 February 2013)


Chong San Wooi Koon, George Town (21 August 2004)


Chong San Wooi Koon, George Town (20 March 2004)


Chong San Wooi Koon, side view (30 October 2004)


This was how the Chong San Wooi Koon looked like in 2003 (7 November 2003)

Chong San Wooi Koon 2012 Restoration

The Chong San Wooi Koon underwent another round of restoration in 2012. This round of sprucing up is a more serious effort considering that the structure is now within the core zone of a World Heritage Site.

Restoration in progress at the Chong San Wooi Koon (7 July 2012)


Chong San Wooi Koon, 2012 restoration nears completion (15 September 2012)


Front façade of Chong San Wooi Koon during the 2012 restoration (15 September 2012)


Interior of Chong San Wooi Koon, with statue of Dr Sun Yat Sen (15 September 2012)


Clansmen positioning the statue of Dr Sun Yat Sen (15 September 2012)


Airwell of Chong San Wooi Koon (15 September 2012)


The door god of Chong San Wooi Koon (15 September 2012)


The door gods of Chong San Wooi Koon (11 February 2013)


The door gods of Chong San Wooi Koon (11 February 2013)

How to get there

Using the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal as your starting point, you can reach the Heong San Hoay Kuan on foot. Cross Pengkalan Weld using the pedestrian crossing. Turn right. Go along Pengkalan Weld until you reach Gat Lebuh China. Turn left. Upon reaching Lebuh Pantai, cross the road and turn right. At the junction with Lebuh Gereja turn left. Walk along Lebuh Gereja until you see Heong San Hoay Kuan at the junction with Lebuh King.

Chong San Wooi Koon is on the Map of Lebuh King, Penang

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