Yin Oi Tong Medical Hall

Yin Oi Tong Medical Hall (9 June 2012)


Yin Oi Tong Medical Hall is one of the oldest medical halls in Southeast Asia. It was established by a Hakka medicine seller Koo Suk Chuan in 1796, within a decade after the founding of George Town. Yin Oi Tong was originally located at Pitt Street.

Yin Oi Tong moved to 82A, B and C Penang Street, at the junction of Penang Street and China Street, in 1896. It is an early 19th century three-storey Straits Eclectic-style building. The building, which belongs to to Cheah Kongsi, was built in 1886.¹ The appearance of five-foot ways on the Yin Oi Tong building points to it having been built around the mid 18th century and no earlier. The building underwent restructuring at the early part of the 20th century.

When I visited the place in February 2009, the medical hall is still in practise. But it was in that year that it moved out to Paya Terubong, to make way for restoration, which to over two years to complete. When restoration was completed, the property reopened in 2012 housing the Ren-I-Tang Heritage Inn.

Address

Yin Oi Tong Co Sdn Bhd 仁愛堂
1239-J, Jalan Paya Terubong,
11060 Ayer Itam, Penang.
Phone: +60-4-827 2722
Facebook Page

Yin Oi Tong under restoration (15 September 2012)


Yin Oi Tong Medical Hall, before restoration (23 February 2009)


Yin Oi Tong, before its restoration (23 April 2009)

Further Reading

Nearby Sights

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Getting there

From the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal, cross Pengkalan Weld and then turn right and go along Pengkalan Weld until the junction of Gat Lebuh China. Turn left into Gat Lebuh China. Go straight, crossing the junction of Lebuh Pantai, and proceed to Lebuh China. Yin Oi Tong is at the junction of Lebuh Penang, on the left side of Lebuh China.

Location of Yin Oi Tong on the map

References

List of Historic Buildings in Penang and Historic Buildings in Malaysia