Boon San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Penang.
Boon San Tong Location Map
Boon San Tong
Boon San Tong Khoo Kongsi is the smaller of the two Khoo Kongsi clan temples in Penang. Unlike its "bigger sister", the Boon San Tong Khoo Kongsi does not receive throngs of photo-snapping tourists. Boon San Tong was built by a branch of the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi. It is the ancestral temple of the Khoo subclan known as the Hai Kee Kak, or "Sea Edge Pillar". They are the descendents of Khoo Kong Oon, a fifth generation Leong San Tong Khoo. The most illustrious member of this subclan is Khoo Thean Teik, who was intrumental in making Boon San Tong the most powerful component of the association. He was one of the founding members of the Boon San Tong clan temple in 1878.
The original entrance to Boon San Tong Khoo Kongsi was through a narrow passageway from Beach Street facing Seh Tan Court. When it was built, it commanded a good view of the sea.
In 1907, with the creation of Victoria Street on what was previously sea, the entrance to the temple was changed to the newly created street. Note the year 1907 on its gates as you enter. In all likelihood, the same craftsmen who worked on the Leong San Tong a year before was also the ones who completed the Boon San Tong.
Within Boon San Tong are the ancestral tablets of the Hai Kee Kak. these are in the main ancestral hall as well as the Boon San Tong. As one of the four main components of the Leong San Tong, the Boon San Tong owns a quarter share in the main clan association, and have representatives sitting in the Leong San Tong board.
Getting there
You can walk to Boon San Tong Kongsi from Weld Quay Bus Terminal, a distance of 430 meters (1400 ft). Cross Pengkalan Weld using the pedestrian bridge, then turn left, walk along Pengkalan Weld until junction of Gat Lebuh Chulia, then turn right. Walk a short distance along Gat Lebuh Chulia until junction of Lebuh Victoria, then turn left. Walk along Lebuh Victoria until you reach Boon San Tong on your right, about 250 meters from the junction.
Nearby Sights
Eng Tai Association
Tan Kongsi
Cheah Kongsi
Chew Jetty
Choo Chay Keong Temple (Yap Temple)
Yap Kongsi
Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong)
Acheen Street Mosque
Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong)
120 Armenian Street (Dr Sun Yat Sen's Penang Base)
Penang Heritage Centre
Lim Kongsi
Madrasah Hamid Arabi
Visiting Penang
If you're planning a trip to Penang, please go through the information I have assembled in Penang Travel Tips. You'd find there information covering all aspect about Penang, including accommodation, transport, food, shopping, places of interest and more. Everything you need to know Penang is right there at your finger tips!
Close-up of the clan temple. Note the chien nien roof ornamentation. To prevent defacement by birds and bats, a netting is wrapped over the temple.
BST and year 1907 are inscribed on the gates of the Boon San Tong.
Roof design of the Boon San Tong is relatively simple. Note the X-shaped iron bars reenforcing the structure.
List of Clan Temples in Penang
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