Cheah Kongsi, located at Armenian Street, Penang, is one of the oldest and most charming clan temples tucked away in a hidden recess of George Town. The Cheah Kongsi ancestral temple of Sek Tong Seah @ Sek Tong Cheah Si Seh Tek Tong @ Cheah Si Hock Haw Kong Kongsi is one of the less known but no less significant member of the Armenian Street Heritage Enclave. To reach it, pass through an ornate archway, through a narrow passageway, and you will find the ancestral temple located in a pleasant courtyard facing the east.
Although there is no record to show what year the Cheah Kongsi was founded, based on the title deeds, it can be deduced that the kongsi was founded somewhere before the year 1820, making it the oldest of the five major Hokkien clan associations in Penang, the others being the Khoo, Yeoh, Lim and Tan clan associations. The founder is attributed to be one Cheah Yam. Between then and 1858, the association acquired several pieces of land. The one on which the clan temple now stands was acquired in 1858 at Armenian Street. It took 15 years to build.
Within the halls of the Cheah Kongsi temple are the two main deities of the Cheahs. They were in fact extinguished generals who were bestowed the title of "Marquis" or "Hock Haw".
Getting there
Take the Rapid Penang Bus Nos. 10, 103, 301, 302, 308, 401 or U502 to Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, walk down the road to the junction of Lebuh Armenian, then turn left. Cheah Kongsi is on the left side of Lebuh Armenian, about 60 meters from the junction.
It was tough life for the inhabitants of the coastal regions of China during the turbulent years between the tail end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and during the early years of Qing (1644-1911). Countless mainlanders from the coastal provinces of Guangdong (Kwangtung) and Fujian (Hokkien) left their homeland in search of better lives elsewhere. For many, the destination is the Nanyang (Southern Seas), places like Siam, Sumatra and of course, Malaya.
When the Cheahs first arrived in Penang, they settled in the Bagan Dalam area of Butterworth. From there, they gradually shifted across the channel to make their home in George Town, where there was better business opportunities. To consolidate their resources and look into the welfare of their fellow clansmen, they established the Cheah Kongsi, and named it after their ancestral village of Sek Tong Seah, which is located in the Hai Teng District of Zhang Zhou prefecture of Fujian Provinde, in the present designated Development Zone of Hai Chang, opposite Xiamen.
As with the other clan associations, the Cheah Kongsi provided accommodation as well as financial aid to the new arrivals of the Cheah clan until they found employment and can then contribute to the guild. Along with that are other objectives of the association, including the worship of their patron saint, Hock Haw Kong, the worship of their ancestors, the provision of educational aid to the children of clan members, and to provide subsistence allowance to widows of Cheah clansmen.
Stretching your budget in Penang
If you are a prudent traveller, you can spend less than $20 per day in Penang, including your accommodation! Here's some useful tips for budget travellers to Penang, to help you manage your budget and have a great time.
Penang Tour Guides
If you're on a shoestring budget, you can explore Penang using the travel articles in Penang Travel Tips. You may print them out for your own personal non-commercial use. However, nothing compares to having a professional tour guide to show you around. If you need a tour guide, contact me and I'll arrange one for you, according to your schedule and interest. If I happen to be free, I would gladly show you around too. Just write to me at:
Finding Budget Accommodation in Penang
If you're coming to Penang on a budget, you'd be pleased to know that there's quite a number of places in George Town as well as in Batu Ferringhi that offers good clean accommodation without costing you an arm and a let. If I am allowed to be biased, I would recommend Hotel Mingood, which happens to belong to a friend of mine. If it is occupied, there are plenty of other places that cost less than US$12.00 per night. Here are some suggestions:
Despite the best intentions to provide you information that is as accurate as possible, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.
Cheah Kongsi Photo Gallery
The Sek Tong Seah Cheah Kongsi Open House on Chinese New Year 2005
Front façade of the Cheah Kongsi.
Cheah Kongsi in the evening.
Intricate wall inscriptions on the upper floor of Cheah Kongsi.
A newly renovated wing of the Cheah Kongsi.
Design on the gable and pediment of the clan temple.
The gateway arch into Cheah Kongsi has also been renovated.
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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms.
