The Choo Chay Keong Temple, or pinyinised as Chi Ji Gong, is the clan temple of the Lum Yeong Tong Yap Kongsi, located next door to it. It is located at the corner of Lebuh Armenian and Medan Cannon, in the core zone of the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site. The diminutive temple - small compared to other buildings surrounding it - was erected for the worship of the Yap clan's patron deities.
The temple was built for the worship of Hoay Che Chung Wang as well as for the display of the Yap ancestral tablets.
Getting there
If you are walking from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal, refer to Google map on this page. From the bus terminal, cross Pengkalan Weld using the pedestrian bridge. Turn left and walk along Pengkalan Weld until the junction of Gat Lebuh Chulia. Turn right into Gat Lebuh Chulia. At the junction of Lebuh Pantai, Gat Lebuh Chulia becomes Lebuh Chulia. Continue along Lebuh Chulia until the junction of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. Turn left and walk along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling until the junction of Lebuh Armenian. You will see Choo Chay Keong Temple at the junction of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lebuh Armenian, to the right.
Choo Chay Keong Temple can be reached by taking the Rapid Penang Bus 10, 103, 301, 302, 401, U502, disembarking at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. Check the Rapid Penang Bus Routes for details. From Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling bus stop, walk in the southwards. You will see Choo Chay Keong Temple at the junction of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lebuh Armenian, to the right.
What to see and do
The dragon pillars supporting the front porch of Choo Chay Keong Temple is exquisite. The polygonal incendary in front of the temple was only added during the renovations of the 1990's.
Choo Chay Keong Temple Location Map
Nearby Sights
The following sights are reference against the main entrance of Yap Kongsi.
Yap Kongsi: Coming out from Choo Chay Keong Temple, Yap Kongsi is immediately on the left.
Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple: Coming out from Yap Kongsi, turn right and walk along Lebuh Armenian. After crossing the junction with Medan Cannon, you reach the entrance archway to Hock Teik Cheng Sin on your right.
Cheah Kongsi: Coming out from Yap Kongsi, turn right and walk along Lebuh Armenian. After crossing the junction with Medan Cannon, continue a short distance, past Lorong Soo Hong on your left, and you will reach the entrance archway to Cheah Kongsi on the left.
Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong): Coming out from Yap Kongsi, turn right and walk along Lebuh Armenian. After crossing the junction with Medan Cannon, turn right into Medan Cannon. The entrance archway to Khoo Kongsi is on your left, a short distance down Medan Cannon.
Acheen Street Mosque: Coming out from Yap Kongsi, turn right and walk along Lebuh Armenian. After crossing the junction with Medan Cannon, turn right into Medan Cannon. The Acheen Street Mosque is at Lebuh Acheh, across the junction of Medan Cannon and Lebuh Acheh.
Dr Sun Yat Sen's Penang Base: Coming out from Yap Kongsi, turn left and walk along Lebuh Armenian. The street curves to the left. Dr Sun Yat Sen's Penang Base is at 120 Lebuh Armenian, on the right.
Penang Islamic Museum: Coming out from Yap Kongsi, turn left and walk along Lebuh Armenian. The street curves to the left. The Penang Islamic Museum is at the right side of Lebuh Armenian, at the junction with Lebuh Acheh.
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!
Choo Chay Keong Temple Photo Gallery
View of Choo Chay Keong Temple with Yap Kongsi next to it (30 January 2006)
Choo Chay Keong Temple (29 January 2005)
Inside Choo Chay Keong Temple (29 January 2005)
Guardian lions and paqua on the altar at Choo Chay Keong Temple (29 January 2005)
Intricate roof ornamentation of the Choo Chay Keong Temple (30 January 2006)
Choo Chay Keong Temple at night (13 February 2005)
It is often more practical to book your tours online. You have the luxury of time to go through what are the tours you intend to take, rather than having to make a decision on your feet. Check out the local tours in Penang that you can book online. The tours are provided by Viator, a reputable international tour company.
If you are coming to Penang, you can arrange airport transfer from airport to city in advance. A van will be waiting for you to pick you at the airport. This service is very useful and cost effective if you are arriving as a group.
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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. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.
