Explore a different destination Goh Chan Lau
former Shih Chung Branch School, Cheah Tek Soon Mansion, Northam Road


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Goh Chan Lau (23 February 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Goh Chan Lau Location Map






Goh Chan Lau, also known as Cheah Tek Soon Mansion (23 February 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


Front facade of Goh Chan Lau, also known as The Chinese Residency (23 February 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


Side view of Goh Chan Lau, also known as the former Shih Chung Branch School (23 February 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

ENGLISH VERSION HERE

"五层楼"是坐落于槟城Northam Road的著名5层豪宅,而今虽不能逃过衰落失修的命运,但也不能够磨灭它特殊的历史光芒。此宅也被称为Chinese Residency (中文不确定), 谢德顺宅邸、Raffles-by-the-sea(槟城莱佛士)酒店、以及时中分校。五层楼属于槟城世界遗产地区之内,但是它现在处于被荒废的处境,不知是否未来会有"有志有财"之士能够挑起重修它的重任。

"五层楼"建于19世纪末期,是大亨谢德顺(Cheah Tek Soon)的手笔。(大约在19世纪80年代,槟城"德顺街"以他的名字命名。)完美融合了中国、马来以及欧洲殖民建筑风格,五层楼在当时曾经是最华美的私人宅邸。(其外观为中英混合式,内部空间仍保存有中国建筑式的门厅屏扇,其高耸的比例相当罕有;是本土中西合璧式建筑的另一特色。)同时,它的位置也位于当时的黄金地段- Northam Road(也叫"Ang Mor Loh",就是华人俗称的“红毛路”,指白人聚集的地方,嘻嘻 – 乔乔)。旁边的Transfer Road,后来也称为Tek Soon Chu Phi Kay,直译就是“德顺宅旁边的街”。从这些现在的照片中,仍然能够依稀想见到当时灯红酒绿、华服如云的盛况。在20世纪初期,这栋楼转给谢德顺的兄弟谢德泰,期间此楼也被称为Chinese Residency。后来Koh Leap Teng博士,即Koh Seang Tat的侄儿,在和谢德泰的大女儿结婚后也居于此。

"五层楼"后来传给谢德顺唯一的孩子- 他的女儿谢柳美(Cheah Liew Bee)。谢柳美嫁给了著名的支援中国革命的志士吴世荣(Goh Say Eng)先生。此君也是自家产业Chop Swee Hock面粉及火柴企业的继承人,并建立了"槟城阅书报社"。吴世荣狂热的支持着孙中山先生的革命事业,不惜变卖他所有的财产(据记载,吴世荣晚年在贫病中辞世。。。-乔乔)为了感谢他的贡献,吴世荣后来于1912年1月被选举为东南亚海外华人在同盟会的代表。五层楼也被吴世荣作为对革命的支持而变卖给了戴喜云。因戴喜云当时的身份是清朝驻槟领事,五层楼便因此而成为名震一时的华人领事馆,在英文里,又称为中国领事馆邸。

之后,五层楼曾被改造为酒店,意欲效仿新加坡莱佛士酒店,将它命名为槟城莱佛士,与E&O及Runnymede酒店并列为当地的豪华酒店(但是似乎不久即告闭门歇业- 乔乔)。

稍后,大亨梁碧如在五层楼建立了时中学校,之后的一九一五年间,梁氏兄弟(恩权,应权)遵照乃父梁碧如的遗嘱,租借五层楼的楼上部分创办“碧如女学”,为当时女校的巨擘,惜于一九二零年,英殖民政府施行学校注册条例法案,始告停办。后来,官立英文学校也曾在这里办过。二战之后,五层楼一直作为时中分校使用,直到20世纪90年代此一私人产业为戴氏后人所脱售,时中分校于一九九四年才被迫暂时停办。

在另外一段不为人熟悉的外传中,五层楼曾被新的主人考虑改建为一栋佛教徒骨灰塔。当然,这个想法遭到了各界强烈质疑和五层楼的邻居们的强烈反对,而后就不了了之了。

而今,“五层楼”默默的衰老着,像一位曾经盛装的新娘,在尘封的时光隧道中等待着不知何时到来的婚期。。。

Thank you to JoJo for the Chinese Translation.

Getting there

Take the Rapid Penang Free Shuttle Bus to Station No. 7 (Lebuh Muntri Station), located along Penang Road at the junction of Muntri Street. From there, walk north along Penang Road until junction of Northam Road. Turn left at Northam Road, walk a short distance, past the Protestant Cemetery, and you will find Goh Chan Lau in ruins immediately thereafter.

Nearby Sights

  • Protestant Cemetery
  • Francis Light's Tomb
  • Thirty Two at the Mansion
  • St Francis Xavier Church
  • Segara Ninda
  • Farquhar Street Mission House
  • Protestant Cemetery
  • Francis Light's Tomb
  • Eastern & Oriental Hotel



  • Click for list of Penang Heritage Sites




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