Explore a different destinations on Earth Kar Yin Association
22 & 24 Lebuh King, George Town


    About Me  Bookmark and Share  Penang Travel Tips RSS Feeds

Location Map







Kar Yin Association, also written Kar Yin Fee Kuan, Kar Yin Fooi Koon, Persatuan Kar Yin and Kar Yin Kongsi, is a Hakka district association of clansmen from the Kar Yin District of Guangdong Province in southern China. The association was founded in 1801, when the association obtained a deed from the East India Company for the premises at 22 King Street (Lebuh King). One of its founders was Low Amee, an early Hakka merchant in Penang. The adjoining lot, No. 24, was added to it later.

The present building of the Kar Yin Association dates to 1939. It was constructed in the Art Deco style which was popular around that time, and finished with a rusticated Shanghai plaster facade.

According to a Hakka who wrote to me, the Kar Yin Association building is in fact called the Hakka Ka Ying or Jiaying Association building. The Hakka Ka Yin or Jiaying Kejia came from Meixian district (or in Hakka, Moiyan), now written Meizhou, located in Guangdong province in southern China. Meizhou is acknowledged as the capital of the Hakkas in the world.

What to See

Kar Yin Association, though keeping a lower profile than the other more ostentations clan association temples, is a fine example of Shanghai Art Deco style.

How to Get there

Using the Weld Quay Bus Terminal as reference, cross Pengkalan Weld through the pedestrian crossing. Turn right. Walking along Pengkalan Weld until you reach Gat Lebuh China. Turn left. Walk along Gat Lebuh China until Lebuh Pantai. Cross Beach Street and turn right. Walk along Beach Street until junction with Lebuh Gereja and turn left. Walk along Lebuh Gereja until junction with Lebuh King. Turn right at Lebuh King. You will see Kar Yin Association a short distance down Lebuh King.

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:

  • Hutton Lodge, from US$8.25
  • Baba Guesthouse, from US$7.57
  • E.T. Budget Guesthouse, from US$6.05
  • YMCA Penang, from US$6.53
  • Ali's Ferringhi Guest House, from US$9.63


  • 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.

    Click for list of Penang Heritage Sites








    Tim's Travel Tips and globe logo are trademark and service mark of Timothy Tye. Copyright © 2008-2009 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.
    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. To exchange links, click here.