World Travel GuidesUNESCO World Heritage Site Nin Yong Temple, George Town


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Nin Yong Temple at 36 & 38 King Street, is a clan temple of the Toi San Association, a Cantonese district association of the Sing Ling dialect group from Toi San District, Guangdong Province, in southern China. It was constructed some time in the mid 19th century, and was renovated into its present form around the early 20th century, in 1912-1913. The renovation involved raising the level of the roof to the same height as that of the adjacent Ng Kongsi building, and cutting back on the length of the building by 7 feet 6 inches, so that a back lane can be created.

A component of the Toi San Association is the Wu Ti Meow or War Emperor's Temple, which is incorported into Nin Yong Temple, at No 38 Lebuh King, next door to the left. The patron deity of this temple is Kwan Kong, literally Lord Kwan. His name in is Guan Yu; he is the war general usually portrayed with a red face and holding a guandao, the huge crescent blade.

As a final touch to the 1912-1913 renovation, the sign over the lentil of Wu Ti Meow was based on a calligraph by Leong Ting Feng, a central government officer and calligrapher who had to go into exile in the 1890's for criticizing the Prime Minister. He re-entered the imperial court after the Boxer Rebellion, having been hired by the Empress Dowager to tutor Pu Yi, who later ascended the throne as the last emperor of China.

What to see

The Cantonese style clan temple architecture, which is different from most other clan temples in Penang, should be the main attraction of Nin Yong Temple and the adjacent Ng Kongsi. Incorported into the temple structure in the 1890s are the stepped gables on the roof. On the upper portion of the front facade are ink paintings of Chinese mythology.

How to get there

Using Weld Quay Bus Terminal as a point of reference, cross Pengkalan Weld and then turn right. Walk along Pengkalan Weld until you reach Gat Lebuh Gereja. Turn left. Walk along Gat Lebuh Gereja, past the Beach Street junction, onwards through Lebuh Gereja, until you reach Lebuh King. Turn left and you will find Nin Yong Temple on the right side of the road, after the Heong San Hoay Kuan and the Cantonese Tua Pek Kong Temple.

Visiting Penang

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