Relau Villa of Chung Thye Phin

Relau Villa

Relau Villa is a dilapidated mansion beside the Metropolitan Park of Relau. It was built for Chung Thye Phin, the wealthy tin miner who was the last Kapitan China of Perak and son of Kapitan China Chung Keng Kwee, who built Hai Kee Chan.

Some people incorrectly attributed Relau Villa to Chung Keng Kwee. This is highly unlikely, as the senior Chung lived at a time when pleasures of life has not yet taken hold. His son Thye Phin, while being as successful as Ah Quee (as the father was known), has a taste for the good life. His properties included a mansion in North Beach of Penang, on the plot of land that is today the site of No. 1 Persiaran Gurney condominiums.

Relau Villa was built as Kapitan China Chung Thye Phin's country villa. For this mansion, he envisioned a pool along the lines of the canals of Venice - he was one of the few Chinese of his time to have had the opportunity to travel extensively. The architect roped in to design his villa was Ung Ban Hoe, who was attached to the architectural firm of Stark & McNeil. Within Relau Villa is the first swimming pool on Penang Island. The villa was completed in the early 1930's. Sadly Chung Thye Phin passed away in 1935.

Today Chung Thye Phin is remembered with a road named after him in Taiping, a fountain which he donated to the Penang Turf Club, and the once elegant villa in Relau.

Nearby Sights

Adjacent to the Relau Villa is the Metropolitan Park.

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!