Richly ornamented front façade of Eng Chuan Tong.
Tan Kongsi Location Map
Tan Clan Temple
Eng Chuan Tong is the clan temple of the Tan Kongsi, a clan association located at Seh Tan Court, a compound linked to Beach Street in the inner city of George Town. It is the ancestral temple of the Tan clan. The Tans are one of the most common surnames among the Chinese in Penang. Although the ancestral temple was built in 1878, the exact date of the clan's establishment has been lost. Two of the oldest documents in the temple - a copper altar and a wooden plaque - date from 1852 and 1857 respectively.
The Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi was originally located at Chulia Street, and was known as Wei Hoey Beow. Only later was its name changed to Eng Chuan Tong. Surrounding the ancestral temple are row townhouses belonging to members of the clan. Among its accomplishments was the establishment of the Eng Chuan School for children of needy members.
In addition to Eng Chuan Tong, we have also documented another Tan Kongsi, the Sungai Nibong Tan Kongsi.
Getting there
You can walk to Tan Kongsi from Weld Quay Bus Terminal. Cross Pengkalan Weld using the pedestrian bridge, then turn left, walk along Pengkalan Weld until junction of Gat Lebuh Chulia, then turn right. Walk along Gat Lebuh Chulia until junction of Lebuh Pantai, then turn left. Walk along Beach Street until you reach Tan Kongsi on your right, about 300 meters from the junction.
Nearby Sights
Eng Tai Association
Boon San Tong Khoo Kongsi
Cheah Kongsi
Choo Chay Keong Temple (Yap Temple)
Yap Kongsi
Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong)
Acheen Street Mosque
Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong)
120 Armenian Street (Dr Sun Yat Sen's Penang Base)
Penang Heritage Centre
Lim Kongsi
Madrasah Hamid Arabi
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.
Tan Kongsi Photo Gallery
Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi, Penang.
Menacing door gods peers at visitors to the ancestral temple.
Patron deities in the main hall.
Tan ancestral tablets.
Stylized bamboo sills on the front gate.
List of Clan Temples in Penang
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