Yeoh Kongsi, or by its formal name, Har Yang Sit Teik Tong Yeoh Kongsi, is the clan association of Hokkien clansmen bearing the Yeoh surname. It is located at No. 3, Chulia Street, George Town. The association has its office and clan temple on a plot of land at the corner of Lebuh Chulia (Chulia Street) and Lebuh Victoria (Victoria Street). Yeoh Kongsi is one of the five major Hokkien clan associations in Penang, within the same league as Cheah Kongsi, Khoo Kongsi, Lim Kongsi and Tan Kongsi.
The clansmen of Yeoh Kongsi, who are Hokkien people, trace their ancestral home town to the village of Sam Tor Eh Yeoh Seah, in Fujian Province, southern China. They trace their ancestry to one Yeoh Yew Kheng @ Yeoh Teik Kheng @ Yeoh Guy Pin, who was born on the 18th day of the 6th lunar month, in AD 1312, during the reign of Renzong of the Yuan Dynasty.
The Yeoh clan association was founded in 1836 so that the clansmen can have a premise to worship their patron deities Sye Thow Kong and Poe Seng Tai Tay. It was also founded so that the welfare of newly arrived Yeohs in Penang could be looked after. A stalae commemorating the founding of the Yeoh Kongsi clan temple can be found within the premises.
The clan temple building dates back to 1841. At the time when it was built, the temple was located right on the waterfront. It even had its own jetty. However, land reclamation towards the second half of the 19th century created Lebuh Victoria (Victoria Street), and added new land in front of the temple across the street.
There is a well in front of the temple. There was also a stage, where Chinese operas were performed for the entertainment of the gods. However, the stage was destroyed during the Second World War, and was subsequently demolished.
Getting there
It is possible to walk to Yeoh Kongsi from the Weld Quay Bus Terminal. Across cross Pengkalan Weld by the pedestrian bridge, turn left and walk until you reach the junction with Gat Lebuh Chulia. Turn right and walk the distance until you arrive at Yeoh Kongsi.
What to see or do
The Yeoh Kongsi clan temple is a two storey structure. On the roof are porcelain as well as chien nien (broken pottery) ornamentation. The ornamentation depicts dragons and scenes from the Chinese classic, "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". On the upper floor are altar chambers for the worship of Yeoh ancestors, the patron deities, and the god of prosperity. The ancestral hall, called the Hall of Four Knows, commemorates an illustrious Yeoh, who was promoted to be a mandarin in the imperial court. The ground floor contains storage rooms and meeting rooms. In the courtyard of Yeoh Kongsi are bushes of oleander, which produces a profusion of beautiful (but poisonous) pink flowers.
At the time of writing (August 2008), Yeoh Kongsi was in the finishing stages of a 3-year restoration project. It is not open to accept walk-in tourists and visitors. If the gate is open, you may enter it to seek permission to look around.
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!
Yeoh Kongsi Photo Gallery
Side view of Yeoh Kongsi in the afternoon (14 March 2004)
Yeoh Kongsi (27 November 2004)
Yeoh Kongsi clan temple building (27 November 2004)
Yeoh Kongsi before restoration work begins (19 February 2005)
Yeoh Kongsi with restoration in progress (25 April 2007)
Yeoh Kongsi chien nien roof ornamentation (25 April 2007)
Close up of Yeoh Kongsi ornamentation (25 April 2007)
Yeoh Kongsi, restoration almost completed (7 July 2008)
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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.
