Majestic Clanhouse

Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi, or more commonly known as Cheah Kongsi, is one of the oldest clan associations in Penang. It was founded in 1810. Closely intertwined with the history of George Town, Penang, it is the only clanhouse with highly ornamented architecture in Penang that fuses Malay, traditional Straits Chinese and European designs.

Located in Armenian Street in the heart of the city, Cheah Kongsi features an ornate entrance arch and an ancestral hall. There is also an Interpretation Centre that provides insights into the history of Cheah Kongsi and showcases the journey of the early Hokkien clans, where visitors are offered fun and interesting ways to obtain a deeper understanding of the clan association. The vermillion-tinted gables with the dragons frisking on them, the large kongsi lanterns swinging in the portico and sacrifice alcove as well as the golden lintels all remind you of the Hokkien heritage-rich architecture.

Cheah Kongsi was closed to the public from 2013 to end of 2015 for a complete restoration of the ancestral temple and its auxiliary buildings. It is open to the public on 2nd January 2016.

Cheah Kongsi, together with the Khoo, Yeoh, Lim and Tan Kongsi, were known as the Five Big Clans (Goh Tai Seh) that formed the backbone of the Hokkien community in early Penang. Since mid-19th century, these clans rooted themselves in an area stretching from Chulia Street Ghaut in George Town to the lower part of Beach Street in the south after identifying their respective bases.

Opening Hours : Daily 9am to 5pm

Admission Fees : Free

Address : 8, Armenian Street, 10200 Penang.

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