That's Life: Penang’s Cultural Heritage Trail (Part 2) ~ Khoo Kongsi

Penang has many heritage sights that have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage site. After visiting the Penang Peranakan Museum at Lebuh Gereja, our next stop ~ the Khoo Kongsi which is another one of Penang’s top tourist attraction.

Situated within the famous heritage enclave of Georgetown, accessible through Cannon Street, Khoo Kongsi is another ‘must visit’ while in Penang other than the Penang Peranakan Museum.

Entering through a shaded lane in between a row of houses brings you to a open air area with well maintained old houses on both sides of the narrow road. Entrance fee of RM5.00 is paid inside one of the houses which have been converted into a small collection office with a souvenir shop on its opposite side. Walking further in you’ll arrive to a vast open-air area where the majestic Khoo Kongsi building stands. Here there are no guided tours & one have to slowly walk through the Clanhouse/Museum reading & absorbing tales of its historic past.

Built by the Khoo clansmen in the late 19^th century, the Khoo Kongi buildings, mainly comprising of the Clanhouse and a traditional theatre has retained its history and charm for more than 100 years. The clanhouse boasts a magnificent hall with altar for deities, intricate carvings, elaborate murals, carvings & richly ornamented beams. Gold name plaques hang on the walls honouring those who have done the clan proud. It also houses a collection of ancestral tablets.

The Clanhouse

The intricate & elaborately designed rooftop of the clanhouse

The concrete staircase leading up to the main hall of the clanhouse

Procession plagues

The ceiling is covered with elaborate & intricate carvings & richly ornamented beams of the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China

The altar inside the main hall

Murals decorate the inner walls of the clanhouse ~ each telling a story.

The left wing of the clanhouse was once a kitchen area and it has now been turned into a mini museum exhibiting artefacts from the past era.

The left wing which is the kitchen area

As you walk through from the left to the right wing you can see detailed history of the Khoo clan.

Gold name plagues honouring those who have done the clan proud

Name chart of Khoo generation

An old logbook of Khoo family names

The exit door from the Khoo clanhouse by the right wing

The right wing of the clanhouse

Standing right opposite the Khoo clanhouse is the traditional theatre or Opera house. It was once used for stage performance & other entertainment. Chinese operas are still staged at the theatre during the 7^th Lunar month

The Administrative Building

The Administrative building is the place where clansmen held meetings and settle clan affairs. The building consists of two double-storey bungalows joined together.