#chinese clanhouse

[callmeabeverhausen]

the “khoo kongsi” is a large “chinese clanhouse” with elaborate and highly ornamented architecture

[rd2nowhere]

Chinese New Year in Penang & Kek Lok Si Temple

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[IAN:] The lights at Kek Lok Si Temple were wild.  The pictures tell most of the story: it was like the most elaborate Christmas light display in the history of the world, except done by Chinese Buddhists.  The monks or whoever must have been playing an extended game of “yes, and” with gaudy light decorations.  The experience of walking around was a little surreal, in a very pleasant way.  Something like a Chinese hallucination of Las Vegas.  I was really tired when we got to the temple, but I felt compelled to explore more and more - what’s up the next flight of stairs? what’s in that little shrine? - because the lights were so fun and inviting.

[WENDI:] I’d always wanted to celebrate Chinese New Year in Asia, and due to complications in China and Hong Kong, we chose Penang for this trip. Yeah, Kek Lok Si temple feels like a Disney World fireworks show… quite over the top, but still striking in all its force. The Chinese New Year festivities in Penang were also a treat. Penang houses several kongsi’s, clanhouses dedicated to the biggest and most powerful Chinese families -- they all opened up for the big parade night. There were 10-15 stages set up across the city -- with shows featuring acrobatic lion dances, dragon dances, taiko performances and more.

[big-adventure-and-beyond]

In a pretty drastic comparison to the Cameron Highlands, the next stop on our trip was absolutely awesome. We ended up staying for five days in George Town, a UNESCO world heritage sight and home to a diverse and multicultural population. The city is a treasure trove of old colonial buildings, bustling enclaves of culture, Chinese mansions, mosques, beautifully restored shophouses, and a wide array of art from the traditional to street art by Georgetown’s most beloved graffiti artist Ernest Zacharevic. Not only is the city a joy just to wander around (except between the sweltering hours of 12-2), but it’s home to loads of really great museums and restored buildings. Top of our list had to be the Penang base of Dr Sun Yat Sen, leader of the 1911 Chinese revolution. The house was a beautifully restored shophouse, and told the story of the Chinese revolutionary’s activities in Malaysia. The Blue Mansion and Pinang Peranakan Masions were both amazing examples of the creativity and opulence of the wealthy merchants in the colonial era, as well as of the herculean feats of restoration efforts. And of course the incredible Khoo Kongsi Chinese clanhouse has to be mentioned. Maintained from the days where huge powerful Chinese families lived in large complexes literally covered in gold leat, the clanhouse is breathtaking in its opulence. Alright i’ll stop waxing poetically about the sights of George Town...with one last mention...the food was absolutely phenomenal! Some of the best we’ve had, for sure. 

[knguyen211]

‘Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi is one of the most distinctive Chinese clan association in Malaysia. It is well known worldwide for its extensive lineage that can be traced back 650 years ago, as well as its closely-knit and defensive congregation of buildings and a magnificent clanhouse.’ - Khoo Kong Si, Malaysia 🇲🇾 (at Khoo Kongsi) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrNBpsGHS-R/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gxyywzc0s51p