Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi is a Chinese clan association hall built by the Khoo family, who migrated from Fujian, China. Located in Georgetown’s oldest district—Cannon Square—it stands out amidst the surrounding winding lanes, exuding the elegance of an ancient world.

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi is the most magnificent clan temple in Malaysia and one of the most famous historic attractions in George Town. Originally built in 1851, it was destroyed by a fire in 1894. At the time, people believed that the grandeur of the kongsi, resembling a palace, had offended the gods, leading to its destruction. The rebuilt kongsi in 1906 was smaller in scale but remains truly majestic: the complex consists of a clan hall, a traditional opera theater, and residential quarters for clan members, all arranged around a granite-paved square. The clan temple within enshrines various deities and ancestral tablets of the entire family. The exquisite carvings throughout the kongsi were crafted by master artisans from China, and their breathtaking artistry is sure to leave you in awe—making it a must-visit for lovers of Chinese culture and art. Today, traditional Chinese opera performances and other programs are still held in the opera theater every lunar July for both visitors and locals.

Khoo Kongsi

Must-visit reason: The most magnificent clan temple in Malaysia

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia

Country/region where the attraction is located: Malaysia

State/province where the attraction is located: Penang

City where the attraction is located: George Town