The Chinese who migrated to SE Asia created clan associations & these supportive social groups formed the core of Chinese life in their new homelands.

The Khoo clan, who immigrated from Hokkien province in China, grew to become the most powerful Chinese clan in Penang by the end of the 19th century. So, in 1851 they acquired the land where the Kongsi now stands and set to work building row houses, administrative buildings, and a clan temple (Kongsi) in the middle of a large square.

Using master craftsmen & materials from China, the current scaled-down ancestral temple was actually built in 1906, not long after a fire had destroyed its almost-new predecessor. Some believed it burned down because it was too ornate & grandiose & had provoked the wrath of the gods. Others thought it was because it resembled the Emperor's palace. One look at the current temple, a Chinese baroque masterpiece, one wonders if it was possible to be much more ornate than this one.

Although damaged in a Japanese raid during World War II, the buildings we see today have changed little in 100 years except for restoration works that were carried out in 1958, and again between 1999 and 2001.

Today, the Khoo Kongsi, the pride of the Khoo clan, is more than just a place of worship, it is a cultural icon & the foremost heritage treasure in Penang. Said to be the most lavish family temple in Asia, it is one of the best examples of South Chinese building arts and crafts from the early 20th century. The ornate carvings, gold leaf work and intricate tile shard work both in the interiors & exteriors are absolutely magnificent. It is interesting to note that the Kongsi was chosen as a filming location for the movie "Anna and the King" starring Jodie Foster.

For a more informative tour experience, one should visit their Multimedia Museum on the temple's lower level for a walk through history with thousands of artifacts and photographs from the rich history of the Khoo clan in Penang. The museum offers a state-of-the-art experience with English or Mandarin commentary on demand and a 15-minute video presentation on the history of Penang's famous Khoo Clan. Admission to the entire complex is a mere 2 Ringgits.

For more information, you may want to check this web page: http://www.exoticpenang.com.my/section.cfm?id=39 or this new web page with great pix: http://www.asiaexplorers.com/khookongsi/index.htm