Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi

Historical and beautiful clan temple with a small museum that has the story of the Khoo clan. The entrance fee is 15RM for foreigner, 10RM for Malaysian. It’s quite a small area so only take 15 minutes to explore the place. The educational museum is in English and Chinese, so it’s accessible even if you don’t speak local languages. The air conditioned area is small so the area is quite hot during the daytime. Quiet and historical but a lot to do here.

The Place to Celebrate The Contribution for Publics (Visited on September 11, 2025) There are many Kongsi building at Penang. One of the prominent is Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi. Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi wasn't just showcasing history of the building, but also the contribution of the organization toward society (In this case, Penangite), economy, and event pop culture (The temple used to be one of the shooting location of Anna and The King released in 1999). The Kongsi even immortalized anyone with Khoo surname that successfully graduate from prestigious universities with a plaque. It might be odd had visit to Kongsi, but very fascinating to learn the history of the Kongsi.

It's a well maintained place to visit. I would recommend to visit at least once. The building and architecture is really nice with several nice paintings inside the building. The museum is very informative too. Would be great if there's someone gave us a tour as we paid RM10 per person but we didn't have any information or a summary of the place.

Lovely little museum documenting the Khoo clan’s roots in Penang - felt like a homecoming to me since I’m a Khoo and getting free entrance made the visit even more welcoming. We came later in the day around 4 pm and it was just about right to walk around the compound and inside the clan temple before closing time. Perfect way to end a walk around the Armenian Street area with some history about one of the oldest and most prominent clans in the country.

As a descended of the Khoo Kongsi/ Khoo Clan myself, this is a brief explanation for the Khoo Clan story. “Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, or Khoo Kongsi for short, 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” Renowned as the grandest clan house in Malaysia, the iconic Khoo Kongsi is nestled in Cannon Square, right in the heart of Penang's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Completed in 1906 and last restored in 2001, this majestic temple is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Chinese community in Malaysia. This building in Georgetown was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008. Beside the rows of old Chinese shophouses, there are both local and colonial historical buildings. I visited some of them and will need a second visit to complete the list. There are more than 1,700 historic buildings within 110 hectares core area of George Town representing various ethnicities. Here are just some: Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi - a Hokkien clan village built by the Khoo family in the late 19th century. Entry is via a narrow passageway into an extensive courtyard that surrounds a main temple, a temple stage and several rows of houses. The temple roof is simply magnificent and elaborate. Within the main temple are hallways line with intricate carvings and ornately decorated facade, timber beams and roof trusses. The Central Hall houses Chinese deities and side altar contains the ancestral tablets and plaques recognising the Khoo clan members including our Khoo Teck Puat. A pair of Sikh soldier statues guard the entrance of the temple. The ground floor of the main temple is a museum showcasing murals and interpretive panels on the history of Khoo Kongsi and Chinese community in Penang. Entrance payment is free for those surname 'Khoo' but non Khoo surname are require to pay an entrance fee for the association to maintain the entire property.

This is a beautiful temple near little india. If you are a heritage lover this place is a must visit. Rm 15 for adults being charged for non-Malaysian residents. Beautiful architecture, paintings , sculptures across the temple. Renovation going on.

This temple is an absolute gem! 🛕✨ From the intricate details inside to the stunning design outside, it’s a feast for the eyes and a perfect stop for architecture lovers and culture seekers alike. What I love about Malaysia's temples is how they beautifully reflect the country’s rich cultural blend - and this one is no exception. Every corner is thoughtfully crafted, showcasing both spiritual meaning and artistic flair. If you're looking to soak up some history and snap a few gorgeous photos, this temple is definitely worth a visit! Fun fact: Many temples in Malaysia, especially in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, are influenced by a mix of Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian architecture — a reflection of the country's diverse heritage.

Beautiful building. Quite a good display of the tongsi. All quite fascinating for a western minded person.