Asia Travel Guide

Khoo is the surname (family name). Kongsi means clan (family) house.
The Khoos were among the the wealthy Straits Chinese traders of 17th century Malacca and early Penang.The Khoo Kongsi is a clan association of the Leong San Tong (Dragon Mountain Hall) clan who came from the Sin Kang clan village in Hokkien province, China. The Leong San Tong of the Khoo Kongsi in Cannon Square is the most picturesque clan-temple in Malaysia.

It was built as a clan-house for people with the same surname,when the Khoo clan was at the height of wealth and eminence in Penang society.
The building of this ornate temple was commissioned by the Khoo clan, which migrated from China in the late 18th century. The clan temple underwent a RM4.2 million restoration between 1999-2001.

In the 19th century, the clan complex resembled a miniature clan village, with its own self-government as well as educational, financial, welfare and social organisations.

A reduced version was later built in 1902 which features a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China.
The temple building is in three parts: The two storey temple is fronted by a mid-level porch called the prayer pavilion.

It opens at 9am to 5pm.You have to purchase an entrance ticket.

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This temple is located along Burmah Lane,Penang..Actually,it’s opposite Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple.There is a statue of a reclining Buddha resting on his right palm inside this temple.This statue,at 33m, is the 14th longest in the world.The top 5 longest is located in Myanmar.However there are two others which were not included in the list,one in Afghanistant believed to be 350m but it is burried in the sands,and there is another in Kulen,Vietnam which could not be identified.

When i went there at around 5.30 pm,the temple’s door was already shut.So,if you want to take a look at the reclining Buddha statue,you should go earlier.However,i managed to take some pictures of the surrounding.

These main shrine and pagoda were built in 1900 after the land was granted by the East India Company on behalf of Her Majesty Victoria.The main shrine have had a few changes and the look is now of modern thai designs but the pagoda had retained its original design and structure since it was built.In 1910,the consecration and laying of scared stones was celebrated.These sacred stones were buried beneath the little pagodas around the shrine and pagoda.

As with every other Buddhist Temples,you are not allowed to wear your shoes inside the temple halls.The admission is fee,but you can donate if you wish.

This temple is located at Burma Lane off Burmah Road.When you enter the temple,you will be greeted with various paintings.

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