1/6 – Penang - Khoo Kongsi temple

The Khoo Kongsi temple is one of the largest and most opulent temples in George Town.  It was completed in 1906 and is centered within a residential area developed by the Khoo clan.  The complex includes the temple, opera stage and a variety of houses, some now used as boutique hotel residences.  The temple itself is an incredible example of Chinese architecture, blended with Malay and Western influences.

Inside, the temple is truly opulent.  Gold, gold and more gold, plus incredible murals painted with such detail, they look like etched ivory.

The complex is huge, and we are here at the right time, as we manage to make it through the main temple before a large German tour from Mein Schiff enters, so that we also have the basement museum exhibits to ourselves. The exhibits depict the earlier times in the Khoo history, when new arrivals from China were housed here in communal style. There are rooms with dioramas and photos, maps and tons of history – as well as a whole  presentation on the movie Anna and the King – which was filmed here in Penang, some scenes at Khoo Kongsi, because Thailand refused to let the production film in the country.

Back out front, we stop by the little convenience store for a coke, and Fisherman’s Friend for Ed’s cough (which the shopkeeper showed to me after Ed had a little coughing attack in the store), and sit out on the steps of the “8 houses” where the clan had residences.

Rested and hydrated, we head back out into the street to continue our artwork scavenger hunt. And oh my word – the people!  All of a sudden, the streets are swarming with tours and people all wandering around.  You know our mantra by now, but it is so true – it really does pay to be up and out early – you get such a better feel for places before the tourist crowds flock in. 

After circling the block, passing Cheah Kongsi, the Chinese gate, once again…

…I finally break down and ask a shopkeeper where the Reaching Up Boy and Little Children on the Bicycle are located.  She gives me directions, and even though it took us once more around the block – we finally found that darn little boy on the chair!

And, yes, the Children!  After waiting in line (and explaining which way the line was forming to a couple of girls who had been waiting forever), we were in…

…next up…little India and more city street walking..oh and of course lunch!