Clan Temples in Penang
Clan temples, while not being a unique feature to Penang, is still a significant feature, particularly on the island, because of their density. These are temples established by the different clan associations in Penang, particularly from the mid 19th to the early 20th centuries. The purpose for the construction of these temples is to offer homage and offering the patron deities as well as to venerate ancestors. With the clan temples, there is usually a chamber where the ancestral tablets of departed clan members are displayed.
Most of the clan associations in Penang were established by the Hokkien community that immigrated to the island since the early 19th century. They were the earliest Chinese settlers on the island, and through them the Hokkien dialect became the lingua franca among the Chinese. In fact, until the beginning of the 20th century, many of the Chinese schools in Penang used Hokkien to teach. These was eventually replaced by Mandarin after the overthrow of the Imperial Chinese government.
The most opulent clan temple in Penang is the extravagant Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, or Dragon Mountain Hall of the Khoo clan. It is located at Cannon Square, accessed through narrow corridors that offer protection for the clan members against intruders. Within Penang, five Hokkien clan associations are regarded as the backbone of the Penang Hokkien clan associations. They are the Khoo, the Tan, the Lim, the Cheah and the Yeoh, and they each has a clan temple somewhere in George Town. The Tan and Cheah Kongsis are built in similar fashion to the Khoo Kongsi, being located within a compound accessed by narrow corridors.
The Cantonese in Penang established district associations whose functions are similar to the Hokkien clan associations. In addition, the Cantonese also affiliate themselves into trade guilds according to profession, hence the guild houses for goldsmiths and carpenters that still exist today. In the list below, we show the major clan associations still existing in Penang, many of which have become tourist attractions.
 | Boon San Tong Khoo Kongsi
Victoria Street
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 | Carpenter's Guild
Lo Pan Hang (Lo Pan Ku Miau), Love Lane
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 | Cheah Kongsi
Armenian Street
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 | Choo Chay Keong Temple
Yap Clan Temple, Lebuh Armenian
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 | Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi
Seh Tan Court
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 | Hainan Temple
Muntri Street
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 | Heong San Hoay Kuan / Chong San Wooi Koon
King Street
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 | Khaw Kongsi
Burmah Road
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 | Khoo Kongsi, Leong San Tong
Cannon Square
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 | Lim Kongsi, Kew Leong Tong
Ah Quee Street
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 | Meng Eng Choo
Ghee Hin Memorial Hall of Heroes, Rope Walk
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 | Moey She Temple
Penang Street
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 | Ng Fook Thong Temple
Chulia Street
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 | Ng Kongsi
King Street
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 | Nin Yong Temple
King Street
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 | Ong Kongsi
Penang Road
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 | Penang Goldsmith Association
Muntri Street
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 | San Wooi Wooi Koon
Cantonese District Association
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 | Sungai Nibong Tan Kongsi
Sungai Nibong
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 | Teoh Kongsi
Teoh Clan Association
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 | Yap Kongsi
Lebuh Armenian
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 | Yeoh Kongsi
Chulia Street Ghaut
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