Yap Kongsi Temple, George Town

Built by the Yap clan, one of Penang's oldest and most prominent Hokkien clans, this temple venerates the deity Tua Sai Yah. Construction commenced in the 1920s and reached completion in the early 1930s - complete with elaborate carvings, intricate ceramic tile work, and vibrant roof decorations, blending elements of Art Deco with the distinct Straits Chinese style.

Blue dragons, a green roof, and walls decorated with pearls can all be admired here. Of particular note are three porcelain figures atop the roof, symbolizing luck, wealth, and health-a motif replicated in apartments and eateries throughout the city.

While access may be limited, visitors can often explore the adjacent Choo Chay Keong, built in a more traditional "kongsi" style.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Andhika Padmawan.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in George Town. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Yap Kongsi Temple
Sight Location: George Town, Malaysia (See walking tours in George Town)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

Build Your Own Custom Walk in George Town

Nearby Sights

Walking Tours in George Town, Malaysia

Create Your Own Walk in George Town

Creating your own self-guided walk in George Town is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

George Town, Malaysia, has much to be proud of when it comes to religious heritage. The city boasts a plethora of wonderful churches, temples, mosques, and other religious sites - each beautifully decorated and with its own unique story. Follow us on this self-guided walk and see some of them up close.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles