“Did you know that Boon San Tong’s original entrance wasn’t where it is now?” I ask my group. They look intrigued.
Boon San Tong in Penang. A hidden gem nestled among bustling streets. This smaller of the two Khoo Kongsi clan temples is often overshadowed by its larger sibling. But Boon San Tong holds a unique charm. It’s a testament to the Hai Kee Kak subclan. Their ancestors built this temple in 1878. That’s even before the more famous Leong San Tong.
The Hai Kee Kak. They were a powerful branch of the Khoo family. Khoo Thean Teik was one of their most famous members. A prominent leader in 19th-century Penang. His influence helped Boon San Tong become a significant part of the Khoo Kongsi association. He was even among the founders of the temple in 1878.
Imagine a time before Victoria Street. Boon San Tong faced the sea. The original entrance was through a narrow passage from Beach Street. You could see the sea from the temple’s verandah. You could see all the way to Prai. That view is gone now. Victoria Street was built later in 1907. It changed Boon San Tong forever. That’s why you see the year 1907 on the gates. The entrance was moved to the newly created street.
Now look around. Notice the intricate carvings. The ornate beams. The craftsmanship is exquisite. Many believe the same craftsmen who worked on the Leong San Tong also built Boon San Tong. The style is similar. The attention to detail is breathtaking.
And look. Do you see the iron wok? It’s been there for years. A silent witness to the changes of time.
Inside Boon San Tong are the ancestral tablets of the Hai Kee Kak. They share a quarter of the main Khoo Kongsi association. They even have representatives on the Leong San Tong board.
Boon San Tong. It is a quieter place. A story less told. But its history and beauty are as compelling as its better-known relative. This small temple reminds us of the intricate layers of Penang’s history. And of the enduring legacy of a family. Of a clan. Of the Hai Kee Kak.