Sunday, July 17, 2016

Ipoh Attraction Han Chin Pet Soo aka The Hakka Miners' Club

Built in 1893, the story of Han Chin Villa is formed by miner Towkay Leong Fee in a double-storey shophouse where the Villa stands today.  The club membership was restricted to Hakka miners and it was a place where they could connect with their colleagues and friends from home, smoke opium, and entertain "dancing girls."  They could also gamble legally, with approval from the District Magistrate, Kinta and lodging house facilities were also available for male relatives and Hakka friends.  (An excerpt from an itinerary from the Ipoh World, a NGO established in 2004 to promote awareness and appreciation of Perak.)

Never really had a chance to go visit this place till yesterday afternoon when we passed by, we just casually enquired whether we could go in.  The staff/tour guide was pretty friendly and we were so happy when she said she could squeeze the three of us in for an 1 hour plus guided tour inside the building.
The historical building that was built in 1893 and has since 
renovated and refurbished to create an awareness of 
how the miners lived and toiled during the historical days... 

Upon entering, we were amazed by the dining table 
which was once used to cater meals for the Hakka miners.... 
Every section of the house, we were briefed on how and what and why... 
We were also ushered to a TV room where we watched a short documentary on 
how the miners toiled during those yesteryears where hard labour was initiated 
before the machines were created....
The workers were paid a dollar a day for working... 
With just one cent, a proper meal was provided for the whole family... 
Entertainments for the miner which were also called the Four Evils... 
Opium... 
Gambling, prostitution and Triad societies... 
When I saw this gadget, it reminded me of the one my family used to have...
It would be a family heirloom now if we have kept it... .
From the third floor of the building, it overlooked the Concubine Lane opposite... 
Along the tour, we took photos and read some with interesting excerpts..... 
Diary written by the first Headmaster of Sam Tet School, Mr. Phoon Tet Ching...
Came by ship  Jiaolian Guandong, China to Singapore and then to Perak in 1926
To be reunited with his mother in Pusing... 
HAKKA FOOD can be served if one booked three weeks in advance... 
At this very same place as the above... 
Feel the nostalgia.....
The one hour more tour was pretty interesting... 
Ipoh has one more attraction to go to now besides the Food and More Food...
Well Done, Ipoh World!


For more enquiry and information:
 Guests may visit the building by appointment, Tuesday to Sunday, there are 3 to 4 guided tours daily.  Booking can be done at http://www.ipohworld.org or hcps@ipohworld.org or at the entrance too.  Enquiries for events such as movie set, private functions like themed lunch or dinners can be made directly to the Events Manager at +60(0)5-5293306 or events@ipohworld.org


19 comments:

  1. Very well preserved. I would love to visit this place if I go to Ipoh.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, do visit.. since it is free also.. only donate to your free will..

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  2. I love that colonial building, beautiful. My in-laws have a radio like that - I hope they have not thrown it away.

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  3. I like those enamel crockery!

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  4. Pls introduces more place to us in your blog, hehe...

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    Replies
    1. Alright, let's me check where else to go next week!

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  5. Me Ipoh Lang didn't know this place existed....shame shame! Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. hahahaha.. I also din't go till now only.. Last year already opened to public...

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  6. Thanks for showing us around the place and for the information on how to arrange for a tour of the place if we would like to visit it.

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  7. Don't know about this place... But Hakka food I quite like geh :p

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  8. What a beautiful old building! Well, I say those miners deserved anything they wanted. Trapped in the dark with pollution and danger, they never get paid enough. Here, we have quite a few mine collapses. You sure look cute in that hat!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, after watching the documentary on TV, they really worked very hard during those days!

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  9. wah kena booking one ah... nice place to look see look see

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    Replies
    1. If no booking, then be like us, just by chance we were able to squeeze in! :)

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  10. Very interesting place of interest, thanks for sharing

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Thank you, readers!

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