Welcome to Tjong A Fie Mansion, The Historical Jewel of Medan
I had realized that I did not write a lot about touristic places from my home town. Well, since I am here now, I am trying to enjoy the city and explore tourism sites in the city. One of them is Tjong A Fie Mansion.
Last week, I managed to visit the mansion with my good friend Sebastian who was home for his short vacation. It was not my first visit, but still it’s still worth it since my last visit was like ages ago. We came in the morning. When we arrived, there were some tourists around, but not too many. We still could wander around and took picture of ourself without having other people in the background.
Tjong A Fie Mansion is one of noteworthy landmarks in Medan and one of the most luxurious example of buildings for Peranakan culture in Indonesia. Peranakans are the ethnic groups descended from provinces of Southern China who came to Malay archipelago (now Malaysia and Singapore), Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), and southern Thailand from 15th to 17th centuries.
Tjong A Fie was born in 1860 in Guangdong, China. Coming from poor origin Chinese family, in order to have the better life, he left the mainland China to Labuan Deli Sumatera when he was eighteen. Following the steps of his brother who was already well-known at that time, together they made business and developed relationship with the Dutch rulers and the Sultanate of Deli. The business covered real estate, banks, railroads, tobacco, rubber, palm oil, mining and sugar plantations. In 1991, Tjong A Fie was appointed as Majoor der Chineezen, a high-ranking government position in the civil administration to lead China community in Medan, during the colonial occupancy in Indonesia, to replace his brother after he passed away. In conducting his role, he was not only wise, but also generous by giving a percentage of his wealth to the Medan’s community as a whole, regardless their race and religion. He constructed public facilities, such as schools, hospitals, temples, churches, and mosques in Sumatera, Malaysia and China. Tjong A Fie died in 1921 because of apoplexy. During his funeral, thousands people gathered and walked behind his casket to give their last respect to their great leader. His descendants live throughout the world.

The main gate of the mansion.

The granite lion guard.

Tjong A Fie Mansion

Front yard garden, Tjong A Fie Mansion.
The mansion was built in 1895, consists two story floors and 35 rooms on an area of 8000 square meter. Beside a landmark, the mansion is also dedicated to a cultural heritage building and museum. Its architecture adopted the influence of Malay, Chinese and Art Deco styles. Built by observing Feng-shui principles, its rooms are located on four sides of the structures and surround a big inner courtyard in the middle, which is known as Well of Heaven.Β And the journey began as we passed the two granite lions at the main gate. Entrance fee is required, Rp.35.000 for each. The fee includes the guide. English speaking guide could be asked by request. Since it was not our first visit, Sebastian and I prefer to explore the house by ourselves.
The mansion is beautiful and calm. The Venetian made tiles were well-kept and polished. The ceilings are decorated by hand-painted patterns with the scene of phenix and butterflies. The light fixtures represent the mix of Chinese and European style on that period. Through the huge wooden door, we entered the ground floor of the house. The main hall is decorated in Chinese style. We passed the living room, bed room with mahogany bed, artifacts from that era, dining room and generously-sized kitchen with authentic pestle and mortar stones.

Lampion at the terrace

The entrance door

A ballroom located on the ground floor.

The big photo of Tjong A Fie at the ball room

A piano at ballroom on the ground floor

A living room show the Malay architecture style.

A Dining Room.

Another room, used as exhibition room for photos from the past.

Another room

Another Dining Room.

Tjong A Fie Bed Room

A table room in the bedroom

A painting at the bedroom

Another living room

Kitchen

Some kitchen equipments

A kitchen equipment.

Old stuffs in the bedroom

The old clock

I love this big clock

Open air inner courtyard, known as Well of Heaven.

A porch, next to the inner courtyard.

Another side of porch by the courtyard.

Another side of porch by the courtyard.

Old style bicycles

A window, showing the style of Malay architecture.
We went to the second floor through simply wooden stairs. The public area consist of Kwan Ti Kong temple and the ballroom. Some photos from the past are exhibited in the ballroom. Still, we are amazed by carefully designed spaces which were designed by applying artful architecture details.Β One of the side of the mansion is still used as private residences for the family members of Tjong A Fie.Β Today, the mansion is managed by his descendant, Mr. Fon Prawira.

A wooden stair to go to the upstair floor

A porch on the upstair

Ballroom on the upstair floor.

Another dining table at ballroom of upstair floor

Another corner at the ballroom of upstair floor

Another corner at the ballroom of upstair floor

One of corner at the upstair floor.

One of corner at the upstair floor.

The mansion has big windows that give good air circulation within the house.

One of light cases

The light

Ceiling decorations

Ceiling decorations

Ceiling decorations

Wall decoration

A mirror at upstair floor
Medan is limited with touristic places. Therefore, if you have a chance to visit Medan, ensure to put Tjong A Fie Mansion on your list.
Beautifully written and illustrated with outstanding photographs, Nurul. Very interesting for me to learn the cultural impact the Chinese immigrants had in your country!
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Thank you, Peter. Happy to share it with you..
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It looks quite beautiful. It can be fun being a tourist in your own town.
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Yes, Tracey. I was tourist in my home town..
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Fantastic information and accompanying pictures π
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Thank you very much for your kind comment and visit.
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Very interesting and so many beautiful photos of interesting decorative details. Quite a mansion! Love the ceiling and the grand ballroom, just to mention a few of so many. It reminds me very much of a mansion we just visited recently in Penang, the “Cheong Fatt Tze” mansion. I assume that these might be of the same era in history as it has so many similar details in the architecture and design. My history of this region is not good, so forgive me if I am way off base π
Peta
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It could be from the same era, Peta. Since, according to the history I read, many people from Southern China left the country from 17 to 19th century to Malay archipelago and Dutch East Indies. They came in the same period. When they arrived to their new home, they also brought some culture from their origin land. After a while, the culture had been blended with the local culture, and it was called as Peranakan. I’ve never been to Penang. But from the story I heard from friends who had been there, we share many same cultures with the city. Thank you for your kind comment.
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There are Peranakan houses in Singapore too. The one here resembles with those houses but this looks bigger.
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No wonder, Arv. Since there are peranakans as well in Singapore. We share the same culture with them..
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Great! π
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Must be fascinating to see places you overlook as a local. Love some of the architectural elements in the mansion.
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It was fascinating, DDG. I was so busy to be a tourist in foreign lands, and forgot my own.. Thanks for your comment..
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I have not seen the country I belong to half as well as I have overseas! Such are our tendencies to wander. π
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