Each time I pass by the Kesawan road, I always have a glance at the Tjong A Fie mansion and wonder when will I have the chance to explore the beautiful old mansion. Now, the place is finally opened for public! Yippie! But.. it is for a limited period of time, from June 18th to August 18th 2009, 9am – 12am and 1pm-5pm. Entrance ticket is at IDR35.000 per person.

Tjong A Fie mansion. View from Kesawan road.

Who is Tjong A Fie?
All I know is, Tjong A Fie is a well-known Chinese businessman from Medan who held an important role in building this town. A legendary Chinese figure in Medan. For more of his history, please go to his wiki page, cause I don’t recall I ever learnt about his history back in school. Seriously, I remembered about Sisingamangaraja (a hero from North Sumatra), Pattimura (from Maluku), Pangeran Antasari, Gajahmada, and other Indonesian-famous-man but not Tjong A Fie?Something wrong with my little brain or the person who wrote the history book is a racist? Haihz, whatever la.

Tjong A Fie (1860-1921) was a poor Hakka who sailed to Sumatra from Guangdong – China. Started off with only a few pieces of silver sewn, he managed to have a successful business along with his brother – Tjong Yong Hian. Tjong A Fie was known as a respected businessman who has good social networks and has build good relation with the Sultan Deli, Makmoen Al Rasjid Perkasa Alamsjah and Tuanku Raja Moeda. Tjong A Fie also became the first Chinese to own a tobacco plantation. He also developed and expanded to tea plantation in Bandar Baroe and large coconut/palm oil plantations. Also said to have a blood-relation with Cheong Fatt Tze (Penang).

picture credit: medanku.com

The above photograph of Tjong A Fie was showcased in one of the rooms along along with other old photos. I was amazed and couldn’t believe that this kind of clothes also existed in Medan back then. I mean, I thought this clothes only existed in mainland China? Ternyata sempit juga pengetahuan sejarah gue.

Closer look of the front gate. Too bad the ornaments on the gate was faded already.

I went there with my parent and bro on yesterday afternoon. Brought along my Canon digicam which is always ready to accompany me wherever I go. After paid the entrance fee, the so-called-tour-guide (native Indonesian woman) brought us to explore the mansion and explained some history of Tjong A Fie and family to us.

The latest generation of Tjong A Fie still lives in the mansion hence some of the room is not opened for public. And, visitors are not allowed to take pictures of some area, i.e. room filled with photographs of Tjong A fie and family.

The huge front door which was locked. And, the oldies roof’s shape, probably the one and only left in Medan.

At the other side of the huge front door. Look at the tile, so vintage and artistic.

The alley inside the house. Green and yellow are the primary color of this mansion.

Paid for IDR35.000 already, must took loads of pictures. If only boyfriend was here, we could take some informal pre-wedding pictures already. Seriously, I think Tjong A Fie mansion has the potential to be pre-wedding-photograph’s location. Then I will be more than willing to wear cheongsam. *continue dreaming*

The well. One of my neighbor-houses still has this kind of well too.

Another beautiful-but-already-faded ornaments.

The dining room. Look at the beautiful painting/drawing/ornaments of the ceiling.

Except the architecture and interior – combination of Chinese, European and Malay style, loads of the original furnitures, plates, and stuffs were not there anymore. It was said that the daughter/son/don’t-know-which-generation-of-Tjong-A-Fie sold those due to financial problem.

There was so many ancient-yet-beautiful lamps in the house. And, I think almost every room has a decorative ceiling.

The ancestor’s altar. No, I didn’t go closer to see what was on the altar there.

Someone was mopping the stairs.

A yard in the middle of the mansion.

The windows at second floor.

Again, look at the ceiling and the lamp. Beautiful and amazing. This has to be the most luxury mansion in town back in early 1900s.

One of the side in second floor is basically an empty hall now, and is filled with paintings from various artists (you can buy those paintings).

More pictures of Tjong A Fie mansion can be viewed in Tjong A Fie Memorial Institute.