Dr Sun Yat Sen's Penang base, Penang

This shophouse built in the 1870's witnessed surprising events that shaped world history. While it may appear stark compared to the ornate architecture of the clan temples down the street, it is a house that is worth documenting. While it looks like a typical George Town shophouse, the things that happened in it is anything but typical.

The last dynasty in China came to an end from decisions made here. Amazing but true, that the activities that took place in this nondescript shophouse has a greater impact on world events than most people in Penang as well as those living within its immediate neighbourhood would realise.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen is reverred in both China and Taiwan as the architect of the new, republican China. Disgruntled by an imperial China ruled by the Manchu court that he considered inefficient and corrupt, Dr Sun founded the Tung Meng Hooi, a political party founded in 1905 in Tokyo with an agenda to turn China into a republic. Dr Sun travelled to various Chinese communities scattered around the world to drum up support for his movement to create this China sans Emperor. In 1909, the Southeast Asia headquarters of the Tung Meng Hooi was moved from Singapore to Penang, where it remained till 1911.

It was here that he raised massive funds - within 2 days he raised some 8000 Straits Dollar - much of it from the Overseas Chinese...Chinese living in Canada, UK., Se Asia etc

As Dr Sun said....

The Overseas Chinese are the mother of the Chinese Revolution

At No 120 Lebuh Armenian was Dr Sun Yat Sen Penang base during 1909-1911.

Dr Sun Yat Sen is the leader of the historic Chinese Revolution, and the headquarters of the Southeast Asian branch of the Tung Meng Hooi party.

The local Penang Chinese then supported Dr Sun Yat Sen in the great movement against the Manchu government and the foreign imperialists in China.

In 1911, China became the first republic in Asia and Dr Sun Yat Sen became its first provisional president.

It was here that on Nov 13 1910 the famous Penang meeting was held. It was an emergency meet to plan the Canton Uprising which took place in Guangzhou 27 April 1911.