The mansion was constructed using materials imported from China, including its distinctive floor tiles.
It originally functioned as a harbor-side warehouse for commodities like rice, sugar, and textiles.
The house is designed with a drainage system tailored to the frequent flooding of the nearby Singkawang River.
It has survived multiple significant fires and social upheavals in the region throughout the 20th century.
The interior contains ancestral altars that remain active and are part of the family's ongoing spiritual traditions.
Cagar Budaya Rumah Keluarga Tjhia is a century-old traditional Chinese-Indonesian mansion situated along the Singkawang River. Built in 1902 by Tjhia Hiap Seng, a merchant from Fujian province, the structure showcases a fusion of Chinese architectural aesthetics and local tropical Indonesian influences. The residence originally served as a trading warehouse and family home for the Tjhia family, who were influential in Singkawang's early economic development. It features a distinct 'U' shaped floor plan, characteristic of traditional Chinese courtyard houses. The building remains in the possession of the descendants, who maintain the property as a cultural heritage site. The structure is built primarily from ironwood (kayu ulin) and features intricate carvings and preserved period furniture. It serves as a rare example of early 20th-century colonial-era merchant architecture in West Kalimantan.
The main courtyard looking back toward the traditional ornate entrance gate.
Ask permission from the family members or local caretakers before entering private areas.
Engage a local guide to explain the specific meanings behind the intricate wall and ceiling carvings.
Visit during the Cap Go Meh festival season to see the house integrated into the city's vibrant cultural activities.
Do not attempt to photograph personal family documents or private altars without explicit permission from the current residents.
Remove your shoes before stepping onto the traditional wooden flooring; dress modestly as this is still a private family home.
