Tjong A Fie

As you enter Jalan A. Yani, on the right, you will pass an old house which belonged to Tjong A Fie, the 'Major' (highest representative) of the Chinese in Medan. His traditional Chinese family home built in 1900 has beautiful wooden carvings and features two stone lions seated at the enterance. Tjong A Fie's is a success story from the Deli pioneering days.

house of Tjong A Fie

He came from the Chinese province of Canton in 1875, with a few pieces of silver sewn into his belt and made his fortune on Sumatra's east coast in a short time in the plantation industry. He had good contacts with the Sultan of Deli, Makmun Al Rasjid and the Dutch planters and together with his brother Tjong Yong Hian became the main supplier to the plantations. The Tjong brothers were famous for their riches and compassion. Their influence stretched far beyond Sumatra, to Penang, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Java and Amsterdam where Tjong A Fie became one of the founders of the Colonial Institute, the present Royal Tropical Institute. By the time he died in 1921, Tjong A Fie had become a legendary figure.