House of Tan Yeok Nee

Stories are felt differently when you walk through them. From 12 June 2026, House of Tan Yeok Nee begins its Guided Tours, inviting visitors to step inside and experience the House up close.

Held monthly in English and Mandarin, each tour offers a closer look at the stories, details, and craft held within its walls.

Admission is free, with advance booking required. Bookings open on 8 June, with more slots to be released as the year unfolds.

English Tour: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Mandarin Tour: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Book through the link in bio.

At the entrance of the House of Tan Yeok Nee, dragonfish corbels (鳌鱼, áo yú) mark the corners of the structure. These hybrid creatures symbolise strength, transformation, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Traditionally, they were believed to protect the home, while also showcasing the artistry and meaning woven into Teochew architectural design.

Soft and muted, secco paintings adorn the roof ridges of the House of Tan Yeok Nee.

Used in Teochew architecture for florals, landscapes, and daily scenes, it complements the carvings and ceramic inlay, reflecting a mastery of material and technique.

Look up and notice how much there is to see.

The House of Tan Yeok Nee holds layers of detail across its architecture, revealed slowly as you pause and observe.

Once a block of two rooms, this space was replaced with an open pavilion in 1999.

With nearby stele marking its history, and materials like camphor wood, teak, and rammed earth, it brings past and present together.

Eight carved panels pair birds with seasonal blooms, forming a language of auspicious symbols — joy, prosperity, and longevity.

Carved in double-faced relief and finished in 24K gold leaf, these newly commissioned partition doors reflect the skill of Teochew wood carving techniques (潮州金漆木雕, cháo zhōu jīn qī mù diāo).

The balustrades were reinstated during conservation, guided by mortise holes found in the original stone flooring and timber purlins — evidence of their presence in the past.

Simple in form, they trace back to spaces like 衙门 (yá mén), or government offices, where they once defined boundaries and controlled entry before becoming part of the architectural language of the home.