Virtual Tour - Teck Ban Choon Foundry in Georgetown, Penang

Spent a few days in Penang and while we were in Georgetown we came across these two metal foundry workshops. I was rather timid to walk up and ask these guys if they wouldn’t mind if I took a photo. They had no idea I was going to create a virtual tour. I asked and they hand gestured that it would be no problem! So I stepped away and set up my tripod and panorama kit. When I started to shoot the first image facing into the foundry the guy on the machine didn’t flinch. When I spun the camera around they all got a little scared. So I put the camera back to a different position and when they weren’t paying attention I spun the camera towards them and acted like I was doing something else.

This blacksmithing workshop makes anchors and iron products, and is run by 64-year-old Teoh Huah Guan. A Yung Ting Hakka, he inherited it from his grandfather. It’s been said that the first blacksmith in Penang was also a Yung Ting Hakka. Of the four blacksmiths that used to make anchors near Penang’s waterfront, only two remain in operation.

Teck Ban Choon 50, Lebuh Gat Armenian, George Town.

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