Eu Yan Sang

Next Stop Eu Yan Sang!

Eu Yan Sang which means 'caring for mankind' in Chinese is a company which focus on traditional Chinese medicine. It has more than 300 retail outlet around South East Asia, bringing Chinese medicine to a whole new level. Eu Yan Sang started off from a small, homegrown business to a public listed company was founded by Eu Kong where he left his hometown in Foshan, Guangdong in 1873 to find business opportunity in Malaya. Furthermore, he has the determination to help tin mine collies to be free from the addiction of opium with the use of Chinese medicine and herbs. Therefore, he opened his first ever shop in 1879 in Gopeng, Perak. In 1882, he secure a general farm concession which was a license to collect taxes on opium, gambling, alcohol as well as pawnbroking. Hence, the earnings allowed him to open up tin mines and expand chain of shops to supply groceries, medicine , remittance and postal services to his coolies.

Eu Tong Sen, who is Eu Kong's only son continue his father legacy by expanding Chinese medicine further in Malaya and Singapore. When he inherited his father's businesses in 1898, at a age of 21, he faced various financial challenges as the colonial government had begun phasing out the practice of tax farming and his uncles Kong De and Jong Jin had depletted the cash and stock reserves of the Yan Sang business. Thus, he spent three years from 1898 to 1900 searching for new tin mines in the Kinta Valley in Perak but was still unable to find new sources until the year 1900 which he made his first discovery. By the year 1908, Eu Tong Sen owned a total of 11 mines and his revenues brought up to million dollars annually.Being a caring employer, Eu Tong Sen would open up a medical shop to take care of his worker's health and overall well-being. Therefore, making him one of the richest men in Malaya at that time. 

He was also involved in many social issues, donating to causes such as education and being a leader of the Anti-Opium Movement during the early 1900s by giving out anti-opium literature and free remedy for the opium addicts.  He also served in civic committees such as taking charge of town planning and sanitation issues. Additionally, he contributed financially for disaster relief efforts, children's welfare and anti-Japanese resistance during the World War II. 

Eu Tong Sen acquired two Chinese opera theatres at the Wayang Street in 1919 which was then renamed as Eu Tong Sen Street.

Eu Tong Sen had only one wife, four daughters and a single son at the age of 38. His mother introduced more women into his life, worrying for the family lineage. Eventually, he had a total of 13 sons and 11 daughters by 11 wives.

Bird's Nests Exhibition at the retail shop in Chinatown: