7. Return To China

Thus, in 1921, grandfather Chan took his family back to his homeland in China. Our father Chung Chow was then about 6 years old. They returned home to find China still embroiled in wars, droughts and famines and poor economic conditions. 

Dr. Sun Yat Sun

Guangdong Province was then under the control of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and his Nationalist army. The rest of the country was ruled by the various warlords.

Back home in China, grandfather Chan trained for two years to become a Taoist priest. It was a logical choice because his grandfather and granduncle were famous Taoist priests, and it was then a very noble and popular profession. He decided to return to Malaya and start afresh as a Taoist priest. This second journey took place around 1923, and this time he went alone leaving his wife and son behind in China.

Taoism symbol

Next: 8. Ancestral Home In China