[2][4] As a leader of the community, he was well thought of and respected by people, because he was linked with economy and political systems of the city.

[5] His enterprises were invested in his palm oil and sugar cane plantations, as well as banks and railroads.

Although he only had a brief education, Tjong knew the ways of trading and made his family's business successful.

With little money, he decided to follow his brother, Tjong Yong Hian, who stayed in Medan for five years.

These buildings include Tjong A Fie's Mansion, located in Ahmad Yani Street near the Kesawan area, the Old Mosque or sometimes known as Gang Bengkok Old Mosque, and the clock tower of Medan City Hall, which is located in the intersection between Radan Saleh Street and Kesawan.

[6] While he carried out his duties as a Kapitan, Tjong succeeded in developing his individual business and the city of Medan.

After Tjong's demise and subsequent social instability in Indonesia, some of them moved overseas to countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Netherlands, USA, UK, Scotland and Belgium while a few stayed in Medan, Bali and Jakarta.

The mansion is an architectural mix of Malay, European, and Tionghoa styles and contains forty rooms, each lined with hand-painted floor tiles from Italy and the walls depicting life in China with great detail.

The mansion has been open to public since 18 June 2009 to commemorate Tjong A Fie's 150th birthday and has been a popular tourist spot.