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Chinatownology

 

New Stories:

 

 

11th Anniversary of 1997 Hong Kong Handover

How the Hong Kong Handover became the "Great Chinese Takeaway" and the "Charles Giveaway".

 

ang ku keuh honggui gao singapore chinatown

 

Ang Gu Kueh 红龟糕

 

 

 

Flag of Philippines

Philippines Chinese

Buddhist Temple

王彬古迹关圣夫子庙

 

 

Popular stories:

 

 

Green Lion 青狮  

 

 

 

Lion dance 舞狮

 

 

Update:

 

Food Food Food

How we celebrate and mark the passing of time with food.

 

News: 

 

Chinatownology is listed in

"The living in Singapore Reference Guide" (10th edition)

Published by the American Association of Singapore

Sparing with the Green Lion

Chinatownology is dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of Singapore Chinatown and Chinatowns around the world. In this website, you can find articles on the history, culture and events in Singapore Chinatown, and Chinatowns around the world.

 

We also use Chinatowns as a platform to explore and to understand the development of overseas Chinese 华侨 societies, its food culture and material culture.

 

You can find things to do and places to eat and shop. These establishments may or may not be in Chinatown but are related to the cultural development of overseas Chinese. For a overview of the site, see sitemap.

 

Singapore Chinatown

If there is a place in Singapore that almost all local Chinese, past and present, have been to, that place has to be Chinatown. Apart from serving as a residential area for some ethnic Chinese and other ethnic groups, it is also the cultural centre for most Chinese in Singapore.

 

Chinatown has undergone many changes throughout its long history but no matter how it has changed, it continues to symbolize a space where it began and where everything comes together; history, culture, local tradition and modern lifestyles.

 

See how many ways can Singapore Chinatown be referred to.

 

 

A visit to Chinatown is always visually exciting and interesting. But to connect yourself to the spirit of Chinatown and its historical memories, you need to know its history and embrace its shared memories. That's what makes the experience unique. Take a Chinatown walk through the video clip below.

 

What is a Chinatown?

To local Chinese and Singaporeans, a visit to Chinatown is a like a walk through memory lane.

 

To tourists, it is an interesting ethnic location full of contrasts.

 

A lot of history and social memory is embedded in the physical structures of Chinatown as well as in the cultural space. Every landmark has a story to tell and many shops have existed for a very long time.

 

These landmarks witness events that happened in Chinatown as well as the stories of people who had lived or passed through Chinatown. Very few places in Singapore have such a unique history and strong cultural symbol. There is always something for everyone to do here.

 

Local or tourist, the good news is, Chinatown is free!

You do not need to buy a ticket to go in.

 

The next good news is, Chinatown is real.

It is a living cultural landscape and part of the social DNA of Singapore.

 

It is not a theme park. That means, you will see things as they are, things you like and don’t like.

 

Things to do:

 

Discover social change or indulge in old world charm by strolling through Chinatown.

 

Observe traditional and modern forces interacting by shopping for traditional items alongside modern products.

 

Sample different ethnic food by eating your way through Chinatown.

Relax in a café to people watch.

Get a massage or visit a spa.

 

Experience contrasts in Chinatown.

 

  • Old style coffee shops vs. MacDonald’s, KFC and the like

  • Traditional shops vs. supermarkets

  • Must-have tourist mementoes vs. antiques

  • Sacred (places of worship) vs. the profane (brothels)

 

Singapore Chinatown walk along Trengganu Street.

 

 

The world of Chinatowns

 

 

Philippines Chinatown

 

 

 

 Vietnam Chinatown

 

 

Chinatownology; a work-in-progress (WIP) project

 

Chinatownology is a work-in-progress website. Chinatown has a long history and means different things to different people. Full documentation of Chinatown is a never ending process. That is why we decide to develop this website as a work-in-progress project.  

 

If you have a story to tell, feedback, or comments, please write to us at info@chinatownology.com

 

Join the Chinatownology mailing list.

Click here to find out.

 


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Stay in touch and be updated on the latest stories, events and programs, click here.

Contact Chinatownology at info@chinatownology.com

 

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