Chinese Dynasties

A list of major Chinese dynasties for easy reference.

What is Chinatown?

Chinatown, chinatown chinatown. So many Chinatowns in the world but how did they evolved and how they came into being?

Clan Associations

Clan associations can be found in most overseas Chinese societies. What were their historical functions and will clan associations continue to play a role in the future?

Moon cake and Mongols

A popular Mid Autumn legend claims that moon cakes were instrumental in the overthrow of the Mongol dynasty（元朝）that ruled China from 1271–1368. Chinatownology locates this myth against the historical backdrop of the Mongol dynasty.

World War 2: China Relief Fund

马来亚新加坡华侨筹赈祖国伤兵难民大会委员会

Read about the founding of China Relief Fund during the Second Sino Japanese War that evolved into part of World War Two. China Relief Fund was the FIRST regional overseas Chinese organization in the history of South East Asia. 

1997 Hong Kong Handover

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

Venerable Pu Liang 普亮法师

Venerable Pu Liang was the chairperson of the Singapore Chinese Buddhist Association just before the Second World War. He supported China Relief Fund programs and prayed for war victims. During the Japanese Occupation, the Venerable was executed by the Japanese. This article is a tribute to a Venerable who sacrificed for the welfare of society and whose story remains unrecorded in the history books.

Qu Yuan 屈原

A patriot who lived during the Warring States period who committed suicide when his country's capital fell to invading Qin army. His patriotism is remembered every year during the Dumpling Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival.

Dr Leon Comber's Chinese Temple

In 1958, Dr. Leon Comber published “Chinese Temples in Singapore”. 10 of the temples were located in Chinatown. Almost 50 years later, “Chinese Temples in Singapore” continue to be read, to be used as a reference and can be found in major library collections around the world. Dr. Leon Comber shares his thoughts as his book approaches its 50th birthday.

Emperor's Elixir

Qin Shi Huang's search for immortality and it association with early Japanese history.

Did Xu Fu, 徐福 settled in Japan?