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.
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)
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
