China
Shanghai was once known as “The Paris of the East, the New York of the West”. This was due to its flourishing port, businesses, trade, and arts. The Americans, British, French, and other Europeans lived and traded in the Shanghai International Settlement area. The synergy of the international communities gave rise to Shanghai’s industrial… Continue reading Shanghai Travel Diary: The Old & The New of Metropolitan Shanghai
“Impossible! It hasn’t done so in Shanghai for over 50 years!” my friend said to me when I asked about the possibly of snowing in the city. Mercury levels had already dipped below the zero mark. But because wishes tend to be granted to the foolish (that’s me), my trip from Shanghai to Suzhou a… Continue reading Travel Shanghai and Suzhou: How My Trip Went When It Suddenly Snowed
When my friends suggested going to Tianjin for our graduation trip, I was bemused. “If we’re going to China, why not head for the bigger metropolitan cities like Shanghai or Beijing instead? Are there really things to do in Tianjin?” A quick Google search later, however, I was enlightened. At first, Tianjin seems like a… Continue reading Travel Diary: Taking on Tianjin
For most, Xi’an is at most a layover city for the reputable Terracotta Warriors from the Qin Dynasty. But with over 3 millennia of collectable historical remains and heritage, Xi’an, which was previously the great ancient capital of China deserves more than just a day trip. You will never run out of things to do… Continue reading Guide to Xi’an City Beyond the Terracotta Army
Before it was known as the home to e-commerce giant Alibaba, Hangzhou has always been highly regarded as the “City of Heaven”. Quoting Marco Polo, “Hangzhou is without a doubt the finest and most splendid city in the world.” Even as Hangzhou continues to develop rapidly into a high-tech metropolis (it is called the Silicon… Continue reading Travel Diary: Hangzhou – The City of Heaven
Many of the traditions that the Chinese community share in Singapore came from Cantonese practice and beliefs. An estimated 15% of Chinese in Singapore are Cantonese, whose forefathers came from the Guangdong province as craftsmen and artisans in the early 1800s. The Cantonese women who came to Singapore worked as Samsui women who are remembered… Continue reading Places to Experience Cantonese Culture
The forefathers of many Teochew Chinese in Singapore settled down here as plantation owners. They came to Singapore looking for business opportunities to start gambier or pepper plantations. Their traditions and language are still a part of the larger Singaporean society. The north-west region of Singapore, where the plantations used to be, still bears the… Continue reading Guangdong Teochew Cultural Travel Guide
With a Chinese majority in Singapore, it’s easy to spot the similarities in cultural practices and traditions with Southern China. Most of the ethnic Chinese in Singapore today have families that settled down here between the founding of Singapore and WWII. The first wave of Chinese migrants were Peranakans from Malacca or Penang, or from… Continue reading Places to Visit in China for Culture and Heritage
Guangzhou is truly one of China’s most exciting cities. With its roots as a trading port during the Silk Trade and currently being one of China’s largest metropolises, there’s always been a bustle and hustle to Guangzhou. The population and space of the city have mushroomed over the last few years bringing an intriguing contrast between… Continue reading 7 Must-See Attractions in Guangzhou for First-Time Visitors