Abstract
This paper aims to construct new meanings of Chinese architectural heritage in the World Heritage sites of Malacca and Penang in the Malacca Straits. Inscribed in 2008, both sites have a history of more than 600 years of migrating trades and cultural exchanges with China. The influence of Chinese culture has given them diverse urban and architectural assets as tangible heritage, and different life styles of different groups of people as intangible heritage. Starting with a survey of the varied Chinese architectural heritage in the two World Heritage sites of the Malacca Straits, this study presents Chinese temples, huiguans, and shop-houses in the surviving historic city centres where various cultures and religions met and coexisted. These sites bear testimony to a living multi-cultural heritage and the tradition of Malay Archipelago, historic China and India, and modern Europe up to nowadays. Setting the two Wold Heritage sites in the full context of China, India and Southeast Asia which were part of the Maritime Silk Roads in ancient times, the study establishes a broader view to understand heritage as a cultural entity, explores the Chinese contribution to heritage, and calls for awareness towards heritage renovation and adaptive reuse throughout history. Furthermore, through an investigation of the architectural and cultural heritage in Southeast Asia from the 15th to the 19th century, the study intends to achieve a better understanding of the vernacular architecture and craftsmanship in southern China and the vernacular Chinese culture and art in Southeast Asia. It means to explore how Chinese cultural heritage was transplanted to the non-Chinese contexts in the Malacca Straits
Highlights
This article aims to present a historical and chronological picture of Chinese relationships with the Malacca Straits by reviewing the history of overseas Chinese who, in the early Ming dynasty, left for Nanyang.1 it seeks to provide a geographical and cultural context of Malacca and Penang as world heritage sites for Chinese temple, huiguan and shop–house architectural studies
The exploration covers the development of temple, huiguan and shop-house in Malacca and Penang from the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century
The study aims to develop a broader view of understanding heritage as a cultural entity, explore the meaning of the Chinese contribution to the heritage in these two world heritage sites, and to become aware of its renovation and adaptive reuse
Summary
This article aims to present a historical and chronological picture of Chinese relationships with the Malacca Straits by reviewing the history of overseas Chinese who, in the early Ming dynasty, left for Nanyang. it seeks to provide a geographical and cultural context of Malacca and Penang as world heritage sites for Chinese temple, huiguan and shop–house architectural studies. This article aims to present a historical and chronological picture of Chinese relationships with the Malacca Straits by reviewing the history of overseas Chinese who, in the early Ming dynasty, left for Nanyang.1 It seeks to provide a geographical and cultural context of Malacca and Penang as world heritage sites for Chinese temple, huiguan and shop–house architectural studies. A historical interpretative method is used to describe and analyse Chinese architectural phenomena based on historic literature, archives, site visits, investigations, photographs and measured drawings, as well as interviews with local scholars, builders, clients and their descendants in Malacca and Penang In such a way, the study aims to develop a broader view of understanding heritage as a cultural entity, explore the meaning of the Chinese contribution to the heritage in these two world heritage sites, and to become aware of its renovation and adaptive reuse
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.