Kuala Terengganu Chinatown, located at the river bank of Kuala Terengganu, had been announced as one of the world heritage site by Uniesco.
The town had been built by the Chinese traders around 16th centuries ago and had been responsible for the expansion the town in terms of economic.
The old Chinese building build in 16th century, the old temples, Ho Ann Kiong Temple and Tien Hou Kong which build around 18th century are the main tourist attraction in Chinatown. It drew nostalgia from inside and outside, and attracted limited tourists to get photos taken under the old sign.
A compassionate Buddhist relief organization Tzu Chi liaison centers which provided various forms of aid to the poor is stand out above the 236 units of old buildings which dated back to the late 1800s flank the road.
Though one to evoke nostalgia by viewing the old building and to indulge the nostalgia sentiment, it certainly conjured the days gone by, when children did not have the luxury of life as it is today.
The past experience can not be duplicated but the sentiment and relationship between the past and present can be nostalgia.
The surrounding areas have developed tremendously but the town just a memory and remains unchanged. The Chinese culture and environment seem frozen in time, but the continued ability of the Chinese food to satiate a nostalgia-induced is well maintained.
There exists no random eatery for non-Chinese in Chinatown. It just caters for the need of Chinese community. The town is not squeeze by gentrification or assimilation of the customers.
The present old generation does not have the young generation to take over as the second generation is fully educated. As the old generation grows older and new generation of teenagers fade away, a memory of their time here stays on as Chinatown is remain un-reinvented.
Is the Kuala Terengganu Chinatown a fade away town with big treasure waiting to be discovered or otherwise?
1 comment:
Hai I like KT Chinatown, ayoo...history ooo...
http://ganukitedehguanogok.blogspot.com
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