Chinese Heritage Centre, NTU

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Chinese Heritage Centre, NTU

Chinese Heritage Centre
A Museum
A Library
A Research Centre of Nanyang Technological University

Built in 1953 and gazetted as a National Monument on the 18 December 1999, the Chinese Heritage Centre is the first organisation to specialise in the study of Chinese communities outside China. Hence, it is most appropriate that the Centre should be housed in the former Nanyang University's historic Administration Block, which itself is a relic of the landmark establishment of the first and only C

hinese university outside China, founded by the Chinese overseas. Visitors will find it pleasant to simply admire the unique architecture of this 1950s building, now a National Monument, or take a stroll in the Yunnan Garden or by the Nantah Lake, right beside the Centre.

16/10/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Chinese Heritage Centre building will be closed
on 20th October 2025, for Deepavali.

启示

华裔馆将于10月20日闭馆(屠妖节)。

01/09/2025

On Saturday, 23 August 2025, Prof. Jesvin Yeo from NTU’s School of Art, Design and Media gave an insightful talk on “Dragon Kiln and the Intangible Heritage of Teochew Pottery in Singapore.” She explored the history of Teochew pottery, from 19th-century water jars that were essential to daily life, to planters made for Singapore’s Garden City vision and glazed wares exported abroad. At the heart of this craft is the dragon kiln—a unique wood-fired structure that showcases the skill and ingenuity of the Teochew community. Prof. Yeo also shared her research, including reconstructing a small kiln in Ipoh, highlighting that intangible heritage is not just about objects, but the living skills and traditions that connect generations and keep Singapore’s cultural history alive.

This lecture is part of the Chinese Communities & Organisations in Southeast Asia Seminar Series 2025, co-organised with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and supported by the Singapore Society of Asian Studies.

07/08/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Chinese Heritage Centre building will be closed
on 9 August 2025, for National Day.

启示

华裔馆将于8月9日闭馆(国庆节)。

23/07/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Chinese More or Less (CMOL) and Nantah Pictorial Exhibition will be closed
on 31 July 2025 for maintenance.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

通知
“何谓华人图片展”与”南洋大学图片展”
将于 2025年7月31日关闭一天进行维护。

对于造成的不便，我们深感抱歉。

25/06/2025

On 21 June 2025, Saturday, Prof. Jiang Xin Xin delivered an insightful public lecture on "Tradition and Change: How Chinese Singaporean Families Blend Values in Parenting" where she explored parenting’s deep impact on individuals, families, and society. She emphasized that it shapes family structures, identity, and cultural continuity, with family education playing a key role in children’s development. In Singapore’s multicultural context, Chinese families blend traditional values—like filial piety and academic focus—with modern parenting styles and Western influences. She highlighted evolving concepts of fatherhood, “sharenting,” and the challenges new immigrant families face in intercultural and intergenerational integration. Prof Jiang concluded that Chinese Singaporean families show resilience by adapting to change while preserving core values, creating a balanced, culturally rich approach to parenting today.

This lecture is part of the Chinese Communities & Organisations in Southeast Asia Seminar Series 2025, co-organised with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and supported by the Singapore Society of Asian Studies.

16/06/2025

Dear Colleagues and Friends of CHC,

You are cordially invited to join below public lecture on "Tradition and Change: How Chinese Singaporean Families Blend Values in Parenting" on 21 June 2025 (Saturday), 3pm. The lecture will be conducted in Mandarin. Kindly refer to the following EDM for more details.

Registration for attending in-person: https://peatix.com/event/4445744

If would like to watch the talk online, please register via the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iugOgw3uTBCdyaFbsmmbUQ #/registration

05/06/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT
The Chinese Heritage Centre building will be closed on 7 June 2025 (Saturday) for Hari Raya Haji.

启示
华裔馆将于2025年6月7日（星期六）因哈芝节闭馆。

21/05/2025

🚧 Notice of Works 🚧

Please be advised that temporary site works will be carried out from 22 June to 30 June 2025. These works will include:

🔹 Removal of temporary concrete plinths using mini excavators
🔹 Dismantling of hoarding panels
🔹 Removal of the site office and other temporary structures

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period. Some noise and minor disruptions may occur, and we will do our best to minimize any inconvenience.

Thank you for your patience.

19/05/2025

Cantonese Opera in Singapore – An Intangible Cultural Heritage Talk Successfully Held

引人入胜的粤剧讲座于2025年4月29日成功在南洋理工大学华裔馆二楼礼堂举行。本次讲座由南洋理工大学华裔馆与新加坡华族戏曲研究会联合举办。

A captivating Cantonese Opera seminar, “Cantonese Opera in Singapore – An Intangible Cultural Heritage,” was successfully held on 29 April 2025 at the second-floor auditorium of the Chinese Heritage Centre, Nanyang Technological University. The event was co-organised by the Chinese Heritage Centre and the Chinese Opera Society (Singapore).

The speaker, Ms Yow Wei Meng, President of the Chinese Opera Society (Singapore), delivered an informative and in-depth talk, exploring the artistic and cultural significance of Cantonese Opera. She also highlighted the uniqueness of original local production “Tiger Tally – Saving Zhao Kingdom,” written by Singaporean playwright Sally Low and supported by the National Arts Council’s stART Fund.

In addition to the presentation, the event featured live demonstrations by veteran performers Ms Cynthia Chow and Mr Philip Chan, including part of a scene from the well-known “Princess Chang Ping”. Their excellent performances showcased the unique stylised singing, recitation, movement, and martial arts in Cantonese Opera, earning resounding applause from the audience.

邱慧明女士还分享了粤剧如何与科技结合的发展趋势，例如布景的数码化和有点电影感觉的录像等等。大约一百年前粤剧已经大胆地使用西洋乐器如小提琴和萨克斯管来演奏，而且延续至今。近年，传统乐器如阮等如今也装上电子扩音功能，这一转变推动了粤剧在音效与舞台表现上的革新发展。

Ms Yow Wei Meng also shared how Cantonese Opera is evolving with the integration of technology, for instance using digital backdrops and giving the video recording of “Tiger Tally” a movie-like feel. Since a century ago,western musical instruments such as the violin and saxophone have been used in Cantonese Opera. In recent years, traditional instruments such as the ruan and has been rigged with electric amplifiers. This shift has enhanced both sound design and stage presentation, contributing to the innovation in Cantonese Opera.

讲座吸引了众多南大教职员、学生与社区嘉宾，气氛热烈踊跃。许多本地本科生表示，这是他们首次如此深入接触粤剧，对所呈现的内容赞叹不已，并期待未来能举办更多此类文化交流活动。

The talk attracted many NTU faculty, students, and guests from the wider community with enthusiasm. Many shared that it was their first time experiencing Cantonese Opera in such depth. They expressed great interest in the contents and demonstration and hope for more cultural exchange events in the future.

05/05/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Chinese Heritage Centre building will be closed
on 12th May 2025, for Vesak Day.

启示
华裔馆将于5 月12 日闭馆(卫塞节)。

28/04/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Chinese Heritage Centre building will be closed
on 1st and 3rd May 2025, for Labour day and Polling day.

启示

华裔馆将于5月1日及3日闭馆(劳动节及投票日)。

15/04/2025

Dear Colleagues and Friends of CHC,

You are cordially invited to join below public lecture on "Cantonese Opera in Singapore —An Intangible Cultural Heritage " on 29 April 2025 (Tuesday), 3pm. Kindly refer to the following EDM for more details.

Address

46 Nanyang Avenue
Singapore
639817

Telephone

+6565138157

Website

http://ntu.edu.sg/chc

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