What's old is in. The concept of viewing historic locations as part of mankind's common cultural heritage is catching on.
In addition to laying roads and putting up highrises, preserving historic monuments has become a new task in urban development.
Tourism no longer means just restaurants, shopping and recreation. Musing on the past at famous historic sites and contemplating the footsteps of those who went before us is a new tourist trend.
Taiwan's historic buildings are quickly disappearing under the onslaught of modernization. But many historic monuments of Chinese immigrants in Southeast Asia, which is larger in area than Taiwan and has developed less quickly, still remain. Malaysia, in particular, with the largest Chinese community of them all, has many places "even more Chinese than China," it is said.
Penang, a favorite tourist stop, is home to the best-preserved Chinese quarter in the country.
In Kuala Lumpur, the capital, you can still see where the Chinese laborers who worked in the tin mines helped build the city.
The world-class historic city of Malacca has several important monuments built by overseas Chinese.
And the restoration--or reconstruction--of Johor Temple set off a storm of debate in Johor Bahru.
Viewed in the larger picture, Malaysia has been blessed by suffering from so few disasters either natural or man-made, and the government, which is striving to develop tourism, has worked hard at the preservation of historical sites and buildings.
But given the delicate tensions of a multiethnic society, it is only natural that some buildings and monuments have obtained more government help in preservation and protection than others, though there may be more to the story than meets the eye.
Some old sites have been protected and restored thanks to growing self-awareness among the current generation of Chinese, such as those in Penang.
Others are facing demolition in the name of urban development, such as the Chinese cemetery on Sam Po Mountain in Malacca, which has lee to mass action by the Chinese community,
And yet others, in line with urban beautification, have been given a new look and a new life, such as Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur.
Being in a strange land doesn't necessarily mean feeling like a stranger. Let's visit Malaysia and take a look at the Chinese historic sites and monuments there, trace back the footsteps of the early pioneers and explore the historical consciousness of their descendants today.
[Picture Caption]
Penang: With its exquisite carvings, Dragon Mountain Hall is a noted local touristat traction.
Kuala Lumpur: The building and lifestyle in Chinatown still preserve a traditional look.
Malacca: The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum on Dutch St., like a "mini U.N.," combines furnishings from East and West.
Johor Bahru: The restoration vs. reconstruction controversy that revolved around Johor Old Temple is a good example of the recent rise in awareness for historical preservation.
Kuala Lumpur: The building and lifestyle in Chinatown still preserve a traditional look.
Johor Bahru: The restoration vs. reconstruction controversy that revolved around Johor Old Temple is a good example of the recent rise in awareness for historical preservation.
Malacca: The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum on Dutch St., like a "mini U.N.," combines furnishings from East and West.
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