About 2 km south of Zhongshan Rd, the Overseas Chinese Museum (Huaqiao bowuguan) is an interesting way to spend an afternoon. The museum is dedicated to the many Fujianese and others from the southeast China region who have immigrated to various parts of the globe. The people of this part of China are well known for their nomadic tendencies. Even today, with the regional rapid economic improvements, many are still looking to get out and see the world. Today, over 2.5 million overseas Chinese, in no less than 50 countries, claim to have Fujian ancestry.
Founded by the wealthy industrialist Tan Kah-kee in 1959, the collection in the museum now contains pieces donated or invested in by many of these overseas Chinese, all putting money back into their roots. The museum is divided into six sections from relics of old China to photographic and pictorial evidence of Huaqiao (overseas Chinese) exploration. The ground floor’s three halls contain paintings, photos and documentation of the Fujianese life abroad, an interesting way for foreigners to see the other side of the coin.
The pottery and bronzes here are of particular interest, some of the pieces dating back as far as the Shang dynasty (1600-1100 BC).
Address: South Siming Rd.
How to get there: You can take bus No.20, 22 or 25 to get there.
