Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Steven

Roots of China was born from my passion for sharing the beauty and stories of Chinese culture with the world. When I settled in Kaiping, Guangdong—a place alive with ancestral legacies and the iconic Diaolou towers—I found myself immersed in stories of migration, resilience, and heritage. Roots of China grew from my own quest to reconnect with heritage into a mission to celebrate Chinese culture. From artisans’ stories and migration histories to timeless crafts, each piece we share brings our heritage to life. Join me at Roots of China, where every story told, every craft preserved, and every legacy uncovered draws us closer to our roots. Let’s celebrate the heritage that connects us all.

67 articles published Follow:

Cities of Wuyi

Exploring the Wuyi Landscape A Journey Through Time and Geography

If you're curious about what makes Wuyi (五邑) such a fascinating region, look no further than its breathtaking Wuyi landscape. Nestled in the western Pearl River Delta of Guangdong Province, this area—often referred to as the “Five Counties”—is more than just a collection of hills, rivers, and plains. Its unique geography has shaped not only…

BySteven2 days ago0Comments

History and Culture

The Wuyi Diaspora: A Tale of Clans, Brotherhoods, and Survival

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Wuyi diaspora emerged as one of history’s most remarkable migration stories. Originating from the rural counties of the Wuyi region—such as Taishan in Guangdong Province—tens of thousands of Chinese men embarked on perilous journeys abroad. Driven by economic hardship, colonial labor demands, and the chaos following…

BySteven5 days ago0Comments

History and Culture

The Coolie Trade and Early Migration Patterns (1840–1874)

The mid-19th century marked a dark yet transformative period in Chinese migration history, dominated by the global coolie trade (苦力贸易). Tens of thousands of laborers, predominantly from Guangdong’s Taishan, Xinhui, and Enping counties, were swept into this exploitative system. Between 1840 and 1874, over 200,000 Chinese workers were shipped to destinations such as Peru, Cuba,…

ByStevenApril 9, 20250Comments

History and Culture

Ghosts of Gold Mountain: Grave-Sweeping Rituals and the Resilience of Montana’s Chinese Railroad Workers

Between 1865 and 1890, over 1,200 Chinese laborers worked on Montana’s railroads, including the Northern Pacific Railway. Most were young men from Taishan and Kaiping in Guangdong’s Wuyi region, recruited through clan networks to replace Irish crews deemed too costly. These men left their families behind, hoping to earn enough to send money home or…

ByStevenApril 6, 20250Comments

Cities of Wuyi

Legacy of Wuyi: The Untold Story of How a Region Ended the Qing Dynasty

The Hidden Epicenter of Revolution At the southern edge of China, where fertile plains meet the restless waves of the South China Sea, lies Wuyi (五邑)—a region that defied its modest size to become the unseen powerhouse behind the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Comprising Xinhui (新会), Taishan (台山), Kaiping (开平), Enping (恩平), and Heshan…

ByStevenApril 2, 20250Comments

Cities of Wuyi

The Hidden Role of Women in Taishan’s Heritage: From Clan Halls to Modern Preservation

When exploring women in Taishan history , we often find stories overshadowed by the grand narratives of migration, architecture, and male-dominated achievements. Yet, behind every towering diaolou (watchtower) and bustling overseas remittance economy lies the quiet strength of Taishan’s women. These remarkable individuals managed households, preserved traditions, and even led groundbreaking initiatives that shaped their…

ByStevenMarch 31, 20250Comments

Emigration Stories

What Happened to the Chinese in Cuba? The Untold Story of Havana’s Lost Chinatown

In the mid-1800s, a young man from Taishan, Guangdong, stood on the deck of a ship bound for Havana, Cuba. He wasn’t alone—thousands of others from his hometown had made the same journey, carrying little more than hope and a fierce determination to survive. Back home, poverty and social unrest had left few options. For…

ByStevenMarch 25, 20250Comments

History and Culture

Why Guangdong’s Marriage Traditions Start with Candy in Elevators (And a 3-Day Rule)

I was in the elevator this morning, rushing to grab my coffee before work, when I noticed something unusual—a small bag of candies tied with a red ribbon and a handwritten note that read: DEAR NEIGHBORS，TODAY, OUR FAMILY IS CELEBRATING A JOYOUS OCCASION, AND GUESTS WILL BE ARRIVING. THE ELEVATOR MAY BE USED FREQUENTLY, WHICH…

ByStevenMarch 23, 20250Comments

History and Culture

The Abacus: How a 1,000-Year-Old Chinese Tool Helped Build Atomic Bombs

It all started with a dusty old suitcase tucked away in the corner of my aunt’s attic. She had recently returned from a trip to North America, bringing back souvenirs, stories, and—apparently—a few surprises. As I helped her unpack, I noticed something unusual peeking out from beneath a pile of sweaters. Curious, I pulled it…

ByStevenMarch 21, 20250Comments

History and Culture

Family Legacy: Chinese Genealogy and Ancestral Villages

Imagine stepping into an ancestral hall (宗祠, zōngcí)—its wooden beams creak under the weight of centuries, yet every inch tells a story. The air carries the faint scent of incense, and on the walls hang scrolls detailing names, dates, and achievements—a living record of your family’s journey through time. For overseas Chinese communities, Chinese genealogy…

ByStevenMarch 20, 20250Comments

Roots of China: Celebrating Heritage, Empowering Artisans

Default
Dark

Don't have an account yet? Create one

Already have an account? Log in

The Wuyi Diaspora: A Tale of...

Why Guangdong’s Marriage Tr...

The Coolie Trade and Early Mi...

What Happened to the Chinese...

Steven

Exploring the Wuyi Landscape A Journey Through Time and Geography

The Wuyi Diaspora: A Tale of Clans, Brotherhoods, and Survival

The Coolie Trade and Early Migration Patterns (1840–1874)

Legacy of Wuyi: The Untold Story of How a Region Ended the Qing Dynasty

The Hidden Role of Women in Taishan’s Heritage: From Clan Halls to Modern Preservation

What Happened to the Chinese in Cuba? The Untold Story of Havana’s Lost Chinatown

Why Guangdong’s Marriage Traditions Start with Candy in Elevators (And a 3-Day Rule)

The Abacus: How a 1,000-Year-Old Chinese Tool Helped Build Atomic Bombs

Family Legacy: Chinese Genealogy and Ancestral Villages

Newsletter

Siyi to Wuyi: A Journey of Transformation and Heritage

Qílóu Architecture in Wuyi: Cultural Fusion and Resilience

Roots of Legacy: Wuyi Impact & Future Generations

Steven

Newsletter

Sign Up to Our Newsletter