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Participants in the traditional Piaose parade in Taishan, a 500-year-old cultural tradition, showcasing vibrant costumes and performances in honor of the Guangdong Five Counties heritage.
Cities of Wuyi

Roots Across the Sea: Understanding the Guangdong Five Counties Diaspora Legacy

 For millions of overseas Chinese whose families trace their origins to the Five Counties (Wuyi 五邑) region in Guangdong—namely Xinhui, Taishan, Kaiping, Enping, and Heshan—their ancestors’ migration was more than a physical journey. It was a saga of survival, resilience, and global identity forged from hardship and hope. A Fertile Land Shaped by Challenge Situated…
April 23, 20250Comments

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Traditional market street in Taishan, part of the Five Counties of Guangdong
Cities of Wuyi

The Five Counties of Guangdong: A Cultural and Historical Overview

The Five Counties of Guangdong (五邑, Wǔyì)—Xinhui (新会), Taishan (台山), Kaiping (开平), Enping (恩平), and Heshan (鹤山)—hold a distinctive place in Chinese history and global migration. For many overseas Chinese, especially those whose ancestors left southern China during the 19th and 20th centuries, understanding the Five Counties Guangdong history offers a meaningful pathway to reconnect…
April 19, 20250Comments

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World map showing the global routes of the 19th-century coolie trade from Asia and the Pacific to the Americas and Caribbean.
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,…
April 9, 20250Comments

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A weathered grave marker bearing Chinese inscriptions stands amidst snow-covered fields, marking the resting place of Mrs. Wong Kim—a testament to the enduring legacy of Montana’s Chinese pioneers
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…
April 6, 20250Comments

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A woman from Taishan in the 1930s wearing a floral-patterned blouse, symbolizing resilience and elegance in women's history.
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…
March 31, 20250Comments

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Roots of China: Celebrating Heritage, Empowering Artisans

Siyi to Wuyi: A Journey of Transformation and Heritage
Qílóu Architecture in Wuyi: Cultural Fusion and Resilience
Roots of Legacy: Wuyi Impact & Future Generations

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