The Great Port Cities of Asia: In History

Asia's port cities have a rich history of trade,culture,and innovation,dating back thousands of years. This book explores 60 of these cities,presenting their living heritage and historical significance through art,literature,architecture,food,fashion,and popular culture. It follows in the footsteps of explorers and travelers who have documented their experiences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 388 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2024
Publisher: Talisman Publishing

Asia's history is intricately woven with the stories of its remarkable port cities,each of which has played a pivotal role in shaping the region's cultural,economic,and political landscape. From the bustling streets of Guangzhou (Canton) to the bustling ports of Shanghai,Nagasaki,Basra,Aden,Jeddah,Kolkata (Calcutta),Mumbai (Bombay),Colombo,Batavia (Jakarta),Manila,Singapore,and countless others,these cities have served as hubs of global trade,exchange,and cultural interaction for centuries.

These port cities have evolved into vibrant,multicultural societies,where diverse cultures and traditions coexist harmoniously. They have developed their unique styles of art,architecture,material culture,and ways of living,reflecting the rich tapestry of their inhabitants. Moreover,port cities have been hotbeds of innovation,where new technologies,creative expressions,and ways of thinking have flourished.

This book,spanning two thousand years of history,embarks on an epic journey across maritime Asia and the Indian Ocean,visiting 60 port cities along the coasts and rivers of China,the Indian subcontinent,Southeast Asia,Japan,Korea,the Middle East,and Africa. Through a combination of explorations of artworks in museums,literature,architecture,food,fashion,and popular culture,the book brings these port cities to life,revealing their living heritage and their immense historical significance.

Museum director Kennie Ting,as he travels through these port cities, weaves an evocative and multi-layered narrative that captures the essence of their living heritage. At the same time,he paints a vivid picture of their historical importance,following in the footsteps of countless explorers and travelers who have ventured across the globe in search of knowledge and recorded their experiences for posterity.

In conclusion,Asia's port cities have left an indelible mark on the region's history,serving as centers of global trade,exchange,and cultural interaction. They have evolved into cosmopolitan,multicultural societies,where unique styles of art,architecture,material culture,and ways of living have emerged. These cities have also been hubs of innovation,where new technologies,creative expressions,and ways of thinking have flourished. This book offers a captivating journey through maritime Asia and the Indian Ocean,revealing the living heritage and historical significance of these remarkable port cities.

Weight: 1040g
Dimension: 179 x 249 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811889738