By Paul Hsin

SHANGHAI—In the summer of 2008, a television drama quietly aired in Singapore. Titled The Little Nyonya, it followed the life of a Peranakan Chinese woman navigating the social hierarchies and cultural expectations of early 20th-century Malaya and Singapore, as she struggled to assert her identity and reclaim her destiny.

Over a decade later, the show was remade in China and broadcast on CCTV in 2020. It rekindled an emotional connection to Peranakan heritage and sparked fresh curiosity among Chinese audiences about the cultural mosaic of Singapore and the wider Nanyang region.

Now, that cultural curiosity has found a tangible destination. To commemorate Singapore’s 60th year of independence and the 10th anniversary of the Singapore Cable Car – Sentosa Line, Sentosa Development Corporation and Mount Faber Leisure Group have launched Peranakan Reimagined — an immersive showcase that blends sensory experience, heritage storytelling, and contemporary art. It’s a way for visitors to rediscover the emotional terrain of a beloved screen narrative — this time, not on television, but in real life.

Peranakan Culture: A Living Mosaic of the Malay Archipelago

To appreciate the significance of this showcase, one must first understand what "Peranakan culture" entails. The term refers to the unique communities that emerged from the intermarriage of Chinese immigrants and local Malays beginning in the 15th century. These communities — known as Baba (men) and Nyonya (women) — fused Chinese customs with Malay language, dress, and beliefs, resulting in a hybrid culture rich in aesthetics and identity.

Visually, the culture is immediately recognizable: intricate beadwork on traditional kasut manek slippers, brightly colored kebaya blouses, cuisine that marries Chinese and Malay flavors, and a material culture of architecture and everyday objects that reflect both worlds.

From Screen to Street: A Cultural Homecoming

The popularity of The Little Nyonya laid emotional groundwork for the broader revival of Peranakan culture, making it more accessible and resonant across languages and borders.

Peranakan Reimagined builds on this emotional legacy by translating screen fiction into physical experience. Staged along the new Sensoryscape cultural thoroughfare in Sentosa, the exhibition uses immersive installations, projection art, and live performances to take visitors on a journey through memory and identity.

At its heart stands The Peranakan House, a 7.2-meter-tall installation inspired by traditional Peranakan homes. During the day, it evokes the pastel charm of bygone eras; by night, it transforms into a projection-mapped canvas that animates fragments of cultural memory. This duality between day and night echoes the layered hybridity that defines the Peranakan experience.

Another highlight, Field of Beaded Blooms at Tactile Trellis, features a glowing wall of 198 panels inspired by the intricate beadwork of kasut manek. At its center sits an oversized sculpture of beaded slippers — a tribute to the painstaking artistry and aesthetic devotion of Peranakan women.

Beyond Decorative Heritage

What sets this exhibition apart is its refusal to stop at decorative nostalgia. It delves deeper into heritage as lived and evolving practice. A prime example is the Kebaya Heritage Showcase at Sensoryscape Cable Car Station, which celebrates the inclusion of the kebaya in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2024.

The display features reimagined kebayas by four Singaporean designers who explore modern tailoring, textiles, and meaning in this traditional garment. Among them, the standout piece Kebaya Biku is a replica of the costume worn by the lead actress in the hit TV series Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story.

Culture is also explored through taste and touch. At Siloso Point Station, a 1.8-meter-tall tiffin carrier installation pays homage to traditional Nyonya cuisine. Weekend workshops invite visitors to try their hand at miniature clay dessert modeling and embroidery — making heritage a hands-on experience, not just a visual one.

A Rediscovery Journey for Chinese Tourists

With outbound tourism from China steadily recovering, Singapore has reemerged as a favorite destination. Following the implementation of mutual visa exemption in February 2024, the ease of travel has only increased. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, China was the top source market in 2024, accounting for over 18% of 16.5 million international arrivals. Chinese Data platforms also list Singapore among the top outbound destinations for China’s 2025 Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

But beyond logistics, what’s changing is the mindset. Chinese tourists are shifting away from retail-focused trips and toward more meaningful, culturally immersive experiences. Peranakan Reimagined offers a soft but layered entry point — less like a history lesson and more like a sensory patchwork of sound, color, flavor, and craft that invites visitors to linger, engage, and reflect.

For many Chinese visitors, this isn’t just travel — it’s a form of return. The Peranakan world feels at once foreign and familiar, distant yet intimate. Its beauty lies not in its exoticism, but in its quiet evocation of a shared, if fragmented, cultural memory.