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Attraction:
China Town
Singapore's real core is but
Chinatown, where reminiscence of old days are stimulated under
the architectural style of buildings constructed and shaped by
Chinese immigrants.
Numerous buildings in Chinatown
have been demolished and renovated over these past thirty years.
Nevertheless, it is still an attractive place to foot around
though many of the original architectures have gone. It contains
some of Singapore's most famous temples and there are plenty of
restaurants and shopping centers.
Wak Hai Cheng
Bio Temple
Start your trip at Wak Hai Cheng
Bio Temple would be great. Just walk down Boat Quay Road, then
Lorong Telok Street and you will find this remarkable Chinese
temple. It was built between 1852 and 1855 by Teochew fisherman
in order to pay homage to supernatural spirits to protect
seafarers. There are traditional gateways that would lead you to
the courtyard where Chinese opera occasionally set to display
music along the religious festivals. On the roof the pictures of
mythological figures and human deities were drawn and painted
beautifully.
Telok Ayer
Street
Telok Ayer is a very important
street where many Chinese temples and clan offices are located.
The first settlers here are Hokkiens who brought in their
culture, food, customs, superstitions, festivals, and gods. They
also built Thian Hock Keng Temple in dedication of queen in
heaven; another place is Chong Wen Ke, the very first Chinese
school; and the Hokkien Huay Kuan Association, the first
original clan house in early Singapore.
As of the growth of immigrant
numbers flocked into Telok Ayer Street, it then became very
crowded and subsequently a center of various temples and
societies such as Fuk Tak Chi Temple; Hakka Clan House; Mosques;
Thian Hock Keng Temple; and Chinese Opera Art House.
Amoy Street
& Ann Siang Hill
A Chinatown's neighborhood where
resided by poor and elderly people together with shophouses
selling boutiques, wine, and other several things. Amoy Street
was named for the Hokien-Amoy who once lived there while Ann
Siang Hill was developed by Chia Ann Siang who opened many
shophouses and recreation centers to serve Chinese community.
Clan association has moved to Ann Siang Hill as of the crowd at
Telok Ayer Street. Most of the buildings in this area were
constructed between 1900 and 1940. If you would like to visit
Ann Siang Hill, a stop at the Beaujolias Wine Bar, Frothy Tea
Shop, and Lee Kun Store selling lion dance masks, is considered
worthwhile.
South Bridge
Road
South Bridge Road was constructed
in 1833 by Indian convicts. With the Indian convicts that once
were there to build the road, some of them have settled there
and built up Indian community which resulted in the construction
of Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple in 1823 but later was renovated.
If you would like to visit this temple, don't be surprised if
your shoes will be checked at the front door. Another Indian
place in that area is Jamae Mosque built in 1826 by Chulia
Indians. It was gazetted as a National Monument in 1974. And as
same as Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple, shoes must be checked at the
front door.
As always, Chinese people are
everywhere, including in this area evidenced by the Chinese
medical hall named Eu Yan Sang Medical Hall where Chinese
medicines are sold. It was built in 1910 by Eu Tong Sen, a
Chinese millionaire. Visitors are welcome to try a free glass of
ginseng tea, an extraordinary Chinese herb.
Location of Eu Yan Sang Medical
Hall: 267 South Bridge Road
Opening Hours: 08.30 - 18.00 daily except Sunday
Chinatown
Center
As the topic refers
"Chinatown Center," is the heart of old Chinatown,
especially the intersection of Trengganu and Smith Streets that
cover towers of Chinatown Complex and other several shopping
emporiums.
As of those new-invented
edifices make the town look modern, yet it still remains some
old traditional architecture and street life that depict
yesterday's pictures. Traveling in Chinatown Center is worth to
do as there are so many interesting places such as Sago Lane
where you can view redeveloped buildings and elderly people;
Sago Street, a street that once was a busy brothel district but
is now full of cafes, bakeries, and shops selling housewares;
Chinatown Complex is where you can go shopping and eat; Smith
Street, a street which shops selling household items are
located; Trengganu Street is the place where many remarkable
buildings are located, the most vivid one is Chinaman Scholar
Gallery at 14B Trengganu Street; Temple Street is the location
of old buildings constructed between 1900 and 1941; Pagoda
Street is used to be a place of slave trade until the arrival of
civilization in early 20th century, you can find many
motorbike-repair and trinket shops here; Mosque Street has been
a real home for Teochews from Fujian province who run cafes,
restaurants, and teahouses on the street; Great Southern Hotel
constructed in 1936 by Swan & MacLaren is on Eu Tong Sen
Street; Majestic Theatre is also the design of Swan &
MacLaren erected in 1927 by Eu Tong Sen, a millionaire; and
Thong Chai Medical Institution built in absolute Chinese style
in 1892 and has been gazetted as a National Monument in 1973.
Tanjong Pagar
Tanjong Pagar district derived
from its original being as a Malay fishing village. Tanjong
means "cape" and pagar means "fence."
Tanjong Pagar was developed much later than Chinatown. Today,
Tanjong Pagar district is full of nightclubs and bars open in
the evening yet the lack of street life does silence the
atmosphere. Anyway, still there are touring groups start walking
from Jinrickshaw Station to Tanjong Pagar, then Craig, and Neil
Roads before getting back to Chinatown.
This article is authored and
copyrighted by
Royal Exclusive Travel |