Attraction:
Colonial Singapore
Around Bugis Street
Bugis Street, a crowded place
that represents the quality of night bazar. Many pubs, bars,
alfresco restaurants, and street markets open to entertain
visitors every night until 3 a.m. or until the last customer
leaves. Bugis Street is another highlight of Singapore having a
carnival-liked atmosphere and trishaw service to attract people.
It is worth a visit if you don't go to bed too early.
New Bugis
Street
Before the arrival of British
and American forces from Vietnam War, Bugis Street was infamous
but after those foreigners stationed here everything has changed
since then.
Today, many alfresco pubs,
bars, restaurants, street markets, and street theatres are
launched in Bugis Street. Noises of chatting, shouting for
customers can be clearly heard after the sunset. It is a sort of
night bazzar that welcomes all people of different races and
religions. Some people go there for imitated watches of
luxurious brand. So to speak, many fake products are sold there
throughout the night.
The vivid highlight in the past
on Bugis Street was but a promenade of Drag Queens (prostitutes)
who marched through the crowd with sparkling dresses. They liked
themselves photo taken and always teased some men as they walk
by. Bad luck for them as Bugis Street was demolished during the
construction of the MTR. Nowadays, New Bugis Street is located
south-west to the MRT station. Although Drag Queens were the
symbol and highlight of Bugis Street, nevertheless, other
aforementioned attractions still lie here in the night.
Kuan Yin Temple
Kuan Yin is the famous Chinese
goddess, yet originally called "Kwan Im." Goddess Kuan
Yin is a very virtuous deity as she helps those in their rainy
days according to the myth told generation by generation. Kuan
Yin Temple is on Waterloo Street and rated as one of the most
famous Chinese temples in Singapore.
The original Kuan Yin Temple
was constructed in 1884 and was later reconstructed in 1982.
Inside the temple you can see lots of statues of Chinese
deities, including the smoke of burning candles and joss-sticks
that may jerk your tears. Nevertheless, it's worth the visit
once in a lifetime as you can learn more about the Chinese
tradition and belief that go through asking for assistance,
auspicious date for marriage, lucky number to win lottery, and
etc. These things might sound silly for some people, on the
other hand, it is truly believed by those whose faith is
unchangeable. Surely, the statues of gods cannot reply by saying
but by the believers shaking the circular bamboo box with half a
hundred of thin sticks in which each of them have was marked the
distinctive numbers. When a stick falls out, the number on it
will lead you to get the small piece of paper that provides the
prediction.
In addition, there are
fortunetellers and flower-sellers stay in front of the temples.
They are also counted as attractions for visitors as well as the
temple itself.
Sri Krishna Temple
A few minutes by walk to the
west away from Kuan Yin Temple stands Sri Krishna Temple. This
Hindu Temple normally gets lots of Hindu worshippers, but
surprisingly attracts more worshippers from Kuan Yin Temple.
Lord Krishna is believed to be the 8th reincarnation of Vishnu,
a very well-known god of Hinduism.
Sri Krishna Temple is decorated
with Hindu gorgeous ornaments along the roofline while other
parts are simple. Visitors must take their shoes off before
stepping inside.
Maghain Aboth Synagogue
This Victorian synagogue was
constructed in 1878 and located on Waterloo Street. It is the
oldest surviving place of worship established by Jewish
community in Singapore.
Maghain Aboth Synagogue's
architectural design derived from the late Renaissance in
Britain. The building features a series of Palladian arcades,
with marble floors, the doorways decorated with arches, and
spectacular teak and rattan pews.
Maghain Aboth Synagogue was
gazetted by the Preservation of Monuments Board on 27 February
1998.
Church of St. Peter and Paul
The Church of St. Peter and
Paul was constructed in 1870 as of the result in the growing
numbers of membership of Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. It was
designed by Father Pierre Paris who put two statues of saints
over the façade. The bells still ring out on Sunday mornings as
always.
Singapore Art Museum
Singapore Art Museum (SAM) was
redesigned in the Roman classical architectural style by French
Catholic priests in the 19th and early 20th centuries as its
previous building was St Joseph's Institution. Singapore Art
Museum can be ranked as one of the top art museums consisted of
international standard museum facilities in Asia.
Within 1996, the Singapore Art
Museum has opened for a comprehensive two-component exhibition
on Themes in Southeast Asian Art and A Century of Art in
Singapore; an outdoor exhibition of the works of sculptor Carl
Milles; a co-operated exhibition of Singapore and Australian
artists titled "Rappots;" an exhibition of Arthur
Tress's photographic works; an exhibition of Singapore artist
named Thomas Yeo; and a four-month long blockbuster exhibition
featuring 58 artworks from the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum in
New York.
After that a short while, the
museum gained credibility because of those exhibitions held in
1996. Moreover, during its first years, other grand exhibitions
were arranged such as;
1. Leonardo da Vinci -
Scientist-Inventor-Artist
2. Tryst with Destiny - Art in Independent India
3. German Art - 1960s to 1970s
4. The Origins of Modern Art in France
5. Monet to Moore - Millennium Gift of The Sara Lee Corporation
In 2000, Singapore Art Museum
arranged its 1st traveling exhibition called "Diobok-Obok"
throughout various international venues as to spread its name to
be known wider and better. And in order to promote the
appreciation of art, the Singapore Art Museum opened public and
educational programmes which cover varieties of methods to
appreciate arts such as activities, public lectures, and
practices.
Location of Singapore Art
Museum:
71 Bras Basah Road,
Singapore 189555
Tel: 332-3215 -
Fax: 334-7919
All Attractions in Colonial
Singapore
Empress Place
| The
Padang | The
Esplanade | Around
the Raffles | Around Bugis Street
| City
Center | Fort
Canning | Marina
Center
This article is authored and
copyrighted by
Royal Exclusive Travel
|