CHINATOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT

The Historic District of Chinatown comprises four distinct sub-districts: Telok Ayer, Kreta Ayer, Bukit Pasoh and . This guide introduces the history and character of the area and explains its growth from the 1820s, when it began as the first settlement of immigrants from southern China and southern LEGEND , until the immediate post-World War II period. Together with the other precincts KRETA AYER MRT STATION south of the River, they made up what was known colloquially NE4 DT19 as the Greater Town (or Da Po, 大坡) of Singapore. Because of its CHINATOWN WASHROOM architectural, historical and social importance, the area was CAR PARK given conservation status on 7 July 1989. A 1 2 A. PEOPLE’S PARK COMPLEX Take a walk and learn why this area is B. cherished by so many Singaporeans! B C. CHINATOWN HERITAGE CENTRE NE4 DT19 CHINATOWN D. KRETA AYER PEOPLE’S THEATER BUKIT PASOH 3 E. BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE C F. MAXWELL FOOD CENTRE 15 G. SINGAPORE CITY GALLERY EW16 NE3 TS17 OUTRAM PARK 17 16 H. RED DOT DESIGN MUSEUM D 6 19 7 4 20 E 5 18 8 22 23 TO CHINA SQUARE TO BLAIR PLAIN 21 CONSERVATION AREA CONSERVATION AREA F 9 DT18 24 TELOK AYER G 25 11 10 13 12 TANJONG PAGAR H TELOK AYER

More information on Singapore’s 14 built heritage can be found on EW15 A joint project by TANJONG PAGAR EW15 26 TANJONG PAGAR SCAN HERE! The origin of Chinatown is linked to Sir . In 1822, he formed a Town Planning Hokkiens formed the majority, followed by the Teochews, , Hainanese, Hakkas and Foochows. Committee to plan Singapore Town according to ethnic groups. The area south of the was The South Indians also found their niche in this area, though subsequently the centre of Indian commercial allocated by sectors to Chinese and Indian immigrants of the same provincial origin and language groups. and cultural life moved to Road. Each group has left its mark on street names and places of The Chinese immigrants came mostly from the south-eastern coastal provinces of China. worship.

COURTESY OF NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE, NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD The of 1822. View of Kreta Ayer from Pearl’s Hill in the early 1860s. Chinatown in 1970 with in the foreground. The Chinatown in 2010. Most of Chinatown’s conserved The gopuram of Sri Mariamman Temple at South Bridge low-rise were overcrowded and dilapidated due buildings have been restored to their former glory. Road is visible. at Telok Ayer was still to decades of neglect. undeveloped.

THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLES OF SHOPHOUSES Chinatown’s shophouses can be grouped into six general styles. The styles are roughly chronological and are the result of changing economic and technological circumstances, tastes and fashions. TRANSITIONAL TRANSITIONAL ND ST EARLY (1840 - 1900) EARLY (1900 - 1940) LATE 2 (1930 - 1960) DECO ART (1950 - 1970) MODERN 1 9 120 21 10 Stanley Street 30 Bukit Pasoh Road 285 • Low, two storeys with minimal • Taller and more decorated • Highly decorated • Combination of the Chinese • Geometric designs and pre-cast • Functional and simple as a plaster ornamentation in a Chinese style due to • Due to an increase in and European styles elements used reflection of the post-war • Locally-sourced construction the influx of skilled labour exposure to European • Simpler than the Late-style • Special emphasis given to situation materials used and rising affluence tastes and fashion of the and more streamlined street corners with the year • Industrial materials like steel • Usually one or two timber • Usually two windows on time, ornaments used • The third floor was often of the building’s construction and reinforced concrete used windows on the upper storey the upper storey façade include moulded plaster added on to an existing usually displayed on the façade • Common features include façade festoons and imported two-storey building thin sunshade fins and air hand-painted tiles vents that are both functional • Usually three windows on as well as decorative the upper storey façade for maximum ventilation The Malay name Kreta Ayer (or Niu Che Shui, 牛车水) comes from the ox-drawn water carts that used to deliver water to the area. In the 19th century, this predominantly Cantonese area was known for round-the-clock entertainment with a concentration of teahouses, opera theatres and brothels. Today it is best known for its and Mid-Autumn celebrations, street market and bustling atmosphere.

Former Great Southern Hotel 旧南天大酒店 Former Majestic Theater 旧大华大戏院 FORMER S.I.T. GOVERNMENT QUARTERS 1 70 2 80 Eu Tong Sen Street 3 42 to 50 , 175 to 189 New Bridge This former hotel was designed by architectural firm This was originally a house built by Road and 38 to 64 Upper Swan & Maclaren and was once regarded as the Raffles philanthropist Eu Tong Sen in 1927 for his wife after The predecessor to the Housing and Development Board Hotel of Chinatown. Popular with high society including she was reportedly refused admittance to an opera was the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT), set up in 1927 celebrities from and China, it was once the performance elsewhere. A highlight of this Art Deco by the colonial government to solve Singapore’s chronic tallest building in the area and was the first Chinese hotel building is its decorated façade of hand-painted tiles housing problems. These four-storey reinforced concrete in Singapore to boast a lift service. depicting opera characters and flying dragons. buildings were built in the 1930s to house Customs workers. Take a close look at the timber parapet behind each window; on each are two heart-shaped cut outs.

PHOTO CREDIT: LIEW TONG LENG JAMAE (CHULIA) MOSQUE Sri Mariamman Temple Former Coolie Quarters Former Lai Chun Yuen 旧梨春园 4 மஸ்玿鏍 ஜாமிஆ (毂லியா) 5 ஸ்ரீ மா쎿யம்ꟍ க�ோவி쯍 6 37 7 25 218 242 South Bridge Road Most coolies came from southern Built in 1887, this three-storey former theatre One of the oldest mosques in Singapore, Established in 1827, this is Singapore’s China in search of better job building with unique cantilevering wooden Jamae Mosque was completed in 1835 oldest Hindu temple. It was founded prospects but upon arrival were balconies was the centre of entertainment in Kreta by the Chulias who hailed from southern by Narayana Pillay, the Tamil pioneer sold off as indentured labourers. Ayer until it was badly damaged during World War India’s Coromandel Coast. It boasts an who accompanied Raffles to Singapore. Those who were not immediately II. Its popularity was such that surrounding streets eclectic mix of Chinese, Anglo-Indian and The temple is dedicated to the goddess auctioned off were kept in cramped were colloquially named after the theatre itself; Malay architecture, of which the most Mariamman and the original statue of the and sordid quarters. This Smith Street was Theater Street, Temple Street significant feature is its South Indian style deity installed by Pillay still stands in its is believed to be the former was Theater Rear Street, and Trengganu Street was front entrance comprising of two minarets principal shrine. This temple gave name to premises of Kwong Hup Yuen, one Theater Side Street. flanking a miniature palace façade. It was Temple Street and Pagoda Street, and was of the most infamous coolie firms.

gazetted in 1974 as a National Monument. gazetted as a National Monument in 1973. AYER KRETA Telok Ayer, Malay for Water Bay, is the oldest sub-district. It started to develop in the 1820s and remained as the key Chinese commercial district until the late 19th century. The population in this area was predominantly . The area is often associated with the laid-back atmosphere of Ann Siang Hill, and the religious buildings along Telok Ayer Street.

EU YAN SANG 余仁生 Clan and Trade Associations SianG Cho KeOng 仙祖宫 8 267 to 271 South Bridge Road 9 Ann Siang Road and 10 66 Amoy Street Built in 1910, this is the first Eu Yan Clan and trade associations were important institutions for mutual This temple was completed in 1869 and built Sang outlet in Singapore set up by Eu assistance in 19th and early 20th century Singapore as they helped new in the Hokkien style, where the ends of the Tong Sen. Besides dealing in the immigrants from China settle down and looked after their welfare. Along curved roof ridge sweeps outwards like swallow of traditional Chinese medicine, it used Ann Siang Road and Club Street are numerous clan and trade associations tails and the clay roof tiles are not glazed. Its to offer money remittance services to where stepping into one, time seems to stand still. Some still retain their foundation plaque records that it was located China. The building was designed by meeting halls filled with portraits of members from the past and century- on this site because of its good feng shui Alfred Bidwell from the firm Swan & old furniture. Some of these associations can be found at 17 (Ching Yoon (geomancy) properties as it used to front the Maclaren. He was also responsible for Wooi Kwoon) and 25 (Kwong Wai Siew Li Si She Shut) Ann Siang Road, and sea and behind it stands Ann Siang Hill. the design of the Raffles Hotel and 84 Club Street (Nam Sun Wui Kun). Victoria Memorial Hall.

Nagore Dargah Indian 天福宫 Al-Abrar Mosque TELOK AYER CHINESE 11 Muslim Heritage Centre 12 158 Telok Ayer Street 13 அ쯍-அப்ர쏍 14 METHODIST CHURCH நா埂쏍 தர்க இந்தய This is one of Singapore’s oldest and பள்쾿வாச쯍 卫理公会直落亚逸礼拜堂 믁ஸ்லி மரꯁடைமை most important temple for immigrants 192 Telok Ayer Street 235 Telok Ayer Street நிலையம from southern China’s Fujian province. Also known as Kuchu Palli, Tamil for Designed by Swan & Maclaren and built 140 Telok Ayer Street Completed in 1842 and standing on Mosque Hut, it was originally a thatched by a French firm, Bross & Mogin in 1924, what used to be the shoreline, it is Originally known as Shahul Hamid hut believed to have been erected not this was the first Chinese Methodist dedicated to the worship of Ma Zu Po, long after 1827. The present building Church in Singapore. It features upturned Durgha and dedicated to the memory the Goddess of the Sea. While most of of a holy man, Shahul Hamid of Nagore, was built between 1850 and 1855 and roof eaves; a reference to traditional the building materials came from China, declared a National Monument in 1974. Chinese architecture and the community the former shrine was built by Chulias the temple incorporates cast-iron railings from southern India between 1828 and Unlike the Jamae Mosque along South that it serves. In 1989, the church was from Scotland and tiles from England Bridge Road, this mosque is able to gazetted as a National Monument. 1830. On the upper part of the façade are and Holland. In 1973, it was gazetted as niches, where oil lamps can be placed conform to the street grid while facing a National Monument. Its restoration in Mecca. within them to illuminate the building 2001 gained an honorable mention from on festive days. It was gazetted as a UNESCO.

National Monument in 1974. AYER TELOK Bukit Pasoh was developed at the turn of the 20th century as an extension of the already densely populated Telok Ayer and Kreta Ayer areas. Its name means Pot Hill in Malay, referring to its origins as a place where earthen pots were made. Its charm lies in its gently sloping and curving streets fronted by shophouses that house a mixture of institutional and commercial activities.

Poon Yue Association 番禺会馆 Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple Kong Chow Wui Koon 冈州会馆 15 281 New Bridge Road 16 ஸ்ரீ லயꟍ சித்த விநாயக쏍 க�ோயி쯍 17 321 New Bridge Road 73 The association was founded in This Hindu temple was built This Cantonese clan 1879 at with in 1925 by Nattukkottai association was established financial assistance from Hoo Ah Chettiars, a noted money in 1839 at Upper Chin Chew Kay, a well-known community lending community from Street and moved in 1924 leader from Whampoa district Tamil Nadu and dedicated to the present building, in province. The to Ganesha, the elephant- designed by Westerhout & association relocated to New headed god. It is an important Oman. During the Japanese Bridge Road in 1917. The stop for the annual Silver Occupation, the custodians building is a hybrid of Neo- Chariot Procession where volunteered the building Classical and Art Deco styles the deity Murugan is taken as a clinic and hence its which were popular with on a procession from the Sri antique interiors remained Chinese developers in the Thendayuthapani Temple in intact. The association is past who wanted to project Tank Road. The temple was well known for its lion dance a modern image. To the given the name Layan Sithi troupe and martial arts. This Chinese, New Bridge Road was as it was originally located is one of Chinatown’s first colloquially referred to as Da Po at the old Sepoy Lines where community museums and Er Ma Lu, Mandarin for Greater Indian soldiers, known as entry is free. Town’s Second Road. The first Sepoys, used to be housed. road referred to in this instance was South Bridge Road.

Cundhi Gong 準提宫 Ee Hoe Hean Club 怡和轩俱乐部 Chin Kang Huay Kuan 晋江会馆 18 13 Keong Saik Road 19 43 Bukit Pasoh Road 20 29 Bukit Pasoh Road The club was founded in This association was established in 1895 by a group of Hokkien 1918 by immigrants from Jinjiang community leaders for County in southern Fujian, China. the wealthy Chinese elite. The current building contrasts with More than a social and its ornately decorated neighbours. business club, its members The use of straight lines, concrete were actively involved in ledges and mild steel framed the political development windows is typical of the Modern of China in the early 20th style that was popular from the century. It supported the 1950s to the early 1970s. During 1911 Xinhai Revolution which World War II, the building was used overthrew the Qing Dynasty, by the Overseas Chinese General leading to the establishment Mobilisation Council which helped of the Republic of China. the British in supplying labourers During World War II, it was and volunteers for the defence of the headquarters of the anti- Singapore. This was founded in 1928 for the worship of the 18- Japanese China Salvation arm Cundhi Bodhisattva. It is a purpose-built temple Movement in Southeast Asia. built in the Nanyang style which is a hybrid between The ground floor Pioneers’ Chinese and shophouse architecture. On the roof Gallery is open for visit and ridge, cut porcelain pieces are used to form dragons, entry is free. phoenixes, birds and flowers. The timber trusses over the five-foot way feature traditional paintings and its

exterior walls are adorned with hand-painted tiles. BUKIT PASOH Tanjong Pagar in Malay means Cape of Stakes, a name which reflects its origin as the site of a fishing village. It was with the opening of docks nearby in the mid-19th century that accelerated the development of the area due to its location between the docks and town. Today, the area is popular with eateries, entertainment joints and wedding boutiques.

BEFORE AFTER Former Eng Aun Tong 旧永安堂 9 Jinrikisha Station 人力车站 21 89 Neil Road 22 23 1 Neil Road Eng Aun Tong (Hall of Everlasting Peace) was built by Between 1987 and 1988, 32 dilapidated shophouses of The building was built in 1903 by the Municipal Council Aw Boon Haw in the 1920s as a factory to produce the a hybrid Hokkien-Teochew style were restored by the as the administration centre for rickshaws, a form of internationally renowned Tiger Balm. This is one of the Urban Redevelopment Authority. This was the first ever transportation imported from Japan via Shanghai in the few flat roofed buildings from before World War II. On project undertaken by the government to demonstrate 1880s. It is of the Edwardian style, where the exposed the roof is a six-sided pavilion, a reference to the six- to the private sector that it was technically possible brickwork is contrasted with white plaster mouldings. sided glass bottle that Tiger Balm is sold in. and commercially viable to restore Singapore’s heritage Look out for the crest of the Municipal Council at the buildings to their former glory. The first unit to be restored front of the building, featuring a lion standing on an was 9 Neil Road and converted into a teahouse which island with a palm tree. hosted Queen Elizabeth II on her State visit in 1989.

Former Jing Hwa Cinema 旧金华戏院 Murray Terrace Former Custom House 24 1 Tanjong Pagar Road 25 2 to 28 Murray Street 26 32 Maxwell Road Together with the Majestic and the Oriental, Jing Hwa Built in 1929, this Art Deco streetblock has exposed This Neo-Classical style building with unique sun-ray Cinema, built in 1958, was one of Chinatown’s three brickwork and unique lion head rain spouts. In 1977, moulded panels and staggered corner was built in 1932 famous cinemas. It was designed by local architect instead of urban renewal through demolition and to house the Department of Customs and Excise, Film Wong Foo Nam in the Modern style and was the first to rebuilding, the Urban Redevelopment Authority Censor’s Office and Maxwell Road Post Office. When the have a basement carpark and extensive floor-to-ceiling pioneered the rehabilitation of the then State- Singapore Customs moved out in 1989, it was put to windows. It is remembered fondly by many as the owned property for adaptive reuse. Along with other commercial use and renamed the White House, a name venue of romantic first dates and holiday treats. rehabilitation projects at Tudor Court and Emerald Hill, many Singaporeans still remember the building by. these buildings were the forerunners of Singapore’s

conservation programme that was to start in 1989. PAGAR TANJONG