CHINATOWN
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The history of Chinatown dates back to Singapore' s
founding as a trading port in 1819 by Sir Stanford Raffles. With a strategic location and
deep natural harbour, Singapore became a successful a free port which serve as a magnet
for new immigrants seeking their fortunes. The first junk-load of immigrants arrived at
the mouth of the Singapore River in 1821 from Xiamen, in the Fujian province of China.
These pioneers erected the original Thian Hock Keng Temple to thank the Goddess of the Sea
for their safe voyage, and to ask for continued fortune in their new homeland.
Chinatown became a place these Chinese immigrants called
home, while the nearby Singapore River became a place to find work. Conditions were harsh,
sanitation poor and gang crime rampant. The only source of fresh water was from the well
at Spring Street. Each household had to collect fresh water in bullock-drawn carts, hence
it derived Chinatown's local name: Niu Che Shui or bullock cart water (a literal English
translation of the three Chinese words). Many coolie workers from China, filled with hopes
of a better life, glorious and successful future found themselves living in abject
conditions. Opium, their favourite vice, made it difficult for them to pull themselves out
of the poverty pit. How ever, with much difficult conditions in China, the lure of a
promised land proved extremely inviting and there was always a steady flow of new
immigrants to Singapore. |
Chinatown Complex is a place to get wonderful food and
souvenirs. With old folks catching up on the morning' s gossip, one can view the restored
shop-houses of Sago Street here.
In the basement of the Complex is what the locals call
"wet-market" due to the fact that the floors are wet. There is an abundance of
fresh produce. If one is lucky, he or she can stumble upon stalls selling potent herbs and
exotic meats such as turtles, frogs and snakes. Be sure to ask the stall owners for some
exotic recipes, as they are equipped with the knowledge of preparing such meats.
On the upper level, one can find small units selling
everything, ranging f rom mahjong tiles to Chinese periodicals, CDs, computer games,
clothes and steelware. This is a wonderful place to buy traditional chinese clothings.
Footwear are sold cheaply and come in a great variety.
On the second floor on the Complex, there are many eating
stalls which boasts to be the best among the Singapore's stalls. This place is often
crowded and always bustling. The food is tasty, often spicy and affordable. The
disadvantages however, are that the place is hot and not really well ventilated, so one
may find smoke from the kitchen of the stalls billowing in his or her face.
| Painting of Chinatown when the settlers first came to Singapore |
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In Chinatown one might see a
different culture, and it is important to observe these cultures to show respect. Hence,
we have included some foot notes on Chinese Shop-houses one
would find at Chinatown.