Image (C) XC Photography

Singapore Chinatown was originally designated for the Chinese by Stamford Raffles. This historical district of Chinatown is the cultural hub of the Chinese community in Singapore and is rich in Chinese heritage. It has four sub districts - Kreta Ayer,  Telok Ayer , Tanjong Pajar and Bukit Pasoh. It was given conservation status on 7 July 1989. You can get more information on the history of Singapore's Old Chinatown here.

• Kreta Ayer  – The name comes from ox-drawn carts that wre used to deliver water to the area. When you are in this area, look out for Sri Mariamman Temple at 242 South Bridge Road, Jamae Mosque on 218 South Bridge Road and 37 Pagoda Street.  Look out for the rich architecture buildings while you are here.
  
  
• Telok Ayer  – This place used to be the main Chinese commercial district in the late 1800’s. You may want to consider visiting Eu Yan Sang at 267 South Bridge Road. They are a famous Chinese medical hall which exports and retail a wide range of traditional Chinese herbs and medicines. Look out for one Singapore’s oldest temple (built between 1839 – 1842), Thian Hock Keng Temple on 158 Telok Ayer Street. You can also find Singapore’s first Chinese Methodist Church at 235 Telok Ayer Street. The building features a distinct Chinese pavilion on the roof with upturned eaves and its columns and beams reflect the art deco style.
  
  
• Tanjong Pagar – This place used to be a fishing village but was later turned into nutmeg plantations and fruit orchards in the 1800s.Though rickshaws is a thing of the past now, 1 Neil Road used to be Jinriksha station (built in 1903) that used to house rickshaws then. When rickshaws was replaced by trishaws in 1946, the building was used as a maternity and childcare center. Today this place is a karaoke lounge.
  
  
• Bukit Pasoh – This place today is a spot for residential, association and commercial activities. 140 Neil Road was the address of the first People Action’s Party (PAP) Branch here in Singapore. The PAP is Singapore’s ruling party and has governed Singapore to what it is today since 1959.

Size: 0.9 Sq km with an estimated 1600 residents and a total of 1,200 conservation buildings.

If you are planning to visit Singapore Chinatown, you can
a. download a free Chinatown Map here.
b. Online Singapore Chinatown Map

After your walks in Chinatown, stop by Chinatown Food Street for an alfresco meal. Try the various chinese cuisines and pastries here. If you are interested to learn more about the history of old chinatown, visit Chinatown Heritage Center at 48 Pagoda Street. More editorial write up on Chinatown Heritage Centre.

Place of Interest : There are many National Monuments here in Chinatown. Some of which includes;

• Jamae Mosque (1835)
• Sri Mariamman Temple(1843)
• Al-Abrar Mosque(1855)
• Nagore Durgha(1830)
• Thian Hock Keng Temple (1842)

Industrial: Situated in the CBD area, many advertising agencies and design firms seem to prefer conducting business here.

Other Informations in Chinatown