Located in three newly restored shophouses
at the ethnic quarters of Chinatown, the Chinatown Heritage
Centre houses a wealth of memories and untold stories of how
Singapore’s early forefathers had settled in this area
after their perilous journey from afar.
Each level of the Centre takes you to a different time
in the history of Chinatown and allows you to trace the
lives of its early occupants. Life in the old days was very
simple and almost everyone lived in rented cubicles of shophouses.
Poverty, diseases and harsh living conditions were common
and widespread. The hard life of the migrants resulted in
many of them seeking solace in the four evils: opium smoking,
prostitution, gambling and secret societies. On a brighter
note, Chinatown, in its heyday, was always bustling with
life and activity. Traditional festivals of different races
were celebrated here, thus making Chinatown culturally vibrant
and unique.
Learn about this rich history through exhibits that relate
the real life stories of Chinatown's former residents. Get
a chance to see how each cubicle of a typical shophouse
was like in the past, as each has been skillfully re-created
based on the recollections of its former residents. This
personal touch enables you to relate to the core human spirit
and guarantees an enriching Gallery experience.
Guided tours of the Gallery are conducted on the hour.
While waiting for the tour to commence, do drop by at the
Centre’s Kopi Tiam (a traditional term for coffeeshop)
for an aromatic cup of coffee and local snack. Looking for
a memento of Chinatown? Select from a range of unique traditional
souvenirs such as hand-sewn Chinese quilted blankets, traditional
miniature sewing machines and clogs at the retail shop.
Open: 10am - 7pm (daily)
Admission: SGD 8 adults, SGD 4.80 children
Approximate Touring Time: 1.5 hours
Location: 48 Pagoda Street Singapore 059207
Getting There: Take the MRT to City Hall Station (EW13/NS25)
and take bus service no. 61, 80, 197 from North Bridge Road.
Click here to view MRT route map.
|
