Distance: 3.5 km.
Highlights:
- Historic Chinese temples and shrines.
- 19th century Chinese clans, associations and clubs.
- Vibrant street art.
- Traditional trades from the 20th century which have survived the test of time.
- Singapore City Gallery.
Description:
On this walking tour, we trace the footsteps of the early immigrants who left China in search of a better life in South-East Asia, and how they found their way to Singapore, built temples and formed clans to look after each other. We learn about how some prospered to become some of Asia’s richest men, whilst others slaved and died penniless without any next-of-kin to mourn them.
We’ll see where Chinese opera theatres, brothels, opium and gambling dens once thrived when the ratio of men to women was 14:1.
Through murals by local artist Yip Yew Chong, we sneak a peek at what life was like in 19th and 20th century Singapore.
Lunch will be at one of the oldest establishments in Singapore, before we continue our hunt for other traditional trades in Chinatown which have withstood the test of time.
We'll walk through a popular hawker food centre together, highlighting the must-tries, before ending the tour at Singapore City Gallery, where you'll be presented with an excellent overview of the development of Singapore.
