Chinatown

Chinatown was created on the recommendation of Sir Stamford Raffles, in 1828, and retains much of the architecture and a little of the atmosphere of old Singapore. Many old shophouses and many temples and other old buildings erected by the early immigrants remain. You can also see the towering structures of the Financial District dominating the skyline.

We took the MRT into Chinatown, (alighting at Tanjong Pagar)! We headed towards the Chinatown Complex, via Sago Street, which was once infamous for its 'Death Houses', where the terminally ill came to die. It is named after the many sago factories which used to operate here. Sago Street is filled with shops that peddle mainly Chinese goods, from lanterns and crockery to foodstuffs such as Chinese cakes.













On the corner of Sago Street there is Buddhist temple where we saw the morning prayer taking place. We had to wear a wrap to cover our bare shoulders, and thought we looked rather glam!After browsing the stalls in Sago Street, we went to the Chinatown Complex, which has one of the most boisterous wet markets in the city. We saw a bewildering variety of fresh produce on sale including fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, caged live frogs and huge eels. The air was pungent. Needless to say we didn't hang around for long!

We walked down streets filled with busy open air cafes, bars and shops. We also saw some very distinctive shophouse architecture, with the top overhanging floor being built entirely of timber. The shophouse is a memorable feature of the local architectural landscape.

We passed by the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. It was being renovated, so couldn't see the spectacularly colourful gopuram.

Whilst we were waiting to cross the road we spied another vegetarian restaurant, offering local Chinese cuisine. We had a lovely meal of 'mock' chicken and rice and 'mock' duck and noodles for a very reasonable price once again.

After lunch we made our way to the Thain Hock Keng Temple. This is the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore. Built on the site of a joss house, by Hokkien sailors, it was the place where seafarers gave thanks for a safe passage to Singapore. Today people give their thanks to Ma Zhu Po, the goddess of the sea.