Chinatown Heritage Centre, Step back in time to the 19th-century immigrant life
48 Pagoda St Singapore 059207
3.9
Introduction
Before the British landed in Singapore in 1819, Chinese laborers had already begun planting betel nut and pepper. With the influx of more Chinese immigrants, Sir Stamford Raffles designated the area along the southwest bank of the Singapore River as the Chinatown. At the time, Singapore had no piped water, and so the only water source for the whole city was from wells at An Xiang Mountain and Serangoon Road, which were transported by ox-carts. Hence, the area became known as Chinatown.
Today, the Chinatown Heritage Centre is housed in a regular shophouse along Pagoda Street. It is a place that showcases the early life of Chinese immigrants. Since most of Singapore's Chinese immigrants came from three provinces - Fujian, Guangdong, and Hainan, the place is rich in southern Chinese culture. The museum is small with only three shops and reconstructed living quarters, but it is rich in content. It feels as though visitors have traveled back in time to the 19th century, experiencing the hardships that Chinese immigrants faced as they struggled to make a living. Address 48 Pagoda St Singapore 059207
Opening hours 9:00-20:00, last admission at 19:00.
Transportation The Purple and Blue lines of the subway, Chinatown.
We are eating at a Northeastern restaurant here
