The origin of the name 'Chinatown'
The local name of Chinatown - (牛车水; pinyin: Niúchēshuǐ), a literal conversion of “ox-cart water”, aroused from the fact that every household had t obtain fresh water from the wells in Ann Siang Hill and Spring Street, using bullock-drawn carts. Chinatown is divided into four main districts, - Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Pasoh, each distinctive in flavour. The Trengganu/Smith Streets area is the heart of Chinatown and is always buzzing with activities.
The Birth Of Chinatown
Singapore, as a new land for business, attracted many immigrants from China due to its bright business opportunities. The first Chinese junk that arrived from Xiamen,Fujian province in China expanded the original boundaries of this economically and culturally vibrant, self-contained town. As Singapore grew, the Chinese immigrants who settled in the other areas of the island city became overcrowded within decades of Singapore’s founding in 1819 and remained in this condition until many residents were relocated in the initiation of the government Housing Development Board in the 1960s.
The Effect of Diversity
The side of the Singapore River was appropriated for the Chinese, yet Raffles insisted that the different classes and provinces were concentrated in their various quarters.
A section called Chinatown was the result of Raffle’s plan, though it is only in 1843, the time when parcels of land were being leased or granted to the public, did Chinatown’s physical development begin.
Even today, the effects of diversity of Chinatown is still existing. Havelock Road, Telok Ayer Street, China Street and Chulia Street, is occupied mostly by the The Hokkiens [Fukiens]. Teochew merchants are usually found at Circular Road, River Valley road, Boat Quay and South Bridge Road. The Cantonese are scattered around South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, New Bridge Road and Bukit Pasoh Road.
A Cosmopolitan Atmosphere
Chinatown is the largest historical district in modern Singapore and it is an important and unique ethnic quarter. However,not all parts of Chinatown are Chinese. The Al Abrar Mosque along Telok Ayer Street, and the Jamae Mosque and Sri Mariamman Temple along South Bridge Road lay are the evidence of racial and religious atmosphere present in Singapore.
Origin Of Street Names
Pagoda Street
During the 1850s and 1800s,Pagoda Street was one of the streets that experienced the most slave traffic. Coolie quaters and opium dens were also present. Today's Pagoda Street's name is derived from the name from Sri Mariammam Temple. The trader who occupid Number 37, was Kwong Hup Yuen which Pagoda Street is often referred to today.
Mosque Street
Mosque Street is named after the Jamae Mosque, referred to by Muslims as Masjid Jamae (Chulia). It is located on the South Bridge Road. This street is known as kit ling bio pi in Hokkien, which means "beside the King's temple". The mosque was completed in 1830 by the Chulia Muslims from the Coromandel Coast of South India. In the early years, Mosque Street was the site of ten stables.
Sago Lane and Sago StreetIn the 1840s in Singapore,many Sago factories were located at where we call Sago Street and Sago Lane today. The Sago is extracted from the pith of the rumbia and it can be made into flour used for sweet and savoury cakes.
Smith Street
Smith Street is named after Sir Cecil Clementi Smith,the governor of The Straits Settlement from 1887 to 1893.
Temple Street
Temple Street refers to the Sri Mariamman Temple,located at the South Bridge Road at the end of the street. It was formerly named Almeida Street after Joaquim d'Almeida, the son of José D'Almeida, the owner of land at Temple Street and Trengganu Street. In 1908, the Municipal Commissioners changed its name to Temple Street so that the citizens would not be confused by the other streets in Singapore which were also named after D'Almeida.
Trengganu Street
This street was formally described as the "Picadilly of Chinese Singapore" and it is now situated at the tourist belt in Chinatown. In chinese, it is known as gu chia chui wah koi, or "the cross street of Kreta Ayer". The crossing of streets refers to Smith Street and Sago streets.
China Street Images of Chinatown during the Chinese New Year season
Dried sausages in a Chinatown shop
Brightly lit streets of Chinatown
Many Singaporeans patronise Chinatown despite the crowds for Chinese New Year decorations
The sliced barbequed pork, a favourite during the Chinese New Year season