Heritage tours to Chinatown

As a parent volunteer in a pri school that is near my place, I followed the students for a heritage tour to Chinatown yesterday morning. The tour is conducted by a very experienced STB tour guide Mrs May. Her interesting commentaries made the tour really informative and I was surprised that being a Singaporean I didnt even know of such places and some of the things shared. It was really an eye opener for me. Though we walked for nearly 3 hours from Telok Ayer, Amoy Street, Ann Siang Hill to Pagoda street, Chinatown, I enjoyed myself admidst the hot scorching sun and tired feets. If given a chance, would like to bring my kids to experience such tours.

Unfortunately, I rushed out in the morning and forgot all abt my camera so dont have any photos to put in the blog.

Some of the interesting facts shared are :

1. Tan Thiam Hock temple is built without any nails. The whole structure is built so precisely on top of each other (just like lego blocks)

2. The 1st ACS school is along Amoy Street. The badge and the name is still at the shophouse and preserved but too bad , now is sold off to a PUB

3. Along Chinatown NE Line exit , we went to the shophouses which used to be an opium den and the coolie squarters.

4. At Telok Ayer Gardens (opp Hokkien Huay Kuay), there are those iron scupltures displaying the olden days lifestyles like the indian milk man, the old junk boat etc

5. We went into the Lee Clan Association where they still use blackboard and chalk for their announcement and there is an airwell in the centre of the hall for ventilation.

6. At the indian temple in Chinatown, the guide explained that the mango leaves symbolises welcome and to walk of evil and the leaves that are shaped like spears are to ward off evil. The banana leaves outside the temple symbolises that a special event is coming up. Apparently , today is Taipusum Festival .

Many many other interesting stuff shared...