The Chinatown Heritage Centre is housed in three old shophouses in the heart of this historic precinct of Singapore. Each of the terraced structures is three storeys high. One of the galleries at Number 48 has been updated from showing the living area of a typical Chinese settler family to that of the former residents, the Kong family.
Other highlights in the remaining five galleries are a recreated tailor’s shop and an interactive device giving Chinese visitors the means of tracing the origins of their surnames. Tailor’s shops were a staple on Pagoda Street in the middle of the 20th century and the one at the centre has been lovingly created using old photographs as a reference.
Exhibits including a replica Chinese junk illustrate the trials and tribulations of the journey to Singapore of the original settlers. Opium paraphernalia, tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes and a collection of herbal medicines and Chinese spices add to the original aroma and atmosphere of the zone in yesteryear.
The overland journey from Bangkok to Singapore is an essential Southeast Asian trip. Travellers have the choice of train or bus and 12GO ASIA is a convenient outlet for tickets covering the different sectors of the trip.
Singapore Chinatown Heritage Centre reopens after makeover
News in Asia
Singapore’s Chinese heritage centre reopened late last week after receiving a major revamp. The process of renovating and updating the exhibits and displays at the Chinatown memorabilia museum at 48 Pagoda Street began in late 2014.