Chinatown in Singapore starts from about the year 1821, when China’s first ship junk arrived from Xiamen, Fujian province in China. The passengers all men, and then build a house in the south of Singapore River, which is now known as Telok Ayer. Chinatown’s name in the local tongue – Niu Che Shui (Water Buffalo Railway) came from the situation at that time, which should take fresh water from wells in the Ann Siang Hill and Spring Street, using oxen-drawn carriage.
However, not all parts of Chinatown inhabited by people of China. Al Abrar Mosque at Telok Ayer Street, and Jamae Mosque and Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road becomes a real witness to an atmosphere of racial and religious harmony in Singapore.
For us foreigners it is shopping heaven and even though my mom and Tannie Koekie said that they were doing all their shopping in Thailand because it is cheaper and then only doing sightseeing in Singapore, it was not to be...
In fact it lasted about five minutes, seeing that our guest house was conveniently situated in racecourse road which is famous for their Chinese stone merchants. Once we hit Chinatown the spree continued.
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