Located near the Equator, Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-cultural society. The people here consists of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian and others. There are places characterized with a specific ethnic groups. If a visitor wishes to immerse himself in Singapore Chinese culture, Kreta Ayer is the place for him to head.
Kreta Ayer started to take its shape in the early nineteen century when the Chinese immigrants flock in from mainland China due to the hardship and poverty in their hometown. The Chinese immigrants risked their lives to cross the South China Sea to Nanyang (South East Asia) using junk boat to look for a fortune. These immigrants came with a hope that one day they might return to their hometown with great fortunes.
As Kreta Ayer was situated at the mouth of Singapore River, it became the main landing point for the Chinese immigrants. Sir Stamford Raffles designated the land at the south west of Singapore River for Chinese accommodation.
Most of the immigrants are employed as a coolie through coolie agents. They rendered their services at both Boat Quay and Clarke Quay by the Singapore River. At that time, the economy was booming because of the entreport, the Keppel Port.
Due to huge influx of the Chinese immigrants, the population increased from 100,000 in 1871 to half a million in 1931.
Over the years, Kreta Ayer underwent the transformation and evolution to be the hub of business, restaurant, shop, theatre, worker quarter and even brothel.
Nowadays, after more that a century evolution, Kreta Ayer is still a booming Chinatown. It is haraterized by its well preserved traditional old shop houses, complexes selling products
from China, Chinese architecture and temples.
Pagoda Street is designated to be night market street. You may find Chinese caligraphy, painting, Chinese cuisines, souvenirs etc here. The second batch Chinese immigrants (those who came to Singapore in the eighties onwards) like to visit this place during weekend.
There are about 8 hotels available in the vicinity of downtown Kreta Ayer. Most of them are located at Keong Saik Street, about 5 minutes walk from Pagoda Street MRT station. Those hotels are New Majestic Hotel, Keong Saik Hotel, Royal Peacock Hotel, Hotel 81 Cosy, Chinatown Hotel, Tropical Hotel, Hotel 1929. The backpacker may stay at Fernloft Traveler Resthouse.
The Singapore Government has designated Kreta Ayer as one of the key tourist spot. During Chinese New Year and Mid Autumn Festival, the streets will be strung with lights and decoration.
The Mid Autumn Fesitval for the Year 2008 is just around the corner. Kreta Ayer being the traditional chinatown, has launched its celebration programme since one week ago. You may see the
portal across the main street, Eu Tong Seng Street. For the visitors who are interested in Chinese culture, you may try some mooncake sold at Pagoda Street.
Kreta Ayer no doubt has high concentration of Chinese. However, there are other ethnic historical sites like muslim Jamae Chulia Mosque and Indian Sri Mariamman Temple at the South Bridge Road. These historical sites integrated themselves harmoniously with the Chinese neighbourhood.
Other historical sites include Thian Hock Kong Temple, Chinatown Heritage Centre at 48 Pagoda Street, Singapore City Gallery etc.
Visitors who love to do shopping can go to Pearl Centre, People's Park Centre, Chinatown Point and the Pagoda Street (night street).
Kreta Ayer is not short of Chinese cuisines like Hong Kong Dim Sum, Char Koay Teow, Yong Tau Foo (beancurd), vegetarian foods, Herbal food etc.
A visit to Kreta Ayer will bring a visitor to a totally different experience of a tropical chinatown blended with other cultures.
This article is written by Chai Yong of http://www.temasekmap.com which is on "Travel Guide of Singapore Batam Bintan Johor" and related maps. |
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1486893
No comments:
Post a Comment