Footsteps of Our Forefathers: A Chinatown Heritage Walk
The tour lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes
Available in English
Description
Join me on this Chinatown walking tour, where we will trace the footsteps of our forefathers.
We begin at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Centre, visiting the City Gallery to admire the city model and get an overview of Singapore’s urban landscape. We’ll then explore Singapore’s history, starting with Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in 1819.
Next, we visit St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital, which provided care to impoverished women and children in the early 1900s.
From there, we walk along Erskine Road, admiring the conserved shophouses. I’ll explain the significance of the five-foot way, a unique feature once used by small businesses.
In Chinatown, we’ll see landmarks like the Statue of the Coolie at Smith Street, honoring past laborers. We’ll marvel at vibrant murals by local artist Yip Yew Chong on Temple Street. As we continue down South Bridge Road, we’ll pass Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. On Pagoda Street, we’ll stop at Unit 37, a former coolie house, and Unit 34, a former opium den, to glimpse early immigrant life.
Our tour concludes at Chinatown Complex, one of Singapore’s largest hawker centres. Here, I’ll introduce you to some of our famous street food, including Michelin-starred hawker dishes.
Come along on this journey through our history, heritage, and culture. I look forward to sharing Singapore’s stories with you!
Guide: Cecilia
Guiding since 2024PRO
Hello! My name is Cecilia, and I’m proud to be Singaporean. I’ve always had a passion for travel and have explored many countries over the years starting from 1987, where I embarked on a backpacking journey across Europe to work and travel for three incredible years in my youth. Upon returning, I spent over 20 years working in the travel industry, continuing to fuel my love for exploration. I have learnt so much about the unique cultures, histories, and heritage of different countries.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I took the opportunity to rediscover my own country. I joined local tours and nature walks, and to my delight, I found that Singapore is rich in history and heritage too. I am now a professional Singapore Tourism Board (STB) registered tour guide and I can’t wait to share the Singapore stories with you!
Footsteps of Our Forefathers: A Chinatown Heritage Walk
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