EXPLORE THE GALLERIES

The Chinatown Heritage Centre houses a wealth of memories and untold stories of the past over 13 stations. The Chinatown Heritage Centre breathes the stories of the original tenants at 50 Pagoda Street, from the tailor and his apprentices, to the Samsui women and the coolies.

Please mouseover the stations (in consecutive order) to view more details. The stations are located on different levels of the centre.

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  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
    • Station 1 - Level 1
    Station 2 to 5 - Level 2
    Station 6 to 10 - Level 3
    Station 11 - Level 2
    Station 12 to 13 - Level 1

In the late 1800s, Chinese began arriving in Singapore in large numbers. They were drawn to 'Nanyang' (Southest Asia) because of the promise of jobs and a brighter future. Their hopes were to earn money for their families, and save up enough to return home.

More affluent than the other occupants in the building, the tailor had his own rooms - one held his family and the other, his apprentices. He had his own kitchen and an airwell. One can see from the living space that the line between work and family living is often blurred.

Behind the shop front lies the main workshop, where assistants carried out sewing, ironing and other miscellaneous work. This shop on the ground floor of the shophouse is a replica of the many tailor shops that used to line Pagoda Street.

Depending on the winds, it could take a few weeks to a few months to reach Singapore. Not surprisingly, due to very bad conditions onboard, many died even before they set foot here.

Many of the migrants (sinkheh) who came to this foreign land were of different dialect groups and they specialised in different trades.The wall of words, as shown on the right, showcases the roots of common surnames in China.

The need for mutual support and collective culture in a foreign land resulted in the emergence of clan associations. They were formed based on dialect groups, surnames, occupations or places of origin. The clan association was the centre of life for the migrants.

Life in early Singapore was lonely and hard. Many turned to drinking, gambling, brothels and opium-smoking to forget their troubles. Opium was the downfall of many as they lost everything to their addiction, including their dreams to return to China.

On this floor is an authentic recreation of the living quarters of unit 50, Pagoda Street.The cubicles were made so authentic that former residents could not believe their eyes when they stepped inside for the first time.

As the lives of the sinkheh prospered, so did Chinatown. This teahouse is a replica of Da Dong Tea House the way it used to be in the 1950s to 60s. It was a veritable landmark and has since reopened at the corner of Smith Street.

Chinatown is normally abuzz with life and colour during the festive seasons. Gods and legends are remembered and celebrated; stories of motherly sacrifice, filial piety, justice and retribution fill the days of the year.

Many different races were residing in the Chinatown area, making Chinatown culturally diverse and unique. Various places of worship were also located in close proximity to one another. These races learned to live in harmony with understanding and respect.

For auspicious occasions such as weddings and births, the goldsmith's jewllery is indispensable as gifts. Jade bangles were common amongst the older population and the tradition of giving daughter-in-laws five pieces of gold before the wedding still lives on.

Most sinkhehs died alone and unmarried. Many chose to live their last days in a 'death house' where the owner would take care of their funeral and burial.
Paper spouses like these were burnt in hope that the deceased gets a spouse in the after-life.

The 'shophouse' is unique to Singapore and parts of Malacca. Businesses were ran on the ground floor and families stayed on the floors above. There were as many as 8 cubicles on each floor and its tenants would share the kitchen, toilet and water facilities.

In the creation of the CHC, many early residents of Chinatown were interviewed. Ahead of you is what we call the Personalities Gallery. You will hear the personal stories told by a former samsui woman, hawker, dessert seller, seamstress, tailor and the son of philanthropist, Eu Tong Sen.