3D Blog - Chinatown Complex

A group of senior citizens playing "dum" ("draught" or "checker") at the Chinatown Complex. They were engrossed in this game for almost an hour, despite distraction from the loud blasting amplifier from the public karaoke performance in the nearby.

Source: streetdirectory.com

The above map indicate the location of the Chinatown Complex with a thumbnail photo of the building and marked with a red star. The "Walk the blog" journey through Chinatown.

The following black & white photos of Sago Street in the same place in Chinatown over 50 years ago. Now, the "Festive Street Bazaar" covered the streets of this enclave in Chinatown from Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Temple Street and Smith Street. thronging with shoppers and the vendors of festive delicacies and traditional Chinese New Year decorations.

Sago Street circ 1950. Source: National Archives of Singapore (NAS).

Sago Street circ 1950. Source: National Archives of Singapore (NAS).

The simple, no-frill decoration with written scrolls, "Wishing Happy New Year" (right) and "All kinds of candies and goodies from Europe" (left) on the push-cart stall. The same on a little street of Chinatown in Singapore in the 1950s during Chinese New Year shopping then and now. "Same Place. Different Times. Different Lifestyle".

Sago Street circ 1950. Source: National Archives of Singapore (NAS).

Sago Street circ 1950. Source: National Archives of Singapore (NAS).

Photo Credit: Robert Steiner

Photo Credit: Robert Steiner

Photo Credit: Robert Steiner

Photo Credit: Robert Steiner

Source: Google Map.

Source: Google Map.

Source: Google Map.

A relaxed lady busker performing karaoke in Mandarin or Hokkien songs at the entrance of Chinatown Complex.

It’s that time of the year! Heritage TV brings you to Chinatown, a place at it’s most colourful and busiest during this festive season. What’s the story behind the word ‘niu che shui’ here .

Please meet Mr Victor Yue , Resident of Chinatown and Chinatown's Greatest Fan.

Interview stories of Chinatown at Chinatown Singapore:

Mr. Yue was born in Chinatown, grew up in Chinatown and got married in Chinatown. He is passionate about heritage, events and happenings in Chinatown and helps to promote various aspects of Chinatown in his own unique ways using English as a platform to reach out to different people. He actively maintains a blog titled 'bullockcartwater', where he uploads the photos and videos that he takes at various events. His blog was even mentioned in the Prime Minister's National Day Rally speech in 2005! It is very interesting to talk to Mr Yue and hear of his memories of growing up in Chinatown, and of what he knows about the Chinatown of today.