Chinatown

By : Ng Shang Yu

CHINATOWN

What comes into your head when you see this word? If you are thinking Chinese and traditional, you are correct. Sort of.

So, there are many chinatowns in the world, including one in Singapore. This place screams old fashioned and Chinese Singaporeans, from the shop houses to the night markets.

Singapore’s Chinatown is an ethnic neighbourhood featuring distinctly Chinese cultural elements and a historically concentrated Chinese population. It is like Kampong Glam for the Malays and Little India for the indians. This is chinatown for the chinese.

Chinatown is located in within the larger district of Outram. The name chinatown was originally given by the british and today usually used by non-chinese Singaporeans, where chinese singaporeans call it Niu Che Shui as chinatown usually refers to the enclaves of chinese people in regions where chinese people are the majority ethnic group.

This district, however, still does retain significant historial and cultural significance. Large sections of it have been declared national heritage sites officially designated for the conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

This place greatly reflects Singapore’s history, when Singapore used to be split into districts, such as the chinese into Chinatown, Malays into kampong glam and indians into little india.

During chinese new year, there is many good food and it reflects well on the culture of the Chinese singaporeans.

At the same time, it is the same for other respective races as well. Their respective locations reflect well on their culture and the evolution that has happened over the years.

Overall, I feel that such heritage places such as chinatown, little india etc are valuable to Singapore as it reminds us of how far we have come, and reminds us of our tradition and culture.