“Mapping SOTA's Communities”  

       


Sungei Road lies north of the City area and is right next to the Rocher Canal. Being one of the oldest communities, one that survived WW2, this cast stretch of land has many old and rundown buildings. Situated in between Serangoon Road and Jalan Besar, it is home to many old and new communites in that area. The modern Sungei Road features many new and old tour spots: '

-Masjid Abdul Gafoor
-Ukulele movement
-Weld Road
-Thieves’ Market
-Kelantan Lane
-Sungei Road Laksa

And finally, take some time to appreciate the surrounding area of the featured tour spots. Take time to appreciate the culture around there too.


Thieves Market 
Before it was named Sungei Road, this place had a name, “结霜桥”. In Hokkien, it was called “Kek Sng Kio”. “ 结霜桥”means “Frost Bridge” and in the early 1900’s, there was an ice factory located there. It serviced for about 20 years and was demolished by HDB to make way for new housing for the growing Singaporean population.

After a few years, “ 结霜桥”was renamed to Sungei Road as “Sungei” means “river” in Malay and since Rochor Canal was situated right next to it, it was called Sungei Road.



After World War 2, black markets began opening. The Thieves’ Market was one of the more famous black markets. Then came many robbers… and if your goods were stolen, they would probably appear there the next day.

Never belittle the goods sold there!

There are many antiques and priceless collections to be found there. For example, you may try your luck and find some interesting stuff there like:

-Banana Notes from the Japanese Occupation
-1800 American coins
-Vintage photos of certain buildings in Singapore
-Very old vinyls
- Old cameras


Once you see the swarm of people walking up and down the narrow streets searching for the right item to buy, you'll know you' have reached the thieves market. The thieves market is an area filled with street vendors selling contraband goods. It is located between Weld Road and Kelantan Lane. There are no businesses on rainy days so make sure to come down here when the sun is out.


  We interviewed one of the stall owners, Mr Li. He lamented on how business this year compared to the last had a significant decrease and joked about how it was the newly built “Integrated Resort at MBS” to be blamed. He also added that the electronics sold at his stall were all old junk from his apartment. Although making a living out of this business is hard, he treats life with a pinch of salt and joyfully says that “that’s the way life is, can’t take it too seriously” in mandarin. He is grateful that he still makes profit from his sales and it is good enough to get him by.

 Ukelele Movement 38 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209366, Tel: 6297 9683. Operating hours: Tue to Sat: 12 pm – 9 pm. Sun: 12 pm – 6 pm. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.


Have you even heard of it before?
-It is the first shop in Southeast Asia.

-It opened in 2009 then moved to Sungei road in 2010

Classes are taught here too with its oldest student being 85 years old and its youngest being 6 years old.

-Ukuleles sold are of various shapes, sizes, colours and electric ukuleles are also sold here.

WHY UKELELES? WHY HERE?



Ukuleles are much easier to tune as compared to other string instruments and rent prices here are reasonably cheaper.
 
We interviewed one of the shareholders of this organization and she explained that this organization had only just started about 3 years back and it is the only shop in Asia that solely focuses on Ukuleles only. There are classes available interested students from all walks of life! She enjoys looking at young children growing their passion with an accompanying talent. 



 MASJID ABDUL GAFFOOR (41 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209369)

Other than Ukelele Movement, you should also check out this interesting looking place. This mosque was constructed in 1881. Shophouses were gradually added to the area to improve commerce
Rich in architectural features and is a very interesting site to see. 

Dunlop Street
Dunlop Street was named after British Colonel Samuel Dunlop, a member of the Municipal Commissions in 1887. Part of URA’s conservation area of Little India, it is lined with two-storey shophouses from the early 1900s. The eateries that occupy some of the shophouses serve a wide variety of food. Also known as Backpackers’ Street, it has a few hostels and inns in that area. The building that will capture ones’ eyes the most would be the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque, which has astounding architectural features from the Saracens and Romans.

Also, look out for the pubs, barbers, Internet cafes and inns/hotels in that area. There are many of them in this street. Check out some of these places too:

Prince of Wales Pub (101 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209420)
 
Backpackers’ Inn (73 Dunlop Street, Singapore 20940)
*A modest little reception, so it is not very easy to spot
 
AJ Mart Outlets in the area.


SUNGEI ROAD LAKSA (Kelantan Lane, Blk 31, Singapore 208654)

Well, after a long day’s walk of Sungei Road, you definitely need to eat. And of course, what is better than this fine, mouthwatering meal of our local dish - LAKSA.

Laksa is a popular spicy noodle from the Peranakan culture, very popular here in Singapore.

Hope you enjoy your trip along Sungei Road!