Mapping SOTA's Communities

“Mapping SOTA's Communities”

Sungei Road Trail

Tuesday, 10 May 2011 || 02:08

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!

Chinatown

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To get to Chinatown, you can take the North-East (Purple) Line and alight at Chinatown.

Map Of Chinatown:

In Chinatown, you can visit many interesting places such as :

1. Jamae (Chulia) Mosque
2. Barakkath Frame Maker
3. Kwong Chen Tea Shop
4. Temple of Coca
5. Ji Man Hong
6. Wuerstelstand
7. Thong Teck Clinic
8. Sailor Shop

For your convenience, we have labeled each location with a number on this map.

These iconic places of interest are rich in heritage and adds to the unique flavour of Chinatown. While visiting these places, please take time to appreciate the contributions that each place gives to the community of Chinatown.

For more information, please download and read the postcards.

Have a great time exploring Chinatown!

Kampong Glam

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Kampong Glam is located in the south of Singapore. It is a squarish piece of land that is bordered by Beach Road, Jalan Sultan, Victoria Street and Ophir Road.

Kampong Glam is walking distance from Bugis MRT. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the MRT. Alternatively, one can take bus number 7 along Victoria Street.

A map of Kampong Glam can be downloaded here.

The places of interest at Kampong Glam include

1) Kampong Glam Cafe
22 Baghdad Street 
Singapore 199661
Mohd Bashir is the owner of Kampong Glam Cafe. Passed down to him from his family, this cafe is filled with multi-racial customers eating the cafe's specialties, Gado-Gado and Mee Soto.

2)Zam Zam Restaurant
697 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198675
Faizal works at Zam Zam restaurant and it's specialties are murtabak and briyani Zam Zam, popular with locals and tourists, has been around since 1908. Faizal finds that Kampong Glam offers a wide variety of food.

3)Osman Silk House
104 Arab Street 199800

Come take a walk down Arab Street and its array of textile shops but do not forget to
stop by Osman Silk House. "The silk here comes from Italy but all the designs are original" says Ning, an employee there. You will not be able to find the designs anywhere else. The
place is filled with all types of textiles with different colours and textures.

4)Sultan Mosque
3 Muscat Street 198833

Zanial Bin Zakaria volunteers at Sultan Mosque. His role at the mosque is to provide information to tourists and enlighten them about Islam. Here, he makes new friends and visitors and meet tourists from all over the world who still keep in contact with him. In this way, he can increase his knowledge and also contribute to society. He feels that Kampong Glam has changed a lot and accepts these changes. However, he misses his friends who have moved away.

Be sure to stop by Sultan Mosque before 4pm to talk to these friendly volunteers and take in the intricate designs of this Mosque that is almost 190 years old.

5)Trippies
42 Bussorah Street
Singapore 199460

The sense of heritage at Kampong Glam can be strongly felt. Instead of being located in high rise malls, the shops at Kampong Glam are found at shop houses that are a distinctive feature of Singapore’s past. An interesting variety of traditional toys can be found at shops such as Trippies. Theses toys include the spinning top, the Chatek and five stones. For a fee of $2, visitors can enter the Children Little Museum housed in Trippies to view more of such vintage pastimes. This attracts many tourists and locals and adds to the flavor of Kampong Glam.

6)Little Shop House
44 Bussorah Street
Singapore 62952328

Next to Trippies is Little Shop House which sells a range of Peranakan and Nonya wares and collectibles. Little Shop House has been in business for seventy years. In a place like Singapore that changes ever so often, Little Shop House has become part of the Kampong Glam heritage. The friendly staff told us that she receives many tourists to her shop.

7)Boutique Café by Ratianah
50 Kandahar Street
Singapore 198900

If you feel bored at home, or need to splurge your money on something nice for yourself or your friends, feel free to walk around Kam

Selegie Road

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Selegie Road is located between Prinsep Street and Serangoon Road.

You can get there from Dhoby Ghaut MRT by following Orchard Road and keeping left till you reach Selegie Road.

Places of interest include:

-Mr Jabar's Mamak Stall,

-Buzz convenience shop,

-Kachang Puteh stall,

-Old Chang Kee,

-Rochor Beancurd House.

Mr Jabar's Mamak Stall

Although it has only been around for over 2 years, the mamak stall has proven to be a successful one. Mr Jabar, 42, works 14 to 16 hours a day. The reason for setting up a stall like that was
he had little capital. He has a family of 5 that he has to support. Adding on to his worries, and faces a lot of competition, such as NTUC, convenience stores like 7-11, etcetera. Despite these challenges faced, Mr Jabar enjoys working there. His daughter helps him out occasionally as well.

Buzz convenience stall
Buzz convenience store has many chains that are spread out in Singapore. Ms June, a lady from China, has been working there for 8 months and enjoys doing so. She works for 8 hours a day. Although she misses her family back in China, she has a good impression of Singapore and enjoys serving the customers.

Comparison: mamak stall and buzz shop

Buzz and the mamak stall sell similar merchandise. Buzz might have more appeal to customers as it sells a wider variety of items. The mamak stall could also have a large number of customers due to its strategic location.

Kachang Puteh stall
The kacang puteh stall has been around for 30 years, selling a wide variety of

mixed nuts, such as cashew nuts, green peas and his customers’ favorite,

c

hick-peas. The man behind the business is Mr Nagappan, who works

9 hours a day. He was originally from India. He decided to venture into

the business of selling kacang puteh because he felt it was unique and

faced little competition.

Old Chang Kee
Old Chang Kee is 55 years old and still going strong. This enterprising business is well known for its delicious food that has won the hearts of many of its customers. Ms Ivui, a retiree, has been working at the first and oldest MacKenzie Road branch for 3 years, for an average of 8 hours a day. She feels neutral about working there, although pressured at times. She says that tea time is the most hectic time, because many people have their breaks then.

Rochor Beancurd House
With a long history of 50 over years, Rochor Beancurd House is most popular for its silky-smooth beancurd with a texture and taste like no other. They have two chains, one along Selegie Road and the other in Geylang It is open daily for thirteen hours.

Ms Chen, 35, a lady employed from China, has been working at Rochor Beancurd House for 6 months. As compared to her previous job as a waitress, the pay is considerably higher. Although she frequently misses her family, she says that she enjoys working here because the enviroment is pleasant and the customers are friendly and kind.

Little India Big Surprises

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LITTLE INDIA
Little India is centered along the stretch of Serangoon Road towards the south of Singapore.

The Little India MRT is the closest MRT stop to Little India.

MOGHUL SWEET SHOP

Moghul sweet shop address: Little India Arcade

#01-1648 Serangoon Road (S) 217959

The first shop that greets you at the Little India Arcade is the Moghul sweet shop. One of the oldest shops there, it has been in business for more that 20 years. Traditional Indian sweets which are all handmade are sold there. They are baked at the kitchen in River Valley Hotel. Well-known Indian snacks and tidbits can also be found. If you ever get there, the Ladoo and Pattisa sweets are a must try!

GOKULAM JEWELS AND CRAFTS

Gokulam jewels and crafts address:

Little India Arcade #01-02

48 Serangoon Road (S) 217959

Go up the stairs to the second floor of the Lottle India Arcade, and you will see Gokulam jewels and crafts. this shop sells statues, prayer altars, and ornaments for religious and decorative purposes. Owner, S.Gokulabalan, is a self-taught craftsman who has been in business for 22 years. The items in the shop are either handmade or imported from India. You are bound to be intrigued by the extensive variety of arts and crafts found there!

JOTHI STORE AND FLOWER SHOP

Jothi store and flower shop address:

1 Campbell Lane

(S)209882 Little India

Turn left at the first junction of the Little India Arcade and across the street, you will see Jothi store and flower shop. The shop sells flower garlands and other products such as incense. The flower garlands, made out of magnolia and jasmine flowers, are used for religious and decorative purposes. It takes at least 5 minutes to make one flower garland. If you ask the shop keeper, they might even bring you behind-the-scenes to see the making of the flower garlands.

SELVIS

Selvis address:

located at the ground level of the Little India Arcade (no exact address)

At Selvis, beauty and bridal services are available. Henna is a traditional Indian body art that is used to beautify a newlywed couple. However, many young people now use it as a fashion statement due to the attractive and unique designs. Henna is made from henna leaves that is made into a paste. It is applied to the body which will then dry up, leaving behind a temporary imprint of the design. Get your beautiful henna tattoo today!

KOMALA'S RESTAURANT

Komala's restaurant address:

3/9 Upper Dickson Road Little India Conservation Area

(S) 207463

Komala's restaurant is a must-go when you are in Little India. It is a fast food restaurant that serves traditional food such as thosai, prata, naan and chappatti. You will love the pappadam as well! Find out for yourself how wonderful all these food taste!

Enjoy your trip!

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