PROPOSED PROGRAMME FLOW

[Xplore Singapore (Chinatown)]

[10 April 2022]
[Chinatown]

Time Programme Action by

09.00 am Mentor report at Chinatown MRT exit A or wait Mentors

outside(not crowded and hot)

09.30 am Freshmen report at Chinatown MRT exit A or wait Freshmen

outside(not crowded and hot)

09.45 am Mentors take attendance of freshmen,introduction Mentors

of freshmen and mentors and take a group photo

10.00am Mentors start the briefing about safety measures All

Start of ice breakers
and activity 1(Optional)

10.30am Walk to the first location All

-Sri Mariamman Temple (Grp 1 & 2)
-Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (grp 3 & 4)
-Sri Mariamman Temple (grp 5 & 6 & 7)

10.40am Introduce the place and start visiting All

11.25am End of visit of the first location All

& Do activity 2 (Sri Mariamman Temple) / Do
activity 3 (outside Buddha Tooth Relic Temple)

11.45am Walk to the second location All

-Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (Grp 1 & 2)
-Sri Mariamman Temple (grp 3 & 4)
-Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (grp 5 & 6 & 7)

11.55am Introduce the place and start visiting All

12.40pm End of visit the second location All

& Do activity 2 (Sri Mariamman Temple) / Do
activity 3 (outside Buddha Tooth Relic Temple)

12.50pm Visit the last location All

-Chinatown Street Market (Grp 1 & 2)
 -Chinatown Street Market (grp 3 & 4)
-Chinatown Street Market (grp 5 & 6 & 7)

1.15pm Go to lunch All

1. Maxwell Food Centre. (hawker centre)
2. Chinatown Complex Food Centre. (hawker
centre)
3. Chinatown Food street (More expensive)

1.45pm Buy some Chinese snacks at Scarlett Supermarket All

Chinatown (Optional)

2.00pm End of Programme Mentors

Give feedback form to freshmen
Bring freshmen back to Chinatown MRT if
necessary

Chinatown Exit A:
Map Direction
Direction to Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Direction to Sri Mariamman Temple
Notes to take note

1. Ask for permission before taking a picture (Keep up to 10 people).

2. If you want to know what to eat or the price in Chinatown Food street, you can
visit before visiting Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
3. Wear appropriately, not revealing type, long pants, shoes. (If you are wearing
sleeveless or low back tops, mini skirts, shorts, you will be asked to wear the
sarongs and shaws provided by the temple before entering.)
4. Do not make noise in the temple.
5. We might visit some religious places and you are not mandatory to do so if you
are not willing to.

Chinatown

Description:
In his 1822 Master Town Plan, Sir Stamford Raffles allocated the whole area west of the
Singapore River for a Chinese settlement known as the Chinese Campong, envisaging that
Chinese would form the bulk of future town dwellers. Singapore, the new land of opportunity
then, had attracted many Chinese immigrants, who expanded the original boundaries of this
economically and culturally vibrant, self-contained town. This self-contained kampong
(community settlement) became home to many Chinese immigrants, and a transit point for
coolies (unskilled labourers) going to Malaya.
The original kampong was divided into zones for each Chinese community of the same
provincial origin and dialect group. The Cantonese occupied Temple Street. The Hokkiens were
located in Telok Ayer Street and Hokkien Street, while the Teochews were settled in South
Canal Road, Garden Street and Carpenter Street. Different trades were also confined to specific
areas, so each street took on its own identity. From delicacies to death-houses, there were
businessmen, traders, craftsmen, hawkers and peddlers to provide all of the peoples’ needs.
Chinatown’s physical development began from 1843, when more land leases and grants for
homes and trade were awarded – particularly around Pagoda Street, Almeida Street (today’s
Temple Street), Smith Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Street and Sago Lane. In John Turnbull
Thomson’s 1846 map, this ethnic quarter expanded to the area demarcated by Telok Ayer
 Street, Singapore River, New Bridge Road and Pagoda Street. Developed areas by this time
included Upper Macao Street (today’s Upper Pickering Street), Upper Hokkien Street, Upper
Chin Chew Street, Upper Cross Street and Mosque Street.

Due to the overcrowding and congestion, major upgrading of shophouses and new
developments took place at the end of 1983, and the street hawkers were housed in Kreta Ayer
Complex. Contrary to its name, Chinatown is not exclusively Chinese. It also had small
communities of Indian traders around the junction of South Bridge Road and Upper Cross
Street; Indian temples and Muslim mosques can be found in the area too.

Attraction
Sri Mariamman Temple
As the oldest shrine in Singapore, Sri Mariamman Temple is
also one of the most prominent places of worship for Tamil
Hindus in the country. It was built to honour Goddess
Mariamman – the deity of disease and protection.

Originally erected by Naraina Pillai – an Indian trader from

Penang – in 1827, the temple was modified to its present
structure in 1862, although it has undergone several
renovations since. Apart from being a place of worship, the
temple has also acted as an asylum for new immigrants that
belong to South Indian Tamil Hindu community
Location: 244 S Bridge Road, Singapore 058793,
Singapore
Open: Daily from 7 am to midday and from 6 pm to 9 pm
Phone: +65 6223 4064
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a remarkable 4-storey temple. When entering the gate, you’ll
immediately notice the stunning main hall with its high ceiling. The bell tower and drum tower
are on the same floor.

The main focus for most visitors is the solid gold 2-metre stupa on the 4th floor which is the
place where the sacred relic is kept. Continuing up to the roof, there is a pagoda that has a
large prayer wheel. The temple is built in a style based on the Buddhist mandala and integrated
with the Buddhism of the Tang dynasty.
*Non-flash-photos are permitted in some places, but not in the relic chamber.*
Location: 288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840, Singapore
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6.30 pm
Phone: +65 6220 0220

Chinatown Street Market

These busy streets encapsulate all the sights and
sounds that visitors expect of Chinatown, with
hundreds of stalls selling everything from silk robes to
lucky cats. There are plenty of ‘Made in China’ goods
on display and lanterns swaying in the breeze above
your head. There’s also a fantastic range of street food
carts amongst the shopping, with fresh dim sum and
crispy duck.Remember to haggle with a smile if you
want the best price. The market is open during the day,
but it looks its most picturesque at dusk, with the lights shining brightly and the sound of
hawkers tempting you to check out their wares.
Location: 335 Smith Street, Chinatown, Singapore
Open: Daily from 11 am to 11 pm

Activities:

Activity 1: Question: Why is Chinatown called 牛车水 (niu che shui) in Chinese instead of 唐人
街 (tang ren jie) / 中国城 (zhong guo jie)？
There's no tap water in the past, it was general to transport water by oxcart in chinatown, as
time passes chinatown began to be called as 牛车水.
(There are lots of explanation)

Activity 2: Find this mural around Sri Mariamman Temple and simply introduce Chinese ancient
theatrical costume(if you can):

Hint:

Activity 3: Talk about the feeling after visiting the temple and discuss respective religious
beliefs and religious customs in your country. (Take a group photo at Buddha Tooth Relic
Temple).
Reference