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★ The Peranakan Museum!
Thursday, December 4


Today I will be telling everyone about the heritage and culture of the Peranakan Museum! I think very little people in Singapore are aware that there is actually a Peranakan Museum in Singapore that showcases their unique heritage and culture. If you aren't sure about the Peranakan culture, let me give you some interesting information and facts first!


Peranakans are the descendants of the very early Chinese immigrants to the Nusantara region, including both the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and the Dutch-controlled island of Java among other places, who have partially adopted Malay customs in an effort to be assimilated into the local communities. In short, they are used to describe Indonesian Chinese! Peranakan males are called Babas while Peranakan females are called Nyonyas. Sounds interesting right?

Peranakans originally came from Malacca but came down to Singapore gradually after the years. Now, let me tell you what the Peranakan Museum is all about! The museum houses the world’s finest and most comprehensive collection of Peranakan artifacts that you can hardly find now! The Peranakan Museum presents a Southeast Asian-wide view of Peranakan culture. Its rich material legacy and heritage are enhanced by state-of-the-art display technology, coupled with educational interactives for the young. This Museum not only caters to adults but has facilities to make it more interesting for youths and children too! Young and old will be fascinated by this unique culture too.

There are several galleries in the Museum. What makes it interesting is that the galleries have different themes for visitors to explore! Some of the themes are origins of the Peranakan culture, how the Peranakans conduct their weddings, the religion of Peranakans, Nyonyas and the public life of Peranakans! Sounds interesting isn't it? I was most captivated by the wedding gallery! It is really different from Chinese or Western customs. The wedding is an elaborate twelve day affair that is lavish and magnificent! You can also learn more about the wedding rituals that the Peranakans conduct during the wedding such as the exchanging of gifts between families. I was also interested in the food and feasting gallery where you get to see their dining customs and cuisine. The exhibits are enough to make my mouth water! You also can get to see the porcelain food ware used by the Peranakans which are really exquisite and unique. One more interesting part of the Museum is that there are special exhibition galleries that change their themes every few months.

The Peranakan Museum is located at 39 Armenian Street. You can either take a train down to City hall MRT station and walk 10 mins there or take these buses: 7, 14, 16, 36, 97, 124, 131, 147, 162, 166, 174, 501 Express, 511 Express, 77, 167, 171, 190, 700, 700A and 857

The Museum is opened from 1pm to 7pm on Mondays and 9.30am to 7pm on Tuesdays to Saturday (till 9pm on Fridays) Tickets to the Museum is priced at $6 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizen. There are also guided tours if you need them available in Chinese, English and Japanese. Do visit the Museum as it showcases this very unique culture! You can benefit alot from learning more about this new heritage and culture. I have learnt more about this culture too! I'm sure you will be captivated when you enter this Peranakan world.


★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I give the Peranakan Musuem FOUR out of five stars! I feel that the place really is great to learn more about something that is unqiue and different, the Peranakan culture! Currently on Television, it is airing a serial drama about Peranakans and watching the show reminds me of the Museum! The culture is really very special and intriging. I strongly recommend you to visit this place now!

Posted by: Joan










Photo Credits:
http://www.peranakanmuseum.sg

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4:11 PM


★ Singapore River
Tuesday, December 2


If you're observant enough, walking along the singapore river will seem like walking down memory lane. With the "people of the river" sculptures placed all along the Singapore river, it is as if you actually time travelled to the past and is walking among them. Not only is there a breath taking view of the Singapore river beside this open-aired display, a walk down this Singapore's memory lane is absolutely free!

"The River Merchants".


This sculpture portrays Scotsman, Alexander Laurie Johnson, a prominent merchant of early Singapore, mediating between a chinese trader and a malay chief. This sculpture was set up at this very spot because it was the nearest to the river mouth and Johnson could "catch" the river merchants as their boat entered. Alexander Laurie Johnson was not only a prominent merchant, but was also the founder of the five-foot way in singapore, more commonly known now as the walking path.


"First Gen"


Photo credit: jaeWALK

Another of such sculpture would be the one shown to the left. This sculpture portrays children of the early Singapore, the first generation, playing beside and inside the river. This sight would not be uncommon as there were many shop houses along the singapore river and well, the children from these shophouses made the once filthy Singapore River their playground.

"A great Emporium" and "From Chettiars to Financiers" are just some of the many other sculptures that hold a special meaning. They tell a story of how, once a small river settlement, Singapore evolve into a bustling contemporary city with towering skyscrapers all around. Follow through and you'll actually find these interesting sculptures linked to each other.

With bronze sculptures as eye catching as these, i feel that this not only a unique way of displaying Singapore's heritage, but also a creative one that cause people with lack of interest in Singapore's past be interested and amazed with Singapore's growth over the decades.

A thing to take note before visiting these sculptures though, is that cameras are absolutely a must as somehow or another, the temptation to pose with these sculptures can not be resisted. Well, I couldn't either.



★★★★★
$$$$$
(It doesnt cost much to get to the Singapore river)

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10:53 PM


★ Chinatown Heritage Centre
Tuesday, November 25


The Chinatown Heritage Centre is one of the many attractions located in the Chinatown district. It is situated in three newly re-established shop houses at the ethnic quarters of Chinatown. It accommodates a wealth of memories and untold stories of how Singapore’s early forefathers had settled down in this region after their perilous expedition from their hometown.



Upon stepping into the Chinatown Heritage Centre, you will be transported to different periods in the history of Chinatown, allowing you to discover more about the lives of its early dwellers. The simple life of the old days with its harsh living conditions are revealed; allowing you to understand and be aware of the hard life the migrants had led in the past. However, in its days of glory, Chinatown was full of life and activity. There were traditional festivals of the various ethnic groups bring held and celebrated here, making Chinatown a culturally vibrant and unique place.



Visit the Chinatown Heritage Centre to discover more about Chinatown’s rich history through exhibits that convey the real life stories of its previous occupants. You will also have an opportunity to look at typical shop houses of the past, observing how each cubicle was designed. All of these were reconstructed adeptly based on the recollections of the earlier residents. This personal touch will allow you to relate to the fundamental human spirit, which will assure you an enriching experience.

While at Chinatown, you can also get yourself a souvenir and select from a variety of exclusive traditional items at the retail shop.

If you are interested to visit the Chinatown Heritage Centre, it is opened daily from 9am-8pm. Admission fees are priced at S$9.80 for adults and S $6.30 for children. The estimated touring time is around 1.5 hours. The Chinatown Heritage Centre is located at 48 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059207. To get there, you may either take the MRT to Outram Park Station (EW16/NE3) and transfer to Chinatown Station (NE4), or take bus service no. 61, 80, 197 from North Bridge Road. For more details, you may refer here.

Please take a trip down to Chinatown Heritage Centre today! What are you waiting for?


Posted by: Chermaine
I would rate this place **** (4 out of 5 stars) as it really brings out the past, allowing each visitor to have a comprehensive and enjoyable experience, especially for those who are really keen to know more about the past of Singapore!
In terms of cost, I would say that the Chinatown Heritage Centre is very affordable as the cost for each adult or child is not even $10! You are able to take your time to explore the entire area for a price of less than $10. I would say that it is very worthy to learn more about Singapore's history at such a low cost for the entrance fee. So, please make a trip down one day!

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7:38 PM