Exploring the Hidden Cultural Heritage Amidst Singapore

When Singapore is mentioned, we often envision a modern city, yet few are aware of its historical formation and cultural traditions.

The Central Business District (CBD) serves as a vivid reflection of Singapore's unique cultural heritage. Adjacent to Chinatown, Duxton, and Outram Park, this area is renowned for its butter coffee, remnants of the red-light district, and the tomb of a 19th-century saint's daughter.

Strolling through this district, you'll encounter many fascinating landmarks, offering insights into Singaporean culture. Start your journey in Chinatown and uncover historical secrets even locals may not know.

1. Red Star Restaurant

2. Mei Heong Yuen

3. Jinrikisha Station

1. 89 Neil Road

2. Tong Ah Eating House

3. Duxton Plain Park

4. Foong Kee Coffee Shop

1.Tea Chapter

2. The Pinnacle @ Duxton

3. Xiao Ya Tou

Red Star is the only restaurant in Singapore that serves dim sum from pushcarts. With traditional Cantonese dishes and 70s-style decor, you'll be charmed as soon as you step into the restaurant.

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Don't forget to try the premium Xiaolongbao, shrimp dumplings, and barbecue pork buns. End your meal with a cup of Pu’er tea – great for digestion.

Address: Red Star Restaurant, #07-23, Block 54, Chin Swee Road, Singapore 160054

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Sunday and holidays: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Transportation: 8-minute walk from Chinatown MRT station

With Singapore's hot and humid weather, enjoying both modern and traditional desserts at Mei Heong Yuen is a delight! Located in Chinatown, the restaurant embodies Singapore's cultural heritage.

Beat the summer heat with refreshing desserts like shaved ice (available in flavors like mango, almond & sesame, green tea, etc.), priced between 5.50 SGD to 6.50 SGD.

Address: 63-67 Temple Street, Singapore 058611

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Transportation: 1-minute walk from Chinatown MRT station

Jinrikisha Station was built in 1903 and used to be the headquarters for rickshaw licensing. In Japanese, Jinrikisha means “hand-pulled cart.”

Although rickshaws have been replaced by buses and the MRT, you can still find a few in Chinatown. The building is now owned by martial arts star Jackie Chan. He bought the building in 2007 for a whopping $11 million! Today, Jinrikisha Station houses several companies and offices.

Address: 1 Neil Rd, Singapore 088804 Neil Rd, Singapore 088804

Opening hours: 24/7

Transportation: 9-minute walk from Outram Park MRT station

Eng Aun Tong Factory – the production site of Tiger Balm ointment, is a three-story building located at 89 Neil Road, built in 1924. Tiger Balm contains menthol in its formula, known for its healing properties for wounds, headaches, fatigue, sprains, and more.

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The building also featured in many advertisements in the 1920s. Today, Tiger Balm is considered a hallmark product of Singapore, widely exported to foreign markets. For just $10 SGD, you can purchase this product as a gift for your loved ones or friends.

Address: 89 Neil Rd, Singapore 088849

Opening Hours: 24/7

Transportation: 4-minute walk from Outram Park MRT station

Nestled behind a yellow awning along Keong Saik Road is Tong Ah Eating House. Established in 1939, the eatery's proprietor discovered the secret to roasting three types of coffee beans with sugar and butter. Previously, it was housed in a prominent red building at the junction of Teck Lim Road and Keong Saik Road, where the art of blending butter and coffee was born.

Moreover, it's renowned for Singapore's traditional breakfast with four different combo sets for diners to choose from. Their bestseller is Combo B – Crispy Kaya Toast served with half-boiled eggs and a choice of drink (SGD 4.90).

If you're a food enthusiast, don't miss out on trying the French-style toasted bread with Kaya and aromatic butter coffee. Just like in the 1920s, the traditional coffee-making process remains intact with the method of roasting coffee beans and brewing using filter paper. The robust coffee flavor with the scent of butter will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated like never before.

Note: Combo prices vary depending on the drink you choose.

Address: 35 Keong Saik Rd, 089142

Opening Hours: 7:00 – 22:00 daily | Wednesdays: 7:00 – 14:00

Transportation: 5-minute walk from Outram Park MRT station

Located near The Pinnacle@Duxton is Duxton Plain Park. Unlike any other park, this park holds a notable cultural heritage of Singapore.

Formerly a railway line to Pulau Saigon – a small island south of the Singapore River, but now demolished and replaced by Duxton Plain Park.

Additionally, this area is where Lee Kuan Yew began his political career, so residents erected a memorial plaque in the park to honor his contributions. Known as the founding father of Singapore, he played a major role in ensuring the nation's independence and development.

With many benches and shady green areas, this park is ideal for reading, relaxing, and strolling in the evening.

Address: Duxton Plain Park, New Bridge Road, 089140

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Directions: A 2-minute walk from Outram Park MRT station

If you're a flower enthusiast, visit Gardens by the Bay and marvel at the diverse plant ecosystem from around the world. Plus, you'll get to experience the world's tallest indoor waterfall!

Established in 2003, Foong Kee is renowned for its wonton noodles, char siu, and roast pork.

Tender noodles paired with fragrant char siu, drizzled with a special sauce made from oyster sauce, soy sauce, and pork fat, elevates the dish to perfection.

If wonton noodles aren't your favorite, don't forget to try the roast pork. Tender and flavorful meat with crispy skin, very aromatic. Roast duck is also a must-try. If you're in a group, you can order a mixed meat plate, so you can enjoy a variety of meat flavors at a super affordable price.

Address: 6 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089114

Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Closed on Saturday, Sunday

How to get there: A 4-minute walk from Outram Park MRT station

With a large influx of immigrants to Singapore in the 1800s, Singaporean culture deeply reflects Chinese culture. And from there, the culture of tea appreciation also emerged.

Tea Chapter stands as the largest and oldest tea house in Singapore, still thriving to this day!

Don't miss the chance to indulge in the Chinese tea ceremony, also known as Chayi (茶 化), or 'the art of tea drinking' at Tea Chapter. This tea house is incredibly renowned; in 1989, Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit and savored the Golden Cassia Oolong tea! ($25/box). The tea is brewed in the traditional style, and at Tea Chapter, you'll learn more about the tea brewing methods to achieve the best flavor! Alongside tea, you can enjoy some light snacks like boiled eggs (SGD1.50), lychee jelly (SGD4), or longan flavored sweet potatoes (SGD4).

Address: 9 Neil Rd, Singapore 088808

Opening hours: Thursday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM | Friday, Saturday, and holidays: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

How to get there: A 7-minute walk from Outram Park MRT station

The construction of the building commenced in 2001 under the guidance of the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, aimed at revitalizing and honoring the historical significance of the area.

Today, The Pinnacle@Duxton is the world's tallest public housing project and boasts the longest sky gardens globally. Standing on the 50th floor of The Pinnacle@Duxton, you can easily admire not only the panoramic view of the Duxton area but also overlook Chinatown and the Singapore Strait. Additionally, this is considered an ideal spot to enjoy the cool breeze and relieve stress.

Getting to the sky gardens: Proceed to Level 1 at Block 1G to purchase tickets. Don't forget to bring your CEPAS card (e.g., EZ-Link Card) to show to the staff! Take Elevator A or B to the 50th floor – the location of the sky gardens.

Address: Blk 1G, 1 Cantonment Road, Level 1, 080001

Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 9:45 PM (Last entry at 9:00 PM, exit doors will automatically lock at 9:45 PM)

Admission fee: SGD 6 per entry + CEPAS card (EZ-Link card)

How to get there: Just a 4-minute walk from Outram Park MRT station

If you're fond of admiring the breathtaking cityscape from above, head to Marina Bay Sands Skypark – an ideal spot to marvel at the entire city skyline at night.

Standing out from the coffee shops along Duxton Street is Xiao Ya Tou – an Asian restaurant renowned for its unique dishes. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in a classic style!

On the shelves are displayed vintage toys and on the walls hang retro-style Swatch watches.

At Xia Ya Tou, you can enjoy a plethora of unique cocktails crafted from local drink ingredients like Milo Dinosaur, Yuan Yang. Milo Dinosaur is mixed with Stolichanya Red vodka, chocolate liqueur, sugar, and condensed milk, served with milo ice! Additionally, you should also try the special drink Xiao Ya Tou made from Beefeater gin, Berries Lychee, Citrus, and Rose syrup.

Don't miss out on the best-selling dish, XYT Hokkien Mee (Stir-fried prawn noodles)! This is a popular dish, easily found in hawkers, and highly favored by Singaporeans. Typically, noodles are stir-fried with thinly sliced pork and prawns, squid. Xiao Ya Tou restaurant adds a new twist by adding clams to the dish. So, don't miss this specialty dish!

Address: 6 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089592

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 12:00 – 23:00 | Friday: 12:00 – 24:00 | Saturday: 10:00 – 12:00 | Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00

How to get there: Just an 8-minute walk from Outram Park MRT station

If you're in the vicinity of the mentioned areas, don't forget to visit these interesting attractions! Remember to have a 4G SIM card ready for convenient location lookup, navigation, contacting family, and quickly checking in on Facebook and Instagram!