China Town

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.