An old shophouse in Chinatown

An area allocated to the Chinese by Sir Stamford Raffles, Chinatown is divided into four sub-districts: Bukit Pasoh, Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer and Tanjong Pagar. In the 1960s, resettlement of Chinatown’s residents to other estates was implemented under urban renewal schemes. In the 1980s, new development occurred which included the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s conservation efforts. Today, Chinatown is Singapore’s largest historic district and has become a popular spot for tourists. This photograph was donated by Si Jing (pen name of Ng Soo Lui), a prolific female writer in the Chinese community who has written extensively on her childhood and life in Chinatown.

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