Singapore Guidebook September Edition sgb_digital-magz_en-compressed | Page 9

9
Dazzling Corner in Eastern
Singapore, Joo Chiat and
Katong
I
t is no secret that Singapore is a vibrant country
inhabited by various races, such as Malay, Chinese,
Indian, and Eurasian. This is the exact reason why
Singaporeans can pride themselves in having high
tolerance, appreciating cultures and customs from
different races.
Already had your fill of skyscrapers and malls in
Singapore? We suggest you to look further into the local
culture of Peranakans. In Malay, Peranakan means
“local born”. The Peranakans are the descendants of
Chinese and Indian immigrants who married indigenous
people of the Malay Peninsula in the 15th century.
A series of shophouses owned by the Peranakans and
colonial-styled bungalows are the main attraction that
you can find while you walk along the district of Joo
Chiat and Katong. The name of this area comes from
the name of the 20th-century Chinese descendant
land lord, Chew Joo Chiat. Many culinary destinations
and antique coffee shops as well as accessories and
handicrafts shops lining up this famous district. Tall
and towering buildings are not a feature that you can
easily find here, instead you will find two-story old
buildings with various colors that are of high aesthetic
value. Ceramic floors and patterned walls are common
decorations on the terraces of homes in the district.
There are not many vehicles passing by and the roads
are not wide enough for such traffic.
This district is also known as “Little Vietnam”. Because
it is categorized as a Singapore cultural heritage,
buildings in this area are not allowed to be demolished.
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