As an extension to my Bukit Pasoh heritage trail, I decided to come back again to came to Keong Saik road to explore the shops and back alley further and also for more photo “shots” and have my shophouses “indulgence” (yeah, shophouses photos does get me high at times, I just keep snapping)
Keong Saik road is a small stretch of road very near Chinatown. I wanted to highlight this stretch because of what it was in the past and what it is now. Keong Saik road was a very well known red light district, possibly very busy normally at night. Similar to what it was like in the past, it is very quiet during the day time and gets a little busier at night with some of the really cool pubs (some with roof tops) and nights spots here.
Read on for a NOW and THEN comparison.
Entrance of Keong Saik Road
At the cross junction of Keong Saik Road and Kreta Ayer Road, you will find this Hindu temple built in 1925 called “Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple”. This temple was built by Nattukkottai Chettiars, a noted money lending community from Tamil Nadu and dedicated to Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. I love the colourful and intricately carved out details of the gods on top of Hindu Temples. The temple remains, withstanding the test of time!
[Touristy-tip] Public is welcome to visit but only at worshipping hours (7:30am until 12 noon and 5:30pm until 8:30pm).
A Shophouse walking Trail
The trail along Keong Saik Road after the temple is bombarded with rows of beautiful shop houses built around 1920s. About 30% of the shophouses here are converted into boutique hotels (Naumi Liora, Hotel 1929 and the The Keong Saik Hotel). Other than the traditional medical halls and coffee shops, you can find the modern and hippy restaurants here. There is also a co-working space around here called “The Working Capitol”.
[Touristy-tip] Try staying in one of the rooms here, apparently they are pretty affordable and classified under the “BUDGET” category. But of course, there is a price to pay for everything, don’t expect ALL things NEW and NICE, add a little bit of adventure to “staying in an old shophouse”
A CLASSIC photo point (The Keong Saik Road photo)
[Touristy-tip] Stop for a photo, its rare to see this triangular shaped building from the 1930s. This place called “东亚 ” (as indicated on the building), Tong Ah, used to sell local coffee, toast & bread for breakfast, a very Singaporean breakfast.
Nestled in the middle of Keong Saik road, situated in the intersection with Teck Lim road, it was a central area where residents gather for news, announcement or any gossips around town. Please stop for a photo or one for the post card back home.
Shophouses of various style (Jiak Chuan Road)
[Touristy-tip] If you are a book lover and perhaps following the story of (17A Keong Saik Road – by Charmaine Leung), you will see where she live here (white blue building above). She lives in 15A while her mother is the lady boss (not by choice) of the brothel at 17A. Now 15A houses the ARD German Radio and Television Studio. Today 17A is a KTV Chatroom and Karaoke lounge (an “entertainment” location just like its past too!). Charmaine’s book shares her personal story as she was kept in the “dark” about what her family does and her life around the stories of women who were marginalised and possibly forgotten.
Back Alleys and more back alleys
Most back alley of old shop houses have a set of spiral staircase. As part of Sir Stamford Raffles’ Town plan, the back alleys were created to better managed should there be a fire situation and also for sanitary purposes. Now, the back alleys are usually cluttered with rubbish bins, old chairs or extra tables but once in a while, you might be able to find something interesting if you are lucky.
Here, I try to capture the various colors of the back alley (hey I promised this would be a photo blog right? or I didn’t mention?)
[Touristy-tip] Pose for a photo here. To get the chic yet rustic summer back alley look, especially if you have a bicycle with a basket. Trust me, it is really quiet, no one will rush you into getting that shot. Yes! Pose all you want.
My Favourite View
And this is probably my favourite view, taken in the middle of Keong Saik road (Note: this street is extremely quiet during the late morning, therefore I could stand in the middle of traffic and take a photo).
I love how this photo can present the modern and the past combined; the high-rise building and the low-lying shop houses. The old and the new.
The Pinnacle and its base, yet both bearing the Singapore flag, all representing a part of us – history and now.
[Touristy-tip] Count and find the 50th floor of this high rise building (Pinnacle@Duxton) from this photo. The 50th storey skybridge is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except during special events. Do note there is a fee imposed, at the time of writing, it is $6 per person (Yes, nothing comes for free in Singapore, especially with such a view, its breath-taking)
Address:
(I am quoting the Keong Saik Hotel as a start because this is where the street and its name begins)
The Clarity Compass 