Monday, August 27, 2007
ZHENG HE AND SINGAPORE:Singapore’s place in the voyages of Zheng He’s fleet is slightly enigmatic. It is the only country in Southeast Asia with a Chinese majority. It lies at the very tip of the Malay Peninsula, and the treasure fleet certainly would have had to pass by from the South Malacca it stop at on one seven voyages?
While there is no documentation to suggest that Zheng He’s fleet actually landed in Singapore, there is a wealth of archaeological evidence from the island republic to confirm that it has been inhabited from at least the early 14th century. Excavations at Fort Canning hill have turned up ancient brick ruins and Chinese porcelain from the first half of the 14th century. The finds corroborate Malay legends that speak of an old palace atop the hill.
Excavations at Empress Place, close to the Asian Civilizations Museum, revealed yet more evidence of Singapore’s history. Chinese porcelain that dates back from the late 13th to the mid-15th centuries was found.
Places of Interest in Singapore – a mere red dot in the World Map
Boat Quay and Clarke Quay
Along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, restored shophouses and godowns stand testimony to the hustle and bustle of early traders who flocked to the free port of Singapore to sell their goods.
the hustle and bustle still continues today, but in the form of tourists who flocked around and throng the restaurants and dining places nearby in order to catch a glimpse of the wonderful sights of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay at night.
Chinatown
Singapore's Chinatown evolved around 1821 when the first Chinese junk arrived from Xiamen, Fujian province in China. The passengers, all men, set up home around the south of the Singapore River which is known today as Telok Ayer. Chinatown’s local name – “Niu Che Shui” (Bullock Cart Water) arose from the fact each household at that time had to collect fresh water from the wells in Ann Siang Hill and Spring Street, using bullock-drawn carts.
But today, the best way to appreciate Chinatown is to spend three or four hours simply wandering about or sitting in the many coffee shops and hawker centers available to watch the busy street life and admire the traditional shop house architecture.
Other places of interest in Singapore
-Arab street and Kampong Glam (a mini “village” indicating Singapore’s past villagers’ lifestyle) you can go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampong_Glam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Street
- Little India (another small “village” like the Kampong Glam, but its focus is on the Indians in Singapore; how they live, communicate with people of different religion in Singapore) You can go:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_India,_Singapore
as told by us;
12:28 AM
