"Chinatown: Telok Ayer Street" Singapore Things to Do Tip by cal6060

In the old time before land was reclaimed to established Collyer Quay and Shenton Way, Telok Ayer Street was the original shoreline of Singapore.

Telok means 'bay' and Ayer means 'water' in Malay.

It was pristine bay where horses and bullocks came to drink, and small boat came to replenish their water supply.

Indian Muslims were one of the earliest immigrants to foray into the area building Nagore Dargah and later Al Abrar mosque.

The early Chinese immigrants had built temples around the area including Thain Hock Keng and Fuk Tak Chi. These were the two biggest temples, and some small ones were dotted around the area.

Thain Hock Keng Temple was set up by the Hokkien community and was the largest and most powerful among the Chinese immigrants.

Fuk Tak Chi was set up by other Chinese communities, Cantonese, Hakka, and Hainanese and Teochew. They formed a coalition among themselves and made Fuk Tak Chi their first headquarter.

This is an example of location with mix ethnic groups!