Balestier Trail

We went on a heritage trail as part of  a walking tour conducted by NLB  in Tampines Regional Library recently.Though I had  heard about the place before I wasn't sure of  its  rich heritage. Balestier is  a name  of  a  person and he is  from America.He  used to own plantations in this  area and they were mostly sugarcane plantations.He  didn't  succeed much in his  business and  left Singapore soon(1834-1852).

We can see many shop houses in the  area that are conserved.The  walking trail started at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall .

We didn't go inside this memorial.From what I could get from our friendly guide, I came to know that this memorial is  built for a  wealthy Chinese.Should know  more about this legend soon by visiting the memorial.

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall 

beautiful architecture

Very near to the memorial, there was this beautiful Burmese Buddhist Temple.There are many Burmese, Chinese and Malay people living around Balestier Road in the ancient days and we could figure out from the street names given  too.

This tree has  an interesting history/belief.It is  believed that this tree has  ghosts during the night time and  in olden days, Malays used to tie dolls in this  tree.

 

Along roads , we came across this  small water container which is  supposed to be  filled   with water by the local shop keepers for the passers by so that they can quench their thirst.I got reminded of  "thanner pandal" that used to be there in Tamil Nadu and we could see such things even now when there are some celebrations going on.Even in Singapore I came across such during Thai Poosam celebration across Little India.

Water tanks for people.....There is  a tumbler tied together in chain and  is  connected to the water container.

shop houses are still preserved here

A interesting ancient shop I came  across that sells herbal things.

loved the interiors so much.....

An elaborate decoration in  a shop house.I had  learnt that just by looking at these motifs one  can say if  the shop house is owned by Chinese, Malay or  Burmese.Chinese Shop Houses usually had dragons in their decos.

a Sikh guard-telling the importance of  Sikh community back then

A Burmese mansion/old age home meant for aged female spinsters or mistresses

well used by the people of the house then

No one lives here anymore.The house was locked.

Whampoa canal was  used then as  a  means  of  transportation.

canal used for transportation back in the olden days

Shaw Theatres-A place that was once studio for filming many old Malay films.It is closed for public.We could peep in to see these.......

A traditional coffee shop that sells coffee beans as well as  powdered coffee powder.

still using the good old day method of  coffee roasting and  grinding and packing.

an old bakery

 

Singapore's last free standing Wayang still in existence

The tiger temple

Durian shops are very famous in this area

Shop House with Balcony

Terrace Houses

Balestier Market is another place you should pay a visit.It is a hawker center now.But during World War 2 it was a food  rationing center
.

The walk was for about 1 1/2  hours and I learnt a lot about Balestier Road.Every road, every place has an history behind it and it is always fascinating when we try to know about them.I was also happy that I took Arshi with me and she learnt a little bit about the past too.I didn't  blog about everything I saw that day.I should perhaps go back again an d take  a leisure walk and rediscover the places at my own pace.

This trail has increased the desire for me  to know more about Little India too.I frequent Little India and have seen many shop houses and  many monuments in the area.There are many temples, mosque and  church that were built more than a century ago that we need to know more about.