In Chinese, Singapore's Chinatown is known as Niú chē shuǐ (literally "bull-cart water") as a result of the fact that, because of its location, Chinatown's water supply was principally transported by animal-driven carts in the 19th century. The name is also echoed in the Malay name, Kreta Ayer, with the same meaning.
Chinatown greets you the moment you step out of the MRT Station, "Chinatown" (NE4/DT19).
Chinatown, Singapore is a far cry from Chinatown, Paris. There is just NO comparison between the two. First off, just look at how clean the streets are in Chinatown, Singapore. =)
Name stamps.
Snuff bottles.
A Chinese tea shop.
Panpannie, one of my fav people in the world.
We walked past a shop selling chinese religious products, from joss papers, joss sticks to things to be cremated for the dead (mostly practised by Taoism). Things that we are using in the mortal world can be made into paper prototypes (yes, you can find iphone here!!) to be burnt for dead relatives because it is a belief that they are still living in the nether world after death.
Paper dentures, toothpaste, toothbrush, medicated oil, etc.
Jewellery. It is not surprising to find "branded stuff" for the dead too. From Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, etc. You can even address this to the shopkeeper and asked for customization.
Chinatown, Singapore is a far cry from Chinatown, Paris. There is just NO comparison between the two. First off, just look at how clean the streets are in Chinatown, Singapore. =)
Name stamps.
Snuff bottles.
Snuff bottles were used by the Chinese during the Qing Dynasty to contain powdered tobacco. Smoking tobacco was illegal during the Dynasty, but the use of snuff was allowed because the Chinese considered snuff to be a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders. Therefore, snuff was carried in a small bottle like other medicines. The snuff bottle is comparable to the snuff box used by Europeans.
Many bottles are completely devoid of decoration, others are incredibly ornate. As in all Chinese arts and crafts, motifs and symbols play an important part in decorative detail. Symbols are derived from a multitude of sources such as legends, history, religion, philosophy and superstition. The ideas used are almost always directed toward bringing wealth, health, good luck, longevity, even immortality to the owner of an artefact, frequently as a wish expressed in a kind of coded form by the giver of a gift.
A Chinese tea shop.
Panpannie, one of my fav people in the world.
We walked past a shop selling chinese religious products, from joss papers, joss sticks to things to be cremated for the dead (mostly practised by Taoism). Things that we are using in the mortal world can be made into paper prototypes (yes, you can find iphone here!!) to be burnt for dead relatives because it is a belief that they are still living in the nether world after death.
Paper dentures, toothpaste, toothbrush, medicated oil, etc.
Jewellery. It is not surprising to find "branded stuff" for the dead too. From Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, etc. You can even address this to the shopkeeper and asked for customization.
Nearest MRT station: Chinatown (NE4/DT19), North-East Line / Downtown Line (under construction)
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