{"id":10219,"date":"2017-10-19T22:49:54","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T22:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=10219"},"modified":"2017-12-06T00:03:17","modified_gmt":"2017-12-06T00:03:17","slug":"explore-balestier-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2017\/10\/explore-balestier-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore Balestier Singapore"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall in the world, and one at Balestier Singapore. The two story mansion has changed many owners. First the classical colonial villa was built by a wealthy Chinese businessman Boey Chuan Poh on a sugar plantation owned by Joseph Balestier. Then, the villa changes few owners and lastly Teochew businessman Teo Eng Hock bought it as a retirement home for his mom and called it Wan Qing Yuan\/\u665a\u6674\u56ed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Wan<\/a><\/p>\n

Teo offered the villa to Sun Yet Sen as his residence when Dr Sun arrived in Singapore in the late 1905. In his nine visits to Singapore, Dr Sun stayed in Wan Qing Yuan on four occasions and the villa became the base for his revolutionary activities in Southeast Asia or Nanyang.<\/p>\n

\"Wan<\/a><\/p>\n

The Nanyang Volunteer Drivers and Mechanics Commemorative Sculpture<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Wan<\/a><\/p>\n

Sun Yet Sen Sculpture<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Wan<\/a><\/p>\n

The compound of the garden of the villa is quite spacious.<\/p>\n

\"Wan<\/a><\/p>\n

There was a two-metre tall bronze wall mural which spans 60 metres which depicts scenes of Singapore as a fishing village in the 1840s and the Sook Ching Massacre in 1942.<\/p>\n

\"Bronze<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr Sun established the Singapore branch of Tongmenghui<\/strong>, the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, and from which he coordinated various activities in the region. With the support of Chinese communities globally, including in Singapore.<\/p>\n

I found photo of Lim Nee Soon<\/strong> hanging on the wall, only realized he was also\u00a0one of the founding members of Tong Meng Hui Singapore Branch, was Teo Eng Hock’s nephew. \u00a0I was curious about him just because my previous work place is at Nee Soon\/Yishun. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

\"Lim<\/a><\/p>\n

\u535a\u611b\/ “universal love”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The museum could not be completed without Dr Sun’s famous and favorite quote: \u535a\u611b\/ “universal love” !<\/p>\n

This piece of calligraphy was presented by Sun Yat Sen to Teo Eng Hock’s nephew, Teo Beng Wan.<\/p>\n

\"Bo<\/a><\/p>\n

Children Corner at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall – STiches of Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This is a special exhibition showcases children’s clothing and accessories from the late Qing to early Republican period. Below is the most famous tapestry “Hundred Boys at Play”<\/p>\n

\"Hundred<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

The exhibition is complemented by three multimedia stations, providing visitors with a multi-layered, interactive experience.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

7th month ghost<\/strong><\/p>\n

A digital photo booth for visitors to personalise photographs taken with stickers inspired by the artefacts.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Tong Meng Hui in Singapore and Nanyang<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the early 20th century, Singapore was located strategically at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, and had advance infrastructure and a large Chinese population. In addition, she stood at the intersection of Eastern and Western thought. These were the reasons why Dr Sun chose Singapore as his overseas revolutionary base. And Wan Qing Yuan undoubtedly was an important command post for Dr Sun’s revolutionary activities. This villa was the site of the establishment of the Tong Meng Hui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) Singapore Branch.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

The Chong Shing’s Press<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr Sun started a newspaper to serve as the official mouthpiece of the revolution, advocated setting up reading clubs, and organised public lectures and operas to generate publicity for the revolution and garner support overseas.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Small shoes for foot binding women<\/strong><\/p>\n

Foot binding became popular as a means of displaying status (women from wealthy families, who did not need their feet to work, could afford to have them bound) and was correspondingly adopted as a symbol of beauty in Chinese culture.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Portrait of Dr Sun Yat Sen<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Letterpress machine<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Painting at the Sun Yat Sen memorial Hall<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Painting showing Sun Yat Sen in Nanyang.
\n
\n<\/a>\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

On the way out, you can see an old artifact – old recorder.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is a beautiful two-storey Victorian villa with open veranda at the front and sides.\u00a0\u00a0The building materials were imported from Europe. The pillars, railings and window frames are all original.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Well, the interior of the villa has been redecorated in a Peranankan style.<\/p>\n

\"Sun<\/a><\/p>\n

Zhongshan Park<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Zhongshan<\/a><\/p>\n

After visiting the Sun Yat Sen’s Memorial Hall, you can have rest at pretty garden at \u00a0Zhongshan Park<\/strong>, which is just across the road.<\/p>\n

\"Zhongshan<\/a><\/p>\n

Let’s Explore Balestier!<\/strong><\/p>\n

After visiting the Sun Yat Sen’s Memorial Hall, let’s explore Balestier since we are here!<\/p>\n

The name Balestier was coming from a guy called Joseph Balestier, who was the first Consul to Singapore for the United States of America serving between 1837-1852. The current Balestier used to be Joseph Balestier’s sugar cane plantation estate.<\/p>\n

1.Sim Kwong Ho Shophouse<\/strong><\/p>\n

The stunning shophouses located at 418 Balestier Road were built and developed more than 80 years ago, in 1928. Pay attention to the hybrid architectural style which is the fusion of European features and Chinese feature – also known as ‘Singapore Eclectic’ or ‘Chinese Baroque’. Try search for the word ‘Sim Kwong Ho’ inscribed on the roof facade.<\/p>\n

\"Sim<\/a><\/p>\n

2.Free Water & Tea at corner of Boon Teck Road<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is interesting to find a small cart at the corner of Boon Teck Road. \u00a0At first I thought someone is selling some herbal tea but there is no seller. \u00a0Then only I realized the water or tea is free for thirsty people who passed by this area. The free tea was provided by\u00a0temple along Boon Teck Road called Thong Teck Sian. \u00a0The setting of the cart reflect\u00a0nostalgia for the past.<\/p>\n

\"Free<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Light Shops in Balestier<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are moving house and need new sets of lights, this is the place to come to search for your lights. \u00a0The whole streets are full of lighting shops.<\/p>\n

\"Light<\/a><\/p>\n

4.Balestier Durian Stall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Durian lovers, this is the place to get nice durian.<\/p>\n

\"Durian<\/a><\/p>\n

5.Balestier Market<\/strong>
\nThis is no longer a market but more of a food court now. Balestier Market was built in early 1920s, providing local vendors with a permanent place to sell their stuff. This is a historical place because during the Second World War, the market served as a center for distributing food rations. There is another name for Balestier Market which is even more popular called ‘Or Kio’<\/strong>\u00a0mean ‘Black Bridge’<\/strong> in Hokkien. Why? Simply because there is a dark timber bridge along Whampao River.<\/p>\n

\"Balestier<\/a><\/p>\n

Click on other places of interest you may like to visit :<\/p>\n