Other than collecting passports at Lavender’s ICA Building, what do you remember Lavender for? We joined Hidden Heritage for a tour in the Lavender and Jalan Besar district to discover some gems hidden away from plain sight, uncovered only if you take a closer look.
The great news is the SG Culture Pass can be used for this tour!
Find out more about our walk and how we uncovered hidden lives in Lavender with Hidden Heritage.
Five Highlights Of Hidden Heritage Tour “Don’t Call Us Poor – Hidden Lives At Lavender”
1. The History of North Bridge Road
Did you know North Bridge Road is one of the oldest roads in Singapore? It’s an important road outlined in Raffles’ 1822 plan and built by convict labour. It connects early settlements vital for commerce and transport.
Our first stop was Crawfurd Bridge found along North Bridge Road overlooking the Kallang Basin. One can still see marks of the past like Crawfurd Bridge and historic shophouses.
Our guides Amanda and Stanley pointed out the old street lamps now fitted with LED bulbs and the hand-made cast iron crests on both ends of the bridge. Spot the hand-carved signatures of the makers on the crests!
2. Worshipping a Rock?
What is a small temple doing in the middle of a carpark? Right next to North Bridge Road Market & Food Centre is a small temple easily overlooked. Started by the vendors of the food centre to ask for mercy for serving meat, the temple is frequented by devotees worshipping the various deities including Sun Wu Kong.
If you take a look at one of the altars, it actually has a rock instead of an idol! Learn what it symbolises and why devotees flock to North Bridge Road Tua Pek Kong Temple.
3. Rental Flats & The Colourful History of the Area
During Hidden Heritage’s tour, we also visited blocks of public housing, more specifically one-room flats that are usually rented out. Amanda and Stanley shared more about the history of public housing and pointed out differentiated layouts and structures of the blocks.
Meant to be temporary housing for those waiting to collect their keys to more permanent housing, the one-room flats reflect a diversity in occupants with many foreigners in their midst.
We were also told of how the blocks at Jalan Besar used to be rampant with vice and gang fights. One storeowner also mentioned not to linger past 7 pm because of the potential fights. This also explains why benches in common areas face away from each other to prevent face-offs.
Thankfully it was peaceful and serene when we visited. The colourful neighbourhood was full of life and had its own charm.
4. Heritage Brands in the Hood
The tour by Hidden Heritage also took us to seasoned storefronts that have withstood the test of time.
From traditional pastries, cakes, tailors, kopi and toast to curry puffs, the gems in the neighbourhood show how well-loved some stores remain. Despite store owners lamenting the lack of interest by the future generation to take over the business, these brands reflect their passion in their craft.
We also had the chance to sample traditional cakes and also made some purchases to munch on along the way.
5. A Stunning Transformation of a One-Room Rental
Our final pitstop was a one-room flat. That was a mindblowing experience!
Most would think one-room flats are dingy, simple with minimal furnishing mainly because of the transitory nature of the flat occupants.
However, Mr Chow completely transformed the looks of his flat much to the chagrin of authorities. I shall not ruin the surprise. This highly creative individual had an equally colourful past to share. He totally welcomed a bunch of strangers visiting his home and even had masterpieces to sell.
It goes to show everyone has a tale to tell, and that tale goes far beyond the value of a one-room flat.
Mr Chow did not let the limitation of space hinder his talent. Every inch of his home was made magical because of his creative touch. Painstakingly crafted mosaic art lined his entryway and filled his home. It might be small, but there was so much life in it that left us mindblown.
Our Experience at Hidden Heritage’s Tour “Don’t Call Us Poor – Hidden Lives At Lavender”
It is rare to get a peek into the lives of others especially behind closed doors, unwelcome vibes and little known information. Hidden Heritage’s tour gave us access to these unheard stories and unseen corners.
I was also glad to have my teen accompany on the tour with me. It expanded his perspective of life and let him learn much of what he would never have learnt in school. Through experiencing real livelihoods, lifestyles and traditions, we grew to appreciate more about our society and realise how similar we all are despite differences on the surface.
Learn more about Hidden Heritage’s tours such as the Jurong Fishery Port tour here. Sign up for Hidden Heritage’s fascinating tours!
