Local Tours

getting to know SIngapore in small groups

Almost everyone in Singapore knows of Joo Chiat, located on the eastern part of the island. As we walked around the area with our guides from Jane's Tours, Bibi and Elaine, though, we were able to delve deeper and learn about its wonderful history, Peranakan heritage, iconic streets, and colorful architecture.

Peranakan style shophouses

Style Wars mural by Ernest Zacharevic Until about 1900, the area featured dirt roads, villages and large plantations. Chew Joo Chiat was a Chinese immigrant who had made his fortune in

The Lotus at Joo Chiat on Everitt Road

Singapore as a businessman and plantation owner. As people wanted to move out of the overcrowded city center, they moved east. Chew Joo Chiat, who at the time had acquired a significant amount of land, would soon sell off parcels to make way for residential development. Joo Chiat started to have a significant Eurasian and Peranakan presence, which is reflected in the architecture today. Our tour began on Joo Chiat Road, where we stopped at Kway Guan Huat to watch popiah wrappers being made. They have been making since 1938. Down Joo Chiat Terrace, we encountered some of the area's famed Peranakan-style shophouses. As we turn right onto Everitt Road, we catch sight of a large mural that graces an entire side wall. Painted by Ernest Zacharevic, it was commissioned by the area's residents. Also on Everitt Road is the Lotus at Joo Chiat, a conservation effort that turned Peranakan shophouses into apartments. It has a very instagrammable covered walkway. Next, we arrived on Koon Seng Road. After viewing some of the most famous and colorful

Colorful Peranakan shophouses on Koon Seng Road

Peranakan shophouse facades, we unexpectedly got to go into one of the shophouses and view an amazing private antique collection of Peranakan furniture, tiles, slippers, and statues. Joo Chiat is such an interesting and eclectic mix of old and new. It is a unique experience to walk around and see authentic, original Peranakan tiles and saloon style doors still adorning the shophouses. Today, Joo Chiat is known for its trendy bars, restaurants, stores and heritage shophouses. The next time I visit the area with my family, I will make sure to share the history I have learned, point out interesting features on the buildings, and further appreciate the dramatic changes that the area has experienced. Joo Chiat has definitely come a long way from dirt roads and plantations. features on the buildings, and further appreciate the dramatic changes that