Singapore's Chinatown Heritage Centre reopens after rejuvenation

Chinatown Heritage Centre of Singapore [Photo/chinatownheritage.com.sg]

The rejuvenated Chinatown Heritage Centre of Singapore officially opens on Thursday to unveil a refreshed visitor experience that tells a richer story of Chinatown's evolution from its early days as a Chinese migrant settlement to the current vibrant heritage precinct.

Visitors to the centre can expect a comprehensive Chinatown story narrative that goes beyond the 1960s, in-depth collection of personal stories from the Chinatown community, explore Chinatown's multi-ethnicity, nightlife and heritage businesses, as well as enhanced multi-sensory features in the form of soundscapes, multimedia content, interactive story panels, olfactory experience and mood lighting.

The centre, which underwent rejuvenation in October 2014, is officially reopened by Mr S Iswaran, minister for Trade and Industry. The rejuvenation aims to strengthen the centre's content and presentation style since it first opened in 2002 so as to better bring alive the precinct's heritage.

"As Chinatown evolves and increasingly discerning visitors seek more authentic and in-depth experiences, we saw the need to rejuvenate the Chinatown Heritage Centre to reflect the dynamic nature of the precinct, including that of a new generation that is continuing the legacy of their forefathers."

"We hope that the centre will be a living interpretive centre that will inspire visitors to explore the precinct at a deeper level, and for the locals to gain a deeper appreciation of their heritage," said Kenneth Lim, director of Cultural Precincts Development, Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

The centre will also host a regular line-up of temporary exhibitions and community events in a new exhibition gallery and event space, as part of STB's vision for the centre to be a key platform for community engagement.