If shophouses could sing, the ones in Ann Siang Hill would be happily singing the West Side story ditty. In this curvy, sloping road and the other nearby streets, many shophouses beautifully line the area. Fortunately, the day before we left Singapore, our three friends who were living and working there decided to take me and P to a walking tour around that part of Chinatown.
Rows of elegantly-restored shophouses
Love the colors of these two shophouses
According to a Singapore travel guide, most of the shophouses in this area used to be occupied by Chinese clan associations and groups. While some still remain, most of the shophouses we saw have been turned into chic boutiques, bars and restaurants. We went inside several shops and it was no surprise that inside such lovely shophouses were lovely things for sale–from Scandinavian furniture (in Style: Nordic) to books (The Picture Bookshop, Books Actually) to racks of knick-knacks you never thought you needed.
The three-story bookshop, Books Actually
On one of the top floors of Books Actually
Follow the typewriters up the stairs
Children’s bookstore, The Picture Bookshop
Home accessories inside Strangelets
Dinnerware and pottery in Strangelets
The corner to Ann Siang Road
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thanks for the extra amazing photos! i updated my blog post with them
thank you too 🙂
It’s picturesque city! I lament. Why don’t we seem to have shophouses like that here?
I know! If only we, as a nation, were keen on preserving our historic pieces of architecture.
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