Art, History and Community

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Tiong Bahru. This place has soul. While it continues show signs of gentrification, it really hasn't lost any of its charm. You can still wander through the back alleys and peek your head into the kitchen to see what is cooking for lunch, or sit down on the sidewalk on a plastic chair and enjoy a steaming bowl of noodles while the world passes by.

I often think of Tiong Bahru as a foodie neighborhood because I usually go there to eat. Whether it's fishball noodles at Hua Bee (my favorite and also one of the oldest coffee shops in Tiong Bahru), a hot and fluffy char siew pau, a delicious pastry from the Tiong Bahru Bakery or fresh vegetables from the Tiong Bahru market, it always seems to center around food. It wasn't always this way, though. Tiong Bahru, which means 'new cemetary' has a long and interesting history and one that is worth reading about (see link below). But, it's the back alleys, the buzzing of food stalls and the quiet street corners which seem to intrigue me the most - simply because I enjoy sitting and watching the world go by.

A wander through these side streets lined with beautifully painted murals gives you a sense Tiong Bahru's past. The artist Yip Yew Chong, who grew up in Tiong Bahru, has painted three beautiful murals at different locations throughout the neighborhood ('Bird Singing Mural', Pasar and the Fortune Teller' and 'Home'). I love wandering through the streets spending time admiring his murals, thinking about what the neighborhood must have been like once upon a time, and how it has changed. But something that certainly hasn't changed is the sense of community which can be felt throughout the neighborhood. Families sitting outside enjoying meals together, friends sitting around drinking coffee and chatting, these are the real Tiong Bahru treasures. If you are looking for something to do or to just hoping to be inspired, take a walk through Tiong Bahru. Be sure to take your time, wander slowly through the streets, and take in the sights and sounds so unique to this charming neighborhood.

The History of Tiong Bahru: http://www.nhb.gov.sg/~/media/nhb/files/places/trails/tiong%20bahru/tiongbahru.pdf?la=en

YC's Mural Locations: http://yipyc.com/ycs-mural-locations/

Artist's Homepage: http://yipyc.com/