Fuk Tak Chi Temple @ Telok Ayer Street

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During my search for Nam Seng Wanton Mee, I accidentally stumbled upon this Fuk Tak Chi Temple (福德祠) along Telok Ayer Street. If you exit Telok Ayer MRT Station via Exit B, this temple is just right across the road on your left.

According to the plaque at the entrance, this temple is one of the oldest around since the 1820s. The temple, founded by the Hakka and Cantonese immigrants, served as a place of worship and a social meeting place for the two communities. The temple was closed in 1994 and has since been converted into a museum.

Inside, you can find a diorama depicting a street scene outside the temple with the early immigrants going about their daily lives. If you are wondering why there is a pier with bum boats docking along it, that is because this place used to be a coastal area. Much of Telok Ayer is built on reclaimed land.

In fact, the name Telok Ayer actually means "Water Bay".

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The Courtyard

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What's left of the temple has now turned into a museum

Before the reclamation project in the 1880s, Telok Ayer Basin was the main landing site for these immigrants who came by sea.

Fuk Tak Chi Temple was one of the first stops for these immigrants to offer thanksgiving for their safe voyage to Singapore. 

In 1998, the temple building was restored and converted to the present-day Fuk Tak Chi Museum under the management of Far East Square Development.

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 What's written on the sail means "smooth sailing"

There are two dioramas in this museum. 

One is a Chinese Junk placed right at the back of the museum where I presume used to be the altar for the Tua Pek Kong. Unfortunately, it is quite high up so I was not able to get any shots of the diorama.

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The other diorama

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A scene of Telok Ayer

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 While some coolies slogged their guts out...

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some took a break playing four colored cards

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Another view

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Storytelling

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A view of the pier

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The ear digger

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Most immigrants are illiterate so they need someone to help them write a letter home

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Some procession going on right in front of Fuk Tak Chi Temple

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Can you see Fuk Tak Chi Temple?

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Coolies unloading a shipment

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You can basically see everything the museum has to offer by turning yourself ONE round. However, do not forget to check out the architecture of the 193 years old building too.

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At the back of the museum, there is a back door that links to the reception of AMOY Hotel and Far East Square which most of the office crowd in the vicinity used as a shortcut to lunch.

Entry to the museum is free.

If you are coming for visit, I would suggest including the Thien Hock Keng Temple nearby in your itinerary.

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FUK TAK CHI TEMPLE 福德祠
76 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 048464

Opening Hours
Mon - Sun: 10 am - 10pm daily

Google Map:  https://goo.gl/maps/SzGUrNhXkEr
GPS Coordinates: 1.2829118,103.8465457


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