My Boon Keng Heritage Tour [English] (22 September 2024)

In the words of Prof Yacob Ibrahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Kolam Ayer ward in Jalan Besar GRC: “The history of Kallang River is the history of Singapore. It is an important story to be told”.

The name Kilang, Kelang or Kallang was a reference to the Orang Laut tribe known as Orang Beduanda Kalang, who settled in Kallang and Singapore Rivers and made kajangs (boat roof) and sails. Kallang refers to the roller skid for launching boats in Malay. There were about 500 Orang Biduanda Kallang when Raffles first landed in Singapore.

The Kallang River, which is the longest river in Singapore, flows from Lower and Upper Pierce Reservoir to the basin near Nicoll Highway. My Boon Keng Heritage Tour covers the section of the river near its intersection with Whampoa River where early immigrants lived, worked, played and prayed at Kampong Kuchai, Kampong Hock Soon and Kampong Koo Chye. Some of Singapore's most prominent religious and social institutions, earliest public housing and industrial estates were also established at Boon Keng to provide employment for her residents. Do not miss the exclusive visits to Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital and Central Sikh Temple, Singapore's oldest charitable healthcare institution and Sikh Gurdwara respectivly, on this tour.

The tour also includes a memorable behind-the-scenes trip to Geylang Bahru Industrial Estate, where we will meet funeral directors and art deco signage artists.

Who should come?

• Everyone is welcome to participate in this tour.

Duration and Meeting Place

• Approximate Duration: 3 hours
• Language: English
• Meeting Point: Kallang MRT Station - Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
• Ending Point: Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital (a stone's throw away from Boon Keng Station)
• The tour will proceed rain or shine

What to bring and wear?

• Wear respectfully as we will enter several places of worship

(1) A collared, modest shirt or blouse with sleeves that cover our shoulders
(2) Long pants (e.g. jeans) or skirts that cover your knees
(3) Covered shoes.

• Please do not wear singlets, sleeveless / spaghetti-strap or low-cut tops, shorts or miniskirts, slippers or sandals.
• Please do not bring cigarettes, alcohol, meat or any food, or dangerous items with you or in your bag.
• Bring along hand sanitiser, insect repellent, EZ-Link card, a bottle of water and an umbrella.
• If you have earphones with a standard 3.5mm audio jack, please bring them along (for radio guides during the tour).
• Asthmatic individuals are encouraged to bring their inhaler.

Other important information

• Please do not sign up for the tour if you are unsure of your schedule. Our volunteers have committed their time to this tour - Your absence is discouraging our volunteers from organising any physical tours.
• You must cancel this ticket if you were unwell and could not turn up.
• Participants who have signed up for the tour but did not turn up will be banned permanently from My Community's future tours.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour for registration.

Disclaimer

• By agreeing to participate in the tour, every participant will be responsible for any injury, loss of damage due to careIessness of other actions on his/her part or that of children under his/her charge.
• It is compulsory for a parent/guardian to accompany any child of or under the age of 12
• Videos and photographs may also be taken during the event. By registering for this event, you give My Community full rights to use the photos for marketing and publicity.

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