Penguin Footprints: A literary walk through Chinatown

In this walk we will follow the protagonists of popular books by local authors, and published by Penguin, through the historic streets and alleys of Singapore’s Chinatown.

We will try to bring to life the settings of these stories as we make our way from the Singapore river to Telok Ayer and Tanjong Pagar and explore the places where 19th and early 20th century migrants settled, as well their modern counterparts in the air-conditioned offices at the skyscrapers of the Central Business District (CBD). Whether newly arrived migrants or those born and bred here, they all try to make their fortunes (or at least a living) in the bustling centre of Singapore City.

We will bring to life a cast of very diverse characters, ranging from everyday Singaporeans to colourful personas. All their stories show the resilience of the people that live here, as they battle poverty and adverse events and try to figure out what it means to be a Singaporean.

If you haven’t read the books yet, do not worry, there will be no spoilers!

We will end the tour at Book Bar on Duxton Hill where you will able to purchase the books mentioned in the tour at a discounted rate. Participants will also receive a limited edition T-shirt designed by a local artist to take home + the opportunity to meet and greet some of the authors of the books we discussed.

Starting point: Singapore River

We will meet in front of Jumbo Seafood at The Riverwalk Mall (Boat Quay).

End Point: Duxton Hill

The tour will take 2.5 hours and will cover roughly 2kms.

A minimun of 5 participants is required for this tour. Ticket price will be refunded in case of cancelation.

The walk is organised by Everyday Tour Company and Pineapple Hill Tours in cooperation with Penguin Books

Host or Publisher Pineapple Hill