Quaint Encounters

Boat Quay, which is located on the Southern bank of the Singapore River was part of the old port of Singapore. In its heydays of the 1860s, it served most of the island’s shipping businesses. Here’s an interesting nugget: Chinese traders described the south of the river as resembling the belly of a carp (Li Yu) and they regarded this to be an auspicious symbol.

Sand from the hill at Battery Road was used to fill the mangrove swamps, stabilising the river banks to increase business and trade at Boat Quay. The bulk of goods that shipped from plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia were stored in the godowns and warehouses located along its banks. Business grew so quickly that by 1852, three quarters of all shipping activities in Singapore were conducted at Boat Quay. 

Clarke Quay was once a major trans-shipment zone and a conduit for trade. Coolies (labourers) manually unloaded cargo from the tongkangs or twakows (bum boats) to the godowns and warehouses for storage and distribution.

The shophouses in the area were originally 2 to 3 storeys high – coolies and working class families lived on the upper floors, and the ground floor units were used for shops and trading offices.

During its glorious past, Clarke Quay was also an important location for Chinese opera performances and street storytelling sessions. 

In current times, Clarke Quay’s colourful restored shophouses are best explored at night when the bars and restaurants along the stretch are lit up and vibrant with activity.

In the 19^th century, as the population and business activity increased along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, tidal swamps up-the-river were reclaimed to make way for Robertson Quay. The first entrepot trade buildings were located here.

Surrounding Robertson Quay is the district of River Valley. Its proximity to the city center and bustling Quays drew wealthy Europeans and Chinese merchants who wanted to build their homes in the “country” to escape the burgeoning crowd around the wharves and city center. Today, you will see luxury condominiums and lovingly-conserved shophouses along the River Valley artery.

While Robertson Quay is considered to be the quieter cousin of Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, we encourage you to visit this neighbourhood because it is a lovely place to take a stroll after you’ve had a nice meal at one of the many international restaurants along the Quay. Venture a little further out and you’ll find yourself at the wondrous Fort Canning Park, Singapore’s historic urban oasis on a hill.

Curious about these shophouses that are a link to Singapore’s past? Stay with Heritage Collection and experience what it’s like to live in a historic building outfitted with all the modern conveniences!