Save Our Chinese HeritageMenushare0
The story of the oldest Chinese tombs in Singapore
by kentneo July 28, 2006
Text by Raymond Goh, 24 Sept 2006
The Tomb of Qiu Zheng Zhi (é‚±æ £ç›´) was built in 1842 (é“光壬寅). He comes from the village of Hai Teng Province Sin Aun 海澄县新安
He have 4 sons, 3 daughters and one grandson listed.
One of his sons listed in the tombstone Khoo Qin Zhan (邱ç›éœ‘) donated 5 Dollars in 1854 to rebuilt the Fuk Tak Chi (ç¦å¾·ç¥ ), which is a museum now in Telok Ayer Street.
In 1861, he also donated 12 Dollars for the Chui Eng Public School (èƒè‹±ä¹¦é™¢). Now the place is converted to a Thai Restaurant (Bamboo Court). (Source: Singapore Chinese Epigraphs Collections)
Please see the plaque found in Fuk Tak Chi regarding the donation by Khoo. The plaque was erected in 1854 to commenorate the renovation of Fuk Tek Chi temple. One plaque praises the powers of the Tai Pak Gong Diety. The other plaque list the donors to the renovation. Khoo’s name was on one of the plaques. There was also a plaque erected in 1886 which was a testimony to the dispute between the Hakka Chinese and the Cantonese Chinese.
Now Haizheng Province Sin Aun already was a properous place since the Tang Dynasty Period.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, many clansmen from Sin Aun migrated to Taiwan, Dutch Batavia (now Jakarta) and Malacca with the repeal of the ban on maritime trade by the Manchu government. Since the rise of British power in the Far East, Siam, Burma (Myanmar), Singapore, Malacca, Kedah and Penang had been their favourite choices. Among these places, Penang saw the most Khoo immigrants in the 19th century.
(see migration chart from Khoo Kongsi website)
The Khoos of Khoo Kongsi (ä¸˜å…¬ç¥ ) from Penang also come from this village 新安 (Sin Aun).
The early pioneers of Singapore that also come from æ–°åžµ is Khoo Cheng Tiong (é‚±æ £å¿ or 邱笃信). He was born in 1820 and come to singapore in 1840. He might be a relative or contempatory of é‚±æ £ç›´, as he and his brothers first two characters are é‚±æ £.
Khoo Cheng Tiong (é‚±æ £å¿ ) is a famous Singapore rice merchant and was the president of Thong Chia Medial Institution. His 3rd brother Khoo Cheng Cheok é‚±æ £æœ even has a street Cheng Cheok Street (at Tanjong Pagar previously) named after him.
Khoo Cheng Tiong is also the father of Khoo Siok Guan (邱è½å› ), the famous scholar poet in Singapore, who started the Tian Nan Press in 1898, was an editor of Sin Chew Jit Poh and died in 1941
The other tomb which is of a couple, the wife of of an Eurasian. Their daughter is called “Holland”.
The daughter must have married a brother of the Khoo family or very close relative because their descandents share a common name for the first 2 characters:
邱ç›. That is why they can be buried at the same area.
————————
Please share your corrections/amendment, additions to this tomb research.
Raymond Goh
Blog at WordPress.com. Theme by Onswipe. View Standard Site
← Seek out the past, with an eye on the …Lessons from the Royal Plaques →
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Save Our Chinese HeritageMenushare0
The story of the oldest Chinese tombs in Singapore
by kentneo July 28, 2006
Text by Raymond Goh, 24 Sept 2006
The Tomb of Qiu Zheng Zhi (é‚±æ £ç›´) was built in 1842 (é“光壬寅). He comes from the village of Hai Teng Province Sin Aun 海澄县新安
He have 4 sons, 3 daughters and one grandson listed.
One of his sons listed in the tombstone Khoo Qin Zhan (邱ç›éœ‘) donated 5 Dollars in 1854 to rebuilt the Fuk Tak Chi (ç¦å¾·ç¥ ), which is a museum now in Telok Ayer Street.
In 1861, he also donated 12 Dollars for the Chui Eng Public School (èƒè‹±ä¹¦é™¢). Now the place is converted to a Thai Restaurant (Bamboo Court). (Source: Singapore Chinese Epigraphs Collections)
Please see the plaque found in Fuk Tak Chi regarding the donation by Khoo. The plaque was erected in 1854 to commenorate the renovation of Fuk Tek Chi temple. One plaque praises the powers of the Tai Pak Gong Diety. The other plaque list the donors to the renovation. Khoo’s name was on one of the plaques. There was also a plaque erected in 1886 which was a testimony to the dispute between the Hakka Chinese and the Cantonese Chinese.
Now Haizheng Province Sin Aun already was a properous place since the Tang Dynasty Period.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, many clansmen from Sin Aun migrated to Taiwan, Dutch Batavia (now Jakarta) and Malacca with the repeal of the ban on maritime trade by the Manchu government. Since the rise of British power in the Far East, Siam, Burma (Myanmar), Singapore, Malacca, Kedah and Penang had been their favourite choices. Among these places, Penang saw the most Khoo immigrants in the 19th century.
(see migration chart from Khoo Kongsi website)
The Khoos of Khoo Kongsi (ä¸˜å…¬ç¥ ) from Penang also come from this village 新安 (Sin Aun).
The early pioneers of Singapore that also come from æ–°åžµ is Khoo Cheng Tiong (é‚±æ £å¿ or 邱笃信). He was born in 1820 and come to singapore in 1840. He might be a relative or contempatory of é‚±æ £ç›´, as he and his brothers first two characters are é‚±æ £.
Khoo Cheng Tiong (é‚±æ £å¿ ) is a famous Singapore rice merchant and was the president of Thong Chia Medial Institution. His 3rd brother Khoo Cheng Cheok é‚±æ £æœ even has a street Cheng Cheok Street (at Tanjong Pagar previously) named after him.
Khoo Cheng Tiong is also the father of Khoo Siok Guan (邱è½å› ), the famous scholar poet in Singapore, who started the Tian Nan Press in 1898, was an editor of Sin Chew Jit Poh and died in 1941
The other tomb which is of a couple, the wife of of an Eurasian. Their daughter is called “Holland”.
The daughter must have married a brother of the Khoo family or very close relative because their descandents share a common name for the first 2 characters:
邱ç›. That is why they can be buried at the same area.
————————
Please share your corrections/amendment, additions to this tomb research.
Raymond Goh
Blog at WordPress.com. Theme by Onswipe. View Standard Site
← Seek out the past, with an eye on the …Lessons from the Royal Plaques →
Comments
Back To ArticleNew Comment
The story of the oldest Chinese tombs in Singapore
by kentneo July 28, 2006
Text by Raymond Goh, 24 Sept 2006
The Tomb of Qiu Zheng Zhi (é‚±æ £ç›´) was built in 1842 (é“光壬寅). He comes from the village of Hai Teng Province Sin Aun 海澄县新安
He have 4 sons, 3 daughters and one grandson listed.
One of his sons listed in the tombstone Khoo Qin Zhan (邱ç›éœ‘) donated 5 Dollars in 1854 to rebuilt the Fuk Tak Chi (ç¦å¾·ç¥ ), which is a museum now in Telok Ayer Street.
In 1861, he also donated 12 Dollars for the Chui Eng Public School (èƒè‹±ä¹¦é™¢). Now the place is converted to a Thai Restaurant (Bamboo Court). (Source: Singapore Chinese Epigraphs Collections)
Please see the plaque found in Fuk Tak Chi regarding the donation by Khoo. The plaque was erected in 1854 to commenorate the renovation of Fuk Tek Chi temple. One plaque praises the powers of the Tai Pak Gong Diety. The other plaque list the donors to the renovation. Khoo’s name was on one of the plaques. There was also a plaque erected in 1886 which was a testimony to the dispute between the Hakka Chinese and the Cantonese Chinese.
Now Haizheng Province Sin Aun already was a properous place since the Tang Dynasty Period.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, many clansmen from Sin Aun migrated to Taiwan, Dutch Batavia (now Jakarta) and Malacca with the repeal of the ban on maritime trade by the Manchu government. Since the rise of British power in the Far East, Siam, Burma (Myanmar), Singapore, Malacca, Kedah and Penang had been their favourite choices. Among these places, Penang saw the most Khoo immigrants in the 19th century.
(see migration chart from Khoo Kongsi website)
The Khoos of Khoo Kongsi (ä¸˜å…¬ç¥ ) from Penang also come from this village 新安 (Sin Aun).
The early pioneers of Singapore that also come from æ–°åžµ is Khoo Cheng Tiong (é‚±æ £å¿ or 邱笃信). He was born in 1820 and come to singapore in 1840. He might be a relative or contempatory of é‚±æ £ç›´, as he and his brothers first two characters are é‚±æ £.
Khoo Cheng Tiong (é‚±æ £å¿ ) is a famous Singapore rice merchant and was the president of Thong Chia Medial Institution. His 3rd brother Khoo Cheng Cheok é‚±æ £æœ even has a street Cheng Cheok Street (at Tanjong Pagar previously) named after him.
Khoo Cheng Tiong is also the father of Khoo Siok Guan (邱è½å› ), the famous scholar poet in Singapore, who started the Tian Nan Press in 1898, was an editor of Sin Chew Jit Poh and died in 1941
The other tomb which is of a couple, the wife of of an Eurasian. Their daughter is called “Holland”.
The daughter must have married a brother of the Khoo family or very close relative because their descandents share a common name for the first 2 characters:
邱ç›. That is why they can be buried at the same area.
————————
Please share your corrections/amendment, additions to this tomb research.
Raymond Goh
Blog at WordPress.com. Theme by Onswipe. View Standard Site
← Seek out the past, with an eye on the …Lessons from the Royal Plaques →
Comments
Back To ArticleNew Comment
Facts of Old Singapore
Revisiting Singapore and the many forgotten scenes and stories of Singapore. We compiled some of the facts of old Singapore.
Earliest Christian Cemetery on Fort Canning
A reminder to Singapore that we enjoy a very high degree of health and medical care; in early Singapore many died of malaria and cholera epidemic. The tombstones remind us of those who died at an early age because of these epidemics.The tombstone of ...
History of Old Little India in Singapore
An early settlement of the Indians; earliest was Tanjong Pagar. In November 1822 Stamford Raffles wrote to the Town Committee about 'the proper allotment of the Native division of the town…' About the Chuliah Kampong (Indian village) Raffles wrot ...
History of Old Singapore Chinatown
Early settlement of Chinese Immigrants - locality assigned By Stamford Raffles in 1822; living and working under Extreme conditions they contributed to the Development of Singapore. In November 1822 Stamford Raffles wrote to the Town Committee in ...
How Dhoby Ghaut Got Its Name!
Indian dhobies (laundrymen) in early Singapore washed their laundry in the stream which used to be known as Sungei Bras Basah - a rivulet - that flowed from Orchard Road to the sea. Today it is Stamford Canal. The Chinese called the road beside it 'L ...
How National University of Singapore Got Its Name
Originally Raffles College And later University of Malay, 1949 Then University of Malaya- Singapore Division and University of Singapore and National University of Singapore Raffles College for Arts and Science founded because of cl ...
Indian Old/Convict Settlement in Singapore
Indian convicts provided labour for early building and road projects in Singapore; they cleared jungles and filled swamps and helped to building among others the St Andrew's Cathedral, the Istana, government offices, early defence works and Horsbugh ...
Singapore’s First Drinkable Water Fountain
First public drinking fountain 'for the use of all nations' The auctioneer John Gemmill donated the public drinking fountain which originally stood in Raffles Place in 1864 but is now relocated in the grounds of the National Museum. The inscr ...
Singapore’s First Transference of Power
The Mosque (previously the reception hall) of the Temenggong Abdul Rahman whose tomb is in the Royal Mausoleum where a Rajah of Pahang, Rhio, and Lingga Empire is also buried. Sir Stamford Raffles returned to Singapore three years after the found ...
Singapore’s Tamil Pioneer, Mr P Govindasamy
Built by Singapore's Tamil Pioneer businessman and philanthropist who believed in investing in Singapore and settling here. P. Govindasamy Pillai built this Wedding Hall. It was officially opened by Inche Yusuf bin Ishak, the Yang di Pertuan Nega ...
The Establishment of the Malay Cultural District, Eunos & Geylang
Muhammad Eunos Abdullah, Chairman 'Kesatuan Melayu Singapura' (Singapore Malay Union) - origins of Malay nationalism in Singapore Muhammad Eunos Abdullah was born in Singapore in 1876. He was the son of a Minangkabau merchant from Sumatra. He stu ...
The Founding of Singapore’s Tamil Schools
Several Tamil Schools were started by individuals, labour unions, religious institution for Tamil children to study Tamil Language and Literature and sustain their Tamil culture and heritage in foreign land. 'The gift of learning is the integrity of ...
Revisiting Singapore and the many forgotten scenes and stories of Singapore. We compiled some of the facts of old Singapore.
Earliest Christian Cemetery on Fort Canning
A reminder to Singapore that we enjoy a very high degree of health and medical care; in early Singapore many died of malaria and cholera epidemic. The tombstones remind us of those who died at an early age because of these epidemics.The tombstone of ...
History of Old Little India in Singapore
An early settlement of the Indians; earliest was Tanjong Pagar. In November 1822 Stamford Raffles wrote to the Town Committee about 'the proper allotment of the Native division of the town…' About the Chuliah Kampong (Indian village) Raffles wrot ...
History of Old Singapore Chinatown
Early settlement of Chinese Immigrants - locality assigned By Stamford Raffles in 1822; living and working under Extreme conditions they contributed to the Development of Singapore. In November 1822 Stamford Raffles wrote to the Town Committee in ...
How Dhoby Ghaut Got Its Name!
Indian dhobies (laundrymen) in early Singapore washed their laundry in the stream which used to be known as Sungei Bras Basah - a rivulet - that flowed from Orchard Road to the sea. Today it is Stamford Canal. The Chinese called the road beside it 'L ...
How National University of Singapore Got Its Name
Originally Raffles College And later University of Malay, 1949 Then University of Malaya- Singapore Division and University of Singapore and National University of Singapore Raffles College for Arts and Science founded because of cl ...
Indian Old/Convict Settlement in Singapore
Indian convicts provided labour for early building and road projects in Singapore; they cleared jungles and filled swamps and helped to building among others the St Andrew's Cathedral, the Istana, government offices, early defence works and Horsbugh ...
Singapore’s First Drinkable Water Fountain
First public drinking fountain 'for the use of all nations' The auctioneer John Gemmill donated the public drinking fountain which originally stood in Raffles Place in 1864 but is now relocated in the grounds of the National Museum. The inscr ...
Singapore’s First Transference of Power
The Mosque (previously the reception hall) of the Temenggong Abdul Rahman whose tomb is in the Royal Mausoleum where a Rajah of Pahang, Rhio, and Lingga Empire is also buried. Sir Stamford Raffles returned to Singapore three years after the found ...
Singapore’s Tamil Pioneer, Mr P Govindasamy
Built by Singapore's Tamil Pioneer businessman and philanthropist who believed in investing in Singapore and settling here. P. Govindasamy Pillai built this Wedding Hall. It was officially opened by Inche Yusuf bin Ishak, the Yang di Pertuan Nega ...
The Establishment of the Malay Cultural District, Eunos & Geylang
Muhammad Eunos Abdullah, Chairman 'Kesatuan Melayu Singapura' (Singapore Malay Union) - origins of Malay nationalism in Singapore Muhammad Eunos Abdullah was born in Singapore in 1876. He was the son of a Minangkabau merchant from Sumatra. He stu ...
The Founding of Singapore’s Tamil Schools
Several Tamil Schools were started by individuals, labour unions, religious institution for Tamil children to study Tamil Language and Literature and sustain their Tamil culture and heritage in foreign land. 'The gift of learning is the integrity of ...
BOTANICA GARDEN HISTORY
Singapore Botanic Gardens
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Singapore Botanic Gardens logo, Cyrtostachys palm
Symphony Lake at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Music was played at this gazebo, known as the Bandstand, in the Singapore Botanic Gardens in the 1930s
Replica of the ancient Lepidodendrons or giant clubmosses at the Evolution Garden
One of the newer attractions is the Saraca Stream in the Tanglin Core area
The lush lawns of Palm Valley are a popular spot for picnics and outdoor concerts
Office Building (Botany Hall 1) at the redeveloped Tanglin Core
Phalaenopsis philippinensis orchid growing in a mist house
A waterfall in the Ginger Gardens
Singapore's first "green roof" at the Green Pavilion
Orchids in the National Orchid Garden
The Singapore Botanic Gardens (Chinese: 新加坡植物园; Malay: Taman Botanik Singapura or Kebun Botani Singapura) is a 74-hectare[1] (183-acre) botanical garden in Singapore. It is half the size of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew or around one-fifth the size of Central Park in New York. It is the only botanic garden in the world that opens from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight every single day of the year, and does not charge an admission fee, except for the National Orchid Garden. The garden is bordered by Holland Road and Napier Road to the south, Cluny Road to the east, Tyersall Avenue and Cluny Park Road to the west and Bukit Timah Road to the North. The linear distance between the northern and southern ends is around 2.5 km (1.5 miles).
Contents
1 History
2 Attractions
2.1 National Orchid Garden
2.2 Rainforest
2.3 Evolution Garden
2.4 Ginger Garden
2.5 Botany Centre and Tanglin Gate
2.6 Jacob Ballas Children's Garden
2.7 Other attractions
3 Future developments
4 Gallery
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
[edit]History
The first "Botanical and Experimental Garden" in Singapore was established in 1822 on Government Hill at Fort Canning by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore and a keen naturalist. The Garden's main task was to evaluate for cultivation crops which were of potential economic importance, including those yielding fruits, vegetables, spices and other raw materials. This first Garden closed in 1829.
It was not until 30 years later that the present Singapore Botanic Gardens began in 1859, when the Agri Horticultural Society was granted 32 hectares of land in Tanglin by the colonial government, which had obtained it from the merchant Hoo Ah Kay, known as Whampoa, in exchange for land at Boat Quay.
Laurence Niven was hired as superintendent and landscape designer to turn what were essentially overgrown plantations and a tangle of virgin rainforest into a public park. The layout of the Gardens as it is today is largely based on Niven's design. The Agri Horticultural Society, however, ran out of funds and, in 1874, the colonial government took over the management of the Gardens.
The first rubber seedlings came to the gardens from Kew in 1877. A naturalist, Henry Nicholas Ridley, or Mad Ridley as he was known, became director of the gardens in 1888 and spearheaded rubber cultivation. Successful in his experiments with rubber planting, Ridley convinced planters across Malaya to adopt his methods. The results were astounding; Malaya became the world's number one producer and exporter of natural rubber.[2]
Another achievement was the pioneering of orchid hybridisation by Professor Eric Holttum, director of the Gardens from 1925 to 1949. His techniques led to Singapore being one of the world's top centres of commercial orchid growing. Today it also has the largest collection of tropical plant specimens.
During the Japanese occupation of Singapore from 1942 to 1945, Hidezo Tanakadate (田中館秀三), a professor of geology from Tohoku Imperial University, took over control of the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Raffles Museum. At the beginning of the occupation, he ensured that no looting occurred in the Gardens and the Museum. Both institutions continued to function as scientific institutions. Holttum and Edred John Henry Corner were interned in the Gardens and instructed to continue their horticultural work. The Gardens was also renamed as Shōnan Botanic Gardens (昭南植物園). Later that year, Dr. Kwan Koriba (郡場寛), a retired professor of botany from the Imperial University of Tokyo, arrived as Director of the Gardens, a post he held until the end of the war.
After the war, the Gardens was handed back to the control of the British. Murray Ross Henderson, curator of the Herbarium before the war, succeeded Holttum as director from 1949 to 1954. Eventually the Gardens played an important role during the "greening Singapore" campaign and Garden City campaign during the early independence years.
[edit]Attractions
Chopin monument, just south of Symphony Lake
[edit]National Orchid Garden
The National Orchid Garden is the main attraction within the Botanic Gardens. Located on the mid-western side of the Garden, the hilly three-hectare site has a collection of more than 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids of orchids.
Within the Orchid Garden there are a number of attractions such as the following:
Burkill Hall and the VIP Orchid Garden: Burkill Hall is a colonial plantation bungalow built in 1886. It used to be the director's house and was named in honour of the only father and son pair to hold the post of Director of Singapore Botanic Gardens, Isaac and Humphrey Burkill. The ground level serves as an exhibition area, showcasing information on the different hybrids named after VIPs who have visited the garden.
At the back of Burkill Hall is the VIP Orchid Garden with hybrids of some of the VIP orchids on display. Notable ones include Dendrobium Margaret Thatcher, Renantanda Akihito, Dendrobium Masako Kotaishi Hidenka, Dendrobium Elizabeth and Vanda Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Orchidarium: A haven for serious orchids enthusiasts, the Orchidarium houses natural species in a tropical setting.
Tan Hoon Siang Misthouse: Tan Hoon Siang was a descendant of Tan Tock Seng, who was a philanthropist and founder of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The misthouse contains a colourful collection of different hybrids. It also has a small collection of fragrant orchids like Vanda Mimi Plamer.
Lady Yuen-Peng McNeice Bromeliad House: Named in honour of its sponsor, the Bromeliad House showcases plants from the Bromeliaceae family, which includes the pineapple. The unique collection of bromeliads on display was acquired from Shelldance Nursery in the United States in 1994.
Coolhouse: The Coolhouse tries to recreate the environment of a tropical highland forest and showcases orchids that are normally only found in the tropical highland areas.
[edit]Rainforest
The Singapore Botanic Gardens has a small tropical rainforest of around six hectares in size, which is older than the gardens itself. The rainforest and its bigger cousin at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are located within the Singapore's city limits. Singapore is one of the only two major cities with a tropical rainforest within its city limits, the other being Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro.
[edit]Evolution Garden
The 9.9-hectare (3.7-acre) Evolution Garden is located within the Central Core area of the Gardens. It tells the evolutionary story of plant life on Earth throughout the ages.
[edit]Ginger Garden
Located next to the National Orchid Garden, this one-hectare garden brings together members of the Zingiberaceae family. The garden houses a restaurant called Halia Restaurant. There is also a drop-off point along Tyersall Avenue as well as a waterfall. The garden was officially opened in 2003 and it took over the spot vacated by the previous Orchid Enclosure.
[edit]Botany Centre and Tanglin Gate
The reopened Tanglin Gate has been given a new look. Gone is the old cast iron gate; it now sports a more modern silver colour with a leaf motif as its main design.
The two new blocks of offices and classroom in the upgraded Tanglin Core area are known as the Botany Centre. They house the:
Library of Botany and Horticulture (including the Public Reference Centre);
the Singapore Herbarium;
Orchid Breeding and Micropagation; and
education outreach and workshop classrooms.
The corridors and walkways of the Botany Centre are covered by leaf imprints. There are also a number of wooden carvings scattered around the grounds, and fern-covered vertical walls.
The Green Pavilion is the first "green roof" in Singapore. Weed- and grass-like plants fully cover the pitched roof. It houses the visitor services desk as well as a food court, Inside Green, in its basement.
The offices of former directors, namely Holttum Hall (after Eric Holttum, Director of the Gardens from 1925 to 1949) and Ridley Hall (after Henry Nicholas Ridley, first director of Gardens from 1888 to 1911) were preserved and now serve as the Singapore Botanic Gardens' Directorate and Visitor Management and Operations offices.
[edit]Jacob Ballas Children's Garden
The Children's Garden was named after its main donor Jacob Ballas, a Jewish-Singaporean philanthropist who died in 2004.
Built at a cost of S$7 million (of which $99 million was donated by the Jacob Ballas Trust and sponsors), it is located at the quieter northern end of the Botanic Gardens. It has its own visitor centre with a café. It opened on Children's Day, 1 October 2007. The National Parks Board claims it is Asia's first children's garden. There are play areas like the Water Play area, a small playground, tree-houses with slides, and a maze. There are also interactive exhibits that teach how photosynthesis takes place, and a mini-garden that showcases how plants may be used to make dyes and beverages, or as herbs.
At the Children's Garden Visitor Centre there is a sculpture by the Israeli artist Zodok Ben-David. Named Mystree, it was commissioned by the Yad Vashem museum in 2010. From a distance, the sculpture looks like a tree but a closer inspection reveals 500 human figures.
Although it is part of the Botanic Garden, the Children's Garden has its own entrance along Bukit Timah Road.
[edit]Other attractions
Tropical plants line the bank of the Saraca Stream as it meanders its way down a small hill. The main highlights of the stream walk are the Yellow Saraca trees (Saraca cauliflora) and Red Saraca (Saraca declinata). Other attractions include the Palm Valley, Bandstand area, Sun Garden and Sundial Garden.
The Botanic Gardens has three lakes, namely Symphony Lake, Eco-Lake and Swan Lake. The Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage on Symphony Lake occasionally has free concerts on weekends. Notable performers include the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Singapore Chinese Orchestra. On 10 October 2008,[3] a statue of the composer Frédéric Chopin was unveiled just south of Symphony Lake.
The headquarters of the National Parks Board is located within the grounds of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Eateries within the garden include Au Jardin Les Amis, a French fine-dining restaurant in a colonial bungalow; Café Les Amis, a café at the Visitor Centre; and Halia Restaurant, a restaurant at the Ginger Garden. There are also gift shops for visitors.
Singapore's national agency in biodiversity-related issues, the National Biodiversity Centre, is also located within the grounds of the gardens.
[edit]Future developments
Botanic Gardens MRT Station will be located at the northwestern part of the Bukit Timah Core area of the Gardens. The station is part of the Circle Line, and is due to open in 2010. It will be an interchange station for the proposed Downtown Line's Bukit Timah Section. With the opening of the station, getting to the Gardens using public transportation will be far more convenient.
During the launch of the Children's Garden, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Parks Board mentioned that the Singapore Botanic Gardens will be expanded to include another 11 hectares of land. The land was previously occupied by the Singapore Management University. The Board also revealed that it would spend some $30 million to build five thematic gardens on the newly acquired land. The first garden will be the Healing Garden, expected to open by the first half of 2010. The other four will be the Fragrant Garden, Terrace Garden, Foliage Valley and Ethnobotany Garden. However, if past projects are any indication, these projects may not open on time. For example, the Botany Centre and Tanglin Redevelopment was supposed to open by 2005 but did not open till 2006. The Children's Garden was supposed to be completed by 2006 but did not open till October 2007.
Eco-lake at the Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
[edit]Gallery
The Tembusu tree (Faraea fragrans) featured on the reverse of the Singaporean five-dollar bill at Lawn E, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Dendrobium Margaret Thatcher
The Yuen-Peng McNeice Bromeliad Collection
Dendrobium Bae Yong Jun, an orchid cultivar named after the South Korean actor
Vanda Miss Joaquim, the national flower of Singapore
Cygnus atratus in the Eco-Lake
The Sun Garden (formerly known as the Sun Rockery)
Flight of Swans sculpture installed in May 2006 at Swan Lake
The Botany Centre Blocks, with a view of Calophyllum inophyllum and one of the wooden sculptures dotted around the complex.
Orchids
Ginger
[edit]See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Singapore Botanic Gardens
List of botanical gardens
List of parks in Singapore
Penang Botanic Gardens, a botanic garden in Penang, Malaysia with a similar history.
Tourism in Singapore
[edit]References
^ "Singapore Botanic Gardens: Upcoming Attractions". Singapore Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
^ Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon (29 March 2001), Sir Henry Nicholas Ridley, Singapore: National Library Board Singapore
^ The Unveiling Ceremony of a Monument to Frederic Chopin & Inaugural Concert by NAFA Orchestra, The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Singapore, 5 October 2008, retrieved 4 June 2010
National Heritage Board (2002), Singapore's 100 Historic Places, Archipelago Press, ISBN 981-4068-23-3
Singapore Botanic Gardens (1989), "Visions of Delight - The Singapore Botanic Gardens through the ages", by Bonnie Tinsley, Tien Wah Press, Singapore, ISBN 9971-88-2503-5
[edit]External links
Singapore Botanic Gardens - Official site
Uniquely Singapore website
National Parks Board website
Virtual Reality preview of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
National Biodiversity Centre, Singapore
v · d · eMajor Tourist Attractions in Singapore
WRS Parks
Singapore Zoo · Night Safari · Jurong Bird Park · River Safari (U/C)
Integrated Resorts
Resorts World Sentosa · Marina Bay Sands
Amusement Parks
Escape Theme Park · Haw Par Villa · Sentosa · Wild Wild Wet · Resorts World Sentosa (Universal Studios Singapore · Equarius Water Park (U/C))
Oceanariums
Underwater World · Marine Life Park (U/C)
Museums
Asian Civilisations Museum · Baba House · Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum · Changi Museum · Fort Siloso · Images of Singapore · Malay Heritage Centre · Malay Village · National Museum of Singapore · Old Ford Motor Factory · Peranakan Museum · Raffles Hotel · Reflections at Bukit Chandu · Science Centre Singapore · Singapore Discovery Centre · Singapore Philatelic Museum · Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall · The Battle Box · Maritime Xperiential Museum (U/C) · ArtScience Museum
Nature Parks
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve · Singapore Botanic Gardens · Gardens by the Bay (U/C) · Pulau Ubin (Chek Jawa) · Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve · Central Catchment Nature Reserve · Labrador Nature Reserve · HortPark · Chinese Garden · Japanese Garden
Monuments
Bukit Batok Memorial · Civilian War Memorial · The Cenotaph · Early Founders Memorial Stone · Former Indian National Army Monument · Japanese Cemetery Park · Kranji War Memorial · Raffles' Landing Site · SGH War Memorial
Others
Merlion · Orchard Road · Singapore River · Singapore Flyer · Marina Barrage · Clifford Pier · The Helix Bridge
Singapore Tourism Board
Coordinates: 1.3151°N 103.8162°E
Categories: 1859 establishments | Botanical gardens in Singapore | Parks in Singapore | Tanglin | Visitor attractions in Singapore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Singapore Botanic Gardens logo, Cyrtostachys palm
Symphony Lake at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Music was played at this gazebo, known as the Bandstand, in the Singapore Botanic Gardens in the 1930s
Replica of the ancient Lepidodendrons or giant clubmosses at the Evolution Garden
One of the newer attractions is the Saraca Stream in the Tanglin Core area
The lush lawns of Palm Valley are a popular spot for picnics and outdoor concerts
Office Building (Botany Hall 1) at the redeveloped Tanglin Core
Phalaenopsis philippinensis orchid growing in a mist house
A waterfall in the Ginger Gardens
Singapore's first "green roof" at the Green Pavilion
Orchids in the National Orchid Garden
The Singapore Botanic Gardens (Chinese: 新加坡植物园; Malay: Taman Botanik Singapura or Kebun Botani Singapura) is a 74-hectare[1] (183-acre) botanical garden in Singapore. It is half the size of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew or around one-fifth the size of Central Park in New York. It is the only botanic garden in the world that opens from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight every single day of the year, and does not charge an admission fee, except for the National Orchid Garden. The garden is bordered by Holland Road and Napier Road to the south, Cluny Road to the east, Tyersall Avenue and Cluny Park Road to the west and Bukit Timah Road to the North. The linear distance between the northern and southern ends is around 2.5 km (1.5 miles).
Contents
1 History
2 Attractions
2.1 National Orchid Garden
2.2 Rainforest
2.3 Evolution Garden
2.4 Ginger Garden
2.5 Botany Centre and Tanglin Gate
2.6 Jacob Ballas Children's Garden
2.7 Other attractions
3 Future developments
4 Gallery
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
[edit]History
The first "Botanical and Experimental Garden" in Singapore was established in 1822 on Government Hill at Fort Canning by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore and a keen naturalist. The Garden's main task was to evaluate for cultivation crops which were of potential economic importance, including those yielding fruits, vegetables, spices and other raw materials. This first Garden closed in 1829.
It was not until 30 years later that the present Singapore Botanic Gardens began in 1859, when the Agri Horticultural Society was granted 32 hectares of land in Tanglin by the colonial government, which had obtained it from the merchant Hoo Ah Kay, known as Whampoa, in exchange for land at Boat Quay.
Laurence Niven was hired as superintendent and landscape designer to turn what were essentially overgrown plantations and a tangle of virgin rainforest into a public park. The layout of the Gardens as it is today is largely based on Niven's design. The Agri Horticultural Society, however, ran out of funds and, in 1874, the colonial government took over the management of the Gardens.
The first rubber seedlings came to the gardens from Kew in 1877. A naturalist, Henry Nicholas Ridley, or Mad Ridley as he was known, became director of the gardens in 1888 and spearheaded rubber cultivation. Successful in his experiments with rubber planting, Ridley convinced planters across Malaya to adopt his methods. The results were astounding; Malaya became the world's number one producer and exporter of natural rubber.[2]
Another achievement was the pioneering of orchid hybridisation by Professor Eric Holttum, director of the Gardens from 1925 to 1949. His techniques led to Singapore being one of the world's top centres of commercial orchid growing. Today it also has the largest collection of tropical plant specimens.
During the Japanese occupation of Singapore from 1942 to 1945, Hidezo Tanakadate (田中館秀三), a professor of geology from Tohoku Imperial University, took over control of the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Raffles Museum. At the beginning of the occupation, he ensured that no looting occurred in the Gardens and the Museum. Both institutions continued to function as scientific institutions. Holttum and Edred John Henry Corner were interned in the Gardens and instructed to continue their horticultural work. The Gardens was also renamed as Shōnan Botanic Gardens (昭南植物園). Later that year, Dr. Kwan Koriba (郡場寛), a retired professor of botany from the Imperial University of Tokyo, arrived as Director of the Gardens, a post he held until the end of the war.
After the war, the Gardens was handed back to the control of the British. Murray Ross Henderson, curator of the Herbarium before the war, succeeded Holttum as director from 1949 to 1954. Eventually the Gardens played an important role during the "greening Singapore" campaign and Garden City campaign during the early independence years.
[edit]Attractions
Chopin monument, just south of Symphony Lake
[edit]National Orchid Garden
The National Orchid Garden is the main attraction within the Botanic Gardens. Located on the mid-western side of the Garden, the hilly three-hectare site has a collection of more than 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids of orchids.
Within the Orchid Garden there are a number of attractions such as the following:
Burkill Hall and the VIP Orchid Garden: Burkill Hall is a colonial plantation bungalow built in 1886. It used to be the director's house and was named in honour of the only father and son pair to hold the post of Director of Singapore Botanic Gardens, Isaac and Humphrey Burkill. The ground level serves as an exhibition area, showcasing information on the different hybrids named after VIPs who have visited the garden.
At the back of Burkill Hall is the VIP Orchid Garden with hybrids of some of the VIP orchids on display. Notable ones include Dendrobium Margaret Thatcher, Renantanda Akihito, Dendrobium Masako Kotaishi Hidenka, Dendrobium Elizabeth and Vanda Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Orchidarium: A haven for serious orchids enthusiasts, the Orchidarium houses natural species in a tropical setting.
Tan Hoon Siang Misthouse: Tan Hoon Siang was a descendant of Tan Tock Seng, who was a philanthropist and founder of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The misthouse contains a colourful collection of different hybrids. It also has a small collection of fragrant orchids like Vanda Mimi Plamer.
Lady Yuen-Peng McNeice Bromeliad House: Named in honour of its sponsor, the Bromeliad House showcases plants from the Bromeliaceae family, which includes the pineapple. The unique collection of bromeliads on display was acquired from Shelldance Nursery in the United States in 1994.
Coolhouse: The Coolhouse tries to recreate the environment of a tropical highland forest and showcases orchids that are normally only found in the tropical highland areas.
[edit]Rainforest
The Singapore Botanic Gardens has a small tropical rainforest of around six hectares in size, which is older than the gardens itself. The rainforest and its bigger cousin at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are located within the Singapore's city limits. Singapore is one of the only two major cities with a tropical rainforest within its city limits, the other being Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro.
[edit]Evolution Garden
The 9.9-hectare (3.7-acre) Evolution Garden is located within the Central Core area of the Gardens. It tells the evolutionary story of plant life on Earth throughout the ages.
[edit]Ginger Garden
Located next to the National Orchid Garden, this one-hectare garden brings together members of the Zingiberaceae family. The garden houses a restaurant called Halia Restaurant. There is also a drop-off point along Tyersall Avenue as well as a waterfall. The garden was officially opened in 2003 and it took over the spot vacated by the previous Orchid Enclosure.
[edit]Botany Centre and Tanglin Gate
The reopened Tanglin Gate has been given a new look. Gone is the old cast iron gate; it now sports a more modern silver colour with a leaf motif as its main design.
The two new blocks of offices and classroom in the upgraded Tanglin Core area are known as the Botany Centre. They house the:
Library of Botany and Horticulture (including the Public Reference Centre);
the Singapore Herbarium;
Orchid Breeding and Micropagation; and
education outreach and workshop classrooms.
The corridors and walkways of the Botany Centre are covered by leaf imprints. There are also a number of wooden carvings scattered around the grounds, and fern-covered vertical walls.
The Green Pavilion is the first "green roof" in Singapore. Weed- and grass-like plants fully cover the pitched roof. It houses the visitor services desk as well as a food court, Inside Green, in its basement.
The offices of former directors, namely Holttum Hall (after Eric Holttum, Director of the Gardens from 1925 to 1949) and Ridley Hall (after Henry Nicholas Ridley, first director of Gardens from 1888 to 1911) were preserved and now serve as the Singapore Botanic Gardens' Directorate and Visitor Management and Operations offices.
[edit]Jacob Ballas Children's Garden
The Children's Garden was named after its main donor Jacob Ballas, a Jewish-Singaporean philanthropist who died in 2004.
Built at a cost of S$7 million (of which $99 million was donated by the Jacob Ballas Trust and sponsors), it is located at the quieter northern end of the Botanic Gardens. It has its own visitor centre with a café. It opened on Children's Day, 1 October 2007. The National Parks Board claims it is Asia's first children's garden. There are play areas like the Water Play area, a small playground, tree-houses with slides, and a maze. There are also interactive exhibits that teach how photosynthesis takes place, and a mini-garden that showcases how plants may be used to make dyes and beverages, or as herbs.
At the Children's Garden Visitor Centre there is a sculpture by the Israeli artist Zodok Ben-David. Named Mystree, it was commissioned by the Yad Vashem museum in 2010. From a distance, the sculpture looks like a tree but a closer inspection reveals 500 human figures.
Although it is part of the Botanic Garden, the Children's Garden has its own entrance along Bukit Timah Road.
[edit]Other attractions
Tropical plants line the bank of the Saraca Stream as it meanders its way down a small hill. The main highlights of the stream walk are the Yellow Saraca trees (Saraca cauliflora) and Red Saraca (Saraca declinata). Other attractions include the Palm Valley, Bandstand area, Sun Garden and Sundial Garden.
The Botanic Gardens has three lakes, namely Symphony Lake, Eco-Lake and Swan Lake. The Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage on Symphony Lake occasionally has free concerts on weekends. Notable performers include the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Singapore Chinese Orchestra. On 10 October 2008,[3] a statue of the composer Frédéric Chopin was unveiled just south of Symphony Lake.
The headquarters of the National Parks Board is located within the grounds of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Eateries within the garden include Au Jardin Les Amis, a French fine-dining restaurant in a colonial bungalow; Café Les Amis, a café at the Visitor Centre; and Halia Restaurant, a restaurant at the Ginger Garden. There are also gift shops for visitors.
Singapore's national agency in biodiversity-related issues, the National Biodiversity Centre, is also located within the grounds of the gardens.
[edit]Future developments
Botanic Gardens MRT Station will be located at the northwestern part of the Bukit Timah Core area of the Gardens. The station is part of the Circle Line, and is due to open in 2010. It will be an interchange station for the proposed Downtown Line's Bukit Timah Section. With the opening of the station, getting to the Gardens using public transportation will be far more convenient.
During the launch of the Children's Garden, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Parks Board mentioned that the Singapore Botanic Gardens will be expanded to include another 11 hectares of land. The land was previously occupied by the Singapore Management University. The Board also revealed that it would spend some $30 million to build five thematic gardens on the newly acquired land. The first garden will be the Healing Garden, expected to open by the first half of 2010. The other four will be the Fragrant Garden, Terrace Garden, Foliage Valley and Ethnobotany Garden. However, if past projects are any indication, these projects may not open on time. For example, the Botany Centre and Tanglin Redevelopment was supposed to open by 2005 but did not open till 2006. The Children's Garden was supposed to be completed by 2006 but did not open till October 2007.
Eco-lake at the Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
[edit]Gallery
The Tembusu tree (Faraea fragrans) featured on the reverse of the Singaporean five-dollar bill at Lawn E, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Dendrobium Margaret Thatcher
The Yuen-Peng McNeice Bromeliad Collection
Dendrobium Bae Yong Jun, an orchid cultivar named after the South Korean actor
Vanda Miss Joaquim, the national flower of Singapore
Cygnus atratus in the Eco-Lake
The Sun Garden (formerly known as the Sun Rockery)
Flight of Swans sculpture installed in May 2006 at Swan Lake
The Botany Centre Blocks, with a view of Calophyllum inophyllum and one of the wooden sculptures dotted around the complex.
Orchids
Ginger
[edit]See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Singapore Botanic Gardens
List of botanical gardens
List of parks in Singapore
Penang Botanic Gardens, a botanic garden in Penang, Malaysia with a similar history.
Tourism in Singapore
[edit]References
^ "Singapore Botanic Gardens: Upcoming Attractions". Singapore Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
^ Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon (29 March 2001), Sir Henry Nicholas Ridley, Singapore: National Library Board Singapore
^ The Unveiling Ceremony of a Monument to Frederic Chopin & Inaugural Concert by NAFA Orchestra, The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Singapore, 5 October 2008, retrieved 4 June 2010
National Heritage Board (2002), Singapore's 100 Historic Places, Archipelago Press, ISBN 981-4068-23-3
Singapore Botanic Gardens (1989), "Visions of Delight - The Singapore Botanic Gardens through the ages", by Bonnie Tinsley, Tien Wah Press, Singapore, ISBN 9971-88-2503-5
[edit]External links
Singapore Botanic Gardens - Official site
Uniquely Singapore website
National Parks Board website
Virtual Reality preview of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
National Biodiversity Centre, Singapore
v · d · eMajor Tourist Attractions in Singapore
WRS Parks
Singapore Zoo · Night Safari · Jurong Bird Park · River Safari (U/C)
Integrated Resorts
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Amusement Parks
Escape Theme Park · Haw Par Villa · Sentosa · Wild Wild Wet · Resorts World Sentosa (Universal Studios Singapore · Equarius Water Park (U/C))
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Museums
Asian Civilisations Museum · Baba House · Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum · Changi Museum · Fort Siloso · Images of Singapore · Malay Heritage Centre · Malay Village · National Museum of Singapore · Old Ford Motor Factory · Peranakan Museum · Raffles Hotel · Reflections at Bukit Chandu · Science Centre Singapore · Singapore Discovery Centre · Singapore Philatelic Museum · Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall · The Battle Box · Maritime Xperiential Museum (U/C) · ArtScience Museum
Nature Parks
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve · Singapore Botanic Gardens · Gardens by the Bay (U/C) · Pulau Ubin (Chek Jawa) · Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve · Central Catchment Nature Reserve · Labrador Nature Reserve · HortPark · Chinese Garden · Japanese Garden
Monuments
Bukit Batok Memorial · Civilian War Memorial · The Cenotaph · Early Founders Memorial Stone · Former Indian National Army Monument · Japanese Cemetery Park · Kranji War Memorial · Raffles' Landing Site · SGH War Memorial
Others
Merlion · Orchard Road · Singapore River · Singapore Flyer · Marina Barrage · Clifford Pier · The Helix Bridge
Singapore Tourism Board
Coordinates: 1.3151°N 103.8162°E
Categories: 1859 establishments | Botanical gardens in Singapore | Parks in Singapore | Tanglin | Visitor attractions in Singapore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
MacRitchie Reservoir
The distinctive zig-zag bridge and Performing Arts Pavilion are popular spots at the reservoir
Coordinates 1°20′37″N 103°49′52″ECoordinates: 1°20′37″N 103°49′52″E
Lake type reservoir
Basin countries Singapore
MacRitchie Reservoir (Chinese: 麦里芝蓄水池, Pinyin: Maìlǐzhī Xùshuǐchí) is Singapore's oldest reservoir. The reservoir was completed in 1868 by impounding water from an earth embankment, and was then known as the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir.
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Present
3 References
4 See also
5 Gallery
6 External links
[edit]History
Boardwalk at MacRitchie Reservoir
Reservoir, boardwalk and running trail converge
Before the early 19th century, most of the Singapore main island was covered by primary forest. Soon after the British established a settlement in Singapore in 1819 and commercial activity took root, there was a demand for fresh water. However, it was decades before the settlement's first fresh water supply was established.
Between 1820 and 1870, a substantial portion of the virgin forest was cleared to assist Singapore in becoming an important trading post. Prior to this, Chinese planters had also worked the forested land for timber and the cultivation of crops like gambier, pepper and rubber. By 1886, only 10% of the original forest cover remained.
In 1823, British Resident John Crawfurd proposed the building of a reservoir and waterworks, setting aside $1,000 for these plans but nothing came of them. Another plan that ended up in smoke was the idea to tap the headwaters of Singapore Creek.
Finally, in 1857, Straits Chinese merchant Tan Kim Seng donated $13,000 for the improvement of the town's waterworks but delays, poor planning and use of the wrong building materials ate into the budget. New plans were drawn up for an impounding reservoir in Thomson. Tan's money was insufficient – the cost of the new reservoir was $100,000 – but colonial headquarters in Calcutta refused to make up the rest of the cost. When Tan died in 1864, the reservoir was no nearer completion.
Construction was eventually completed in 1868 but the pumps and distributing network were not finished until 1877. By this time, public confidence in the government's ability was dented.
In 1882, in a move to salvage its reputation, the Municipal Council erected a fountain in Fullerton Square in honour of Tan Kim Seng. The fountain was later to moved to Queen Elizabeth Walk, where it stands today.
In 1891, the holding capacity of the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir, after its designer John Turnbull Thomson, was expanded to over 465 million gallons. Municipal Engineer James MacRitchie oversaw this $32,000 expansion and the reservoir was named after him in 1922. In the 1890s, he had urged the government to buy the Chasseriau Estate for use as a reservoir but it was not until much later that the purchase was made.
However, the reservoir's 4 million gallons a day were still insufficient to meet demand. Water was pumped into the reservoir from the upper section of Kallang River, one of the island's bigger sources of fresh water. Other fresh water supplies – Lower Peirce Reservoir and Seletar Reservoir – were completed in 1912 and 1920 respectively. However, the government realised that Singapore would not be able to meet its own fresh water needs. In 1927, a water treaty was signed with the Sultan of Johor. Singapore received its first supply of water from Johor in 1932 but Singapore is now more independent.
The development of the MacRitchie Reservoir brought the forest devastation around the area to a halt. The forest surrounding the reservoir has been protected as a water catchment reserve. The forested areas surrounding the other two reservoirs, Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir (formerly Seletar Reservoir) were also protected when these reservoirs were developed.
During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore built a Shinto Shrine, Syonan Jinja,in the middle of the MacRitchie Reservoir forest in Singapore. When the British forces re-occupied Singapore, the Shrine was destroyed. However, ruins of the shrine remain and serve as a quaint piece of History accessible only to those willing to look for it, given its obscure location. The National Heritage Board declared the site a Historic Site in 2002, although no plans have been made public to develop or to protect the site.
[edit]Present
More than one square kilometre of primary forest still flourishes in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve today, particularly around MacRitchie Reservoir. Rubber trees, remnants of the plantations from the 19th century, can still be seen along the fringes around the reservoir.
There are boardwalks skirting the edge of the scenic MacRitchie Reservoir and walking trails through the forest. They range in distances from 3 km to 11 km. Interpretative signboards along the boardwalks allow for a self-guided tour along the fringes of the MacRitchie forest.
The boardwalk around the perimeter of the MacRitchie Reservoir brings the visitor through interesting secondary forest in the Central Catchment nature area. The boardwalk which hugs the reservoir also allows for easy exploration of freshwater wildlife. The Ant plant (Macaranga bancana.) and pitcher plants are common in the area.
In addition to the boardwalk, another popular attraction is the HSBC TreeTop Walk, a 250 m aerial free standing suspension bridge spanning Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang which are the two highest points in MacRitchie. The bridge was completed in July 2004, and the TreeTop Walk was officially launched on 5 November 2004. The structure, which is 25 m at its highest point, offers visitors a panoramic view of Upper Peirce Reservoir and the surrounding lush rainforest. Jelutong Tower also offers a view of the Singapore Island Country Club golf course and the MacRitchie Reservoir.
The 3.2 km and 4.8 km trails are still used as cross-country running routes for various inter-school competitions today.
Schools can be seen using the reservoir as a place for water sports such as canoeing and kayaking. There are certain competitions held there annually. A new amenities hub has been recently constructed following the opening of a multi storey car park. This is part of the renewal programme.
[edit]References
National Heritage Board (2002), Singapore's 100 Historic Places, Archipelago Press, ISBN 981-4068-23-3
[edit]See also
Syonan Jinja
[edit]Gallery
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: MacRitchie Reservoir
Sign to the treetop walk
The suspension bridge as part of the treetop walk
[edit]External links
National Parks Board, Central Catchment Nature Reserve - HSBC TreeTop Walk
360 interactive VR photo of MacRitchie Reservoir
SPI Investigates Syonan Jinja
[hide]v · d · eReservoirs in Singapore
Nature
Bedok · Jurong Lake · Kranji · Lower Peirce · Lower Seletar · MacRitchie · Marina · Murai · Pandan · Poyan · Pulau Tekong · Punggol · Sarimbun · Serangoon · Tengeh · Upper Peirce · Upper Seletar
Service
Changi Creek · Fort Canning · Jalan Eunos · Kallang · Murnane · Pearl's Hill · South End · Yishun
Planned
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Categories: Reservoirs in Singapore | Parks in Singapore | Visitor attractions in Singapore | Central Water Catchment
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MacRitchie Reservoir
The distinctive zig-zag bridge and Performing Arts Pavilion are popular spots at the reservoir
Coordinates 1°20′37″N 103°49′52″ECoordinates: 1°20′37″N 103°49′52″E
Lake type reservoir
Basin countries Singapore
MacRitchie Reservoir (Chinese: 麦里芝蓄水池, Pinyin: Maìlǐzhī Xùshuǐchí) is Singapore's oldest reservoir. The reservoir was completed in 1868 by impounding water from an earth embankment, and was then known as the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir.
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Present
3 References
4 See also
5 Gallery
6 External links
[edit]History
Boardwalk at MacRitchie Reservoir
Reservoir, boardwalk and running trail converge
Before the early 19th century, most of the Singapore main island was covered by primary forest. Soon after the British established a settlement in Singapore in 1819 and commercial activity took root, there was a demand for fresh water. However, it was decades before the settlement's first fresh water supply was established.
Between 1820 and 1870, a substantial portion of the virgin forest was cleared to assist Singapore in becoming an important trading post. Prior to this, Chinese planters had also worked the forested land for timber and the cultivation of crops like gambier, pepper and rubber. By 1886, only 10% of the original forest cover remained.
In 1823, British Resident John Crawfurd proposed the building of a reservoir and waterworks, setting aside $1,000 for these plans but nothing came of them. Another plan that ended up in smoke was the idea to tap the headwaters of Singapore Creek.
Finally, in 1857, Straits Chinese merchant Tan Kim Seng donated $13,000 for the improvement of the town's waterworks but delays, poor planning and use of the wrong building materials ate into the budget. New plans were drawn up for an impounding reservoir in Thomson. Tan's money was insufficient – the cost of the new reservoir was $100,000 – but colonial headquarters in Calcutta refused to make up the rest of the cost. When Tan died in 1864, the reservoir was no nearer completion.
Construction was eventually completed in 1868 but the pumps and distributing network were not finished until 1877. By this time, public confidence in the government's ability was dented.
In 1882, in a move to salvage its reputation, the Municipal Council erected a fountain in Fullerton Square in honour of Tan Kim Seng. The fountain was later to moved to Queen Elizabeth Walk, where it stands today.
In 1891, the holding capacity of the Impounding Reservoir or Thomson Reservoir, after its designer John Turnbull Thomson, was expanded to over 465 million gallons. Municipal Engineer James MacRitchie oversaw this $32,000 expansion and the reservoir was named after him in 1922. In the 1890s, he had urged the government to buy the Chasseriau Estate for use as a reservoir but it was not until much later that the purchase was made.
However, the reservoir's 4 million gallons a day were still insufficient to meet demand. Water was pumped into the reservoir from the upper section of Kallang River, one of the island's bigger sources of fresh water. Other fresh water supplies – Lower Peirce Reservoir and Seletar Reservoir – were completed in 1912 and 1920 respectively. However, the government realised that Singapore would not be able to meet its own fresh water needs. In 1927, a water treaty was signed with the Sultan of Johor. Singapore received its first supply of water from Johor in 1932 but Singapore is now more independent.
The development of the MacRitchie Reservoir brought the forest devastation around the area to a halt. The forest surrounding the reservoir has been protected as a water catchment reserve. The forested areas surrounding the other two reservoirs, Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir (formerly Seletar Reservoir) were also protected when these reservoirs were developed.
During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore built a Shinto Shrine, Syonan Jinja,in the middle of the MacRitchie Reservoir forest in Singapore. When the British forces re-occupied Singapore, the Shrine was destroyed. However, ruins of the shrine remain and serve as a quaint piece of History accessible only to those willing to look for it, given its obscure location. The National Heritage Board declared the site a Historic Site in 2002, although no plans have been made public to develop or to protect the site.
[edit]Present
More than one square kilometre of primary forest still flourishes in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve today, particularly around MacRitchie Reservoir. Rubber trees, remnants of the plantations from the 19th century, can still be seen along the fringes around the reservoir.
There are boardwalks skirting the edge of the scenic MacRitchie Reservoir and walking trails through the forest. They range in distances from 3 km to 11 km. Interpretative signboards along the boardwalks allow for a self-guided tour along the fringes of the MacRitchie forest.
The boardwalk around the perimeter of the MacRitchie Reservoir brings the visitor through interesting secondary forest in the Central Catchment nature area. The boardwalk which hugs the reservoir also allows for easy exploration of freshwater wildlife. The Ant plant (Macaranga bancana.) and pitcher plants are common in the area.
In addition to the boardwalk, another popular attraction is the HSBC TreeTop Walk, a 250 m aerial free standing suspension bridge spanning Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang which are the two highest points in MacRitchie. The bridge was completed in July 2004, and the TreeTop Walk was officially launched on 5 November 2004. The structure, which is 25 m at its highest point, offers visitors a panoramic view of Upper Peirce Reservoir and the surrounding lush rainforest. Jelutong Tower also offers a view of the Singapore Island Country Club golf course and the MacRitchie Reservoir.
The 3.2 km and 4.8 km trails are still used as cross-country running routes for various inter-school competitions today.
Schools can be seen using the reservoir as a place for water sports such as canoeing and kayaking. There are certain competitions held there annually. A new amenities hub has been recently constructed following the opening of a multi storey car park. This is part of the renewal programme.
[edit]References
National Heritage Board (2002), Singapore's 100 Historic Places, Archipelago Press, ISBN 981-4068-23-3
[edit]See also
Syonan Jinja
[edit]Gallery
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: MacRitchie Reservoir
Sign to the treetop walk
The suspension bridge as part of the treetop walk
[edit]External links
National Parks Board, Central Catchment Nature Reserve - HSBC TreeTop Walk
360 interactive VR photo of MacRitchie Reservoir
SPI Investigates Syonan Jinja
[hide]v · d · eReservoirs in Singapore
Nature
Bedok · Jurong Lake · Kranji · Lower Peirce · Lower Seletar · MacRitchie · Marina · Murai · Pandan · Poyan · Pulau Tekong · Punggol · Sarimbun · Serangoon · Tengeh · Upper Peirce · Upper Seletar
Service
Changi Creek · Fort Canning · Jalan Eunos · Kallang · Murnane · Pearl's Hill · South End · Yishun
Planned
View page ratings
Rate this page
What's this?
Trustworthy
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Complete
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Categories: Reservoirs in Singapore | Parks in Singapore | Visitor attractions in Singapore | Central Water Catchment
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RACE TO SAVE THE OLDEST CHINESE TOMBS
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The Straits Times 19 Aug 06
Race to save oldest Chinese tombs here
by Radha Basu
THE National Parks Board (NParks) has put on hold plans to dig up one of Singapore's oldest Chinese tombs following a petition from a group of heritage enthusiasts.
The tangible slice of history, dating back to the time this modern metropolis was a sleepy village fringed by jungle, was to have been removed to make room for a new extension to the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Tucked away at the foot of a sylvan slope near the former Singapore Management University campus, the tomb dates back to 1842, and holds the remains of a Chinese settler known as Qiu Zheng Zhi, who probably lived during Sir Stamford Raffles' time. His wife, Madam Li Ci Shu, is buried alongside in the simple grey structure with bright red engravings. Two other sets of tombs, also dating back to the 19th century, lie nearby. One of these, a bright orange structure with black engravings, was erected in 1881. Buried here are a Mr Huang Hui Shi and his wife, Madam Si Ma Ni.
The land, which lies on the fringes of the Botanic Gardens, was recently acquired by NParks and may be turned into landscaped horticultural displays.
Last week, three heritage enthusiasts, including Singapore Heritage Society president Kevin Tan, met NParks chief executive Ng Lang and Botanic Gardens director Dr Chin See Chung to ask that they save the tombs.
Yesterday, an NParks spokesman told The Straits Times the exhumation plans have been put on hold while the board tries to find out more about the people buried there. A final decision will be taken later.
Heritage enthusiasts, meanwhile, are hoping that the tombs will be spared.
Dr Tan, who is editing a book on Singapore cemeteries, believes the Qiu tomb to be the oldest 'in situ' Chinese tomb in Singapore, meaning it still remains at the site where it was first built.
'It is a miracle that the tombs survived so many generations and so much construction nearby,' said Dr Tan.
He was alerted to the possible possibile exhumation by two heritage-loving sisters, former National Archives official Ms Tan Beng Luan and teacher Ms Tan Beng Chiak. Earlier this year, they stumbled upon signs that the graves were to be exhumed.
The sisters felt these tombs should be saved simply because there are 'so few things in Singapore that are so old', said Ms Tan Beng Chiak, a biology teacher with a keen interest in history.
The ownership of the tombs' site in the Bukit Timah area has changed many times - from the old Botanic Gardens, to Raffles College, Singapore University, the National Institute of Education and the former Singapore Management University.
If preserved, the tombs could serve as important educational exhibits to teach students and visitors about the culture and practices of early Chinese immigrants, said Ms Tan Beng Chiak.
'Only with the knowledge of our past through tangible objects and not just in the pages on history books, will the young be able to feel a sense of belonging and rootedness,' she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Tan Beng Luan, a history researcher and pre-school principal, is keen to crack the mysteries of who these people were and where they came from.
The Qius, whose descendants may be the Khoos, may have come from Penang, she said, but she is not sure. Mr Huang came from China, though his wife may have been Indian or Eurasian.
Old maps of the area show that there was a gambier plantation at the site in the 1840s. By 1880, the land was under the British and part of the Botanic Gardens. An 'economic garden' had been built there to experiment with new cash crops - such as coffee, rubber and pepper - that could boost the local economy.
'We have no idea why the Huang tombs were allowed to be built right in the middle of the economic garden,' said Ms Tan Beng Luan.
She is now hoping that descendants of the two families will step forward to help solve the mysteries that have lasted more than a century.
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Mac Ritchie water tomb
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jnifur
25-04-2004, 03:45 PM
Wonder has this been discussed b4.
But one of my fren send me the email.
I personally have bypass this tomb many times b4.
The lastest visit was 2 yrs b4.
I was on a sample collection with my colleagues.
And my colleague went infront of the tomb n commented on the tomb n the date of deceased. I remember went there last Apr 2002. And after that I was sick for dunno how many months and got into a series of bad luck....dunno is it coincidence or have I accidentally Offended the person there :confused: :eek:
Haunted Places: McRitchie Water Tomb
The Mystery of McRitchie Water Tomb
This is a solitaire tomb that could be found at the logging track of MacRitchie reservoir
1. The tomb is facing a tranquil open view; 2. At both sides there are mud tracks; 3 & 4. Mysterious sea creatures found on shore
Mystery of year 1876 tombstone at MacRitchie
Tomb of the Unknown
(Source: The New Paper, By Lee Tee Jong, November 18, 2003)
WITHIN the tranquil MacRitchie Reservoir Park lies a 127-year-old mystery. A solitary tombstone dated 1876 stands beneath a canopy of mangrove trees along the Chemperai-Jering jogging trail. It is so old that even the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) does not have any record of its existence.
NAS said they only have cemetery burial records, exhumation records and death certificates dating after 1947.
Regular joggers speculate that the deceased was either a nobleman or an important official. Said Mr Raymond Lim, 60, a retiree who first saw the tombstone 30 years ago: 'The carvings are elaborate.
'From a geomancy point of view, the location is good - given its proximity to nature and water.' The throne-like tombstone, which is three steps from the water's edge, commands a panoramic view of the open reservoir and the surrounding greenery.
A row of red Chinese characters carved on the vertical slab reveals the year of death and the surname of the deceased as Fan. Over the years, the writing has become faint, and there are cracks running across the slabs. Algae is growing around the slabs and dead leaves encircle the tombstone, about half the size of a table-tennis table.
But there were signs that someone had been taking care of the tombstone. On the horizontal slab were two red candles, two big joss sticks, an urn filled with the joss stick butts, several blobs of melted wax, a pack of half-opened joss sticks and a lighter caked with mud. The giant joss sticks were damp and slightly bent in the rain. A broom and a sweeper lay against the branch of a mangrove tree two metres away.
Most joggers shied away from the tombstone. There are two jogging paths nearby, and most joggers chose the one that is further away. The occasional jogger who ran closer to the tombstone went behind it.
One of them, Mr Francis Teo, 40, said: 'I do not want to be disrespectful towards the deceased by running in front.'
The salesman, who has been jogging there for 20 years, had a theory about the tombstone. He said: 'I suspect the family might have wanted to put the tombstone at Bukit Brown cemetery near MacRitchie Reservoir but later placed it here to make it more exclusive.'
The Environmental Health Department of the National Environment Agency, which oversees the management of Government cemeteries, crematoria and columbaria, has no intention of removing the tombstone. Its officer, Mr Yip Kwok Hoong, said: 'Unless someone applies for an exhumation permit, we will not clear the tombstone.'
MacRitchie reservoir in yesteryears
First Reservoir: MacRitchie Reservoir
(Source: Raffles Computer Science Club)
When Singapore was founded as a British trading port, two groups of people came to depend on the island for water. One was the growing number of ships that called for goods and supplies including water. The other was the growing population of migrants drawn to the small island because of the opportunities for trade and money-making.
Fresh water came from wells and rivers but these became increasingly inadequate to cope with demand. As early as 1823, British Resident John Crawfurd proposed to spend 1000 dollars on a new reservoir and waterworks to supply water to the ships. Nothing came of the plan. In 1852, the government surveyor proposed a plan to tap the headwaters of the "Singapore Creek". The plan, if carried through, would have supplied some 2067 million cubic metres (546 million gallons) of water to the town. Nothing came of this scheme too.
In 1857, Straits Chinese merchant Tan Kim Seng decided to donate $13 000 towards improvements to the waterworks for the town. Some of the money was frittered away but eventually a scheme materialised to create an impounding reservoir in Thomson by constructing an earth embankment to impound water. Unfortunately, the projected cost of building the reservoir, which came to more than $100 000, could not be covered by Tan's gift. The colony was then governed from Calcutta, and the colonial government there declined to spend the large sum required to build the reservoir. So that it would not reflect badly on the colonial government, the Municipal Council decided to build a fountain to commemorate Tan's gift to the town. The fountain at Fullerton Square was unveiled in 1882, 18 years after Tan's death in 1864.
Eventually, the proposed impounding reservoir in Thomson was built and completed in 1867. The pumps and distributing network was not completed till 1877. 2 pumping stations were built at MacKenzie Road and Mount Emily. Singapore's first waterworks was officially opened in 1878, 20 years after Tan Kim Seng's philantrophic gesture
In 1891, the Impounding Reservoir, as it was then known, was further enlarged under the supervision of the Municipal Engineer James MacRitchie. MacRitchie Dam was enlarged between 1891 and 1894. The dam was further raised by 1.5m in the period 1903-1905 to increase its storage capacity. The cost of the extension was $32 000 and it increased the capacity of the reservoir to over 1840 million cubic metres (468 million gallons).
The enlarged reservoir was named the Thomson Road Reservoir in 1907 but in 1922, it was renamed MacRitchie Reservoir to recognise James MacRitchie's work.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the average daily supply of water was about 4 million gallons and it was not enough to meet demand. A combination of droughts and increased demand let to water shortages and more plans to increase the water supply. One plan was to channel water from the upper section of the Kallang River into the Thomson Road Reservoir. Another was to build a service reservoir in Pearl's Hill.
To take the water from the Upper Kallang, Thomson Reservoir was extended in 1905. The Kallang Tunnel Works were completed in 1907.
The informant, Mrs Kwong (with her maiden name 'Tai') shed some light on the water tomb mystery
Tomb Mystery and Shui Gui
(Source: an informant who is said to be related to the family descendents of the deceased of the tomb)
Many years ago, there wasn't any reservoir at where it is now called McRitchie reservoir. It was a very scenic hill. And who can guess the eerie tomb where most people shun away nowadays was once a romantic alcove? It was a protruding lookout point in the middle of a hiking track along the slope of a hill. From there the view was spectacular as it over looked a lush hilly landscape like a flowery meadow over the valley. Birds and wild monkeys over the hills sang in orchestra and the nature sounds filled the air.
The above mentioned romantic alcove was a meeting place for Fann and Lok (both are not real names). The alcove witnessed the most drastic emotions of mankind, put up by this couple, through life and death, joy, romance, betrayal, grief and tragedy.
The story happened near the end of 18th century. Fann was a sole daughter of a rich and famous family who run an import trading business with the British. Fann grew up in Britain and always loved nature. Her grew-up environment shaped her to be a bold and open-minded person. That was somewhat opposite to her father that was very traditional and rigorous - a typical Chinese business man who calculates gain and loss more than anything else. Since Fann was young, her family had arranged a marriage for her, that was common in the old days, with a son of a tycoon called Tai. Obviously building a marriage with a tycoon's son would benefit lifting Fann's family business to a new height.
However, Fann never wanted to submit to her fate. Being a girl of 20 years ago, she was autonomous enough to manage her own life. She left home from time to time and she would like to hang out at the scenic walks in McRitchie reservoir (that wasn't a reservoir in those days). That was a perfect place for some quiet moments, away from troubles. It became Fann's favourite sanctuary whenever she felt depressed.
Fann met her Mr. right at the reservoir one day. That was Lok. We didn't know much about Lok, not even our informant. We were told that Lok was a charismatic communist, a leader of some political group before the war who regularly organized gatherings near McRitchie reservoir area. It is their destiny that they bumped, they clicked and fell in love though they came from quite a different background.
Their dating at McRitchie reservoir lasted for some period of time. This couple always met there, fell in love and they vow to get married there with the witness of heaven and earth (the sky and the valley in McRitchie reservoir). They courted each other more and more often, until one day Fann's family got wind about this. As expected, Fann's father was very angry about this affair because her daughter was disobeying him, let alone the fact that Lok was a communist clan leader that was a natural enemy to a Pro-British business man. Fann's father and Tai's father plotted to do something patching up the situation. The arranged marriage had to proceed in only few months time anyway. They wouldn't allow Lok to interrupt about it.
On one fateful evening, as usual, Fann was expecting to meet Lok at their favorite spot in McRitchie reservoir. Instead of Lok, his fellow came and delivered her a letter. Nobody knows what was the content of the letter and who had actually written it. However, on the next morning, Fann's body was found dead at the bottom of the valley, just right under the lookout point where Fann always hanged out. Again, nobody knows whether she jumped down, pushed down or fell down by accident.
After Fann's death, the wedding arranged between the two families of course had to be cancelled. Hence, Fann's family business, without the help of tycoon Tai, plunged down very soon and eventually got bankrupt.
But still, the tycoon's son, Tai loves Fann very much. That was what the public could have seen about. He spent a lot of money and took Fann to be buried at the lookout point with a splendid tomb. The grand tomb had a very superb facing, overseeing the hills across the valley. Many years later, however, McRitchie reservoir was developed into a water catchments area, and the valley turned into a water reservoir as it is of today. Water filled up the valley, to the level of the tomb, flooding even the lower part of it. This is how the name water tomb came about.
How our informant knows so much about? She claimed that she was a relative to Tai but refused to elaborate more. The concealment led us to speculate that there was something dirty that the Tai family had done but we just cannot verify without any evidence.
Under much persistence, our informant finally admitted that Tai's family had done something to intervene into Fann's relationship with Lok, but not with any intent to have her killed. The informant told us another secret too, relating to the choice of location where Fann was buried.
Most people would think that Tai so loved Fann (although it was one way) that he had been so nice to build her a posh tomb. The truth was otherwise.
We were told that Lok was actually murdered in the same year after Fann died, and Fann's body was found to be pregnant by the doctors in hospital. People know that Lok was killed too in a riot but it was actually a plot arranged in purpose. Here is the most intriguing thing. Lok's body was buried in Bukit Brown cemetery (aka Kopi Hill cemetery). That was the idea by his dialect clan leader who in turn was controlled by Tai's family. And Fann's body was offered to be buried at the lookout point that happened to be on the opposite site of the hill.
In other words, Fann and Lok were buried between and separate by a hill, back-to-back. So they never face each other. All these were arranged by Tai! You can see how jealousy turned into hatred, and into revenge.
Since then, Fann's grave was nicked as water tomb. Even more frightening, people believe that is very haunted. Sightings of a female apparition emerging from water are common at night. Some call it Shui Gui (water ghost).
Our informant continued telling. Nowadays the decedents of Tai's family realized what their grandfather had done is tremendously wrong. They feel guilty about it, especially after they heard that the Shui Gui which is believed to be Fann's spirit was haunting the reservoir. They used to invite monks to perform rituals trying to appease the soul but that doesn't help. Till now, Tai's family has been funding a contractor to come and sweep the tomb regularly. Every year they will bring offerings by themselves to the tomb during festivals like Ching Ming and July Hungry Ghost Month.
This is a fair world, when planting a good deed, you will receive a good reward. Likewise a crime will invite mishap. God knows what they have done. Tai's family seems to be cursed. The grandfather and the father were both drown to death, though not in McRitchie reservoir. It wasn't long ago. The father at his late age had developed some mental problem. He was kept at home all the time. But for some unknown reason, one day he sneaked away alone, and found drown in a sewage drain mysteriously. It was classified as an unnatural death by the police, and was reported on news last year.
One last thing that the informant told us. If we want to know whether Fann's spirit is around, throw a coconut into the water. If it floats, that means no spirit. If it sinks, that shows Fann's spirit is around!
That is all our informant shared with us. She looked quite sad at the end of the interview. She kept murmuring to herself "Wrath, such is wrath, how I wish Fann's spirit will be in peace". Yes, SPI too, wishes Fann's spirit would rest in peace.
Pictorial Tour
1. On a fateful midnight, SPI Ah-Toh and SPI Azri set out to investigate the McRitchie water tomb; something seems to be following Azri
2. This is the kind of quiet and eerie tracks they were walking in;
3. Along the way, an exceptional bright orb that looks like a fire ball was captured, it was as if coming to our way!
4. After about 20 minutes of night walk in the dark, they entered the Jering Track that was built over the water
1.Toh and Azri suddenly stopped. Look! Some mysterious water stains. From this photo it looks something has crawled up
and went back down to the water. What is this?? Here is a closer look
2. A little further up, another water stain was found. They are too small to be footprints.
There are several more, and they just appear in the middle of the wooden track. See this one. Werid!
3. This water stain has mud, obviously it is from the muddy water down there. See these photos from another angle (1) (2).
4. Azri and Toh were studying on the mysterious water marks, little they know that some spiritual force was tailing them from behind...
1 & 2. "Watch out" Toh suddenly said. It big tree growing side way was blocking our way. Our heads almost hit on it. Another view.
This big tree looks spooky from a distance. 3. In contrast to it, there is a small tree growing in the water. Another view.
4. After this bay, we will soon reach the water tomb. Our hearts were thumbing fast.
1. Here is the infamous water tomb! 2. On top of it placed a row of joss sticks. Closer view.
3. The frontal view of the tomb, notice the joss stick urn, bottle of tea leaves and a glass jar that has cigarette lighters inside.
Someone must have come regularly and offer incense.
4. The water level just nicely hits the top wedge of the tomb, covering the lower parts of it. See the flooding on the left and on the right
1. Behind the tomb it was a dense bush; 2. We tried bash in and check if there are any similar tombs inside, but the trees are too dense
3. This is the soil where the deceased laying underneath. Just a note though, the roots may have grown all the way down.
Wouldn't the body be badly disturbed by the overgrown tree roots? How would the dead feel comfortably resting among the roots?!
4. Right on top of the tomb, you can see the curling twigs and branches of the dense trees.
Usually the branches of the trees resemble the web structure of their roots.
So you can imagine how messy the roots would be down there. How would then the buried RIP?
All the photos you see above are taken with camera flash.
The actual situation was, in the midst of the eerie water facing the water tomb, in total darkness.
In order to check out more information about the tomb, we had to turn on our searchlight.
However, smart Azri suggested we shone the light on the silver tea leave bottle instead of the tomb stab directly which is rude.
We spent some effort to recognize the faint inscription on the stab stone. Finally we got it, that would help our research.
We felt more and more spooked at this water tomb. The feeling was though something was watching at us.
When Kenny was busy writing down the stab inscription, Azri and Toh sensed and heard something getting more and more disturbing.
In the background sound of crickets from the bush, slight bubbling noise were emerging from the water.
The noise from the water although was faint, it was scary enough to feel that something was swimming towards us, especially in the dark.
Legends of water ghost go as that they would grab your foot to make you drown, even in shallow paddle of water.
"Kenny, hurry up, there could be crocodiles in this area", Toh warned. And the bubbling noise got louder and louder, nearer and nearer.
Without hesitation, Azri turned the searchlight to the water, and we saw........ (!!)
Answering Mysteries
1. Can anybody verify the mystery of the water tomb?
2. How did the deceased lady now resting in the tomb die?
3. Why was that tomb chosen to be located there?
4. Does water ghost exist in McRitchie reservoir?
Come share your views with us!
j20_sg
25-04-2004, 04:21 PM
saw wad?!~ crocodiles? apprition? spi saw wad?
hmm...walked arnd macritchie be4...nvr seem to haf seen this tomb be4...
lyk13
25-04-2004, 04:48 PM
I remember this water tomb was discussed on a tv show last time....forgot liaoz, then SPI webby also have, but I seemingly never see it before....any other experiences by fellow forumers?
. lala .
25-04-2004, 05:17 PM
I saw the pic on the SPI website. Migosh. It's really freaky!! :eek:
ShuLL
25-04-2004, 07:46 PM
yup...read abt it a few days ago on SPI webby...really eerie...
xx357xx
25-04-2004, 09:01 PM
read it when i entered the SPI webby too.. quite spooked out tat nite after reading it.. heh heh.. i wonder wad will happen if the govt reli do dig it up and transfer it somewhere.. haha..
chayedan
26-04-2004, 01:28 AM
I tout the tomb was lim bo seng tomb??
dennis
26-04-2004, 08:02 AM
hmm i think those of us going for a photo shoot this sat (see Keeptouch Events for more info) better avoid this area :grin:
jnifur
02-05-2004, 09:17 PM
I saw that tomb before...at the canopy of pond there.
Strangely enough, last sat went mac ritchie bypass the canopy never saw it.
The last time I been there...I saw...and I was sick....
Yesterday I went...never see...but today still sick...
Maybe weather not gd lah :ls:
xxevilicexx
04-05-2004, 02:47 PM
but wat did the SPI guys saw actually? cant figure out from the pic :confused:
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jnifur
25-04-2004, 03:45 PM
Wonder has this been discussed b4.
But one of my fren send me the email.
I personally have bypass this tomb many times b4.
The lastest visit was 2 yrs b4.
I was on a sample collection with my colleagues.
And my colleague went infront of the tomb n commented on the tomb n the date of deceased. I remember went there last Apr 2002. And after that I was sick for dunno how many months and got into a series of bad luck....dunno is it coincidence or have I accidentally Offended the person there :confused: :eek:
Haunted Places: McRitchie Water Tomb
The Mystery of McRitchie Water Tomb
This is a solitaire tomb that could be found at the logging track of MacRitchie reservoir
1. The tomb is facing a tranquil open view; 2. At both sides there are mud tracks; 3 & 4. Mysterious sea creatures found on shore
Mystery of year 1876 tombstone at MacRitchie
Tomb of the Unknown
(Source: The New Paper, By Lee Tee Jong, November 18, 2003)
WITHIN the tranquil MacRitchie Reservoir Park lies a 127-year-old mystery. A solitary tombstone dated 1876 stands beneath a canopy of mangrove trees along the Chemperai-Jering jogging trail. It is so old that even the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) does not have any record of its existence.
NAS said they only have cemetery burial records, exhumation records and death certificates dating after 1947.
Regular joggers speculate that the deceased was either a nobleman or an important official. Said Mr Raymond Lim, 60, a retiree who first saw the tombstone 30 years ago: 'The carvings are elaborate.
'From a geomancy point of view, the location is good - given its proximity to nature and water.' The throne-like tombstone, which is three steps from the water's edge, commands a panoramic view of the open reservoir and the surrounding greenery.
A row of red Chinese characters carved on the vertical slab reveals the year of death and the surname of the deceased as Fan. Over the years, the writing has become faint, and there are cracks running across the slabs. Algae is growing around the slabs and dead leaves encircle the tombstone, about half the size of a table-tennis table.
But there were signs that someone had been taking care of the tombstone. On the horizontal slab were two red candles, two big joss sticks, an urn filled with the joss stick butts, several blobs of melted wax, a pack of half-opened joss sticks and a lighter caked with mud. The giant joss sticks were damp and slightly bent in the rain. A broom and a sweeper lay against the branch of a mangrove tree two metres away.
Most joggers shied away from the tombstone. There are two jogging paths nearby, and most joggers chose the one that is further away. The occasional jogger who ran closer to the tombstone went behind it.
One of them, Mr Francis Teo, 40, said: 'I do not want to be disrespectful towards the deceased by running in front.'
The salesman, who has been jogging there for 20 years, had a theory about the tombstone. He said: 'I suspect the family might have wanted to put the tombstone at Bukit Brown cemetery near MacRitchie Reservoir but later placed it here to make it more exclusive.'
The Environmental Health Department of the National Environment Agency, which oversees the management of Government cemeteries, crematoria and columbaria, has no intention of removing the tombstone. Its officer, Mr Yip Kwok Hoong, said: 'Unless someone applies for an exhumation permit, we will not clear the tombstone.'
MacRitchie reservoir in yesteryears
First Reservoir: MacRitchie Reservoir
(Source: Raffles Computer Science Club)
When Singapore was founded as a British trading port, two groups of people came to depend on the island for water. One was the growing number of ships that called for goods and supplies including water. The other was the growing population of migrants drawn to the small island because of the opportunities for trade and money-making.
Fresh water came from wells and rivers but these became increasingly inadequate to cope with demand. As early as 1823, British Resident John Crawfurd proposed to spend 1000 dollars on a new reservoir and waterworks to supply water to the ships. Nothing came of the plan. In 1852, the government surveyor proposed a plan to tap the headwaters of the "Singapore Creek". The plan, if carried through, would have supplied some 2067 million cubic metres (546 million gallons) of water to the town. Nothing came of this scheme too.
In 1857, Straits Chinese merchant Tan Kim Seng decided to donate $13 000 towards improvements to the waterworks for the town. Some of the money was frittered away but eventually a scheme materialised to create an impounding reservoir in Thomson by constructing an earth embankment to impound water. Unfortunately, the projected cost of building the reservoir, which came to more than $100 000, could not be covered by Tan's gift. The colony was then governed from Calcutta, and the colonial government there declined to spend the large sum required to build the reservoir. So that it would not reflect badly on the colonial government, the Municipal Council decided to build a fountain to commemorate Tan's gift to the town. The fountain at Fullerton Square was unveiled in 1882, 18 years after Tan's death in 1864.
Eventually, the proposed impounding reservoir in Thomson was built and completed in 1867. The pumps and distributing network was not completed till 1877. 2 pumping stations were built at MacKenzie Road and Mount Emily. Singapore's first waterworks was officially opened in 1878, 20 years after Tan Kim Seng's philantrophic gesture
In 1891, the Impounding Reservoir, as it was then known, was further enlarged under the supervision of the Municipal Engineer James MacRitchie. MacRitchie Dam was enlarged between 1891 and 1894. The dam was further raised by 1.5m in the period 1903-1905 to increase its storage capacity. The cost of the extension was $32 000 and it increased the capacity of the reservoir to over 1840 million cubic metres (468 million gallons).
The enlarged reservoir was named the Thomson Road Reservoir in 1907 but in 1922, it was renamed MacRitchie Reservoir to recognise James MacRitchie's work.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the average daily supply of water was about 4 million gallons and it was not enough to meet demand. A combination of droughts and increased demand let to water shortages and more plans to increase the water supply. One plan was to channel water from the upper section of the Kallang River into the Thomson Road Reservoir. Another was to build a service reservoir in Pearl's Hill.
To take the water from the Upper Kallang, Thomson Reservoir was extended in 1905. The Kallang Tunnel Works were completed in 1907.
The informant, Mrs Kwong (with her maiden name 'Tai') shed some light on the water tomb mystery
Tomb Mystery and Shui Gui
(Source: an informant who is said to be related to the family descendents of the deceased of the tomb)
Many years ago, there wasn't any reservoir at where it is now called McRitchie reservoir. It was a very scenic hill. And who can guess the eerie tomb where most people shun away nowadays was once a romantic alcove? It was a protruding lookout point in the middle of a hiking track along the slope of a hill. From there the view was spectacular as it over looked a lush hilly landscape like a flowery meadow over the valley. Birds and wild monkeys over the hills sang in orchestra and the nature sounds filled the air.
The above mentioned romantic alcove was a meeting place for Fann and Lok (both are not real names). The alcove witnessed the most drastic emotions of mankind, put up by this couple, through life and death, joy, romance, betrayal, grief and tragedy.
The story happened near the end of 18th century. Fann was a sole daughter of a rich and famous family who run an import trading business with the British. Fann grew up in Britain and always loved nature. Her grew-up environment shaped her to be a bold and open-minded person. That was somewhat opposite to her father that was very traditional and rigorous - a typical Chinese business man who calculates gain and loss more than anything else. Since Fann was young, her family had arranged a marriage for her, that was common in the old days, with a son of a tycoon called Tai. Obviously building a marriage with a tycoon's son would benefit lifting Fann's family business to a new height.
However, Fann never wanted to submit to her fate. Being a girl of 20 years ago, she was autonomous enough to manage her own life. She left home from time to time and she would like to hang out at the scenic walks in McRitchie reservoir (that wasn't a reservoir in those days). That was a perfect place for some quiet moments, away from troubles. It became Fann's favourite sanctuary whenever she felt depressed.
Fann met her Mr. right at the reservoir one day. That was Lok. We didn't know much about Lok, not even our informant. We were told that Lok was a charismatic communist, a leader of some political group before the war who regularly organized gatherings near McRitchie reservoir area. It is their destiny that they bumped, they clicked and fell in love though they came from quite a different background.
Their dating at McRitchie reservoir lasted for some period of time. This couple always met there, fell in love and they vow to get married there with the witness of heaven and earth (the sky and the valley in McRitchie reservoir). They courted each other more and more often, until one day Fann's family got wind about this. As expected, Fann's father was very angry about this affair because her daughter was disobeying him, let alone the fact that Lok was a communist clan leader that was a natural enemy to a Pro-British business man. Fann's father and Tai's father plotted to do something patching up the situation. The arranged marriage had to proceed in only few months time anyway. They wouldn't allow Lok to interrupt about it.
On one fateful evening, as usual, Fann was expecting to meet Lok at their favorite spot in McRitchie reservoir. Instead of Lok, his fellow came and delivered her a letter. Nobody knows what was the content of the letter and who had actually written it. However, on the next morning, Fann's body was found dead at the bottom of the valley, just right under the lookout point where Fann always hanged out. Again, nobody knows whether she jumped down, pushed down or fell down by accident.
After Fann's death, the wedding arranged between the two families of course had to be cancelled. Hence, Fann's family business, without the help of tycoon Tai, plunged down very soon and eventually got bankrupt.
But still, the tycoon's son, Tai loves Fann very much. That was what the public could have seen about. He spent a lot of money and took Fann to be buried at the lookout point with a splendid tomb. The grand tomb had a very superb facing, overseeing the hills across the valley. Many years later, however, McRitchie reservoir was developed into a water catchments area, and the valley turned into a water reservoir as it is of today. Water filled up the valley, to the level of the tomb, flooding even the lower part of it. This is how the name water tomb came about.
How our informant knows so much about? She claimed that she was a relative to Tai but refused to elaborate more. The concealment led us to speculate that there was something dirty that the Tai family had done but we just cannot verify without any evidence.
Under much persistence, our informant finally admitted that Tai's family had done something to intervene into Fann's relationship with Lok, but not with any intent to have her killed. The informant told us another secret too, relating to the choice of location where Fann was buried.
Most people would think that Tai so loved Fann (although it was one way) that he had been so nice to build her a posh tomb. The truth was otherwise.
We were told that Lok was actually murdered in the same year after Fann died, and Fann's body was found to be pregnant by the doctors in hospital. People know that Lok was killed too in a riot but it was actually a plot arranged in purpose. Here is the most intriguing thing. Lok's body was buried in Bukit Brown cemetery (aka Kopi Hill cemetery). That was the idea by his dialect clan leader who in turn was controlled by Tai's family. And Fann's body was offered to be buried at the lookout point that happened to be on the opposite site of the hill.
In other words, Fann and Lok were buried between and separate by a hill, back-to-back. So they never face each other. All these were arranged by Tai! You can see how jealousy turned into hatred, and into revenge.
Since then, Fann's grave was nicked as water tomb. Even more frightening, people believe that is very haunted. Sightings of a female apparition emerging from water are common at night. Some call it Shui Gui (water ghost).
Our informant continued telling. Nowadays the decedents of Tai's family realized what their grandfather had done is tremendously wrong. They feel guilty about it, especially after they heard that the Shui Gui which is believed to be Fann's spirit was haunting the reservoir. They used to invite monks to perform rituals trying to appease the soul but that doesn't help. Till now, Tai's family has been funding a contractor to come and sweep the tomb regularly. Every year they will bring offerings by themselves to the tomb during festivals like Ching Ming and July Hungry Ghost Month.
This is a fair world, when planting a good deed, you will receive a good reward. Likewise a crime will invite mishap. God knows what they have done. Tai's family seems to be cursed. The grandfather and the father were both drown to death, though not in McRitchie reservoir. It wasn't long ago. The father at his late age had developed some mental problem. He was kept at home all the time. But for some unknown reason, one day he sneaked away alone, and found drown in a sewage drain mysteriously. It was classified as an unnatural death by the police, and was reported on news last year.
One last thing that the informant told us. If we want to know whether Fann's spirit is around, throw a coconut into the water. If it floats, that means no spirit. If it sinks, that shows Fann's spirit is around!
That is all our informant shared with us. She looked quite sad at the end of the interview. She kept murmuring to herself "Wrath, such is wrath, how I wish Fann's spirit will be in peace". Yes, SPI too, wishes Fann's spirit would rest in peace.
Pictorial Tour
1. On a fateful midnight, SPI Ah-Toh and SPI Azri set out to investigate the McRitchie water tomb; something seems to be following Azri
2. This is the kind of quiet and eerie tracks they were walking in;
3. Along the way, an exceptional bright orb that looks like a fire ball was captured, it was as if coming to our way!
4. After about 20 minutes of night walk in the dark, they entered the Jering Track that was built over the water
1.Toh and Azri suddenly stopped. Look! Some mysterious water stains. From this photo it looks something has crawled up
and went back down to the water. What is this?? Here is a closer look
2. A little further up, another water stain was found. They are too small to be footprints.
There are several more, and they just appear in the middle of the wooden track. See this one. Werid!
3. This water stain has mud, obviously it is from the muddy water down there. See these photos from another angle (1) (2).
4. Azri and Toh were studying on the mysterious water marks, little they know that some spiritual force was tailing them from behind...
1 & 2. "Watch out" Toh suddenly said. It big tree growing side way was blocking our way. Our heads almost hit on it. Another view.
This big tree looks spooky from a distance. 3. In contrast to it, there is a small tree growing in the water. Another view.
4. After this bay, we will soon reach the water tomb. Our hearts were thumbing fast.
1. Here is the infamous water tomb! 2. On top of it placed a row of joss sticks. Closer view.
3. The frontal view of the tomb, notice the joss stick urn, bottle of tea leaves and a glass jar that has cigarette lighters inside.
Someone must have come regularly and offer incense.
4. The water level just nicely hits the top wedge of the tomb, covering the lower parts of it. See the flooding on the left and on the right
1. Behind the tomb it was a dense bush; 2. We tried bash in and check if there are any similar tombs inside, but the trees are too dense
3. This is the soil where the deceased laying underneath. Just a note though, the roots may have grown all the way down.
Wouldn't the body be badly disturbed by the overgrown tree roots? How would the dead feel comfortably resting among the roots?!
4. Right on top of the tomb, you can see the curling twigs and branches of the dense trees.
Usually the branches of the trees resemble the web structure of their roots.
So you can imagine how messy the roots would be down there. How would then the buried RIP?
All the photos you see above are taken with camera flash.
The actual situation was, in the midst of the eerie water facing the water tomb, in total darkness.
In order to check out more information about the tomb, we had to turn on our searchlight.
However, smart Azri suggested we shone the light on the silver tea leave bottle instead of the tomb stab directly which is rude.
We spent some effort to recognize the faint inscription on the stab stone. Finally we got it, that would help our research.
We felt more and more spooked at this water tomb. The feeling was though something was watching at us.
When Kenny was busy writing down the stab inscription, Azri and Toh sensed and heard something getting more and more disturbing.
In the background sound of crickets from the bush, slight bubbling noise were emerging from the water.
The noise from the water although was faint, it was scary enough to feel that something was swimming towards us, especially in the dark.
Legends of water ghost go as that they would grab your foot to make you drown, even in shallow paddle of water.
"Kenny, hurry up, there could be crocodiles in this area", Toh warned. And the bubbling noise got louder and louder, nearer and nearer.
Without hesitation, Azri turned the searchlight to the water, and we saw........ (!!)
Answering Mysteries
1. Can anybody verify the mystery of the water tomb?
2. How did the deceased lady now resting in the tomb die?
3. Why was that tomb chosen to be located there?
4. Does water ghost exist in McRitchie reservoir?
Come share your views with us!
j20_sg
25-04-2004, 04:21 PM
saw wad?!~ crocodiles? apprition? spi saw wad?
hmm...walked arnd macritchie be4...nvr seem to haf seen this tomb be4...
lyk13
25-04-2004, 04:48 PM
I remember this water tomb was discussed on a tv show last time....forgot liaoz, then SPI webby also have, but I seemingly never see it before....any other experiences by fellow forumers?
. lala .
25-04-2004, 05:17 PM
I saw the pic on the SPI website. Migosh. It's really freaky!! :eek:
ShuLL
25-04-2004, 07:46 PM
yup...read abt it a few days ago on SPI webby...really eerie...
xx357xx
25-04-2004, 09:01 PM
read it when i entered the SPI webby too.. quite spooked out tat nite after reading it.. heh heh.. i wonder wad will happen if the govt reli do dig it up and transfer it somewhere.. haha..
chayedan
26-04-2004, 01:28 AM
I tout the tomb was lim bo seng tomb??
dennis
26-04-2004, 08:02 AM
hmm i think those of us going for a photo shoot this sat (see Keeptouch Events for more info) better avoid this area :grin:
jnifur
02-05-2004, 09:17 PM
I saw that tomb before...at the canopy of pond there.
Strangely enough, last sat went mac ritchie bypass the canopy never saw it.
The last time I been there...I saw...and I was sick....
Yesterday I went...never see...but today still sick...
Maybe weather not gd lah :ls:
xxevilicexx
04-05-2004, 02:47 PM
but wat did the SPI guys saw actually? cant figure out from the pic :confused:
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