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Photo: User:Sengkang, Copyrighted free use via Wikimedia Commons
It was built for the Thong Chai Medical Institution, Singapore's first institute of traditional Chinese medicine for the poor. The institution moved to new premises in 1976, and the site is today occupied by a multi-level marketing company. However, the building has been conserved and is the finest surviving example of traditional Cantonese architecture in Singapore.
The Old Thong Chai Medical Institution is a historic building in Singapore, and is located at Eu Tong Sen Street in the Singapore River Planning Area, within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district.
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Home to the Speakers' Corner, inspired by its counterpart in London's Hyde Park, and the only place in Singapore where protests are allowed, albeit watched over carefully by the police. Some sensitive topics such as race and religion remain off-limits. Hosts Pink Dot SG (a 20,000-strong gathering to support gay rights) every June. Foreigners are allowed to watch but may not participate in any protests.
MICA Building
This striking Neo-Classical building catches the eye with its multi-coloured window shutters. There's an air-conditioned atrium inside which has a few art galleries and sometimes hosts performances, as part of the larger Ministry of Digital Development and Information. Somewhat fitting use of an old police station.
粤海清庙
Also known by its Teochew name Wak Hai Cheng Bio, this is the oldest Teochew temple in Singapore, and dedicated to the Taoist goddess Mazu. Look out for the traditional Teochew architectural features of the temple, including the intricate carvings on its walls, and the distinctive "curly grass roof". What distinguishes it from typical Teochew temples in China is the large number of colourful ceramic figurines on its roof depicting scenes from Teochew opera. The temple is home to a plaque bearing the inscription "曙海祥雲" (lit. Peaceful clouds over the Ocean at Dawn), presented by Emperor Guangxu of China in 1899, making it one of only two temples in Singapore bestowed with this honour.
A statue of Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, is built on the (supposed) exact spot where he first landed. Second only to the Merlion as most popular place in Singapore to take a picture of yourself, and having the skyscrapers and the shop houses of Boat Quay in the background helps to explain why! The statue here is a replica; the original can be found in front of the Victoria Theatre.