| Clarke Quay (picture by Peter Watts) |  |
Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay
This panoramic image from Clarke Quay in Singapore shows the fountains at the center of the quay. Clarke Quay is named after Sir Andrew Clarke, who was the governor of Singapore between 1873-1875.Previously significant in the trading life of Singapore, Clarke Quay is now popular with tourists as much of the area is now filled with boutiques, small shops, cafes and tourists. The area really comes to life at night, when restaurateurs attempt to persuade passing tourists to eat at their establishments.
Clarke Quay was important for the trading routes from here to Europe and China. Merchants would store goods in the 'godowns' (dockside warehouses) built here while they waited for fair winds to ship them out.
Trade in the most important goods to pass through Singapore was dominated by two clans from southern China. The Hokkiens traded in beans, copra, coffee and sugar. The Teochews dealt in rice and dried seafood.
Clarke Quay now consists of five blocks named in honour of their place in history. These are
- Block A (Merchants Court), now contains retail shops and River House, the oldest building in Clarke Quay that was once the godown of a Chinese pepper merchant Tan Yeok Nee.
- Block B, contains nothing of interest to the tourist or visitor.
- Block C (The Cannery), built in 1901 this contained an engineering firm and then the largest pineapple cannery in Singapore (hence the name). The Cannery has now been converted into a complex of cafes, restaurants, clubs (including Kandi Bar, The Clinic and Ministry of Sound) and small shops.
- Block D (Shophouse Row), again this has been refurbished into a series of cafés and shops.
- Block E (Traders Market), originally this was the
location of the Whampoa's Icehouse, the first ice house in Singapore,
built by Hoo Ah Kay in 1854.
Nowadays Clarke Quay has become a fashionable shopping area, full of restaurants and cafés. The central area has a series of fountains. The strange white structures with holes in provide blasts of cool air.
Travel and Transport:
MTR : North-East Line (Clarke Quay, NE5)
Buses along Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road or River Valley Road.
Travel information with panoramic images linked to an interactive map about the sights and attractions in Singapore from PanoramicEarth.com
