Chinatown has a close association with the history of Singapore.

The changes that take place in Chinatown reflect issues facing the ethnic Chinese population in Singapore as well as the larger society.

It is this special relationship that makes Chinatown the depository of social memories waiting to be discovered by people who look beyond the facade of physical structure.

The time line identifies important milestones in the history of Chinatown.

1819 -1822

Establishment of a British settlement in Singapore and the birth of Chinatown in 1822

1819

First Clan Association established

1840

Thian Hock Keng (Temple of Heavenly) 天福宫founded

1880s

Lee Chun Yuan theatre opened 梨春 园

1922

Pearl Market (珍珠巴杀)opened.

1928

Tian Yan Theatre (天演舞台）, later Ta Hua Theatre (大华戏院), opened

1936

Great Southern Hotel （南天大酒楼）, the tallest building in Chiantown and the only building with an evaluator opened for business. 

1937 - 1942

Sino Japanese War erupted in China.

Overseas Chinese in South East Asia formed the China Relief Fund headquartered at the Ee Hoe Club on Bt Pasoh

1942 - 1945

Japanese Occupation

25 December 1966

Fire destroys Pearl Market

30 September 1983

Relocation of roadside hawkers into Chinatown complex

Last day of operation for these hawkers

26 December 1986

Chinatown is conserved as a National Heritage site

Nov 2001

Hawkers appear on Smith Street

12 July 2003

Chinatown Heritage Centre opens

30 May 2007

Soft launch of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple