The Fuk Tak Chi Temple sits in the middle of many eating places in Far East Square, where many an office worker visits for lunch. Sadly, Eddy notes that some people use the temple as a short cut through the square – which is a shame when you consider the heritage on display!
Eddy explains the history of the museum, a restored temple which sits in the middle of a modern shopping complex:
Currently blended within Far East Square at 76 Telok Ayer Street is the Fuk Tak Chi Museum. Far East Square is built within the heritage conservation project and has a mixed of new and old structures. It is home to many F&B outlets, kiosks and shops serving the people working within the Central Business District.
In the 1820s, the Cantonese and Hakka immigrations from China built a shrine at the current site to the Chinese deity Tua Pek Kong. Later in 1825 a brick temple was built in its place at the current site. These immigrations would play homage to the deity for a safe voyage. In 1998, the temple went into disused and was restored as a museum with artifacts depicting Singapore formative years with the arrival of the Chinese immigrants and the fulfillment of Sir Stamford Raffles vision of making Singapore a trading post and the centre of trade within the region.
You can read the rest of Eddy’s blog here. So the next time you are in Far East Square, take some time to appreciate the history of the area at the Fuk Tak Chi Museum. To find more about the Fuk Tak Chi Museum, click here.
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