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Where in the World is This Miniature Model?
Travel / Singapore

Where in the World is This Miniature Model?

By Veron Ang

Aren’t miniatures the cutest thing? Here’s a fascinating one of Singapore in the mid-19th century! I love the fact that there is so much detail in it. Can you guess where exactly I found this miniature model?

Miniature model of Singapore in the mid-19th century

Look at all those adorable little human figurines! They depict a pretty accurate scene of the Singapore street life more than a century ago. For example, there are junks docked at the quay and coolies unloading goods from them.

Miniature model of Singapore in the mid-19th century

Over here, a group of coolies are taking a break and enjoying a game by the river.

Miniature model of Singapore in the mid-19th century

A fruit seller with his customer. Even the tiny fruits he’s selling can be clearly identified! Apples, pineapples, oranges, bananas, watermelons.

Miniature model of Singapore in the mid-19th century

From a second-level shophouse, tiny people hang out their clothes to dry on bamboo sticks. The signboards are also printed with actual names of the shops! Now, that’s attention to detail!

Miniature model of Singapore in the mid-19th century

Bull carriages on the streets.

Miniature model of Singapore in the mid-19th century

Old profession of ear-cleaning. “stick no bill” on the walls, but people stick them anyway.

Miniature model of Singapore in the mid-19th century

Isn’t this model fascinating? There is just so much to see. Whichever part of it that your eyes may lead, there is bound to be something to look at. I think they even add in new human figurines once in a while. While we were there, a group of photographers came in remarking that there’s a new figurine in there!

Miniature model of Singapore in the mid-19th century

So, can anyone guess where I found this interesting miniature model? I’m dying to just reveal the answer right here, right now, simply because I wish you guys would go take a look at it! But making you guess is way more fun! Haha!

Veron Ang
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About the Editor
Veron Ang

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

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  1. Lester
    1 comment
     

    is it at Sentosa,Image of Singapore?

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 8:12 pm

  2. VeronTwitter
    3439 comments
     

    Nope! Haha try again!

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 8:14 pm

  3. pkchukiss
    82 comments
     

    Pkchukiss would like to err on the side of caution, so he asks quizzedly if it was taken at the National Museum?

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 8:55 pm

  4. Miccheng
    90 comments
     

    A restored Temple (turned into a museum) at the corner of Far East Square.

    Heh… Used to work around that area.

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 9:49 pm

  5. Lenox
    1 comment
     

    I believe its in a small museum in China Square or Far East Square.

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 9:51 pm

  6. ByPassing
    3 comments
     

    no idea where

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 9:57 pm

  7. amy
    8 comments
     

    wow! your photos are great!

    we went there once on an official photoshoot, but all our pics had the glassy reflection. :(

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 10:37 pm

  8. py
    183 comments
     

    Far East Square. In the temple looking museum.

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 11:31 pm

  9. py
    183 comments
     

    Fu Tak Chi Temple

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 11:33 pm

  10. VeronTwitter
    3439 comments
     

    Wow! I am impressed that so many of you have actually been to this place! I thought it’s the kind of place that no one knew!

    py came the closest (she missed only by a single letter)! The miniature model can be found at the Fuk Tak Chi Museum along Telok Ayer Street at Far East Square. It has been converted from the Fuk Tak Chi Temple, which is Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple.

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 11:33 pm

  11. Brownie
    1 comment
     

    Yes, could it be at the mini museum just at one of the entrace/exit to Far East Square? Another guess is at one of this museum at Clark Quay. Maybe some Asian Civilisation Museum :)

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 11:42 pm

  12. desmond!!
    2 comments
     

    Whoa! That’s interesting! Do we have to pay to enter that museum? =x

    Reply
    Posted September 26, 2007 at 11:49 pm

  13. chillycrapsTwitter
    42 comments
     

    I remember there was one period of time they converted it into a tea house…. but no business and quite ugly, so now they convert back to a mini museum.

    Oh there was a well behind also =P

    Reply
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 6:58 am

  14. viswali
    5 comments
     

    Your photos are very well taken! At the Asian Civilisations Museum at Empress Place, there is a miniature model as well. That one is of coolies at their quarters. The details on the faces and of the objects in the room were all amazing!

    Reply
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 8:40 am

  15. xinyun
    10 comments
     

    nicely done miniatures :)

    Reply
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 10:00 am

  16. Kyo
    54 comments
     

    Heheh, Fuk Tak Chi is just across from where I work along Telok Ayer Street. There’s a nice coffee shop right insider the museum to the right as well. Quite hard to find, but quite good.

    Didn’t realise it used to be a teahouse, though.

    Reply
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 10:45 am

  17. Jayson
    44 comments
     

    i’m going there for my next macro photography trip.
    is the exhibition permanent?

    Reply
    Posted September 27, 2007 at 11:54 pm

  18. amy
    8 comments
     

    the “mini museum” is free and i think the display is permanent. its been there for ages.

    Reply
    Posted September 28, 2007 at 1:01 am

  19. Jasmine
    23 comments
     

    Ooo wow! This minature model’s cute! I shall visit the place soon! :)

    Reply
    Posted September 29, 2007 at 12:03 am

  20. Deborah
    3 comments
     

    I believe it’s called Fuk Tak Chi Museum. Somewhere along the way from City Hall to Chinatown. Bumped into it as we were roaming about on a shutterbug spree. :) They have a tea house and lots of interesting antique stuff there!

    http://debbiewhoelse.com/2006/05/06/an-evening-with-two-shutterbugs-yes-you-will-be-seing-alot-of-pics/

    Reply
    Posted September 29, 2007 at 8:04 pm
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