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Kreta Ayer Road (Chinese: 水车路) is a one-wayroad located inChinatown within theOutram Planning Area inSingapore. The road linksNeil Road toNew Bridge Road andEu Tong Sen Street, and is intersected byKeong Saik Road.
In the early days of Singapore, locals drawn water from a well nearAnn Siang Hill and transported them usingbullock carts and drove down the street.[1] This led to the area beingKreta Ayer, which means "water cart" inMalay. Similarly, the Hokkiens called the areagu chia chui while the Cantonese call itngow chay shui (Chinese:牛車水;Jyutping:ngau4 ce1 seoi2), both meaning "bullock water cart" (the word "road" iselided).[1]
The road was officially named Kreta Ayer Road in 1922.
For theChinese, the Chinatown area is referred also astua poh or "greater town" district.[citation needed] In the 1880s, Kreta Ayer was thered light district of Chinatown.[citation needed] The Chinese traveller, Li Zhongjue, observed in 1887 that the street was a place ofrestaurants,theatres andbrothels and where "filth and dirt are hidden".[citation needed]
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Hok San Association (新加坡鶴山會館) has the oldest lion dance troupe in Singapore, it was established in 1920 and located at No. 21 of the shophouses along Kreta Ayer Road.[2]
Chinese Buddhist Association (新加坡中华佛教会) was founded in 1927 and located at No. 23 of the shophouses along Kreta Ayer Road. It was established after the visit ofVenerable Tai Xu (太虚法师) to Singapore in 1926, and is the first Buddhist organisation established in Singapore.[3]
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