Walk along Balestier Road - Street Scenes

Sometimes it is interesting just to snap any photos while you were walking along the road. I saw this very old hotel along Balestier Road. But on reaching home and loading to my computer, did I realise that they actually hang the Singapore Flag the wrong way hahaha. It was hung the reversed way.

There are many budget hotels along Balestier Road.

Also saw many tall and new condominiums coming up. Good that while new buildings are popping up, the old buildings are preserved and restored.

This is another building that was upgraded. It now sported a very modern look.

Walk along Balestier Road - Another row of Sim Kwong Ho Shophouse

As I continued my walk along Balestier Road, I saw that there's another row of shophouses belonging to Sim Kwong Ho. It is located at the junction of Kim Keat Road and Balestier Road.

It was designed by the architect firm of Westerhout and Oman. It is often referred to as the “Sim Kwong Ho” building as the name(in mandarin) is inscribed on the front of the building. According to residents in the area, there is a dog centrepiece feature that had gone missing, but they have no idea when it disappeared



The row of shophouses are very pretty and comes in so many colours. I love the purple look of the shophouses.
You can read more about the history of the shophouses from heritage trails

For more pinky participants, please visit Beverly of How Sweet The Sound.

A walk along Balestier Road - Sim Kwong Ho Shophouse

Madam Sim Cheng Neo a female developer owned many properties in Balestier Area. One of these is the shophouse called Sim Kwong Ho Shophouse at 418 Balestier Road just at the junction of Balestier Road and Jalan Kemaman.

The shophouse has been restored, modernized and converted into a budget hotel.



It is interesting to observe the designs on the shophouses. There were animals, birds, dragons, etc. There's some that come in the design of a dragon with bat's wings.



Instead of the usual Chinese warriors that are depicted on doors of Chinese homes as symbolic guardians, the shophouse has Sikhs as its door guards as they were often employed as policemen in the colonial past.

You can read more about the shophouse from heritage trails website.

For other sky watchers, please hop over to Skywatch blog

A walk along Balestier Road - Goddess of Mercy Temple

Walking along Balestier Road, you can find many wonders and history along the road. One of them is this Goddess of Mercy Temple. There are many Goddess of Mercy Temples around Singapore. The most popular Goddess of Mercy Temple must be the one at Waterloo Street and this temple at Balestier Road is also very popular.

As always the roof of chinese temples decorated with dragons guarding the pearl in the centre. If I am not mistaken the dragon guarding the roof of temple must be the 2nd son of the Dragon King. The dragon king has 9 sons.

Chi Wen - The second son of the dragon, Chi Wen is in charge of rainfall. His image is seen on the ridges of buildings to protect the building from fire. Chi Wen can be seen on virtually every imperial building made of terracotta and colorfully glazed.

You might like to read the rest of the other sons of the dragon king from source.

A walk along Balestier Road - Water Kiosk

This water kiosk at the corner of Boon Teck Road off Balestier Road has a long history. There used to be a few water kiosks like these but seems like this is the only one remains. This service is provided by Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sia Temple for many decades since decades ago. It used to provide the water for workers etc but simply anyone who is thirsty can drink from this kiosk even till now.

If you happen to be there, you can refill your water bottle with the clean water from the kiosk.

Every morning the temple caretakers will refill the containers with clean water.