21 Vintage Postcards That’ll Make You Relive the Old Singapore

The Singapore we all know today is often seen from above as a land filled with bright lights, skyscrapers, and continuous development. Singapore is often perceived too as a strict parent where everything must be clean and in order. Some may think that it lacks character from all what is seen on the outside. But once you see beyond order, laws (drop the bubblegum joke will you?), impressive infrastructures, and its busy streets, you’ll see this “Lion City” as a place packed with different cultures and an interesting history not embarrassed to narrate about its ups and downs which led it to what it is today.

Care to see and know the young Singapore where everything yet was small and underdeveloped? You probably do, so check out this collection of postcards featuring places around Singapore you might not recognize anymore.

City Hall

Dragon dance before the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Head of State) for Singapore’s National Day

The busy Singapore River

Chinatown

Telok Ayer Market between Robinson Road and Shenton Way

Another shot of Chinatown

McRitchie Reservoir

Singapore Royal Visit decoration for the Duke of Connaught’s visit, ca. 1901

Singapore River

Hong Kong Bank (left) and the General Post Office (right, now Fullerton Hotel), ca. 1950

The first Botanical and Experimental Garden in Government Hill, Fort Canning

Raffels School, ca. 1910

Capitol Theatre

Malay Village

Raffles Place, ca. 1940

Beach Road

North Bridge Road

Singapore Canal

Clifford Quay

Sri Mariamman Temple

Connaught Drive, ca. 1952