This Virtual Cache is in the heart of Kampong Glam, on a street that provides windows into the history of this historic enclave. While you are here, explore the streetscapes of Kampong Glam, which will reveal different facets of the history of the area to you.
Special thanks to theladyofthewolves for suggesting the location of this Virtual Cache.
A Brief History of Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam boasts a history that intertwines the threads of royalty, trade, and cultural diversity. The story begins in the early 19th century when Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, designated the area as an ethnic enclave for the Malay and Arab communities. The area has traditionally been one of the homes of the Sultan of Johor, and thus, was a natural focal point for the Muslim communities in colonial Singapore.
During its early years, Kampong Glam grew from a residential area to become a thriving trading hub for peoples across the Muslim world. The district attracted merchants from various ethnic backgrounds, including Malays, Arabs, Bugis, and Indian Muslims. The shophouses that lined the streets became centres of commerce, with traders engaging in the business of textiles, spices, and other goods.
In the mid-20th century, Kampong Glam faced challenges as urbanisation efforts and redevelopment projects altered its physical appearance. Many old quarters of shophouses were replaced by newer buildings and modern development projects. Despite these changes, the area still retained many of its heritage buildings, including the iconic Sultan Mosque and the Istana Kampong Glam, thus upholding its cultural and historical significance. In 1989, the Singapore Government designated Kampong Glam as a conservation area, aiming to preserve its unique heritage and architecture.
Where You Stand
At the coordinates of this Virtual Cache, you'll find yourself in the presence of the Sultan Mosque - its golden domes casting a majestic shadow over Kampong Glam. Along this street, a splendid mural awaits, painted by the renowned artist Yip Yew Chong. His nostalgic artwork seeks to resurrect the bygone scenes of Kampong Glam, telling the many tales of the district's rich history.
In addition, the street also hosts artwork that pays homage to the enduring ties between Singapore's Muslim community and the Arab world—a connection that has endured for over six centuries, echoing through the Maritime Silk Routes.
The area around you is a veritable treasure trove of cultural and social history. Take a leisurely stroll, and you'll discover intricate details within the artwork that might escape casual observation. This journey through time is both rewarding and enlightening, as each brushstroke and detail encapsulates a little bit more of Kampong Glam's rich heritage. This Virtual Cache aims to reveal some of these hidden histories, so let’s get to it!
The Virtual Cache
To claim this cache, you’ll need to first need to use the following information to construct a 4-letter name (ABCD). All the information can be found within 10 metres of the published coordinates.
- One of the many famous places in Kampong Glam is the nearby Haji Lane, named after the holy pilgrimage that many Muslims make to the city of Mecca. Kampong Glam was a departure point for many of these pilgrims from around the region who would take a steamship from Singapore to Arabia, an arduous two-week journey in the days before commercial aviation. Search for the trunk (or chest) of a man who is about to go on his pilgrimage, as evidenced by the green passport by his belongings. A = 2nd letter of his name
- In the 13th – 15th centuries, many Arabian merchant ships (called dhows) would ply the Maritime Silk Routes from Arabia to Southeast Asia, bringing many goods that would be later be traded with China. In 1998, a shipwreck of a dhow was discovered off the Indonesian island of Belitung. A replica of this dhow was constructed between 2008 and 2010, and set sail from Arabia to Singapore, arriving in July 2010. Find the map of its route, and there, you will also find its three-word name. B = 1st letter of the 3rd word of its name (note: the answer for this is NOT "C")
- There were once 4 mosques in the Kampong Glam area, but only 3 remain today. Look for the maps comparing the streetscape of Kampong Glam between the 1920s and 2023. One of the mosques (or masjid in Malay) has been lost to time and does not appear in the newer map. Its name is Masjid _____ and C = 2nd letter of its name.
- At the edge of Kampong Glam is one of the oldest Muslim Cemeteries in Singapore, and nearby, were the grave stonemasons and undertakers. Surprisingly, while the undertakers were Muslims, some of the stonemasons were Chinese, a testament to the multi-racial melting pot that is Singapore. One of these undertakers’ shops can be “found” nearby, and beneath the signboard is a newspaper clipping. The name of the newspaper has two words. D = last letter of the 1st word of its name.
Now that you have the four-letter name (ABCD), your final task to claim this Virtual Cache is:
Send me an email/message describing the connection between ABCD and the name of the street you are on.
As with any Virtual Cache, failure to complete the Virtual Cache task will result in your log being deleted. I do hope you have enjoyed your visit to Kampong Glam and be sure to check out the other caches and ALs nearby.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.