Chan Chor Bin Fatt Tong

Chan Chor Bin Fatt Tong. A place shrouded in mystery, tucked away at 3 Bassein Road behind high walls and a gate. Chan Chor Bin Fatt Tong whispers tales of Singapore’s migrant pioneers. These women, without families, forged new bonds in a foreign land. Built in 1936, Chan Chor Bin Fatt Tong began as a zhaitang, a vegetarian lodge for single migrant women. These women lived communally, observing Buddhist rites, adhering to a vegetarian diet, and remaining celibate. Like other zhaitangs, it served a vital social function for these isolated women. For a small fee, they received social support, care, and the assurance of a proper funeral. The compound houses interconnected single and double-storey buildings, enveloped by outdoor corridors. The architecture echoes traditional Singaporean shophouses or townhouses. Parapet walls flank the double-pitched roofs, punctuated by octagonal louvre windows and decorative ventilation blocks. Full-width balconies grace the second storey, replacing the traditional internal courtyard. Octagonal windows, symbolizing the Taoist ba gua, adorn the otherwise simple walls. The number eight, a lucky number in Chinese culture, appears throughout the architecture. Chan Chor Bin Fatt Tong no longer houses residents. A group of devout elderly women, acting as caretakers and trustees, maintain this religious hall. It opens to the public during Chinese New Year, offering a glimpse into a bygone era.