The Graves @ Tiong Bahru; Singapore

There is a burial plot in Tiong Bahru, which used to be a cemetery, amongst the pre-war art deco flats, food centres/shops and its busy streets. Cemetries, especially the older ones, are some of the best places to see the traditions and culture of a country (in my opinion) and with me being an adventurous person with a love for culture, art and history, I decided to go and see it for myself.

These graves belong to Singapore's well-known and respected philanthropist, Tan Tock Seng and his daugther-in-law and granddaughter-in-law (Madams Chua Seah Neo and Wuing Neo). The graves are part of Tiong Bahru's heritage trail.

Tan Tock Seng was born in Malacca, Malaysia and moved to Singapore in 1819. He started selling fruit, vegetables and chickens, and eventually was able to set up his own shop in Boat Quay and eventually becoming a businessman. Some of his contributions to Singapore included the Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the Thain Hong Keng Taoist Temple. Tan Tock Seng died in 1850 at the age of 52. He was originally buried somewhere else and eventually exhumed (which is a big taboo in Chinese culture, unless there is a good reason to do so) and moved to his now grave in Tiong Bahru.

Upon seeing this enormous and majestic grave, one would think that it would be Tan Tock Seng's, but upon closer inspection of the names on the tombstone, they belong to his daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law (Madams Chua Seah Neo and Wuing Neo). Their graves are constructed in a way that the Feng Shui energy flows naturally. The burial mound at the back is quite high and surrounded by a moat, which allows rain water to flow smoothly from the back of the grave to the front. This is a sign of prosperity of the descendants of the dead. There are 2 stone lions and 2 stone qilins, which guard their grave. And interesting feature that differentiates their graves from others is that instead of the Earth Deity/God on the side of their graves, it is the Mountain Spirit who is given space, probably because their graves are up on a hill. The Mountain Spirit is a deity/god that I am very familiar with, since my heritage recognises and worships this deity/god.

The tombstones of Madams Chua Seah Neo and Wuing Neo

The burial mound with the moat surrounding it

One of the protectors of the grave; I think it's a Qilin.?

The Mountain Spirit

The path to the grave of Tan Tock Seng

A little bit further (to the right) is the actual grave of Tan Tock Seng. It's smaller and less grand than that of his daughter-in-law's and granddaughter-in-law's, which makes it feel less intimidating and more intimate, but nonetheless majestic in its own right. The grave of Tan Tock Seng, even though smaller, is just as intricate and traditional, having features which allows the Feng Shui and energy to flow naturally as well. And as with the graves of Madams Chua Seah Neo and Wuing Neo, the Mountain Spirit is also given space at Tan Tock Seng's.

The Mountian Spirit beside Tan Tock Seng's grave

Tan Tock Seng's tombstone

One of the 4 lions of Tan Tock Seng's grave

Tan Tock Seng's burial mound, and yes that's the main road in the background

You can read more of his life on the photo below (it's of the plaque on his grave).

How to get there?
From Tiong Bahru Plaza take Buses 33, 63, 122 and 851
Alight after 2 stops: EtonHouse Pre-Sch
Walk towards the direction of the hill above the Aft Furama Riverfront bus stop
And you're there!

Here's a map so you can get a better understanding on the location of the graves.
*the purple star is the location of graves