Improve visitor experience at Chinatown Heritage Centre

Improve visitor experience at Chinatown Heritage Centre

I visited the Chinatown Heritage Centre with my eight-year-old recently but left feeling disappointed.

First, the centre's air-conditioning was down. With no reasonable ventilation, the tour of the cramped three-storey centre was unbearable.

Second, the displays were wretched. Things were strewn about in a disorderly manner, and cobwebs and thick layers of dust were visible. There was also an overwhelming stench at various corners.

Given the poor maintenance and undesirable condition of the place, we spent less than 20 minutes viewing the exhibits and were immensely embarrassed when we encountered a group of unimpressed tourists.

Third, the National Heritage Board recently provided free entry to national museums and heritage institutions, but the Chinatown Heritage Centre continues to be run by a profit-generating organisation, and charges $10 for adults and $6 for children.

The National Heritage Board should consider managing the centre so it can be more involved in raising its standards as the artefacts housed there provide important links to Singapore's past.

Sia Yee Boon (Madam)


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