Most of us associate the talented Hainanese population as having introduced Chicken Rice and Nanyang Coffee to us but there is much more to this distinct dialect group than we think!

The Hainanese first came to Singapore in the 1800s as merchants, trading in goods such as paper products and medicinal herbs. They however only started emigrating to Singapore much later than their Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese counterparts. This resulted in them finding employment in restaurants and in hospitality since sectors such as trade and commerce were already saturated. These circumstances probably explained why the Hainanese became well-versed in cooking and other hospitality endeavors such as bartending. Did you know that the Singapore Sling was created in 1915 by a Hainanese bartender Ngiam Tong Boon at Raffles Hotel Singapore?

There are more incredible stories to be told of the Hainanese people who congregated around the Bugis and Cityhall area; the Hainanese culture in these areas are is still very much alive today. On this journey, we discover Middle Road, Purvis Street and Seah Street; colloquially known to the Hainanese community as the Hainan First Street, Second Street and Third Street. Visit the popular Hainanese food haunts such as the Sing Swee Kee Restaurant and YY Kafei Dian. Listen to stories of yesteryear and how the innovative descendants of the Hainanese operate today as captains of industry in a vast variety of fields. We also get a very special insider’s look into the Raffles Singapore and visit the uber popular SunnyHills store for tea. Come hungry!

Participants get to bring home a little bit of treasure exclusively from the Raffles Singapore!

- 1400 Meeting point at SunnyHills
- 1405 Tea Experience at SunnyHills
- 1430 Guided walking tour of Hainan Streets, walk thru Middle Road, Purvis Street and Seah Street
- 1530 Visit to Sing Swee Kee Restaurant for Chicken Rice Workshop, making of Chicken Rice Cake/Sushi
- 1630 Guided walking tour to the historical ground of Raffles Singapore and its interior compound.
- 1730 Tour ends at Raffles Boutique its interior compound.
- 1730 Tour ends at Raffles Boutique

**Wear comfortable shoes, need a lot of walking. Bring own umbrella.