Singapore's Chinatown is an
ethnic neighbourhood featuring distinctly Chinese cultural elements and a
historically concentrated ethnic Chinese population. Chinatown is located
within the larger district of Outram.
As the largest ethnic group in
Singapore is Chinese, Chinatown is considerably less of an enclave than it once
was. (Note: The name Chinatown is given by the British and today usually used
by non-Chinese Singaporeans, whereas Chinese Singaporeans usually use the term
Niu Che Shui as the term Chinatown usually refers to enclaves of Chinese people
in regions where Chinese people are the majority ethnic group.) However, the
district does retain significant historical and cultural significance. Large
sections of it have been declared national heritage sites officially designated
for conservation by the Urban.
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