Activities include a brand-new escape game activity, live performances, cultural workshops, a brand-new heritage walking tour, storytelling sessions, and more!
Venue: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Date: 17 & 18 Jun 2023
Time: 10am to 7pm
Fee: Free admission with ticketed activities
Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival 2023
It's time to gather your family and friends to celebrate Chinese arts, culture, and heritage at Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival 2023! Discover the story and traditions behind Dragon Boat Festival, one of the oldest cultural festivals in the world, and revel in the rich historical and cultural significance of the festival with a line-up of fun and exciting activities! Here's taking a closer look at what you and your family can look forward to at this year's Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival:
Escape Game Activity
Lost in Time: The Case of the Missing Researcher
Dates & Times:
17 Jun 2023
- 11.30am to 1pm
- 2.30pm to 4pm
- 4pm to 5.30pm
18 Jun 2023
- 10am to 11.30am
- 11.30am to 1pm
- 1pm to 2.30pm
- 2.30pm to 4pm
- 4pm to 5.30pm
Fee: $8 per pax, group of 4 to 5 pax recommended | Purchase tickets here
You and your team are called in to investigate the disappearance of a renowned researcher who has vanished while studying a mysterious 19th century artefact. The researcher was known for his obsession with the artefact's historical significance and is believed to have used a forbidden method of time travel that has left him trapped in the past.
To find and rescue the researcher, you and your team will need to navigate through twists and turns to uncover clues and solve puzzles. But beware, as there may be those who would go to great lengths to keep the researcher hidden, and the dangers of the forbidden method of time travel are ever-present.
Can you locate the missing researcher and bring him back to safety before it's too late? The clock is ticking, and time is running out. The fate of the researcher rests in your hands. Can you complete the mission and bring him back to the present?
The game is conducted in English.
Recommended age: 10 years and above
Recommended group size of 4 to 5 pax
Workshops
Parent-Child Wearable Dragon Boat Craft Workshop (supported by A2+rt Studio)
Date: 17 & 18 Jun 2023
Time: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Fee: $24 per parent-child pair | Purchase tickets here
Join this fun and interactive parent-child workshop where you and your little ones can bond over a creative craft session to make a wearable dragon boat while learning about the history and origins of the Dragon Boat Festival.
The workshop is conducted in English.
Recommended age: 4 to 12 years old
Parent-Child Hainanese Rice Dumpling Making Workshop (supported by Bak Chang Queen)
Date: 18 Jun 2023
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Fee: $38 per parent-child pair | Purchase tickets here
Join this special parent-child workshop where you’ll learn the art of making traditional Hainanese rice dumplings! In this workshop, you and your child will work together to assemble a delicious Hainanese rice dumpling filled with savoury meat, mushrooms, and other flavourful ingredients. May Lin from Bak Chang Queen will guide participants through each step of the process, providing helpful tips and insights on making rice dumplings. Participants will bring home the dumpling that they have assembled and a cooked dumpling to enjoy at home.
The workshop is conducted in Mandarin.
Recommended age: 8 years and above
Free Activities
Public Talk - Home Abroad: Shanghainese (Sanjiang) Community and Early Chinese Society in Singapore
Date: 17 Jun 2023
Time: 10am to 11.30am
Fee: Free; limited spaces available, on a first-come, first-served basis
Discover the origins of the "Sam Kiang" (Sanjiang) people. Uncover the stories behind why early migrants of this community were referred to as Shanghainese and explore the historical ties between Shanghai and Singapore over a hundred years ago. Gain insights into some of the early prominent figures from the Sam Kiang community and their pioneering works in different industries that contributed to Singapore’s society.
You will also hear from three esteemed members of the Sam Kiang Huay Kuan who will provide a comprehensive introduction of Sam Kiang Huay Kuan and the Sam Kiang community, from their past historical roles to their modern-day contributions in the society.
The talk is conducted in Mandarin.
Public Talk - The Restoration and Conservation of the “Calm Seas in the Southern Seas” Imperial Silk Scroll
Date: 17 Jun 2023
Time: 1pm to 2.30pm
Fee: Free; pre-registration required | Register here
The imperial silk scroll "Calm Seas in the Southern Seas" was conserved and restored 23 years ago by master conservator Mr Zhang Xiao Zhai for the National Heritage Board. With six decades of dedication to his craft, Mr Zhang meticulously and skilfully restored the scroll to its full glory.
This public talk is divided into two parts. The first part by Mr Kua Bak Lim, a renowned historian, is on “The Imperial Silk Scroll: A gift of “Calm Seas in the Southern Seas” by Emperor Guangxu”. Mr Kua will share the journey of how this treasure, which is part of Singapore’s National Collection, was discovered and its relationship with Thian Hock Keng Temple. In the second part of the public talk, Mr Zhang will share his journey of restoring the imperial silk scroll – from the original condition of the scroll to how he carefully selected materials, tested them and repaired the scroll. The talk will also discuss object conservation in Singapore’s unique climate and environment. The talk is a rare chance to uncover the secrets of restoration.
The talk is conducted in Mandarin.
Public Talk - Emigrant Ships, Barracoons, and Quarantine Stations: The Architecture of Chinese Immigration in 19th and 20th century Singapore and Hong Kong
Date: 18 Jun 2023
Time: 10am to 11.30am
Fee: Free; limited spaces available, on a first-come, first-served basis
The images that come to mind when one mentions the derogatory term for Chinese immigrant workers, zhūzǎi (猪仔), are often of grimy and malnourished men and women, sometimes young children, housed in cramped, deplorable conditions. The countries and environments portrayed in photographs mattered and differed little, as countless bodies were ferried across vast seas from China to United States, South America, and different parts of Southeast Asia. As thriving entrepôts in the 19th and 20th century, Singapore and Hong Kong became important gateways between the Chinese immigrants’ place of origin and new life in a foreign land. Although the sorrows and hardships our immigrant forefathers experienced had become the foundation of a shared cultural experience among overseas Chinese communities, not much has been told of their spatial experiences. This talk, derived from the speaker’s own PhD research on the architecture of immigration and his experience working on architectural research and conservation projects in Singapore and Hong Kong, offers an understanding of the arduous sea journeys Chinese immigrants took and the associated spaces they would have passed through. They include immigration centres, and quarantine stations, barracoons, steamship decks, and even coffin houses.
The talk is conducted in English.
Storytelling Sessions: Tales of Dragon Boat Festival (supported by Speak Good English Movement and Speak Mandarin Campaign)
Date: 17 Jun 2023 (Mandarin), 18 Jun 2023 (English)
Time: 11.30am to 12.30pm, 2pm to 3pm
Fee: Free
Be swept away with enthralling tales in these popular storytelling sessions! Discover the legends and myths behind well-loved Chinese stories as local authors and veteran storytellers bring you on a literary adventure.
Drop-in Craft Station: Dragon Boat Festival Inspired Crafts (supported by River Valley High School)
Date: 17 & 18 Jun 2023
Time: 10.30am to 5.30pm
Fee: Free
Get crafty as you make Dragon Boat Festival inspired crafts such as a dragon boat puppet and dangling dumplings paper craft brought to you by students at River Valley High School.
Drop-in Craft Station: Chinese Calligraphy Try-Out
Date: 17 & 18 Jun 2023
Time: 10.30am to 5.30pm
Fee: Free
Experience the elegance of Chinese calligraphy at this drop-in craft station and learn to write festive greetings for the occasion.
Live on the Lawn: Dragon Boat Evening Fun!
Date: 17 & 18 Jun 2023
Time: 5pm to 6pm
Fee: Free
- 5pm to 5.30pm: Dragon Boat Festival Show
Grab a seat and head over to the lawn to enjoy some engaging and delightful acts this Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival 2023!
- 5.30pm to 6pm: Mini Dragon Boat Racing
Get your little ones in on the action and join in the fun with the mini dragon boat racing event at the Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival 2023! Race across the Memorial Hall’s lawn on mini dragon boat toy rides and end the festival on a high note!
Recommended for children aged 5 to 8 years, and at least 110cm in height.
Children Activity Booklets Giveaway
Date: 17 to 18 Jun 2023
Time: 10am to 7pm
Kids! Come and pick up a free activity kit to discover more about Chinese arts, culture and heritage!
- Let’s Celebrate with Uncle Ting: Dragon Boat Festival
Join Uncle Ting to learn more about the legends and popular customs associated with Dragon Boat Festival through a series of fun activities such as origami rice dumpling folding! Activity kits are given out one per child on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
- Discover the Secret Letter
Xiao Qing found a letter left behind by her great grandfather. What is this letter about? Inspired by the Connections Across Oceans: Early Chinese Mutual Aid Organisations special exhibition, join Xiao Qing to find out the secrets behind the letter and explore the special exhibition! Children Activity Booklets are available for collection at the Memorial Hall’s Visitor Services counter.
Guided Tours & Trails
Balestier Heritage Healthcare Trail
Date: 17 & 18 Jun 2023
Time: 10.30am to 12pm (English), 11am to 12.30pm (Mandarin)
Fee: $12 per pax | Purchase tickets here
Uncover the rich history and lesser-known stories of the Balestier precinct as the home to some of Singapore’s earliest healthcare institutions in this brand-new walking trail! From landmarks such as the former Tan Tock Seng pavilion wards and the former nurses’ quarters (now Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine), delve into the architectural developments of Balestier and its significance to Singapore’s healthcare history. Tours are brought to you by the Museum Volunteers.
Special Exhibition Guided Tour
Date: 17 Jun 2023
Time: 10.30am (Mandarin) & 1.30pm (English)
Fee: Free; limited spaces available
Hear from the docents and find out how the early Chinese mutual aid organisations played an important role to the early Chinese migrant community with the special exhibition guided tour of Connections Across Oceans: Early Chinese Mutual Aid Organisations. Tours are brought to you by the Museum Volunteers.
Permanent Galleries Guided Tour
Photo Credits: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Date: 17 to 18 Jun 2023
Time: 2.30pm to 3.30pm (Mandarin) & 3pm to 4pm (English)
Fee: Free; limited spaces available
Join this guided tour of Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and hear the stories behind this century-old villa that trace Dr Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionary activities in Southeast Asia. Gain valuable insights on the impact of the 1911 Revolution on Singapore, as well as Singapore’s contributions to the Revolution. Tours are brought to you by the Museum Volunteers.
For more information about the Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival, please visit Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall’s website and Facebook page throughout the festival period.
