Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been in practice for some 2,000 years.
The timeless system of medicine continues to be tapped by modern civilisation. Swing by the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall in Balestier this Singapore Heritage Festival for the lowdown on women’s health and wellness, and how to incorporate TCM therapies and recipes in your everyday life as a modern woman.
Audiences can look forward to an exciting line-up of digital initiatives such as a bingo photo-hunt contest and fun quizzes, as well as physical programmes such as workshops on how to create your own aloe vera hand sanitiser and lavender wax sachet, walking trails of historical and cultural landmarks in the Balestier neighbourhood, guided tours of the memorial hall and more.
Programmes
TCM-inspired Floral Installation: The Swings of Florals and Herbs
This Singapore Heritage Festival, head down to the Memorial Hall to snap a photo with our latest outdoor art installation, Swings of Florals and Herbs. This whimsical floral installation seeks to celebrate the relationship between nature and TCM. It is done through a delicate and ethereal arrangement of medicinal flowers and herbs such as rose, lavender, butterfly pea etc., which are known to contain benefits to women’s beauty, health and wellness. Visitors are invited to take a ride on the swing to identify the various herbs and guess their healing properties!
- Date: 3 – 30 May (closed on Mondays)
- Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Bingo Balestier Hunt: Modern Women of Yesteryear
Do you love snapping photos for the ‘gram? Grab or download your bingo sheet and go on a photo hunt to learn more about the women of yesteryear by exploring our galleries and the Balestier neighbourhood. Present your completed bingo sheet at the memorial hall by 30 May to redeem an exclusive gift!
Download digital bingo sheet
- Date: 3 – 30 May
- Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Permanent Gallery Guided Tour with Herbal Tea Tasting
Join us for a 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. Complete your experience with a refreshing herbal tea tasting session by aromatherapist, Ms Sherry Lim and learn about the benefits of various herbs!
- Date: 22 & 23 May
- Time: 2.30pm – 4.00pm (Chinese); 3.00pm – 4.30pm (English)
- Admission: Free. Register here. Recommended for ages 13 and above.
Balestier Trail (Street Corner Heritage Galleries Edition)
Behind every business lies a treasure trove of stories we don't often hear when we drop by the neighbourhood tau sar piah shop, or dabao our favourite chicken rice. Embark on our best-selling Balestier Heritage Trail to uncover the rich history and origins of Balestier from as early as 1835. Delve into the architectural and cultural developments of Balestier as you visit heritage stops such as Loy Kee Chicken Rice and Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory, and discover the unknown stories behind these places.
- Date: 22 May
- Time: 10.00am (English); 10.30am (Chinese)
- Admission: $10.00 per person (includes an exclusive goodie bag). Register here. Recommended for ages 13 and above
Balestier Trail (Healthcare Edition)
Uncover the rich history and lesser-known stories of the Balestier precinct in this educational 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.
- Date: 23 May
- Time: 10.00am (English); 10.30am (Chinese)
- Admission: $10.00 per person (includes an exclusive goodie bag). Register here. Recommended for ages 13 and above
Workshop: Lavender Wax Sachet (Supported by Aiyo Event)
Fill your home with the relaxing fragrance of lavender without the hassle of burning candles! Create beautiful, fuss-free organic wax sachets in this hands-on aromatherapy workshop as you learn more about the stress-relieving properties of lavender.
- Date: 22 May
- Time: 10.30am – 11.10am; 11.30am – 12.10pm; 12.30pm – 1.10pm
- Admission: Free. Register here. Recommended for ages 7 and above.
Workshop: Hand-printed Scented Herb Health Card (Supported by STPI – Creative Workshop and Gallery)
Pick up cool printing techniques in this printmaking workshop and create your very own collection of scented prints! Discover the health benefits of different medicinal plants and herbs in this relief printing workshop, where you’ll learn to carve an image of a herb plant onto linoleum and print it using powder grounded from the very same herb. This workshop is held in collaboration with STPI – Creative Workshop and Gallery.
- Date: 22 May
- Time: 2.00pm – 3.15pm; 3.30pm – 4.45pm
- Admission: $10.00 per pair. Register here. Recommended for ages 13 and above
Workshop: Stitch Your Own TCM Handbook (Supported by Ms Sherry Lim, President for Reading Development Association of Singapore)
Assemble your own TCM handbook and pick up the basic threading techniques used in traditional Chinese book-binding while learning about the health benefits of different medicinal plants and herbs!
- Date: 23 May
- Time: 10.30am – 11.15am; 11.30am – 12.15pm
- Admission: $10.00 per pair. Register here. Recommended for ages 13 and above
Workshop: Aloe Vera Hand Sanitiser DIY
Aloe vera is known as a power plant in Western remedies, but did you know that this medicinal succulent is also commonly used in TCM? Favoured for its antioxidant properties that aid in wound-healing, the aloe plant is also well-loved for being an au naturel moisturiser.
- Date: 23 May
- Time: 2.00pm – 2.30pm; 3.00pm – 3.30pm; 4.00pm – 4.30pm
- Admission: Free. Register here. Recommended for ages 7 and above.
Image Credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Age
7+
Telephone number
+65 6256 7377
Links
Address
Singapore12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874
How to get there?
By Bus
Bus service nos. 21, 130, 131, 139, 139M, 145, 186 (to alight at Zhongshan Mall)
Bus service nos. 139, 139M: Opp EASB (to alight at East Asia Institute of Management)
By Train
Toa Payoh Station (NS19)
Take bus service nos. 139, 145 from Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (to alight at Zhongshan Park)
Novena Station (NS20)
Take bus service nos. 21, 131 from Novena Church (to alight at Zhongshan Park)
Alternatively, the Memorial Hall is a 20 minute walk from Toa Payoh Station (NS19) or Novena Station (NS20)
By Car
Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), from Changi Aiport towards Tuas
Take Exit 17 (Balestier Road/Thomson Road/Upper Thomson Road) onto Jalan Datoh. Turn left at Balestier Road, then turn left at Ah Hood Road.
Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), from Tuas towards Changi Airport
Take Exit 17D (Thomson Road/Toa Payoh) onto Jalan Toa Payoh. Turn right to stay on Thomson Road. Turn left to Balestier Road, then turn left at Ah Hood Road.
Parking
The Memorial Hall does not offer parking spaces. Visitors may park at Zhongshan Mall, HomeTeamNS-JOM Clubhouse, or Ah Hood Gardens housing estate.