Note: The parks are closed permanently. This website is for documentation and educational purposes only.
Disclaimer: We do not own any information found on this site. All credits to their original owners.
T H R E E
"Worlds"
The singapore legacy.
Ratings and Reviews
See what others have said about their visit
Please read before proceeding
Disclaimer 1: These reviews are fictional and inspired by our research on the various “Worlds”. The purpose of these comments is to give viewers an insight into how people generally thought of the “Worlds” at any point in time.
Disclaimer 2: Forgive us if there are any translation errors for non-English comments since we are not native speakers of these languages.
How was your visit? Leave a review...
2.3 out of 5
NEW WORLD
9 Ratings
William Stanford
Pinned
11 August 1923
Visiting the New World Amusement Park was one of the best experiences of my life. I was so impressed by Mr Ong Boon Tat and Mr Ong Peng Hock for transforming a horrible swamp area into such a magnificent place for leisure! I would definitely come here again whenever I visit Malaya and I cannot wait to tell my family back in Great Britain about my experience here!
Inspired by: Wong Yunn Chii and Tan Kar Lin. “Emergence of a cosmopolitan space for culture and consumption: the new world amusement park‐Singapore (1923–70) in the inter‐war years.” Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, 5:2, 282, DOI: 10.1080/1464937042000236757.
Josephine Wong
15 March 1974
I think New World is getting boring. I went there yesterday and the activities there were getting lame. The park feels so old and I think it should undergo renovation to make itself more attractive. Why would people go there instead of departmental stores like Isetan, which is so modern and beautiful? I would rather stay at home and watch the television.
Inspired by: "Oh, so many worlds apart!”, New Nation, July 13, 1976, 10-11, accessed November 1, 2020,
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19760713-1.2.75.
Lim Siew May
20 February 1953
Can the New World ban all the striptease shows? Ever since that Tai Fong started to perform those shows, my sons had been frequenting Fong Fong Cafe every week! I thought New World was a family-friendly place but I guess not. I am going to complain to the police and stop all the striptease shows! Not allowing my family to go anywhere near New World until the striptease shows are banned!
Insipred by:
“That strip tease act,” The Singapore Free Press, February 25, 1953, 5, accessed November 1, 2020,
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19530225-1.2.58; “Campaign against Yellow Culture is launched,” National Heritage Board, accessed November 14, 2020, https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/47129576-377a-44fe-a05f-fefddf0cb765.
Tan Beng Soon
10 November 1947
The wayang shows in New World were the best I had ever watched. Even though I am a Baba with a limited grasp of Cantonese, I really liked the performances put up by the Cantonese wayang troupes! I think my Cantonese improved after watching so many wayang shows.
Inspired by: Tan Ooh Chye and Chew Chon Yan, The Development of Cantonese Opera in Singapore, (Singapore: The Chinese Opera Institute, 2013), 36.
Janea Kaur
4 June 1944
The things at New World were so expensive! It was my girl’s birthday and I wanted to get some chocolate for her as a present but those stalls were asking for 3 dollars a bar? That was daylight robbery! I could only settle for some sweets which caused 90 cents per piece. It was the only thing that I could afford. But, I still love to visit once in a while. Even though New World became a black market, I still like to come and see the bright lights that still decorate the place. It gives me some joy in these difficult times.
Inspired by: Brazil, Insider’s Singapore, 179.
ひさいち いと
31 October 1943
私のうるさい味蕾にもかかわらず、ニューワールドの食べ物は悪くありませんでした。でも、ここの天気はとても暑いので、どうやってこれに耐えられるのかわかりません。でも、ダンスホールはとても涼しいので、そこに座って休むのが好きです。しかし、私たち兵士はギャンブルの巣穴に入ることができないことに非常に悩まされています！ストレス解消も必要です！それらの賭博場でサイコロが転がるのを聞くと、私の手はかゆくなります。いつの日か、ギャンブルへの渇望を満たすために中に忍び込みます。
Translation
The food at New World was not bad, despite my picky taste buds. But, the weather here is so hot, I don’t understand how people can stand this. But, the dance halls are very cooling, I like to sit there and rest. However, we soldiers are very annoyed we cannot enter the gambling dens! We also need to de-stress! My hands itch whenever I hear the dice roll in those gambling dens. One day I shall sneak inside to satisfy my thirst for gambling.
Inspired by: Marsita Omar, “New World Park”, Singapore infopedia, last accessed November 1, 2020, https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_990_2006-06-09.html.
陈伟仁
6 December 1942
自从那些日本鬼子控制了整个新加坡，这里就变得另一个样。新世界变成了一个赌场，有钱的去赌，把家产都赌输了。没钱的越赌越没钱，真是太糟糕了！那些日本鬼子故意开这些赌场让人们迷惑，却又不让他们自己的人上赌场去，明明就是知道赌博会害死人！好希望新世界能恢复回以前的模样!!
Translation
Since those Japanese devils took control of Singapore, it has become a different place. The new world has become a casino, where the rich go to gamble and lose all their property. The poor ones become even poorer when they gamble, which is really horrible! Those Japanese devils deliberately opened these gambling dens to confuse people, but did not allow their own people to go to the casinos. They clearly knew that gambling would harm people! I hope the New World can return to its former appearance!!
Inspired by: Marsita Omar, “New World Park”, Singapore infopedia, last accessed November 1, 2020, https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_990_2006-06-09.html.
Danish Ibrahim
24 March 1935
I love that the bangsawan shows were performed in open air. The cool night breeze was so cooling while I watched my favourite bangsawan stars perform on stage. I heard the City Opera troupe is so good that they were named the best in Malaya! It was my second time here at the New World, and I have to say the park never fails to surprise me! The atmosphere here is the best! Would definitely bring my abangs here next time.
Inspired by: Wong Yunn Chii and Tan Kar Lin. “Emergence of a cosmopolitan space for culture and consumption: the new world amusement park‐Singapore (1923–70) in the inter‐war years." Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, 5:2, 282, DOI: 10.1080/1464937042000236757.
吴祥
10 July 1931
妈的你们这个新世界在做什么？那个巴士站都没写清楚，害我看错，提早下车，摔了个四脚朝天！ 你知道我好不容易抽空来新世界，结果变成去医院躺了一个多月。你们可以去改善这里的交通吗？不要继续害人！
Translation
Damn what are you doing New World? The bus stop was not clearly written, which made me misunderstood. I got off early and fell on all fours! You know, I finally found time to come to the New World, but I ended up lying in the hospital for more than a month. Can you improve the transportation here? Don't continue to harm people!
Inspired by:
“PASSENGER'S FALL FROM TROLLEY BUS,” Malaya Tribune, November 3, 1932, 10, accessed November 7, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19321103-1.2.81 ;
“Fatal Jump Off Trolley Bus,” The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, August 8, 1935, 3, accessed November 7, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singfreepressb19350808-1.2.30.
GREAT WORLD
4.3 out of 5
9 Ratings
Robert Tan
Pinned
16 February 1958
Today was my first time going to Tuasehkai, it was for an important date. My first date with the girl of my dreams. We had a great time and enjoyed all the joyrides. The ghost train ride was the best out of all the rides!! (Recommend for any gentleman to bring your girl to!) Looking forward to future visits to the park, didn’t manage to watch a film at the globe today, will catch it next time!
Inspired by: Lam Chun See, “Good Morning Yesterday: James Seah Remembers the Great World Amusement Park,” Good Morning Yesterday, November 12, 2007, http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/2007/11/james-seah-remembers-great-world.html.
(and many other primary and secondary sources that attest to the popularity of the Ghost Train Ride)
Chow Ling Ling
10 November 1957
I SAW ELIZABETH TAYLOR TODAY!!! AND HER HUSBAND MIKE TODD!! THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!! THANK YOU SKY THEATRE FOR BRINGING MY IDOL IN!! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!! GREAT WORLD IS REALLY A MAGICAL PLACE.
Inspired by: “Mr. SHAW ASKS FILM COUPLE to MALAYA,” The Straits Times, July 29, 1957, 4, accessed November 6, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19570729-1.2.49.
(Date of visit based on Straits Times article (November 11, 1957) brief on NewspaperSG, but do not have access to the actual article so no link to that.)
Chua Kim Wan
19 May 1952
Today I went to my cousin’s wedding at weng choon yuen restaurant, we had a lot of delicious food and the soda was free flow!! We children had our own table and it was so fun! I drank 3 bottles of soda! After that some of us older kids went to take the ghost train ride, IT WAS SO SCARY BUT SO FUN. I WANT TO GO AGAIN!
Inspired by: Tong, Kelvin, “ It’s A Great Great World,” meWATCH video, January 9, 2019, https://www.mewatch.sg/en/movies/it-s-a-great-great-world/716686.
Heng Chiang Ki
July 16 1944
We don’t have a lot of places to go now. The great world is one of the places I go to pass time. The open air cafes in the park have a nice atmosphere, sometimes the singers are very good, but there are also some that just went up there because they liked to sing. The standard varies. The coffee there is nice, I often go with my friends and we spend a few hours sitting there. Sometimes when we get bored we go walk around and see what they are selling. There are many interesting things, I know some of my female friends like the locally made cosmetics. Usually by 10pm the park will be almost empty, we try to go home earlier to avoid running into the Japanese.
Inspired by: Heng, Chiang Ki, Oral History Interview conducted by Chua Ser Koon on February 10, 1982, Accession Number 000152, Reel 6 out of 10, Oral History Interviews @ Archives Online, National Archives of Singapore, Singapore,
Soh Guan Bee
18 March 1943
I work there as a substitute gambler. Pay is good, and the job is very easy. Just need to go there before 6.45pm, sign up with the operator, and go inside prepare to start work. There is a lot of us substitute gamblers at the great world, we just stand somewhere, then when the crowd is gone, we go in and use the operator’s money to gamble to draw in more crowd. The great world is a good place, many things happening at night, sometimes when the crowd is very good, the operator gives us some coffee money and we go to the tea garden at the end of the stretch of gambling stalls to drink some tea. Sometimes the Cantonese Wayang stage is nearby we will go watch for a while, they have good shows.
Inspired by: Soh, Guan Bee, Oral History Interview conducted by Low Lay Leng on October 12, 1983, Accession Number 000310, Reel 7 out of 10, Oral History Interviews @ Archives Online, National Archives of Singapore, Singapore, https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/oral_history_interviews/record-details/07c2bd95-115e-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad?keywords=great+world+amusement+park&keywords-type=all.
Jack Ng Kim Boon
27 January 1943
Days are tough now… not enough food, commodities… the Japanese rations are not enough, we can only go to the black markets… At great world, there is a few stores… I often go there. The stocks are old though, some biscuits almost 3 years old. The great world is good, takes me away from reality sometimes… a lot of fun things there. Sometimes when I go there at night, it is very crowded, got people gambling, boxing matches, and sometimes you see talented scientists selling their inventions. Like the Shark Liver Oil, never knew the locals were so creative.
Inspired by: Ng, Jack Kim Boon, Oral History Interview conducted by Low Lay Leng on November 15, 1983, Accession Number 000362, Reels 4 and 5 out of 10, Oral History Interviews @ Archives Online, National Archives of Singapore, Singapore, https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/oral_history_interviews/record-details/0ac379cd-115e-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad?keywords=great+world+amusement+park&keywords-type=all.
Teo Eng Seng
17 September 1934
My father’s brother, the fourth one I think, is managing the great world with a few of his friends, high society people… My father, our family are farmers, not very rich… but my father often brings me to great world to watch talkies. It is really fun there, brightly litted, a lot of shows going on, and some fun games that I played with my siblings. I love the lok lok there, always buy from the same stall each time.
Inspired by: Teo, Eng Seng, Oral History Interview conducted by Sian Eira Jay on August 8, 2008, Accession Number 003351, Reel 1 out of 6, Oral History Interviews @ Archives Online, National Archives of Singapore, Singapore,
Lee Xiao Li
15 September 1932
Today was my first time going to the great world amusement park. I purposely wore new shoes and dressed up for the occasion. I was not disappointed at all with my experience at the park! Today is the pek gwek tiong chew, so it was very happening. There were sales everywhere and I heard that there was a fistic sword performance at hall no. 5, but I was not as interested in that. I came to watch Hold your man at the talkie theatre. There were talking and singing in the talkie! So amazing… the world is really moving so fast.
Inspired by: “GREAT WORLD NOTES. Added Attractions To-night,” Malaya Tribune, September 15, 1932, 7, accessed November 11, 2020,
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19320915-1.2.22.
Tan Meng Yao
12 August 1932
Went to the pasar malam at great world with my mother and brother today. This boy bumped into me and his icecream got all over me! Great world needs to rethink your layout! So many blind spots around the stalls and not enough lighting! You know it’s an amusement park will have many children, you should fix this problem. My brand new shoes and shirt was dirtied because of this. So disappointing…
Inspired by: Lam Chun See, “Good Morning Yesterday: James Seah Remembers the Great World Amusement Park,” Good Morning Yesterday, November 12, 2007, http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/2007/11/james-seah-remembers-great-world.html.
(wearing new clothes to the amusement parks)
HAPPY WORLD
3.3 out of 5
9 Ratings
Sophia Jones
Pinned
30 November 1940
I am so glad that Singapore built an amusement park near Kallang Airport! When I first arrived in Singapore after an exhausting long flight journey, I was worried that I could not find any food to eat. My two kids were also restless after a long flight. Upon exiting the terminal, I was surprised that an amusement park was located right opposite the terminal. Not only was the food delicious, but the games and entertainment offered at the amusement park were also really fun! I have to admit that Happy World Amusement Park gave me a positive impression of Singapore. I used to think that Singapore is just a boring port but Happy World proved me wrong.
Inspired by: “Map of Singapore City,” 1954, Accession No. SP002068_2, Survey Map, National Archives of Singapore, accessed October 21, 2020, https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/maps_building_plans/record-details/fa89d79a-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad.
John Tan
27 June 1988
HELLO GAY WORLD MANAGEMENT! CAN YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE FREQUENT OUTBREAK OF FIRE? I ALMOST DIED WHEN THE FIRE BROKE OUT AT YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN SIX MONTHS AND YOU STILL HAVE NOT LEARNT FROM YOUR LESSON? NEVER GONNA VISIT THERE AGAIN UNLESS THE MANAGEMENT DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!
Inspired by: “Fire at Gay World razes 20 shops,” The Straits Times, June 27, 1988, 32, accessed October 20, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19880627-1.2.54.
Zhen Shi Wang
1 May 1982
Mummy and Daddy brought me to Happy World yesterday and I have to say that I am disappointed with its amenities. The amusement rides were not as good as Wonderland Amusement Park, some of which are frankly boring. Gay World needs to introduce more interesting rides to cater to youngsters like me.
Inspired by: “Oh, so many worlds apart!” New Nation, July 13, 1976, 32, accessed October 21, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19760713-1.2.75.
Samatha Powell
31 July 1948
I am impressed with the reopening of Happy World after the Japanese Occupation. The new cinema theatre, Victory is super interesting. I have never seen this kind of entertainment during its pre-war years! Moreover, the trade fair held recently was very insightful! Keep up the good work Happy World! Keep introducing new entertainment and I am sure more people will visit your amusement park!
Inspired by: “The cinema man,” The Straits Times, November 3, 2020, 71, accessed October 30, 2020, https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20071103-1.2.89.3.5
Hasif Ramim bin Mohammad
10 January 1945
Saya berasa amat gembira kerana pihak berkuasa Jepun akan membuka Happy World. Semua, termasuk saya, berasa bimbang semenjak anggota Jepun menakluki Singapura. Walaupun saya amat berterima kasih terhadap tempat perjudian yang baru dibuka, kelab malam dan kabaret, ia akan lebih baik jika Happy World membuka banyak lagi tempat hiburan. Tempat hiburan semasa zaman ini tidak begitu beraneka macam jika dibandingkan zaman sebelum-perang. Jika Happy World dapat mencapai ini, saya yakin lebih banyak orang akan menziarahi Happy World.
Translation
Very glad that the Japanese authorities would reopen Happy World. Everyone, including myself, had been stressed ever since the Japanese took over Singapore. While I appreciate the newly opened gambling den, as well as nightclubs and cabaret, it would have been better if Happy World opens more entertainment outlets. The variety of entertainment was not as good as it was during the pre-war years. If Happy World management were to achieve this, I am sure more people would visit Happy World.
Inspired by: Sanjay Krishnan, Looking at Culture (Singapore: Artres Design & Communications, 1996), 29.
曾灰度
16 August 1944
对你们快乐世界的管理人员很失望！每一次来快乐世界想赌博减压，你们的员工不但手脚很慢，还很没礼貌。赌博的时候，我也从来没有什么赢香烟或饮料，真是个倒霉地方。 不知道你们开赌场的目的是想骗我们这些老白姓的钱。 如果你们还是不改你们的态度，我会告诉亲戚朋友不要在来快乐世界了！
Translation
So disappointed with the management of Happy World! Each time I make a visit to gamble, your staff is not only slow, but also so rude to me! And then every single time I gamble, I don't even win anything at all, so unlucky! Not sure if your park just wants to cheat us of all our money!! If you don't change your operational attitude, I will tell all my friends and relatives not to come here anymore!
Inspired by: Sanjay Krishnan, Looking at Culture (Singapore: Artres Design & Communications, 1996), 29.
センド ヨスイク
5 February 1943
キャバクラのハッピーワールドの女の子は本当に楽しかったです！ 彼らのパフォーマンスが本当に良いとは思わなかった。 キャバレーとナイトクラブだけが米軍にしか開かれていなかったことは残念です。 なぜ当局がギャンブルの洞穴に入ることを禁じているのか分からない 地元の人が楽しんでいるのを見て、私は非常に嫉妬しました。 それはそのような残念です。 より多くの設備が日本人に開かれた場合、5/5つ星を与えているだろう。 結局のところ、我々は彼らの植民地の人形からシンガポールを解放するためのいくつかの報酬に値
Translation
The girls at Happy World at the cabaret were really fun! I did not expect their performance to be really good. A shame that only the cabaret and nightclub were only open to us soldiers. I don’t understand why the authorities forbid us from entering the gambling dens. Looking at the locals having fun made me very jealous. It is such a pity. Would have given 5/5 stars if more amenities were opened up to the Japanese. After all, we deserve some reward for liberating Singapore from their colonial puppets!
Inspired by: Sanjay Krishnan, Looking at Culture (Singapore: Artres Design & Communications, 1996), 29.
Ajit Kapoor
24 February 1939
கெய்லாங்கில் எனது பணியிடத்திற்கு அருகில் ஒரு புதிய பொழுதுபோக்கு பூங்கா கட்டப்பட்டதாக நான் மிகவும் உற்சாகமடைந்தேன். நான் இதற்கு முன்பு எந்த பொழுதுபோக்கு பூங்காவிற்கும் சென்றதில்லை. புதிய உலகம் மற்றும் பெரிய உலக கேளிக்கை பூங்கா பற்றி நான் கேள்விப்பட்டிருந்தாலும், அவை எனது பணியிடத்திலிருந்து வெகு தொலைவில் இருந்தன. கேளிக்கை பூங்கா எனது ஒவ்வொரு எதிர்பார்ப்பையும் தாண்டிவிட்டது என்பதை நான் ஒப்புக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்.கேளிக்கை பூங்கா விளையாட்டுகள் மற்றும் உணவைப் பற்றியது என்று நான் நினைத்தேன், ஆனால் நேரடி செயல்திறனை வழங்கும் ஒரு தியேட்டர் இருக்கும் என்று நான் எதிர்பார்க்கவில்லை. என்னைக் என்ன கவர்ந்தது வென்றால், அவர்கள் ஒரு இந்திய தீம் செயல்திறனைக் கூட வழங்கினர்! என்னைப் போன்ற சிறுபான்மையினரைப் பூர்த்தி செய்யும் பொழுதுபோக்குகளை நிர்வாகம் வழங்கும் என்று என்னை மிகவும் தொட்டது. எல்லாவற்றிற்கும் மேலாக, கெய்லாங் பெரும்பாலும் சீன மற்றும் மலாய் சமூகத்தினரால் வசிக்கிறது.இனிய உலகத்தைப் பார்வையிட நான் பரிந்துரைக்கப்படுகிறேன். அவர்கள் இலவச அனுமதி அளித்தால் நன்றாக இருக்கும்.
Translation
When I heard from my colleagues that a new amusement park was built near my workplace in Geylang, I was very excited. I had never been to any amusement park before. Although I have heard of the New World and Great World amusement park, they were too far from my workplace. I have to admit that the amusement park exceeded my every expectation. I thought the amusement park was just about games and food, but I did not expect that there will be a theatre that offered live performance. What impressed me was that they even offered an Indian theme performance! I was very touched that the management would offer entertainments that cater to minorities like me. After all, Geylang is mostly inhabited by the Chinese and Malay community, thus I did not expect much at that time. Recommended to visit Happy World. Would be great if they offer free admission though.
Inspired by: “Singapore’s New Playground,” The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, April 27, 1937, 1, accessed October 24, 2020, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singfreepressb19370427-1.2.111.2
陈建波
15 August 1938
真是没有想到快乐世界有那么好玩。刚开始的时候，我以为快乐世界是专门给那些洋人游玩，没有我们潮州的娱乐。没想到快乐世界不但经常有举办潮州的歌舞表演，他们室内体育馆举办的拳击实在有趣。我也没有想到快乐世界有买很多好吃的食物。他们不但有卖我们潮州的食品，他们也有卖各种各样种族的食物。有西方，马来，印度等。真的是很奇妙！我一定会再回来，下一次我会带我的家人来游玩。
Translation
Did not imagine that Happy World could be so funnnn! In the beginning, I thought Happy World was specifically catered towards the Western tourists and that there was nothing for us Chinese to enjoy. Little did i know that not only does Happy World regularly organise Chinese opera performances, the sporting events organised at the Indoor Stadium was sooo exciting and entertaining! Ohoh did I mention that there's just sooooo much delicious food to eat there? Not only do they sell Chinese food, there's food for every race to enjoy! There's Western, Malay, Indian fooood, it's just so amusing to me! I will definitely bring my family along for the next visit!
Inspired by: Jeffrey Pramudita, “The Three Worlds in Singapore,” S.U.R.E., last modified April 29, 2014,
https://web.archive.org/web/20170221013606/http://www.nlb.gov.sg/sure/the-three-worlds-in-singapore/.