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HISTORIC DISTRICT ATTRACTIONS 4

Hill Street Building Originally built to house the British Police Force, the building was sited directly across from Chinatown for easy access to quell the frequent gang fights. Later it became home to the National Archives, and it is believed that inquisitions and torture were carried out in the basement during the Japanese occupation. Former National Archive employees have claimed to have seen ghosts of tortured souls sitting at their desks.

Today, this colorful building houses the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MITA), and the National Arts Council, with six galleries displaying Singaporean, Southeast Asian, and European fine arts. It's air-conditioned! Hill St. at the corner of River Valley Rd., on Fort Canning Park.

Kuan Yin Thiong Hood Cho Temple It's said that whatever you wish for within the walls of Kuan Yin Temple comes true, so get in line and have your wishes ready. It must work, as there's a steady stream of people on auspicious days of the Chinese calendar. The procedure is simple: Wear shoes easily slipped off before entering the temple. Light several joss sticks. Pray to the local god, pray to the sky god, then turn to the side and pray some more. Now pick up the container filled with inscriptions and shake it until one stick falls out. After that, head for the interpretation box office to get a piece of paper with verses in Mandarin and English to look up what your particular inscription means. (For a small fee, there are interpreters outside.) Now for the payback: If your wish comes true, be prepared to return to the temple and offer fruits and flowers to say thanks (oranges, pears, and apples are a thoughtful choice and jasmine petals are especially nice). Be careful what you wish for. Once you're back home and that job promotion comes through, your new manager might nix another vacation so soon. 7o be on the safe side, bring the goods with you when you make your wish.
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