The Chinese High School Clock Tower Building, Clock tower at Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore
The Chinese High School Clock Tower Building is a 36-meter tall structure with neoclassical design elements including Ionic columns and a symmetrical facade. The tower is topped by a columned cupola that houses four clock faces, one visible from each direction around the building.
The tower was built in 1925 with donations from Chinese community leaders who wanted to establish the first Chinese-language secondary school in Southeast Asia. During the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945, the structure served as a military observation post, marking it as part of Singapore's wartime history.
The building stands as a symbol of Chinese community identity in Singapore, representing the importance of education as a cultural institution for Chinese-speaking students. Walking past it today, visitors can sense how central it remained to the school's role in maintaining Chinese language and heritage.
The structure sits on the campus of Hwa Chong Institution and remains visible to visitors exploring the school grounds or passing by the area. Interior access may be limited since it continues to function as part of the working school with classrooms and administrative spaces.
The original clock mechanisms were destroyed during World War II, but the tower received replacement timepieces in the 1970s donated by the Seiko Corporation. This restoration reflects the international connections Singapore built during its modern development and recovery.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
