The Bukit Brown Cemetery, also known to the locals as Coffee Hill or Kopi Sua, was a public cemetery that is located in Singapore. The burial grounds were named after George Henry Brown, a trader, ship owner and broker and the original owner of the land. The land was purchased from him by members of the Ong clan, who planned on using it as a cemetery and thus the Seh Ong Cemetery was established in 1872. Due to pressing needs in the early 1900’s, the municipal government acquired the land and established the Bukit Brown Cemetery which was open to the entire community. The cemetery was officially opened on the first of January 1922. Totalling over two hundred acres, it is estimated that at the time of closing the cemetery housed over a hundred thousand tombs and graves.
Some of the most prominent citizens of Singapore have been buried here. They include the former director of the Malaya Broadcasting Corporation, Loh Kye Wee, famed rubber magnate and philanthropist, Tan Lark Sye, and Ong Boon Tat, the owner of the New World Park. The graves range from elaborate ones, containing tombstones with carvings inspired by Chinese mythology to much simpler edifices. After the Bukit Brown Cemetery was shut down in 1973 there was much talk about developing the area, but all plans were put on hold. Currently the land is home to many species of plants and birds and is frequented by nature lovers. However, how long it would remain undeveloped is uncertain and those interested in visiting the historic site should consider doing it in the near future.
Despite its small size, Singapore can seem pretty large especially when it comes to navigating its labyrinthine roads. That is why it is important to stay at hotels in Singapore with a central location. The Singapore hotels run by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Singapore make ideal bases for exploring the city and come with a range of contemporary comforts and conveniences that cater to business and leisure travellers alike. These hotels let you truly experience the sights and sounds of this cosmopolitan city while enjoying that all important good night’s sleep.
