In the early days of Singapore, locals drawn water from a well near
Ann Siang Hill and transported them using
bullock carts and drove down the street. This led to the area being
Kreta Ayer, which means "water cart" in
Malay. Similarly, the Hokkiens called the area
gu chia chui while the Cantonese call it
ngow chay shui (), both meaning "bullock water cart" (the word "road" is
elided). The road was officially named Kreta Ayer Road in 1922. For the
Chinese, the Chinatown area is referred also as
tua poh or "greater town" district. In the 1880s, Kreta Ayer was the
red light district of Chinatown. The Chinese traveller, Li Zhongjue, observed in 1887 that the street was a place of
restaurants,
theatres and
brothels and where "filth and dirt are hidden". ==Landmarks==