An evening at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee (Street) of Johor Bahru Town, Johor.

Jalan Tan Hiok Nee (street) (N1 27.385 E103 45.814) is located in the heart of Johor Bahru Town. The street is approximate 300 meter long and there are many colonial buildings situated at both side of it. Every Saturday evening, there will be Chinese culture activities or charity performances along the street. It's just started from this year 2010. This was one of the reason attracted me to visit and interested by the History of Mr Tan Hiok Nee.

Jalan Tan Hiok Nee during Saturday evening

This is some History of Tan Hiok Nee :-
Tan Hiok Nee (b.1827- d.1902, Chaozhou, China) alias Tan Yeok Nee, was a powerful and influential Teochew businessman in 19th century Singapore and Johore. His name in Chinese is Chen Yu Yi, although he was more popularly known as Chen Xu Nian. Tan, who amassed great wealth through opium and spirit farming, played an important role in the development of the region, particularly Johore.
Early life
Tan was born in Jin Sha village in Shang Pu (present day Caitang) of Chaozhou, China. He lost his father when he was young.  As a youth, Tan was such a compulsive gambler that he used the money he borrowed for his mother's funeral.  At the age of 17, Tan left his hometown to seek opportunities in Nanyang (Southeast Asia).  He reached Pahang and worked in the mines of Pahang to pay for his travel expenses. After paying off his debts, he shifted to Singapore and became a textile peddler. Tan operated daily at Telok Blangah area and was popular among the residents due to his honesty. Among his regular customers was Temenggong Ibrahim whose son, Sultan Abu Bakar, became his good friend.

Some History of Tan Hiok Nee written on the wall

He was the most prominent businessman in Johore with seven Kang-Chu rights. This meant controls over the entire left bank of the Johore River which spanned from the south of Kota Tinggi to Pulau Ubin.
In 1868, Sultan Abu Bakar gained the title of Maharaja and two years later, he appointed Tan as Major China of Johor, the highest-ranking Chinese official in his government. In 1874, Tan was appointed as one of the two Chinese members in the State Council...
(If you like to know more about Tan Hiok Nee, please click Here)

We parked our car in front of the AIA Building at Jalan Dhoby and started to walk around the street. By entering Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, there were groups of senior citizen having their Karaoke performance.

Senior citizens performing some oldies on the stage

Opposite the mini stage, you can play the Chinese Chess with some expert there...

The box was for charity fund

The Foon Yew High School students were everywhere that evening to promote some of their handicraft and others activities for charity. I saw some special security officers along the street taking care the safety for the activities between the street. That was Great!

We were attracted by one of the street stall which located at the junction...Oh! the stall was selling some street magic toys!

The street magic toys stall

I found one unique outdoor Cafe which selling the Heineken Draught Beer at the junction too.

The outdoor Cafe

Too bad, there was No customer around! Maybe due to No washroom within the Cafe. Next to the cafe, it was a small saloon with creative design. Do you notice there are chairs on the roof?! :)

My Little Corner Saloon

There was an attractive building just located right at the junction...

This is building had been restore and I have no idea what kind of business it will be...

THAT'S cafe is just next to the restored building

I wanted to visit this cafe initially, but the door was lock with an access control system...

Continue stroll down the street, we saw the Chinese Martial Art Performance by one of the Local Association...

Chinese Martial Art

I spotted this old Shogun Pub and I believe it was belong to the 70s, seems like stop operation now...

Below the pub, there was another Unique Boutique shop still in business...

Well, it was almost the end of the activities! Another part of the street was occupied by all the night stalls of JB Bazaar where I'm gonna blog about it later...

Stalls of JB Bazaar

The activities start from the intersection of Jalan Bukit Timbalan and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee and end at the intersection of Jalan Trus and the time is 6pm- 10pm every Saturday. According to one of the coffee shop owner, there will be a Unique night bazaar (The Junk Sale) every second week of the month on Friday night, only once a month. Have a visit to the street if you free!

The street still busy during that time (about 9.30pm) when we were leaving...

But it was empty and silence after 10.30pm...

The Location Map of Jalan Tan Hiok Nee (street) at Johor Bahru

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