Changi 406273 225867053 2008-07-15T19:44:02Z 88.2.161.152 +sv {{For|the television miniseries|Changi (television)}} {{SG neighbourhood |imagemap=Changi Planning Area locator map.png |englishname=Changi |chinesename=樟宜 |pinyin=Zhāngyí |malayname=Changi |tamilname=சாங்கி |coordinates={{coor at dms|1|23|28|N|103|59|11|E}} }} [[Image:Singapore Changi Airport, Control Tower 2, Dec 05.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Singapore Changi Airport]] [[Image:Changi beach.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Sunset at Changi Beach]] '''Changi''' is an area at the eastern end of [[Singapore]]. It is now the site of [[Singapore Changi Airport]], and is also home to the [[Changi Prison]], site of the former Japanese [[Prisoner of War|Prisoner of War Camp]] during [[World War II]] which housed [[Allies|Allied]] prisoners captured in Singapore and [[Malaysia]] after Singapore's fall in February 1942. Being close to the [[sea]], Changi also has 2 commercial [[ferry]] terminals, [[Changi Point Ferry Terminal]] and [[Changi Ferry Terminal]]. [[James Clavell]] based his novel ''[[King Rat (1962 novel)|King Rat]]'' on his experiences as a prisoner of war in Changi. ==Etymology== The early [[Malay language|Malay]] place name of '''''Changi''''' was ''Tanjong Rusa'', which is found in the 1604 E.G. de Eredia map of Singapore. The native place name Changi is found very early in Singapore's history. In the 1828 map by Franklin and [[Philip Jackson (surveyor)|Jackson]], the extreme southeastern tip of the island is referred to as ''Tanjong Changi''. The local name Changi must have been a significant point for the [[Malays in Singapore|Malays]], especially in the days of the sixteenth century [[Johor]] kingdom located on the Johor River. Vessels using the [[Straits of Johor|Johor Straits]] would have to pass by Changi. There are many versions for the etymological roots of the name Changi. One source says that it comes from a climbing [[shrub]], the ''changi ular'' (''[[Aristolochiaceae|Apama corymbosa]]''), which grew in the area. Another claims that it gets its name from a tall [[tree]], the ''chengai'' (''Balanscarpus heimii''), which abounded in the area in the early nineteenth century. Changi could also be a variation of the local [[timber]] named ''chengai''. This heavy local timber is commonly used for buildings and [[furniture]], and is valued for its strength and renowned for its deep rich colour. During the early surveys in the 1820s to 1830s of Singapore island, Changi was also named ''Franklin Point'' after Captain Franklin who was involved as one of the early [[Surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]]s of Singapore island. It would seem that the [[History of Singapore#Singapore as a Crown colony (1867 – 1941)|colonial]] authorities had decided to latch on their own place name to the existing Malay name for Changi. Around the 1900s, Changi was the favourite haunt for [[tigers]]. The female tigers were said to swim from Johore to [[Pulau Ubin]] to rest, before completing their journey to Singapore. The tigers would land at Ferry Point and give birth in this neighbourhood, and so the tigers on the island were generally young. [[Image:Changi Point, Montage, Aug 06.jpg|thumb|center|550px|A montage of Changi Point, showing images of [[Sungei Changi]] (Changi River), [[Changi Beach Park]], [[Changi Golf Club]], [[Changi Boardwalk|Changi Point Coastal Walk]], [[Changi Point Ferry Terminal]], and [[Changi Village Hotel]].]] ==See also== *[[Changi Boardwalk]] *[[Changi Village]] {{commons|Changi}} ==References== <references/> *Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2003), ''Toponymics - A Study of Singapore Street Names'', Eastern Universities Press, ISBN 981-210-205-1 {{Places in Singapore}} {{reflist}} [[Category:Places in Singapore]] [[Category:East Region in Singapore]] [[Category:Changi| ]] [[bg:Чанги]] [[id:Changi]] [[nl:Changi]] [[fi:Changi]] [[sv:Changi]] [[zh:樟宜]]