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The ultimate guide to Chinatown

Singapore's Chinatown is a beautiful mess where temples and hawker stalls exist alongside chic bars and art galleries

Noisy, chaotic, and full of human traffic – that’s the general consensus of what the Chinatowns of the world are like. Singapore’s is no different, but beyond being just a tourist hotspot, it also possesses a charming air that appeals to even the most seasoned locals as well. In fact, it's just been crowned Singapore's coolest neighbourhood for 2023, as well as the third coolest neighbourhood in all of Asia. 

Once a designated Chinese kampong harking back to 1822, this bustling district is now where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. Home to a good mix of hawker centres, temples, and teahouses, all set alongside trendy bars, cafés, and independent art galleries, Chinatown is certainly a riot of colour. Here are the best things to do, see, and eat here.

RECOMMENDED: The ultimate guide to Singapore's neighbourhoods

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Things to do in Chinatown

Woaw gallery.

• Tanjong Pagar

Amidst the many coffee joints and restaurants parked along the stretch of Ann Siang Hill, it’s almost easy to walk right past  WOAW Gallery  if you’re not actively looking for it. This little nook's exhibitions get switched up every so often, each time showcasing the unique works of artists around the world, so each visit brings something new.  Best part? Entry is free.

The Née Vintage Store

Fashionistas on the hunt for highly exclusive branded handbags and accessories will have a field day at The Née Vintage Store.  From Christian Dior, to Hermes, to Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, pretty much all your favourite high fashion houses are represented here in a wide selection of refurbished pre-loved leather bags, many of which are out-of-production vintage models. They also have high-end vintage watches, jewellery, and dinnerware. Tiffany & Co. tea sets, anyone?

Pearl's Hill Terrace

• Things to do

Once the upper barracks of a police station, the imposing building at 195 Pearl's Hill Terrace is now a hub of creativity. You can easily spend a whole day exploring the many unique tenants here, from a taxidermy studio  to an indie film lab  and even a tattoo studio  that offers "ink jamming" sessions on faux skin. Be sure to keep a lookout for their occasional pop-up markets and parties too.

Late Morning

This lifestyle store will be up your alley if a clutter-free approach is what you value in home decor. Their understated yet sleek collection of porcelain plates, drinkware, and matching cutlery sets will fit right into any home, especially the ones that follow a minimalist decor scheme. They also have a coffee nook serving up fresh brews, and occasionally host inimate tea appreciation sessions with seasonal cakes. 

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Inspired by the Chinese Tang Dynasty, this famous temple houses a museum with rare artefacts, a library, a garden, and a 15-foot Maitreya Buddha that sits on the ground floor of the main hall. Located at the rear of the hall is the Sacred Buddha Relics Chamber, which houses what are regarded as the brains, blood, muscle and flesh relics of Buddha – items believed to be Buddha’s body in eternal form.

P.S.: The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is also home to a hidden vegetarian food court , with mixed rice plates from an affordable $3 and desserts from $1.

• Vintage shops

H idden amongst the hodgepodge of food and culture at Pagoda Street is this vintage thrift store with curated fashion picks spanning across various styles.  Expect the most in-trend selection of Y2K, fairycore, and streetwear pieces, including Von Dutch caps, denim staples, grungy band tees, cowboy boots, and more. Everything starts from an affordable $10 and usually doesn't go past $ 40.

Peranakan Tiles Gallery

Seen on the facades of shophouses and even in interiors of contemporary homes, Peranakan tiles are almost synonymous with local design and architecture. For a massive selection of vintage and replica tiles for your abode, Peranakan Tiles Gallery Singapore has got you covered with beautiful pieces hailing from England, Belgium and Japan. 

Sri Mariamman Temple

Oddly enough, the biggest and oldest Hindu temple in Singapore is found in the middle of Chinatown. Dedicated to Mariamman, the Goddess of Rain, it was initially built as a humble shed in 1827 by Naraina Pillai, the first recorded Indian immigrant to enter colonised Singapore. It's famous for its staggeringly detailed gopuram (tower gateway), and was declared  a National Monument of Singapore in 1973. It is also the site of Theemidhi, a remarkable fire-walking ceremony held a week before the Hindu festival Deepavali.

Must-try hawker stalls in Chinatown

Tang kay kee fish head bee hoon.

In the heart of Chinatown, hawkers are hustling every day at Hong Lim Food Centre. Household name Tang Kay Kee Fish Head Bee Hoon has been at it since 1946, serving zi char fare – but only for dinner. Regulars can be seen waiting for time-tested Cantonese staples  redolent with smoky wok-hei. Don't hesitate to walk up and order, food here is dished up in a rather swift fashion. During lunch,  fourth-generation hawker Debbie Yam, whose great-grandfather was the original founder of the stall, serves up modern zi char lunch bowls for busy CBD folks.

Original Chew Kee Eating House

• 4 out of 5 stars
• Recommended

Herein lies a humble plate of soy sauce chicken cooked with a recipe that spans over three generations. Since the 1940s, Chew Kee has been preparing affordable food with a sincere heart with an emphasis on quality over quantity for all generations to enjoy. To this day, dining in Chew Kee Eating House almost feels like a blast from the past where the essence of a timeless recipe and unpretentious community spirit still lingers.  For a quick fuss-free bite, order a single portion of soy sauce chicken ($5.50) with either an aromatic yet less greasy version of chicken rice or a springy wonton egg noodle. But if you’re observing around you, you’d soon realise most patrons come for the entire bird experience – usually ordering a half-bird or full bird depending on sheer appetite or group size.

Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck and Kway Chap

Established 30 years ago, this family business specialises in Teochew braised duck rice and kway chap – hence the name. Order the Bento Combo Jumbo Set ($8) while you're there. It's a generous, Instagram-worthy platter of yam rice balls with kway chap, pork belly, tau kwa, tau pok, cucumber chunks, radish, kiam chye and, rather than a hard-boiled one, an onsen egg.

Kok Sen Restaurant

With mismatched tables and stools for seats, this zi char joint is loud, crowded and unrefined – just the way we like it. You’ll spot a glistening plate of prawn hor fun ($16-$48) on almost every table. Unlike typical hor fun dishes, the sauce here is less starchy and has a soup-like consistency. Each spoonful delivers a broth made from prawn stock that’s rich in umami with a hint of heat from fresh red chillies. Other specialties include claypot yong tau foo ($14-$28), vegetables and tofu stuffed with fish and squid paste, and braised pork ribs in black bean sauce ($14-$28).

Cafés and restaurants in Chinatown

The wizard's brew.

Step into this otherworldly space that turns wizardry fantasies into reality. With floating candles, ornamental chandeliers, giant shelves filled with mythical books, and even a faux fireplace, this medieval-inspired dessert bar takes a page from the beloved Harry Potter series. The sorcery begins with a slew of imaginative desserts paired with theatrical showmanship, set to wow guests of all ages. Their range of whimsical spell-binding cocktails are also a visual feast.

Paaru (パール)

Japanese café  Paaru  is all the rage among carb-lovers right now.  Their house-baked  shokupan is what draws the crowds, where it is served as part of comforting and hearty all-day breakfast classics. Don't sleep on the freshly-baked madeleines ($2) that you can take away from their bakery right around the corner.

99 Old Trees

• Singaporean

In the mood for some stinky fruit? Swing by modern durian caf é  99 Old Trees to tuck into  an omakase-style spread of six variants, ranging from Mao Shan Wang to the lesser-known Black Thorn  – all specially handpicked for your enjoyment. The  aesthetically -pleasing space also serves up durian-infused desserts, such as the traditional chendol to durian mousse and cream puffs. 

Maxi Coffee Bar

Despite its name, Maxi Coffee Bar is small – and for good reason. The popular coffee joint nestled within the Ann Siang Hill area keeps things cosy to encourage a sense of community among customers. Besides the regular mainstays, they're also known for their unique Cereal Milk Latte. You know that bit of leftover milk at the bottom of your bowl after you've finished your morning cereal? Yup, that's exactly what is used to make the latte. 

Bars in Chinatown

White shades.

• Cocktail bars

This four-storey shophouse is a celebration of all things boozy  – from alcohol-infused gelato at the ice cream parlour on the first floor, to bespoke cocktails at the restaurant-bar on the second. Level three boasts a customisable events area, while the rooftop lets you kick back with draft beers and cocktails all affordably priced below $20.

This trailblazing cocktail bar places all bets on making sustainable dining and drinking approachable through the use of ingredients that have a low carbon footprint  – including insect proteins, cell-cultured milk, and coffee made from burdock root and hemp seeds.  But don’t expect anything squirm-worthy, for these morsels will be so cleverly weaved in that you wouldn't realise they're there in the first place.

Cat Bite Club

The Duxton enclave makes a perfect spot for clandestine hideouts and Cat Bite Club is unlike any other booze den on the block.  First, look out for a grinning Cheshire cat outlined by red neon lights along Duxton Road.  Then, head straight into Monument Coffee and behind those heavy curtains, you’ll find yourself in good company. The speakeasy is crystal clear about putting agave and rice spirits on a pedestal while threading the needle between both cultural and culinary influences of Southeast Asia and Mexico. Hot tip: start with the mean Cat Bite Margarita ($26), which features a base of tequila blanco and smoky mezcal, before moving on to the stiffer concoctions.

Smith Street Taps

It's not often that you'll find a craft beer bar in a hawker centre of all place, but that's what Smith Street Taps is. What we love – aside from its no-frills setting and pocket-friendly prices – is their sheer range of daily-rotating specialty brews from all over the world. They also brings in a good range of locally brewed craft beers  made by passionate Singaporeans.  A must-visit for all craft beer lovers.

Potato Head Singapore

Yes, it's another high-end cocktail bar in Chinatown, but don't start yawning yet. From surreal eye candy to a rollicking soundtrack breezing between classic rock and Motown funk, this Keong Saik cool cat nails the flippant, friendly vibe they boast at their Seminyak, Bali location – easily one of South-East Asia’s trendiest bars. As we’ve seen in other ballyhooed cocktail lounges in town, slick branding or a big name doesn’t guarantee that things will be done right, but Potato Head Singapore manages it with fun and flamboyance. 

Sago House was set up by a trio of industry veterans. It's all about the little touches here  – from the hand-built interiors fashioned out of upcycled materials, to the weekly-rotating cocktail menu inspired by the best local ingredients, to even the graffiti murals on the wall, everything you see here has had plenty of heart and soul put into it. Wanting to create a safe space in the industry, they also host education sessions where they provide insight on about creating one's independent F&B venue, and encourage open discussion among participants regarding day-to-day issues in the sector.

Chinatown teahouses

Tea chapter.

With origins tracing back to the late 1980s, Tea Chapter is easily the oldest and largest teahouse in Singapore  – and they even have the bragging rights of having played host to Queen Elizabeth II, where she sipped on their Imperial Golden Cassia tea. Today's they're still keeping traditional tea appreciation accessible to locals and tourists of all ages, proving that it is indeed a timeless art. While there, induge in tea-infused snacks like tea eggs and oolong sweet potato, and pick up some fresh loose leaf teas to brew at home.

Yixing Xuan Teahouse

Yixing Xuan Teahouse is a one stop shop where you can buy tea leaves and tea-making equipment, as well as pop by for a tea appreciation workshop to enjoy tea the traditional way  – in between bites of dim sum, of course.

Silk Tea Bar

Though one of the newer entrants in Chinatown's teahouse scene, Silk Tea Bar is no less worthy of mention. Helmed by a pair of young locals, this calming space is the epitome of zen, and offers a range of classic oriental teas. All leaves are sourced from China, while everything is brewed using Australian spring water. Be sure to try their kueh kosui, which complements the teas without overshadowing their complex flavours.

Pek Sin Choon Tea Merchants

As one of Singapore’s oldest tea merchants, Pek Sin Choon has survived multiple redevelopments, relocations and even a war since its establishment in 1925. The brand now supplies its tea leaves to almost 80 percent of all bak kut teh shops in Singapore as well as some Chinese restaurants, most notably Din Tai Fung. Helmed by a fourth-generation owner, the tea shop maintains many traditional practices, from blending and roasting of leaves in-house, to wrapping them in paper by  hand.

More neighbourhoods to explore

Ultimate guide to singapore's neighbourhoods.

The ultimate guide to Ann Siang Hill and Club Street

The ultimate guide to Telok Ayer

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Useful Information

Only 11 Best Things to Do in Chinatown Singapore

Looking for things to do in Chinatown Singapore ? Let me share the must-visit attractions in this vibrant neighbourhood.

Start at the heart of Chinatown, where busy markets buzz with activity. Here, you can browse a variety of goods and feel the lively atmosphere.

Don’t miss the small streets adorned with colorful murals – perfect for capturing memories with your camera.

Trust me, Chinatown is a must-see on every Singapore holiday itinerary . It’s full of exciting experiences, with lively streets and lots of culture. You definitely shouldn’t miss it! 😊

Uncover the 11 Top Things to Do in Chinatown Singapore

• 1. Chinatown Street Market
• 2. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• 3. Sri Mariamman Temple
• 4. Mural on Mohamed Ali Lane
• 5. Chinatown Mural
• 6. VR Escape Room Adventure
• 7. Thian Hock Keng Temple
• 8. Chinatown Food Street
• 9. Maxwell Food Centre
• 10. Liao Fan Hawker Chan
• 11. Keong Saik Road

Things to Do in Chinatown Singapore: Summary

My suggested itinerary, chinatown map, exploring chinatown singapore attractions: your mrt station exits guide, related posts, 1. chinatown street market: discover shopping gems and souvenirs in singapore.

Walking along the Chinatown Street Market in Singapore immerses you in a lively and colorful market scene .

This street is a hub for unique shopping experiences , where a variety of shops display an array of traditional and modern items .

Here, you can find everything from mini bags and keychains to wallets , each showcasing a blend of Chinese influence and contemporary design.

These items are not just souvenirs but also practical and stylish accessories.

Remember, bargaining is part of the shopping experience here, so don’t hesitate to negotiate a good deal.

2. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: A Spiritual Landmark in the Heart of Chinatown

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Singapore’s Chinatown is a must-see place.

When you step inside, you’ll find yourself in a special, calm world. It’s a space full of history and peace.

As you enter, the traditional Buddhist design will surely catch your eye . Make sure to look up to see the intricate ceiling details—they are truly amazing .

You’ll want to visit the Tooth Relic Chamber too . It’s where the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha resides—a truly humbling and awe-inspiring sight.

Take your time as you explore and look closely at the Buddha statues. They show things like kindness and wisdom, which can make you feel pretty peaceful inside .

3. Sri Mariamman Temple: Embracing the Vibrant Traditions of Singapore’s Oldest Hindu Shrine

Make sure to visit the Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown. It’s the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore , and trust me, it’s a feast for the eyes with its vibrant colors and deep cultural roots .

Start your visit by checking out the “gopuram” at the entrance . It’s a big, fancy tower covered in lots of colorful statues .

These statues aren’t just pretty; they also tell stories from Hindu mythology. Don’t forget to snap a photo here; it’s a memory you’ll want to keep.

Once you step inside, seek out the main deity, Goddess Mariamman. People believe she has healing powers.

Take your time to really look at the walls and ceilings. They’re covered in paintings and carvings that bring ancient stories to life.

4. Mural on Mohamed Ali Lane: Canvas of Community Life and Traditional Crafts

Mural on Mohamed Ali Lane is one of the most popular photography spots in Chinatown .

This area is surrounded by beautiful and eye-catching street arts .

For one, there’s the portrayal of the dance head maker and Abdul Kadri at the “Mamakshop”.

On the left, a man sells bright masks from his bike. On the right, two older people sit with baskets, dressed in traditional clothes.

These paintings are perfect for your photos. When you visit, take your camera and capture these fun and beautiful scenes .

5. Chinatown Mural: A Colorful Glimpse into Singapore’s Past

Head over to the Chinatown Mural for a peek into the past.

It’s a lively painting that shows someone busy writing, with red banners above and old-time items like a letter and calendar around.

Here’s what to do: Sit across from the painted writer to look like you’re joining in. This pose will give you an awesome photo, making you appear as if you’re part of the mural’s story.

Capture this unique moment to bring the vibe of your Chinatown visit to life.

6. VR Escape Room Adventure: An Immersive Thrill for All Ages

Looking for an exciting adventure? Step into the world of VR Escape Rooms! It’s an immersive experience that’s as thrilling as it sounds.

Here’s what you do: Put on a virtual reality headset and enter a whole new dimension.

Your mission? Solve puzzles, uncover mysteries, and escape before time runs out. It’s like being the hero of your own action-packed movie.

Gather your friends or family, because this adventure is even better when shared.

It’s a fantastic way to challenge your wits, have a blast, and make memories. Feel free to check out the VR Escape Room pricing and photos right here .

7. Thian Hock Keng Temple: Haven of Serenity and Beauty

Interested in discovering a historic temple? Thian Hock Keng Temple is a must-see.

Dedicated to Mazu, the sea goddess, it’s a beloved place for Hokkien worship and stands as Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple .

The temple is quite known because of its peaceful vibes and unique features.

Inside the temple complex are different religious statues and a wishing well, where you can pray for your intentions. After making a wish, ring the bell and hope for the best!

Just outside the temple is the Thian Hock Keng Mural. So, after your tour inside, head to the outside rear wall and catch this painting .

8. Chinatown Food Street: A Singapore Haven for Local Cuisine Lovers

Chinatown Food Street in Singapore is a paradise for food enthusiasts. Imagine a lively street where each hawker stall is a gateway to new flavors.

I’d recommend starting with Roast Duck Rice . The duck is roasted to perfection, and the flavors are just right.

Then, dive into a Fried Oyster Omelette , a mix of plump oysters wrapped in a crispy, savory egg mix.

Make sure to try Satay as well, it’s skewered meat grilled to smoky goodness, ideal for a quick bite.

For a taste of something unique, go for Chilli Crab , a spicy and savory treat.

And of course, end your meal with some sweet Ice Kacang, a shaved ice dessert with various toppings .

9. Maxwell Food Centre: Culinary Delights Await in Chinatown

You’ve got to check out Maxwell Food Centre . It’s a buzzing spot where you can taste some of the city’s best street food .

My advice? Head straight for Tian Tian Chicken Rice. It’s so good, it’s even got a Michelin nod!

The chicken is tender, the rice is fragrant, and the sauce ties it all together. It’s a simple dish, but the flavors are out of this world.

But that’s not all. There’s a bunch of other dishes you should try. Grab some Laksa for a spicy noodle soup experience , or try the famous Hainanese Curry Puff for a savory snack .

Maxwell Food Centre is like a foodie playground. Every stall has something delicious, so don’t be afraid to explore!

10. Liao Fan Hawker Chan: Michelin-Starred for Legendary Chicken Rice

Don’t miss out on Liao Fan Hawker Chan when you’re visiting Chinatown. It’s a standout because it’s a Michelin-starred hawker stall , offering incredible food at affordable prices .

Here’s what you need to eat: the Soya Sauce Chicken Rice. It’s their star dish. The chicken is perfectly cooked – tender, juicy, and full of flavor from the soya sauce. Paired with fragrant rice, it’s a meal you won’t forget.

But don’t stop there. They’ve got other great dishes too, like roasted pork and noodles. It’s all about big flavors here, so whatever you choose, you’re in for a treat.

Trust me, Liao Fan Hawker Chan is more than just a meal, it’s an experience.

11. Keong Saik Road: Discovering the Charms of Chinatown’s Historic District

Keong Saik Road in Singapore is a cool spot you shouldn’t miss. It’s a busy street with a mix of old and new.

For a fun experience, sample local dishes like Laksa at the cafes and old-time restaurants . Then, enjoy exploring the small shops selling unique items .

In the evening, the bars here come alive. Grab a drink at a rooftop bar and enjoy the view of the city. It’s a wonderful spot to enjoy Singapore’s nightlife .

The street has colorful old houses that show a bit of Singapore’s history . It’s a fun mix of the past and now. So, definitely hang out here for a while!

I’ve compiled a list below summarizing what to do in Chinatown Singapore. This list is categorized to make it easy for you to choose based on your preferences.

Cultural and Religious Attractions:

• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• Sri Mariamman Temple
• Thian Hock Keng Temple

Art and Murals:

• Mural on Mohamed Ali Lane
• Chinatown Mural

Shopping and Exploration:

• Chinatown Street Market
• Keong Saik Road

Entertainment:

• VR Escape Room Adventure

Food and Culinary Delights:

• Chinatown Food Street
• Maxwell Food Centre
• Liao Fan Hawker Chan

If you have time, I suggest visiting Clarke Quay , Bugis , and Little India Singapore . These three attractions are near Chinatown.

Option 1: A Day of Discovery in Chinatown

• 10:00 AM – VR Escape Room Adventure
• 11:00 AM – Chinatown Mural
• 11:10 AM – Chinatown Street Market
• 12:10 PM – Sri Mariamman Temple
• 1:00 PM – Mural on Mohamed Ali Lane
• 1:10 PM – Chinatown Food Street
• 2:20 PM – Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• 3:30 PM – Thian Hock Keng Temple
• 4:30 PM – Maxwell Food Centre
• 5:30 PM – Keong Saik Road

Option 2: Half-Day Chinatown Exploration

• 2:00 PM – Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• 3:00 PM – Mural on Mohamed Ali Lane
• 3:10 PM – Sri Mariamman Temple
• 4:00 PM – Chinatown Street Market
• 5:00 PM – Chinatown Mural
• 5:10 PM – Liao Fan Hawker Chan

For easy navigation around Chinatown, take a look at my detailed map. It shows all the main attractions and nearby MRT stations in Chinatown.

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Insider’s Guide to Singapore’s Chinatown

Written by michael cullen, singapore | asia | destinations | travel | travel tips, wander with wonder contains affiliate links and is a member of the amazon services llc associates program. if you make a purchase using one of these amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. see our disclosure policy for more information..

Chinatown is one area that showcases Singapore’s rich cultural heritage. Read on for an insider’s guide to Singapore’s Chinatown.

Singapore, a vibrant city-state at the crossroads of Asia, is a testament to the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. Boasting a skyline adorned with architectural marvels, lush green spaces, and a culinary scene reflecting its diverse population, the Lion City offers travelers a unique and enriching experience. Three distinct areas showcase Singapore’s rich cultural heritage —Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Gelam (Malay traditions and history). All are must-visits, with Chinatown’s fascinating history dating back to the early 19th century. This guide provides personal perspectives on Chinatown’s history and insider tips from our guide—local Singaporean and renowned street muralist Yew Chong Yip (or YC to his friends).

Our insider is Singapore artist Yew Chong YIP. Photo courtesy Yew Chong YIP

What's in This Article:

Chinatown—A Potted History

Sir Stamford Raffles, Singapore’s founding father, in his 1822 Master Town Plan, allocated the whole area west of the Singapore River for a Chinese settlement attracting Chinese immigrants. This self-contained kampong (community settlement) was swampy and malaria-ridden. Following significant redevelopment in the late 19th century, clan houses, shophouses, and temples were built, becoming a bustling hub for Chinese businesses and cultural activities.

Singapore gained independence in 1965, and modernization and redevelopment followed. Many traditional shophouses within Chinatown were replaced with high-rise buildings. In the late 20th century, the government realized it was losing the heritage and cultural significance of these neighborhoods and set about addressing that.

A preservation and revitalization effort was launched with strict planning, building, and visual guidelines. Thanks to these initiatives, Kreta Ayer and Tanjong Pagar, the two major districts in Chinatown, have retained much of their unique charm and appeal. The distinctly styled shophouses, the narrow lanes and streets, and the area’s overall character have been kept. The restored buildings blend residential units, shops, and restaurants, along with the area’s cultural attractions.

Chinatown by night, dwarfed by the Singapore skyline. Photo courtesy Singapore Tourism Board

YC’s Chinatown

I spent my first 26 years in Chinatown and only moved away when I married. We lived on the second floor of a dilapidated shophouse; other families lived on the levels below. At that time, everyday life occurred on the streets—the local wet market, food vendors, and other sellers. The area had its own vibrancy and was distinctly multiracial, but it was considered a slum. In the early 1980s, when the revitalization began, I was a kid, living and playing on these streets.

The government’s Housing Development Board (HDB) built a tower of units on Smith Street, now called the Chinatown Complex. The area’s wet market was relocated to the building’s lower ground floor. Displaced street vendors and a Hawker Food Centre were on the following levels. This whole complex remains today, still full of activity—the everyday life of Chinatown’s long-time residents.

Chinatown Complex entrance and YC’s Letter Writer mural. Photo courtesy Singapore Tourism Board

In 2018, I started painting the nine murals you can now discover as you wander the streets and lanes around this central area of Chinatown (Kreta Ayer). For example, the mural ‘My Home’ depicts our home before moving to the HDB. Mum’s cooking in the kitchen, and we kids are playing games on the raised platform that was our beds in the other room. You can find this mural in the laneway between Smith and Temple Streets.

Another mural, the Letter Writer on Smith Street near the entrance to the Chinatown Complex, reflects the olden days when many migrants were illiterate, so the Letter Writer penned letters on their behalf to loved ones. Often, not stories of joy but loneliness and the like. My murals depict the stories and people of Chinatown from my childhood. Some, like the Letter Writer, go back further. This map will guide you to these insights into my Chinatown.

YC’s Chinatown mural map. Photo courtesy Yew Chong YIP

Chinatown’s Temples and Mosque

Even when we were kids, Chinatown was multi-ethnic, and those places of worship remain active today. Take the time to visit Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple on South Bridge Road— Sri Mariamman Temple . Dedicated to gods like Shiva and Durga, the temple’s interior is a wealth of colorful murals and shrines. Just around the corner on Mosque Street is a Tamil Muslim place of worship dating back to 1827. Masjid Jamae is a site where you can see early Singapore architecture, eclectically borrowing elements from both East and West.

The latest addition is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum . This Tang-styled Chinese Buddhist temple opened in 2007 and houses religious relics, ornate rooms, a massive stupa made from 320 kilograms of gold, and a tranquil rooftop garden.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Photo courtesy Singapore Tourism Board Photo courtesy Singapore Tourism Board

Singapore’s Oldest Chinese Temple and Original Shoreline

Built in 1839, thanks to the financial support of the local Hokkien community, Thian Hock Keng Temple (or Temple of Heavenly Happiness) is Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple. Now, a gazetted national monument, not a single nail was used in the original construction. Admire the remarkable traditional southern Chinese architectural style and marvel at the sculptures and detailed carvings of deities, phoenixes, and dragons.

Situated on Telok Ayer Street, the temple, back in the day, only had a street separating it from the beach and Singapore’s original waterfront. Chinatown expanded inland from here. Due to land reclamation, Singapore has grown from 224 to 277 square miles—a 25% increase over the last two centuries. Another of my murals on Amoy Street, immediately behind Thian Hock Keng Temple, shows the original waterfront, now half a mile from the temple doors. This 48-yard-long artwork tells stories of the migrating Hokkien people, their trials, tribulations, and contributions to building Singapore.

Yew Chong’s Thian Hock Keng Temple mural. Photo courtesy Singapore Tourism Board

Festivals and Celebrations

Festivals have always been part of life in Chinatown, providing an excellent opportunity to learn more about a place and the culture. Singapore has a packed annual calendar of festivals and events , with several centered around Chinatown.

The Chinese New Year or Spring Festival falls between mid-January to late February. Chinatown’s streets are festooned with lanterns and luminous decorations while nightly performances, markets, and feasting happen in the lead-up. A Hindu temple in the Tanjong Pagar hosts the large, colorful, and somewhat confronting annual Thaipusam two-day festival and procession around the same time.

Lanterns are ready for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo courtesy Singapore Tourism Board

Mid-year, the holy month of Ramadan occurs. Singapore Muslims gather at their mosques each evening (including on Mosque Street in Chinatown) to break their daily fast and share food. Every September, the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival marks the end of the Autumn harvest, and colorful street parades, lanterns, and mooncakes abound.

Hindus in Singapore celebrate the annual Theemithi (Firewalking) Festival over three months, with several events and ceremonies culminating in early November with the Theemithi Day at Sri Mariamman Temple. The Taoist Ninth Emperor Gods (or Vegetarian) Festival happens in late October or November, with parades complete with lion and dragon dance troupes, Chinese opera performances, and vegetarian feasting.

Chinatown Eats

Chinatown’s food offering has something for everyone. The Hawker Centres, like the Chinatown Complex on Smith Street with over 200 food vendors or the equally large Maxwell Centre on Maxwell Road, provide real (and very economical) Singaporean food. Bustling, loud, and hot, each stall only offers a few specialty dishes. It must be good if there is a queue, as Singaporeans don’t queue for lousy food. Specialist traditional bakeries like Tong Heng on South Bridge Road are famous for their egg tarts and delectable Chinese pastries, including mooncakes.

Tong Heng is a famous Chinatown bakery. Photo courtesy Michael Cullen

While daytime is a market-style shopping market, Pagoda Street is transformed into a food haven each evening, with street stalls and footpath tables in front of the many eateries. The streets and laneways around Thian Hock Keng Temple (Telok Ayer) also host more eating choices. Come nightfall in the restored shophouses of Ann Siang Hill and Telok Ayer Green—the bars and eateries are buzzing with energy. From Michelin Bib Gourmand eats to some of Asia’s Best Bars.

Head to Tanjong Pagar at the other end of Chinatown to explore Duxton Hill. The treelined and traffic-free streets with blue, red, and purple shuttered shophouses, boutiques, colorful bars, lounges, and restaurants draw the evening crowds.

Chinatown food street at night. Photo courtesy Singapore Tourism Board

About Yew Chong YIP

Yip Yew Chong (YC) is a Singaporean visual artist whose work includes murals, canvas paintings, and digital art. His most visible works are street murals, portraying local life in a bygone era.

In 2018, after over 20 years in the finance industry, YC built his second career as an artist. A relative newcomer to the local art scene, YC is best known for his 60-plus heritage-inspired murals across the city-state. Despite his prolific nature, Yip considers himself semi-retired, and art is a passion he finally has time to pursue.

In November 2023, he unveiled his most ambitious project, titled “I Paint My Singapore.” This only recently completed 65-yard-long acrylic painting of Singapore represents his impressions of Singapore in the 1970s and 80s. The artwork consists of 27 scenes spread across many panels, each measuring 7.2 feet high and 3.6 feet wide.

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Getting to Chinatown

Taxis provide easy options, as do ridesharing apps like Grab (think Uber or Lyft), to get to and from Chinatown. Singapore’s highly efficient, economical, and convenient MRT (mass rapid train) system also services Chinatown, with the Downtown line crossing through. Telok Ayer and Chinatown stations are the best to alight from. The North East Line has an interchange at Chinatown Station, while the Thompson East Coast Line has Maxwell Station adjacent to the Maxwell Hawker Centre as a handy stop. So, no matter what part of Chinatown you want to explore, the MRT has it covered.

Chinatown MRT station delivers you directly into the action. Photo courtesy Singapore Tourism Board

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Crack the chinatown code: a local’s handbook for the best food, drinks, and shopping in singapore.

by Honeycombers • 11 Sep 2024

Chinese cuisine, gourmet coffee and tea, wall art and even fab manicures – it's all in Chinatown, of course!

Whether you’re new to Singapore or curious about one of the city’s oldest and thriving neighbourhoods, you have to check out Chinatown. This kitschy tourist chic precinct is home to some of the most bustling (and our favourite) streets – from Ann Siang Hill and Club Street to Amoy Street , Duxton Hill and Keong Saik Road . Buckle up for our complete guide to Singapore’s Chinatown!

Table of Contents

Chinatown Singapore guide: Food & drinks

1. oriental chinese restaurant.

Spreading Chinese culinary joy for two decades, Oriental Chinese Restaurant is your passport to Northeast China’s delectable flavours. Highlights include grilled skewers such as mushrooms, mutton, beef, chicken feet, and squid as well as zi char-style plates like spicy sour fish, sweet and sour pork, salted egg pumpkin and garlic eggplant. It can get pretty busy during lunch and dinner times, so brace yourselves for long queues. Oriental Chinese Restaurant , 193, 195 and 197 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059425

2. Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Road)

Don’t be fooled by the unassuming storefront and no-frills atmosphere. Located in Far East Square, this chilli pan mee shop hits the spot with perfectly QQ noodles, gooey egg, crispy pork lard, fragrant minced meat and, of course, chilli crisp for a spicy kick. The chilli is served on the side so you can adjust the spice according to your liking. Other dishes include curry noodle soup, pork chop noodles and mee hoon kueh. Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Road) , 22 China Street, Singapore 049564

3. Li Ji Chuan Chuan Xiang

This hotpot hangout in Chinatown is raved about for its fresh seafood choices, flavourful soup bases, and succulent meat skewers. It’s also a great location for communal dining. Cool down with an ice-cold beer or a young coconut drink. And for all you supper fanatics , you’ll be happy to know that this restaurant closes at 1am. Li Ji Chuan Chuan Xiang , 295 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058838

4. Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine

The folks at this Chinese restaurant (previously known as Hunan Cuisine Restaurant) have been serving authentic Hunan dishes since 2009. With 15 outlets islandwide today, safe to say it’s still one of the go-to spots for locals when the spice craving hits. Order the Hunan-style stir-fried pork, sauerkraut fish in golden soup and spicy bullfrog, along with a massive pot of rice to go with it. The orders come in huge portions so you’ll want to bring the whole crew along. Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine , No. 8, 9 & 10, 8 Mosque Street, Singapore 059488

A cosy little izakaya tucked away in the bustling heart of Chinatown, Nomiya sits behind an unassuming entrance that you’ll likely walk past if you didn’t know any better. But step in and you’ll be treated to an incredible dining experience that’s worlds apart from its neighbouring touristy hangouts. This casual eatery, which opened in 2021, whips up tasty Japanese fusion small plates paired with great sake. We love that it doesn’t put on any fancy airs; the owners are friendly and more than happy to talk you through their sake collection, which includes seasonal bottles from small breweries. Book a table for dinner so you can drink to your heart’s content!

Must-tries on the menu include gold dust charcoal chicken, tender charcoal-grilled skewers of chicken, pork and veggies, cold udon with truffle, and yuzu-glazed char-grilled pork jowl. If you’re dining with a group, get the signature izakaya sets. You’ll enjoy some of the restaurant’s best dishes including foie gras chawanmushi, lobster croquette and oden. This is one place you’ll be returning to time and again. Nomiya , 11 Trengganu Street, Singapore 058465

6. Don Dae Bak Restaurant

Who’s in for Korean BBQ ? It’s tough to deny fine meats of ggoksal (beef flower prime rib), saengsamgyyeopsal (pork belly), chadolbagi (beef brisket) grilled right in front of you. Go for free-flow, a la carte and hotpot options. Don Dae Bak Restaurant , 35 Kreta Ayer Road, Singapore 089000

Chinatown is filled with dim sum restaurants and one popular spot is Yum Cha. It’s been around since 2000 so it’s a fan fave establishment. Have your fill of the usual suspects like spring rolls, wanton, dumplings, congee and egg tarts, as well as modern creations such as mango prawn sesame fritters and squid ink dumplings. Yum Cha , #02-01, 20 Trengganu Street, Singapore 058479

8. Hawker centres

Wanna grab a meal at a hawker centre ? You’ve come to the right place. In Chinatown, you can hawker centre hop your way to delicious grub. There’s Chinatown Complex Food Centre where you’ll find several Michelin Bib Gourmand award-winning stalls and People’s Park Food Centre across the street to get your mala hot pot fix.

At Hong Lim Food Centre nearby, expect more Michelin Bib award-winning food and some young hawkerpreneurs. Plus, y’all know we love Amoy Street Food Centre and Maxwell which are also in this cultural precinct. Pro tip: want hawker centre-like delicious food and prices but with the comforts of aircon? People’s Park Centre, an old-school mall opposite Chinatown Point mall, has a small but fab food court.

9. Guo Fu Steamboat

If you’re craving steamboat and xiao long bao at the same time, get the best of both worlds at Guo Fu Steamboat. Here, your hotpot meal can be complemented with free-flow xiao long bao to munch on while your soup is cooking. This steamboat spot is also known for its fresh beef slices, so order up a few portions for the table! Guo Fu Steamboat , #02-01, Guoco Tower, 7 Wallich Street, Singapore 078884

10. Red Star Restaurant

We just have to start with our favourite type of Chinese food: dim sum . We like ours traditional at Red Star Restaurant, dated decor and pushcarts included. Dim sum aside, the menu’s authentic Cantonese fare includes fried yam pots filled with scallops, prawn and cashew nuts and crispy thin suckling pig skin served with seasoned jelly thin strips. Red Star Restaurant , #07-23, Block 54, Chin Swee Road, Singapore 160054

11. Tiong Shian Porridge

Calling all porridge aficionados (and supper club members )! Tiong Shian Porridge does excellent Cantonese-style congee and Chinese-styled fish carpaccio. Tiong Shian Porridge, 265 New Bridge Road, Singapore 088745

12. Old Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant

Think you can handle the bold, fiery flavours of Sichuan cuisine ? Look no further than Old Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant. The dishes are as close as the real deal. Don’t leave without trying standouts such as Yuxiang shredded pork, double-boiled fish and special roast chicken. Oh, and remember to bring some tissue packets as it will get hot and sweaty! Old Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant , 80 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059239

13. Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo Mee

People’s Park Food Centre is chock full of local food, but Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo Mee is one of our favourites (noodles with tofu stuffed with fish paste). Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo Mee , People’s Park Food Centre, 32 New Market Road, Singapore 050032

14. Liao Fan Hawker Chan Chinatown

Liao Fan Hawker Chan Chinatown has a lot to brag about. It is, after all, the world’s first hawker stall to receive the prestigious Michelin star. The row of roast chickens and slabs of roast pork hanging over the stall is enough reason to brave the queue. Say yes to juicy chicken and pork, roasted to perfection. Liao Fan Hawker Chan Chinatown , multiple locations including Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre and 78 Smith Street

15. Dong Bei Ren Jia

Get your fill, a la zi char style , at Dong Bei Ren Jia. This Chinese restaurant serves up generous portions of your favourite dishes. Highlights include scallion pancakes, mung noodles and mapo tofu, just to name a few. Dong Bei Ren Jia , 22 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058334

16. The Food Peeps Coffee and Deli

Chinatown’s bustling energy can get pretty overwhelming, so if you’re looking for a place in Singapore to chill, this is it. The Food Peeps Coffee and Deli offers excellent cafe grub with an Asian twist. Think rendang on toast, halloumi and avocado bagelwich, and creamy chicken pesto pasta. We hear they whip up a solid cuppa coffee, too. The Food Peeps Coffee and Deli , #01-01, 34 Sago Street, Singapore 059026

17. Original Chew Kee Eating House (Chew Kee Soy Sauce Chicken)

Once you’ve had a plate of the humble yet wholesome dish, you’ll be completely won over. Think springy egg noodles (you can also select rice or kway teow) and flavourful braised soy sauce chicken along with soy sauce that brings the dish together. Original Chew Kee Eating House (Chew Kee Soy Sauce Chicken), 8 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058327

18. Mei Heong Yuen Dessert

Cool down with traditional desserts that hit the spot. There are variations of snow ice bowls including durian, mango and lychee, mango with pomelo and sago, bird’s nest, cheng tng and more. Pad your stomach with Cantonese dumplings, carrot cakes and chee chong fun. Mei Heong Yuen Dessert , multiple locations including Temple Street and Chinatown Point

19. Tong Heng

For old school Chinese culture, it doesn’t get more authentic than Tong Heng. This bakery is best known for having the most exceptional traditional Chinese pastries and desserts in town, especially its signature egg tarts and mooncakes. Tong Heng , 285 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058833

20. Nanyang Old Coffee

Coffee lovers who love traditional coffee can grab a fortifying cup of kopi at Nanyang Old Coffee at South Bridge Road. Accompany your drink with some traditional sweets, too. Nanyang Old Coffee , 268 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058817

What’s new: Keong Saik Road’s must-visit spots

21. dorothy’s bar.

Fondly known as one of the oldest gay bars in Singapore, this is a great place to mingle with the LGBTQ+ community. Enter through the ‘yellow brick road’ (they don’t call it Dorothy’s Bar for nothing) and step inside a cosy space. Stay comfy with daily promotions like all-night happy hours and discounts on selected cocktails. Dorothy’s Bar , 13A Trengganu Street, Singapore 058467

22. Potato Head Singapore

There’s no doubt that PTT Family’s venture in Singapore has taken Keong Saik by storm. Offering an awesome three-in-one dining concept, choose to dig into gourmet burgers at The Dining Hall (level two), lounge at reservation-only bar Studio 1939, or hit the rooftop garden and soak up the sights and sounds of Chinatown over a cocktail. Head down early or risk being put on a lengthy waiting list. Potato Head Folk , 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143

23. Lime House

Spend your nights at Lime House, a Caribbean restaurant and bar that’s totally sublime with its classic cocktails paired with delicious Caribbean meals. Lime House , 2 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089260

24. Smith Street Taps

In the mood for a craft brew but don’t want to skip out on fantastic hawker food? This hawker stall craft beer bar at Chinatown Complex offers an impressive number of draft beers – up to 12 at any one time. Here’s your chance to sample unique and uncommon brews, paired with char kway teow, Hokkien mee , chicken rice  and more. Smith Street Taps , #02-062, Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335

25. Pek Sin Choon

Rather a spot of tea? Get your Chinese tea leaves such as jasmine, pu’er, oolong, tie guanyin and more from Pek Sin Choon, one of the most established tea merchants in Singapore. Pek Sin Choon , 36 Mosque Street, Singapore 059514

Chinatown Singapore guide: Where to shop

26. binary style.

Take the time to explore and you’ll find an array of local designer shops nestled in Chinatown – and the newly-opened Binary Style is one such hidden gem. A mere stone’s throw away from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, this homegrown lifestyle store specialises in creating unique prints that pay homage to the city’s nature, architecture and rich heritage. Think colourful orchids, shophouses, Peranakan-inspired motifs and more.

If you’re looking for elegant, one-of-a-kind souvenirs, this is the place to check out. Browse through the wide range of products, each featuring one of these vibrant Singapore-inspired designs. Take your pick among the apparel collection including cotton shirts, dresses and scarves; charming accessories such as footwear and tote bags; as well as home and living products. Plus, Binary Style is part of the Singapore Tourism Board’s endorsed list of Made With Passion brands so you’ll be doing your part in supporting local! Binary Style , #02-01, 25 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089132

27. The Social Space

We’re big fans of this multi-concept space: it’s a cafe, boutique store and nail salon rolled into one. But that’s not the only reason why we love The Social Space. Sustainability is the name of the game here – there’s a fair trade retail area that promotes accessible conscious living. Plus, the nail salon offers vocational training programmes for underprivileged women and the cafe has a wholesome food and beverage menu with planet-friendly ingredients. The Social Space , #01-14, 333 Kreta Ayer Road, Singapore 080333

28. The Tintin Shop

Fans of this iconic series of books will squeal with joy at the number of collectables and memorabilia found at this official merchandise store. You’ll find everything from figurines to stamps and tote bags to comic books. They also telecast episodes from the original series here. The Tintin Shop , 274 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058823

29. Littered With Books

Step into a bibliophile’s paradise at this independent bookstore tucked away on Duxton Road. As the name of the store suggests, you’ll be surrounded by books from all corners. Dive into a curated selection of literary fiction, non-fiction, thrillers, sci-fi, award-winning children’s books and more. Ah, the cosy setup in a conserved heritage shophouse simply adds to the experience. Littered With Books , 20 Duxton Road, Singapore 089486

30. People’s Park Complex

If you’re looking for textiles, buttons, costume jewellery and the like, check out the second floor of People’s Park Complex. This place has a variety of shops – it’s an absolute DIY heaven. People’s Park Complex, 1 Park Road, Singapore 059108

31. Pagoda Street Market

Yes, it’s full of touristy tat, but when you want a lion dance puppet for the kiddos, a giant paper lantern or good luck pineapple (or have a hankering for some fresh durian), this is where it’s at. Pagoda Street Market is a spectacle after the sun sets and the lanterns switch on. We still love it. Pagoda and Temple Streets, open daily

32. Yue Hwa Chinese Products

Of course, you can’t miss Yue Hwa Chinese Products on Eu Tong Sen Road. It’s your go-to emporium for all things Chinese – handicrafts, porcelain, furniture, herbs and loads more. Yue Hwa Chinese Products , 70 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059805

33. Sia Huat

For the kitchen buffs, Sia Huat occupies three shop spaces along Temple Street and supplies top-grade kitchen tools to restaurants and hotels. Everything from Cole and Mason to KitchenAid can be found here. Sia Huat , No. 7, 9 & 11 Temple Street, Singapore 058559

Chinatown Singapore guide: Things to do

34. fuk tak chi museum.

The oldest Chinese temple in Singapore, Fuk Tak Chi Museum now displays over 200 artefacts donated by former residents of Chinatown. The building is one of the area’s finest examples of restored architecture. Fuk Tak Chi Museum, 76 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048464

35. Cool wall art

We’re so here for Yip Yew Chong’s beautiful murals that practically create portals into Singapore’s culture-filled past. His 44m-long Thian Hock Keng mural took him 10 weekends to complete between work and three overseas trips. For more wall art inspo, check out our street art series .

36. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Behold, the magnificent Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Named after what’s believed to be the left canine tooth of Buddha, the temple is based on Tang dynasty architectural style. It holds many relics including the sacred Buddha tooth (which can be viewed from the viewing gallery on the fourth floor) and a giant stupa made with 320kg of gold. Join the weekly guided tour to unearth more treasures, relics and secrets. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum , 288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840

37. Sri Mariamman Temple

Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, built in 1827, is one of the most iconic Hindu temples in Singapore. It’s dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, whose power is to cure illness and disease. Sri Mariamman Temple , 244 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058793

38. Masjid Jamae (or Jamae Chulia Mosque)

Only in Singapore will you find a mosque, a Buddhist temple and a Hindu temple located just a few steps away from each other. Sitting along South Bridge Road, Masjid Jamae is one of the oldest mosques in the city. The mosque stands out for its unique South Indian and neo-classical design. And that’s just one of the reasons why it was gazetted as a national monument. Masjid Jamae , 218 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058767

39. Chinatown Heritage Centre

Temporarily closed.

Chinatown Heritage Centre is filled with recreations from the late 19th century and early 20th century. This authentic slice of Singapore’s history is all the more fascinating due to the presence of glinting skyscrapers just a few blocks away. Chinatown Heritage Centre , 48 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059207

40. Admire the architecture

Some of Singapore’s most iconic architectural structures are in and around Chinatown, from the protected heritage shophouses to Pearl Bank Apartments (now demolished to make way for a new condominium). Tip: to get a bird’s eye view, head to the viewing gallery ($6) on the 50th floor of The Pinnacle@Duxton – the site of one of the oldest HDBs in the country that was redeveloped in 2009.

Double tip: don’t have the time or inclination to head to The Pinnacle’s gallery? Hop over to the fifth storey of the green-hued HDB complex on Upper Cross Street (above Hong Lim Food Centre) for a good enough (and free) view of the precinct.

Now you’re armed with all the info you need to explore the best of Singapore’s Chinatown!

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Honeycombers is a digital lifestyle platform that is the go-to source for inspiration across dining and drinks, what's on, style, wellness and travel in Singapore, Bali and Hong Kong.

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25 Things to Do in Chinatown, Singapore

By: Author Eva

Posted on November 1, 2022

Categories singapore

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Regardless whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time resident in Singapore, you will be surprised at how many hidden gems that Chinatown has.

In the past, Chinatown used to be a neighbourhood for Singapore’s Chinese immigrants. Today, you can find a mixture of old and new architecture dotting the streets at Chinatown.

From historic temples, traditional shophouses, Michelin-worthy dishes to rooftop decks, Chinatown is one of the must-visit places in Singapore .

As someone who has visited Chinatown quite a lot of times and explored as many corners of Chinatown as possible, here is my guide to the best things to do in Chinatown.

1. Chinatown Street Market

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Chinatown Street Market is the place to go if you’re looking to get affordable souvenirs. There are plenty of souvenirs shops, snacks shops, as well as coffee shops and restaurants. From MRT, take Exit A and you will find yourself at the Pagoda Street.

During Chinese New Year, the streets are filled with vendors selling CNY goodies, such as zodiac-themed plush toys, CNY snacks and sweets, pomelos, and mandarin oranges.

The main concentration of Chinatown Street Market is located on Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street and Sago Street. Vehicles are not allowed to enter these streets, so you can feel safe exploring the street market.

Chinatown Street Market Opening Hours:  The street is accessible 24/7 daily, but the shops have their own opening hours Admission : Free Admission : Free Address:   Pagoda Street

2. Chinatown Complex Food Centre

Chinatown Complex Food Centre is the largest hawker centre in Singapore with over 260 food stalls. It is located at Level 2 of Chinatown Complex (the first storey is Chinatown Complex Market which sells dry and wet goods).

Chinatown Complex Food Centre is so huge, I often get lost getting back to my table after collecting my food. One trick that works for me is remembering the unit number of the stall closest to my table.

Food worth trying in this hawker centre are: Liao Fan Hawker Chan (#02-126), Lian He Ben Ji Claypot (#02-198/199), Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao (#02-135), Herbal Soup (#02-017), and Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck (#02-156).

Chinatown Complex Food Centre Opening Hours:  The food centre is accessible 24/7 daily, but the stalls have their own opening hours Admission : Free Address:   46 Smith Street, Singapore 058956

3. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (BTRT) is home to the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic, ancient artefacts, museums and various Halls and Chambers where visitors can learn about history of Buddhism. The temple is open to both devotees and non-devotees.

Do allow at least 1 to 2 hours in this grand building of 4 storeys with roof and a basement. I highly recommend that you dine at the Vegetarian Dining Hall at basement. The food is really delicious and pretty affordable (about $5 per meal).

The dress code requires you to wear appropriate clothing, eg: no shorts, no mini skirts, no bare shoulder/back. There are sarongs you can borrow at the entrance of the temple.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Opening Hours:  9am to 5pm daily (Museum and stupa Chamber); 7am to 5pm daily (other areas) Admission: Free Address:   288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840 Website : buddhatoothrelictemple.org.sg

4. Sri Mariamman Temple

Built in 1827, Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. It is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, known for her power to cure illnesses and diseases. The temple was gazette as National Museum in 1973.

The entrance of Sri Mariamman Temple consists of a six-tier grand tower decorated with sculptures of deities, mythological beasts and other beings. Inside, there are various god and goddess statues that Hindu devotees pay respect to.

The dress code is: covered shoulders, covered knees trousers, and no footwear. Temples do provide shawls, cover-ups and wraps, and there’s a designated place to keep your footwear.

Sri Mariamman Temple Opening Hours:  5.30am to noon; 6pm to 9pm daily Admission: Free Address:   244 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058793 Website : smt.org.sg NOTE: Sri Mariamman Temple is currently undergoing renovation, which is targeted to finish by 12 Feb 2023.

5. Masjid Jamae (Chulia)

Masjid Jamae (Chulia) was the first of three mosques in Chinatown erected by the Chulias, who were Tamil Muslims from the Southern India. Built in the early 1800s, Jamae Mosque was gazette as National Museum in 1974.

The entrance of Masjid Jamae consists of a pair of 7-level octagonal minarets painted in light green. Inside, the carpeted main hall has Tuscan columns and windows with semi-circular fanlights. There is also a display of information about the Mosque’s history.

Non-Muslim visitors can only walk on tiled area and can’t enter the prayer hall. Male visitors are not allowed to wear short and singlet, meanwhile, female visitors are not allowed to revealing clothings (mini skirts, shorts, low neckline, sleeveless tops). There is a cupboard with robes that you can borrow before entering. Footwear isn’t allowed, so you need to leave your footwear at designated location.

Masjid Jamae (Chulia) Opening Hours:  2pm-6pm (Sat-Thu), 2.30pm-6pm (Fri) Admission: Free Address:   218 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058767 Website : www.masjidjamaechulia.sg NOTE: Masjid Jamae (Chulia) will be undergoing renovation from end of 2022 until end of 2023.

6. Cantonese Opera – Wall Mural at Temple Street

Cantonese Opera Mural is a street art painted by Yip Yew Chong, a local artists who have painted a lot of walls in Singapore.

Yip said that the mural was inspired by the abundant number of Cantonese operas that he watched growing up in the 1970s and 1980s.

If you are not familiar with Chinese opera is a musical play with elaborate costume and stage details. The actors perform singing and movement, that is in sync with the orchestra sound, to convey a story.

Cantonese Opera – Wall Mural Opening Hours:  24/7 daily Admission: Free Location:   Temple Street

7. Liao Fan Hawker Chan

Liao Fan Hawker Chan’s original stall at Chinatown Complex Food Centre is one of the first two hawker stalls awarded with One Michelin Star. Started by Chan Hon Meng, the stall sells soya sauce chicken (highly recommended), char siew, roasted pork and roasted rib.

Due to its popularity, the queue at the hawker stall is generally quite long. To avoid spending time queueing, I recommend that you visit the standalone shophouse (pictured above) at 78 Smith Street instead.

Liao Fan Hawker Chan Opening Hours:  10.30am – 8pm daily Location:   78 Smith Street, Singapore 058972

8. Letter Writer Mural at Smith Street

Located just opposite Liao Fan Hawker Chan is the Letter Writer Mural, also painted by Yip Yew Chong. It features a letter writer hard at work writing a letter with traditional ink.

In the past, letter writer was an essential role who helped the illiterate migrant forefathers write letters to their loved ones back in China. The letter writers were also skilled in writing calligraphies for Chinese New Year couplets and ancestral altars.

Letter Writer Mural Opening Hours:  24/7 daily Admission: Free Location:   Smith Street – opposite Liao Fan Hawker Chan

9. My Chinatown Home Mural at Trengganu Street

Hidden in the narrow alley of Trengganu Street is My Chinatown Home Mural painted by Yip Yew Chong. Yip said it was the most intimate mural he’d ever painted, because it depicts his very first home in Sago Lane, Chinatown. Every objects and the room layouts were painted based on his fond memories of the home.

On the far right is his grandmother sewing a blanket. Next to it is the long bed where his family and their co-tenants slept on. On the left is the kitchen where his mother is frying sticky rice cake.

My Chinatown Home Mural Opening Hours:  24/7 daily Admission: Free Location: Trengganu Street

10. Watch Chess Games at Sago Street

At Sago Street, right between Chinatown Complex and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, there is this hangout corner where many elderly gather everyday to play various kind of chess games with their friends.

It is quite heartwarming to see how the old folks maintain relationship with their peers and not heavily addicted to technology.

Sago Street Opening Hours:  24/7 daily Admission: Free Location:   Sago Street

11. Detective Conan in Chinatown Mural at Smith Street

Painted by Yip Yew Chong, Detective Conan in Chinatown Mural is a simple light-hearted mural that depicts Conan trying out durians in Chinatown.

Conan’s Wall Art Opening Hours:  24/7 daily Admission: Free Location:   Smith Street

12. First Eu Yan Sang’s Medicine Shop

This colonial-styled building at the opposite of Sri Mariamman Temple was Eu Yan Sang’s first medicine shop in Singapore. Eu Yan Sang is one of the most well-known medicine houses in Singapore.

Started in 1879 in Perak, Malaysia, Eu Yan Sang expanded to other countries in the early 1900s. This particular shop was opened in 1910 by Eu Yang Sang’s eldest son, Eu Tong Sen. Sounds familiar? It’s the name of one of the main streets in Chinatown Singapore!

Today, this building is a private property, hence, there’s no admission for public.

First Eu Yan Sang’s Medicine Shop South Bridge Road is accessible by public 24/7 daily. However, the building is private property, so it’s not possible to enter. Location:   South Bridge Road, Opposite Sri Mariamman Temple

13. Maxwell Food Centre

Maxwell Food Centre is a hawker centre located opposite Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. It’s a busy hawker centre often visited by tourists as well as locals working near Tanjong Pagar area.

Food worth trying include: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (#01-10/11), Maxwell Fu Zhou Oyster Cake (#01-06), Jin Hua Fish Soup (#01-77), Rojak, Popiah & Cockle (#01-56).

Maxwell Food Centre Opening Hours:  The food centre is accessible 24/7 daily, but the stalls have their own opening hours Admission : Free Address:   1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184

14. Singapore City Gallery

If you love miniature city, you will love Singapore City Gallery. There is a miniature model of the entire country, and there is a detailed model of the Marina Bay area.

As someone who has lived in Singapore for over 10 years, I always love visiting the Gallery and pointing to some of the miniature building and exclaim, “I know this place!” Sometimes, the model also makes me realize how little I know about this city, so it’s a motivation for me to go out and explore more.

Singapore City Gallery Opening Hours:  9am-5pm (Mon-Sat). Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Admission : Free Address:   45 Maxwell Road The URA Centre, 069118

15. Ann Siang Hill and Club Street

At first glance, Ann Siang Hill may looks like a sleepy road with very little human traffic. But, if you venture deeper into Ann Siang Hill and walk towards Club Street in the evening , you will be amazed by how buzzing the area is.

Both Ann Siang Hill and Club Street are home to bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels and high-end boutiques. Foodies and nightlife lovers love hanging out here after a hectic day at work or after a busy day sightseeing at Chinatown.

Ann Siang Hill and Club Street Opening Hours:  The street is accessible 24/7 daily, but the shops have their own opening hours. Location:   Ann Siang Hill , Club Street

16. People’s Park Food Centre

People’s Park Food Centre is located next to the eye-catching green-and-yellow building. It is right at Exit C of Chinatown MRT Station.

Here, you will find a lot of Chinese mainland cuisines among local cuisine. There are also fruit stalls and a bak kwa stall. There are halal stalls but not many. The hawker centre is extremely crowded during weekends evening.

It’s a hawker centre that I visit frequently. And my recommended stalls are: Yong Xiang Xing Dou Fu (#01-1084), Wen Dao Ji (#01-1014), Hong Peng La Mian Xiao Long Bao (#01-1064), Fatt Soon Kueh (#01-1012), Chuan Wei Yuan (#01-1076), Ri Ri Hong Mala Xiang Guo (#01-152).

People’s Park Food Centre Opening Hours:  The food centre is accessible 24/7 daily, but the stalls have their own opening hours Admission : Free Address:   32 New Market Rd, Singapore 050032

17. Rooftop of People’s Park Complex Carpark

Located along Eu Tong Sen Street, People’s Park Complex is an eye-catching building painted in orange and green. It has about 5-storey of commercial level, with residential apartments on the upper levels.

Next to this eccentric building is a carpark. The carpark isn’t exactly a tourist attraction, but it has recently gained attention with the rise of Instagram. Many young people flock to the rooftop of the carpark to take Instagram-worthy photographs.

Getting here is a bit tricky. You need to go up to level 5 by escalator, then go up to climb up by staircase to level 6. Be careful, the rooftop isn’t exactly well-maintained, I noticed some broken glasses on the floor, so watch where you’re stepping on.

Rooftop of People’s Park Complex Carpark Opening Hours:  11am-9.30pm Admission : Free Address: 1 Park Rd, Singapore 059108

18. Pearl’s Hill City Park

Pearl’s Hill City Park is a hidden oasis at Chinatown. The park is located on a hill, to get there, you need to climb a lot of staircases. If you dare to climb, you will be rewarded with a quiet park, a calm pond and a view of the surrounding building.

Pearl’s Hill City Park is also home to Pearl’s Hill Service Reservoir, which supplies clean drinking water to its surrounding. A note of caution though, there’s very little few shelter at the park.

Pearl’s Hill City Park Opening Hours:  The park is accessible 24/7 daily. Lighting will be turned on from 7pm-7am daily. Admission : Free Location:   Along Chin Swee Road and Pearl’s Hill Road

19. Hong Lim Market & Food Centre

Hong Lim Market & Food Centre is a 2-storey hawker centre located near Exit F of Chinatown MRT Station. It is quite confusing navigating to the hawker centre from Exit F. Personally, I prefer to take Exit E to Chinatown Point, then go to Level 2 and walk through the bridge that links Chinatown Point with Hong Lim Market & Food Centre.

Hong Lim Market & Food Centre is home to several Michelin Bib Gourmand stalls, such as Tai Wah Pork Noodles (#02-16), Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee (#02-17), Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa (#02-66). There’s also a Michelin Plate awardee which I really enjoy eating: Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee (#02-58).

Hong Lim Market & Food Centre Opening Hours:  The food centre is accessible 24/7 daily, but the stalls have their own opening hours. Admission : Free Address:   531A Upper Cross St, Singapore 051531

20. Murals at Mohamed Ali Lane

There are 4 murals on Mohamed Ali Lane, namely: Paper Mask & Puppet Seller, Mamak Store, Lion Dance Head Maker and The Window. All of these 4 murals are painted by Yip Yew Chong.

The Paper Mask & Puppet Seller mural depicts a man selling paper masks and puppets on bicycle. The Mamak Store mural is inspired by the actual Abdul Kadir’s store in Sago Lane. 

Lion Dance Head Maker mural is based on the actual shop at No. 3 Ann Siang Hill in the 1980s. And The Window tells the story of Abdul Kadir’s family (the mamak store owner) and Lee’s family (the dragon dance head maker) live together in the same shophouse.

Murals at Mohamed Ali Lane Opening Hours:  24/7 daily Admission: Free Location:   Mohamed Ali Lane

21. Rooftop of People’s Park Centre

Do not confuse People’s Park Centre with People’s Park Complex. People’s Park Complex is the building with orange and green paint, while People’s Park Centre is the building painted in light brown color.

The rooftop is a small open space where you can get a pretty nice view of the busy junction at Upper Cross Street/Eu Tong Sen Street/New Bridge Road. To get to the rooftop, you need to take lift to the uppermost level.

Rooftop of People’s Park Centre Opening Hours:  11am-10pm Admission : Free Address: 101 Upper Cross St, Singapore 058357

22. Pinnacle＠Duxton

Pinnacle@Duxton is not exactly located at the heart of Chinatown. Rather, it’s located nearer to Outram Park, which can probably be considered as outer Chinatown.

Pinnacle@Duxton is the tallest public housing (aka HDB flats) in Singapore that has won many awards for its design. It has 2 skybridges (Level 26 and 50) that connect all of the blocks.

Admission is SGD6 per person, and ticket must be purchased at the Management Office located at Block 1G, Level 1. There’s a quota of 150 visitors a day, so it’s better to visit in the morning or early afternoon.

At Level 50, you can get scenic views of Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar, Harbourfront and even as far as Sentosa Island . Check out my guide before visiting!

Pinnacle＠Duxton Opening Hours:  9am-9pm daily, limited to 150 visitors a day Admission: SGD6 per person Address:   1 Cantonment Road, Singapore 080001 Website : www.pinnacleduxton.com.sg Read my guide : Singapore’s Skyline View From The Pinnacle @ Duxton

23. Thian Hock Keng Temple

Thian Hock Keng Temple is Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple. It was built in 1839 by the Hokkien community, with the support of Tan Tock Seng and Si Hoo Keh. The temple was gazetted as a national monument in 1973.

Thian Hock Keng Temple is dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea. In the past, the early Chinese immigrants came here to pray for their safe passage across the South China Sea.

The temple is about 10-min walk away from Pagoda Street (Chinatown MRT Exit A). The nearest MRT to get to Thian Hock Keng Temple is Telok Ayer (3-min walk, 250m distance).

Thian Hock Keng Temple Opening Hours:  7.30am-5pm daily Admission: Free Address:   158 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068613 Website : www.thianhockkeng.com.sg

24. Singapore Musical Box Museum

Located next to Thian Hock Keng temple, Singapore Musical Box Museum features over 40 antique musical boxes. The museum aims to share the historical background from the rise to the fall of the musical boxes to how it made its way to Singapore in the 19th century to the public.

The museum compound, Chong Wen Ge, together with Thian Hock Keng temple was awarded UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2001 Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.

There is no walk-in entry to the museum, all visitors have to book a guided tour (40-min long) in advance. There is a café at the museum which serves Peranakan food and dessert.

Singapore Musical Box Museum Opening Hours:  11am to 5pm (Last admission at 3pm, advance booking is required ) Admission: SGD12 (adult), SGD6 (student/senior above 60 years old), free for child aged 6 and below. For a more memorable experience, book the packaged guided tours that include Peranakan food. Book your tickets here . Address: 168 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068619 Website : www.singaporemusicalboxmuseum.org

25. Thian Hock Keng Wall Mural

Thian Hock Keng mural was painted by Yip Yew Chong along the back wall of the Thian Hock Keng temple. This 40-metre-long mural tells about the lives of our nation’s early Hokkien (a dialect group from south-eastern Fujian in China) immigrants, whose sacrifices greatly shaped modern Singapore.

I accidentally stumbled upon this place back in 2017 when Yip was painting the mural. Here’s a photo of the artist at work.

Thian Hock Keng Wall Mural Opening Hours: 24/7 daily Admission: Free Address:  158 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068613

If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee! Your support will help me to keep going!

Things to Do in Chinatown Singapore

There are a plethora of exciting things to do in Chinatown Singapore, from exploring historic sites like the Thian Hock Keng temple and the oldest Chinese temple to shopping for bargains at the many street markets and anticipating delicious local cuisine. The best places to begin exploring Chinatown are at one of the many street markets, the most well-known of which are located on Pagoda Street and Temple Street. A wide variety of restaurants, religious centers, and exciting tourist attractions contribute to the area's high popularity. The Sri Mariamman Temple and Masjid Jamae, two of the city's most visited religious sites, are excellent venues to sample these offerings. There is a dazzling array of colors and energizing entertainment to be had here, and you can discover something of personal interest at any one of the many souvenir shops, independent boutiques, or lively eateries serving genuine street food or regional specialties.

Visiting the increasingly popular tourist destination of Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of the finest things to do in Chinatown Singapore. The precious Buddha Tooth Relic is kept safe in this magnificent four-story building. The relic is housed in a pure gold Stupa, making it the focal point of the Temple. An impressive prayer wheel sits atop the stunning pagoda on the roof. Each and every day, guests are welcome to observe or participate in a variety of religious rites. You should observe proper decorum in your attire, as this is a sacred site.

Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest temple in Singapore, may be found, somewhat perplexingly, in the heart of Chinatown. The beautiful temple dates back to 1827 and was built in honor of the Hindu goddess Goddess Mariamman, who is revered for her ability to heal sickness and epidemics. Early in the evening, priests, worshipers, and musicians take part in time-honored ceremonies and present their gods with exquisitely presented offerings. The meanings represented by these gifts are taken into serious consideration when choosing them. Mango leaves and coconut palms, for example, represent chastity, while bananas stand for plenty. In the sake of good fortune, if you are wondering what to do in Chinatown Singapore you should go clockwise around the temple an odd number of times.

Maxwell Food Centre, where some of the best hawker stalls in Singapore can be found, has become an icon of Singapore. Satay, nasi goreng, dumplings, and roast pig are just a few examples of the many savory dishes that draw inspiration from Chinese, Indian, and Malay cuisines. Thus, one of the best things to do in Chinatown Singapore is to take a trip to this restaurant, which serves up authentic flavors at low prices.

Located in the heart of Chinatown, the Chinatown Complex is a bustling hawker center frequented by not just tourists but also locals. Hawkers abound throughout the Complex, each offering a menu as extensive as one might expect in a large, multi use complex such as the Complex. Everyone's hunger would be sufficiently piqued by the aromas and scents that permeate the air. Dishes are prepared with care and attention to detail, so they taste just how they should. One of the things to do in Chinatown Singapore is heading to the Chinatown Complex, and getting traditional Chinese food as well as vegan and fusion options for just about any meal.

The Pinnacle @ Duxton Skybridge, a marvel of Singaporean architecture, is among the world's highest public residential buildings. One of the most fascinating things to do in Chinatown Singapore is to head up here around sunset and take in the breathtaking vistas. However, due to limited capacity, not everyone can experience this stunning structure. The inhabitants here must not be disturbed, thus just 200 visitors are permitted daily.

Many visitors and residents alike visit this former spice hill in search of excellent dining and nightlife options. There is a veritable feast of rooftop bars, cozy restaurants, boutique hotels, and entertainment venues lining this exciting street. The overwhelming number of eateries and watering holes may put you off, but a visit to this section of Chinatown in Singapore is sure to be an unforgettable experience. The area boasts a variety of unique stores and well-kept public park spaces. The small theater is perfect for a night in with the family watching an old film.

If you are thinking about what to do in Chinatown Singapore the Heritage Center is a must-see for anyone looking for culturally enriching experiences in the area. In order to preserve and exhibit the culture of Chinatown's pioneers, the Center was constructed. It's a multi-sensory museum with six galleries, conserved living areas, and activities including craft-making classes, multimedia tours, and readings. Postcards, books, and artworks created by regional artists are also available for purchase.

In case you're wondering what to do in Chinatown Singapore, you should definitely check out Singapore City Gallery, which provides a stunning depiction of the city state's urbanization process. It demonstrates how Singapore evolved from a humble trade post into a global powerhouse. The Gallery's three levels and ten distinct themed sections and interactive exhibits collectively depict this trip. The Central Area Model is the showcase of this Gallery; it provides an aerial perspective of Singapore's downtown area. There is a light and sound show that brings the Model to life, depicting the growth of Singapore's metropolis.

If you're having trouble deciding what to do in Chinatown Singapore or where to eat Singapore's Chinatown, a Michelin-recommended Hawker Chan restaurant is a safe bet. A hawker in the Chinatown Food Complex, not a fine dining establishment. The humble hawker whose specialty Soya Sauce Chicken and Rice was awarded the first Michelin star for a meal in the world sells it here for just S$2. To obtain a taste of this specialty meal, you should go there early and be prepared to wait in line.

People's Park was the first residential and commercial complex of its kind in Southeast Asia, and to this day, many Singaporeans who are curious about the city's Chinatown come here to learn more about its origins in the 1970s. Initially, it served as a shopping center, and eventually a residential tower was constructed. This 25-story tower is the tallest residential building in Chinatown Singapore, and photographs taken from its observation deck provide breathtaking vistas of the metropolis below. Take some odd Instagram photos in the mall's crowded atrium to remember your trip by. While you're at People's Park shopping and eating are some of the things to do in Chinatown Singapore!

Dedicated to Ma Zu Po, the Goddess of Heavenly Sages and the guardian of mariners, the Thien Hock Keng Temple is one of Singapore's oldest temples and a popular place for visitors seeking solitude and quiet in Chinatown. Incredibly, this South Chinese-style temple was constructed totally without the use of a single nail. The Temple was originally constructed near the water's edge, and it was there that sailors came to pray to the Goddess before setting sail.

FAQ's of Chinatown Singapore

What's so special about chinatown.

Chinatown is renowned for its unique cultural communities and the harmonious coexistence of many different ethnic groups. In Chinatown, there are a number of wonderful neighborhoods, like Masjid Jamae Mosque and Sri Mariamman Temple. Chinatown in Singapore is a popular destination since it offers a wide variety of activities for visitors.

What is the best time to visit Chinatown Singapore?

The greatest time to explore the many attractions of Singapore's Chinatown is after dark, when the temperature drops and the area's streets fill with curious onlookers. At this time of year, Chinatown is bustling with interesting sights and activities.

How to reach Chinatown Singapore?

By Car: It will take you about 20 minutes to go the 14.4 kilometers between Upper Thomson Road and the CTE.

By Train: The Chinatown station, accessible via the North-East MRT line, serves as a convenient starting point for self-guided driving tours of the neighborhood. The distance by road between Chinatown and the Changi Airport MRT station is about 21 kilometers, thus you can also travel there by car.

What are the romantic things to do in Chinatown Singapore?

Some of the most romantic things to do in Chinatown Singapore include taking a cruise along the Singapore River, taking in the breathtaking views of the city's distinctive cityscape, and having a picnic in the Gardens by the Bay. Other romantic activities include a trip to the South East Asia Aquarium and a stroll through the lush, beautiful Fort Canning Park, where you can take in the park's unearthly vista.

What are the things to do in Chinatown Singapore with kids?

Some things to do in Chinatown Singapore with kids include strolling around the museums, visiting the well-known market on Pagoda Street, and engaging in some retail therapy. You can take your children to Chinapoint to stock up on books for young readers, indulge them with ice kacang, a colorful and refreshing treat they will adore, and take them on a tour of one of the many beautiful temples in the area, such as the Buddha Relic Temple.

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Exploring Singapore Chinatown: Top 5 Things To Do & See

One of the best things to do in Singapore is to explore the Chinatown area. 

Here you will find traditional shopping streets, restaurants, hawker centres, beautiful temples, and more. 

It’s the perfect starting point on any Singapore itinerary or even if you have a quick layover due to the central location and easy access by the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) train system. 

If this is your first visit, then this guide provides an overview of the top attractions and what to do in Singapore Chinatown.  

All you need to do is wear some comfortable walking shoes, wear a hat, and wander around to explore this historical area. You’ll love the area as much as I did!

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. Appreciate the support.

About Singapore Chinatown

Singapore’s Chinatown dates back to 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles established a British colony here. 

He decided that separate areas should be set aside for each of the ethnic communities who moved onto the island. 

In the early days, Chinatown was full of brothels and opium dens, and densely packed housing. 

However, in recent years it has been renovated so that, although still teeming with life, it has a clean and freshly painted feel.

Visitors and locals wander the vibrant streets to buy household goods, souvenirs, or food, or simply to soak up the atmosphere.

1. Ask Questions at the Singapore Chinatown Visitor Centre

If you’re stumped on where to eat or have any questions about the area, stop by the Chinatown Visitor Centre. 

Located across from the Buddha Relic Temple, it’s a convenient spot to stop by for a few minutes and ask for recommendations from the customer service team . 

You can also purchase tickets to local attractions or do some souvenir shopping here. 

Also, another reason to visit is to enjoy the air-conditioning . Singapore is humid and hot all day long, so finding a place to cool off is sought after. 

Address: 2 Banda St, Singapore

Opening Hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm

2. Explore the Shopping Streets Of Chinatown

The area between Sago Street and Mosque Street is packed with shops and places to eat. The streets are hung overhead with trademark red lanterns. 

Here you will find all manner of goods on sale from cheap clothes to food and incense. 

Souvenir hunters can buy chopsticks, brightly colored fans, adorable luggage tags, good luck charms, and much more. 

If you want Singapore-branded t-shirts, magnets, handbags, hats, and other souvenir items, then you’ll have many opportunities to find these items here. 

Prices are listed on the items, so you don’t need to haggle. But you may need to use your bargaining skills if there aren’t any prices shown. 

There are many bespoke tailoring shops and as you pass you are likely to be requested to buy a made-to-measure suit or silk gown.  

Singapore’s Chinatown is festooned with lanterns that are lit up at night. Photo credit: WorldWideWriter

Walk along the narrow pavement behind the street stalls to find more conventional shops selling jewelry, electronic goods, or traditional Chinese medicines.

This area is still very much the home of the Chinese community in Singapore. You will see brass plates advertising the presence of lawyers and accountants in the upper apartments. 

At the end of Sago Street, you will see the Chinatown Complex, a large concrete building housing a busy food market (also known as the hawker centre). 

It’s a popular place to eat as there are hundreds of stalls selling a variety of foods. Whether you’re looking for foods such as laksa (coconut spicy noodle soup), biryani (mixed rice), or char kway teow (fried noodles), you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. 

One of the entrances to the Chinatown Complex has street art of Bruce Lee, a famous Hong Kong-American martial artist, holding nunchucks and a durian. 

Here is street art of Bruce Lee at Chinatown Complex. Photo credit: Life Of Doing

Address: 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335

Opening Hours: 6:00am to Midnight (Please contact individual stalls for specific opening times as they will vary)

The square outside is a meeting place where people talk, eat, or sit down for a leisurely game of checkers.

3. Wander Through The Temples Of Chinatown Singapore

Even in Chinatown Singapore’s multiculturalism is apparent in the number and variety of places of worship, encompassing Buddhism, Hindu, Islam, and Christianity.

Sri Mariamman Temple

As you walk towards the end of Pagoda Street, the ornate exterior of the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple provides a striking contrast to the bustle of Chinatown and the highrise offices of modern Singapore in the distance. 

This temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Mariammam, was built in 1843 and is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. 

Visitors can walk around the courtyard and admire the vividly painted friezes and statues, and the paintings of Hindu deities on the ceiling of the inner sanctum.  

In the autumn , the dramatic Thimithi ceremony takes place, in which people demonstrate their faith by running barefoot across a patch of burning coals in the temple’s courtyard. 

Even at other times, there is always something going on. At the time of my visit, the temple reverberated to the sound of horns and drums. 

TIP: If you are entering the temple, you need to remove your shoes. It’s advisable to have thick socks with you as the floor can be very hot.

Ornate tower of the Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore. Photo credit: WorldWideWriter

Address: 244 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058793

Opening Hours: 6:00am to 12:00pm, 6:00pm to 9:00pm 

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

The impressive Buddha Tooth Relic Temple stands opposite the Chinatown Complex. It’s free to visit. 

Walk past the candles and statues in the entrance hall to enter the magnificent One Hundred Dragons Hall with its giant statue of Buddha and hundreds of miniature Buddhas lining the walls. 

You may see monks performing their rituals in the central area. 

Go upstairs for the Buddhist Cultural Museum and the teashop and for a view of the golden tooth relic.

TIP: Please cover your legs and shoulders before entering this temple. There are shawls available at the entrance.

Inside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Photo credit: WorldWideWriter

Address: 288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840

Opening Hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm

More Information: Website

Thian Hock Keng Temple

As Singapore’s oldest Hokkien temple, Thian Hock Keng Temple is dedicated to Mazu, a sea goddess. Other deities worshipped here are Goddess of Mercy and Confucius. 

Built in 1840, one of the unique aspects of the temple’s architecture is that the structure is made without using nails. 

Unfortunately, this is one temple that I haven’t visited yet. Yet, the beautiful and intricate architecture and stone sculptures will be interesting to see. 

Free admission. 

Address: 158 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068613

Opening Hours: 7:30am to 5:00pm

More Information: Website 

4. Nonstop Eating And Drinking

There is a vast range of food available, from street stalls (hawker stalls), cafés, and restaurants. 

Singapore food is a fusion of Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines but you will also find Thai and Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown.

Street Stalls

Offerings from the hawker street stalls are inexpensive and include traditional Chinese dim sum, satay sticks, and roasted chestnuts. You can also find cakes, fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juices, and herbal tea. 

The cost of a meal with a drink is $5-$7 USD per person, so it’s very reasonable. 

Look for young coconuts with their tops sliced off so that you can drink the cool coconut juice through a straw. Once you’ve finished drinking it, use your spoon to eat the young coconut meat. 

The juice of a young coconut makes a surprisingly refreshing drink. Photo credit: WorldWideWriter

Or, if you are feeling adventurous, try a durian pancake, filled with the strong-smelling fruit with a surprisingly sweet flavor.

The roadside cafés will sell you anything from a drink to a snack or a full meal.  

There are some unusual specialties to look for such as crocodile meat or strange-sounding teas such as chrysanthemum wolfberry (also known as chrysanthemum goji berry). It was here that I finally got to taste durian! 

Hawker Centres

Or, you can eat as the locals do in the food court (hawker centres) on the upper level of the Chinatown Complex. 

Other nearby hawker centres include Maxwell Food, Amory Street, and Hong Lim Market. 

Life Of Doing Note: We love eating at Maxwell Food Centre . We usually eat here at least once a day since there is a variety of food options. 

Our go-to meals include eating chili crab at 鼎鼎紅麻辣香鍋 Dingdinghong Mala HotPot and also getting Hainan chicken rice at Ah Tai Hainan Chicken Rice or Tian Tian Hainan Chicken Rice. 

Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184 

Sit Down Restaurants

Even the more formal restaurants are reasonably priced by Singapore standards and can provide a cool and pleasant place to escape for a while from the bustle of the streets outside. 

Alternatively, wander down the nearby streets where nightfall sees tables and chairs dragged into the center of the road to create a vast outdoor eating complex.

5. See Street Art & Murals

When exploring the streets of Chinatown, you’ll see beautiful murals and street art depicting the past and present of Singapore. 

Here are some fun murals that you’ll see when walking. You may see some new street art by local artists popping up on your next visit.

Letter Writer by Yip Yew Chong

Address: 336 Smith Street (on New Bridge Centre wall)

Street Art of Letter Writer by Yip Yew Chong. Photo credit: Life Of Doing

Puppet Mask & Puppet Seller by Yip Yew Chong

Address: 227 South Bridge Road (on Mohammad Ali Lane)

Mamak Store by Yip Yew Chong

Address: 227 South Bridge Road (on Mohammad Ali Lane and next to Puppet Mask & Puppet)

Community by Sam Lo 

Address: 89 Neil Rd, #01-01, Singapore 088849 (on Shake Shack wall)

How To Get To Chinatown Singapore

There is an MRT station in Chinatown. The station name is Chinatown (牛车水, சைனாடவுன்) on the purple Northeast Line and blue Downtown Line.  

To access the main tourist area leave the station by Exit A; this will take you to the middle of Pagoda Street. 

There is also Maxwell MRT Station ( 麦士威, மெச்ஸ்வெல்) which is located next to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Maxwell Food Centre. It’s accessible on the brown Thomson-East Coast Line. It’s only a few minutes walk into the main Chinatown area. 

Other options include walking to the area, taking the public city bus , using the Hop-On-Off-Bus , or ride-hailing cars (ie: Grab, a Singaporean-based app that is the same as Uber). 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time is needed in singapore chinatown .

It will vary depending on personal interest. 

You can take a minimum of 30 minutes to do a quick walk through the main shopping street. 

Or, you can spend a few hours savoring the experience, view the temples, eat at a hawker stall, and go shopping.  

When is the best time to visit Singapore Chinatown? 

Early mornings and evenings will be quieter in the Chinatown area. Otherwise, it tends to be crowded all day long, especially around the food areas. 

If you don’t like huge crowds, you may consider visiting other areas. 

Do you need a tour of Chinatown? 

No, it’s not required as everything is within walking distance.

But, you can sign up for tours to get further insight into the area’s history. Since Chinatown has many incredible food places, food tours are also popular. Here are some recommendations below:

Chinatown Walking Tour Options

• Chinatown Heritage Walking Tour 
• Walking Tour with Lunch

Chinatown Food Tour Options

• Chinatown Food & Walking Tour
• Chinatown Hawker 8-Dish Food Tour

Final Thoughts

Singapore’s Chinatown is well worth the visit. It’s a memorable place to try incredible and delicious local food options, learn about history, go temple hopping, and wander through the streets to see street art.   

If you’re looking for another fun place to visit after Chinatown, check out the Singapore Botanic Gardens . You’ll want to spend at least half a day or 6+ hours here.

Enjoy your time in Singapore. Please also follow my travels at WorldWideWriter . 

Like this post? Save it to your Singapore Travel Board on Pinterest.

Featured & Pin Photo credit: Life Of Doing

Karen Warren

Karen Warren is a freelance writer, book reviewer, and novelist. She writes about travel on her website, WorldWideWriter.

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Insider Guide to Chinatown Singapore

Marianne Rogerson

December 21, 2022

District Guides , Explore

Our Guide to Chinatown Singapore gives you everything you need to know to eat, sleep, shop and explore the area.

Chinatown is one of the most popular areas in Singapore with tourists thanks to its beautifully preserved heritage shophouses, street market stalls and boutiques, as well as many temples representing the multiple faiths of the Singapore population. 

It is also home to a good selection of restaurants and wine bars and also to one of Singapore’s most famous hawker centres , Maxwell Food Centre. 

Don’t miss a visit to the impressive Buddha Tooth Relic Temple with its excellent museum. Also be sure to call into the Chinatown Complex food centre to track down Liao Fan Hawker Chan, the hawker stall that was famously awarded a Michelin star in 2016. 

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Why you’ll love Singapore’s Chinatown

• The beautifully preserved heritage shophouses make it a stunning place to explore.
• The street market stalls are a souvenir hunter’s paradise.
• It has an impressive selection of multi-cultural temples.
• There are three great hawker centres for local food.
• You will find loads of great bars and restaurants in this area.
• Some of Singapore’s best boutique hotels are located here.

Things to do in Chinatown 

Just wandering the streets and admiring the architecture is a delight in Singapore, with the carefully preserved heritage shophouses making perfect Instagram fodder. 

Notice the five-foot ways as you walk – these undercover walkways were constructed in accordance with the Raffles town plan of 1822 and provide protection from both rain and the hot sun. 

Singapore’s multi-ethnic population is well represented here in Chinatown. Head to South Bridge Road and you will find a Hindu Temple, a Mosque and a Buddhist Temple all within a short walk of each other.

Visitors are welcome to enter all of these places of worship and take a look around. Be mindful of being respectful – cover bare shoulders and legs, and be sure to follow suit if other worshippers are removing their shoes to enter. 

Our self-guided walking tour of Chinatown takes you past all of these following attactions.

• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum – this enormous Buddhist temple holds the Sacred Buddha Tooth and Relics. There are five floors plus a roof garden to explore, including the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion and the excellent Buddhist Culture Museum.
• Chinatown Heritage Centre (currently closed following Covid) – a great place to learn the history of the area. Housed within three preserved shophouses, the exhibitions tell the stories of the original residents of Chinatown, where they came from, the hardships they endured and their eventual successes. 
• Chinatown Street Markets – these street stalls are a souvenir-hunters paradise, with everything ranging from cheap Merlion keyrings and paperweights to silk cushion covers, lacquerware and chopsticks. 
• Sri Mariamman Temple – Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple with its distinctive colourful gopuram dates back to 1827. The Theemithi fire walking ceremony is held here annually in October/November. 
• Jamae Chulia Mosque – this bright green mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Singapore.
• Thian Hock Keng Temple – Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple is one of the most elaborate and beautiful in the whole of Singapore. Admire the rooftop dragons, ceiling mosaics and intricately painted doors and find the 44ft mural depicting Singapore’s early immigrants from China. 

Sightseeing Tours in Chinatown

We love taking tours in a new city. It’s a great way to get your bearings, get to know your surroundings through the eyes of a local and gain a more in depth understanding of the history and culture.

Here is our pick of the best Singapore tours that include Chinatown:

• Chinatown Murders Game Tour – it’s a sightseeing tour and game in one! You’ll learn about the history of Singapore through the game’s colurful characters and have fun solving puzzles along the way. Click here to learn more and book .
• Chinatown Hawker Guided 8-Dish Tasting Tour – You’ll get to try 8 different tastings of delicious local food favourites on this food tour of Chinatown, while learning about Singapore’s hawker culture. Click here to learn more and book .
• Singapore’s Disappearing Trades Tour – with this unique off-the-beaten-track tour you’ll get a fascinating insight into the lives of Singapore’s talented tradespeople. Click here to learn more and book .
• Walking Tour of Chinatown and Little India – This Singapore walking tour allows you to soak up the sights, smells, and sounds of three of Singapore’s most interesting neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam.  Click here to learn more and book .

Want to explore the rest of Singapore? Read our pick of the Best Singapore Sightseeing Tours here.

Shopping in Chinatown 

Chinatown is one of the best spots in Singapore for souvenir shopping. Look past the tourist tat and dig a little deeper and you will find that there are some great deals to be had here, particularly in the shops behind the market stalls. 

But it’s not just souvenir shopping that characterises Chinatown, there is also a wealth of clothing boutiques, homeware stores, antique shops, Chinese tea houses and Traditional Chinese Medicine shops. 

• Street market stalls – the street stalls of Pagoda Street, Sago Street and Trengannu Street are piled high with souvenirs and gift ideas, from silk cushion covers to Chinese calligraphy and silk clothing.
• Chinatown Complex – there are market stalls upstairs, but head downstairs to find one of the best wet markets in Singapore. Among the fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood you’re likely to come across live frogs and turtles on sale here too. 
• Yue Hwa – this famous department store specialises in Chinese food, medicine, handicrafts and gifts. It’s a local institution and a great spot to pick up some Singapore souvenirs. 
• Sia Huat – this kitchen supply shop is a personal favourite of mine and I find it impossible not to leave with something new in my possession, be it a bamboo steamer, Chinese kitchen knife or any manner of ‘useful’ kitchen items. 
• Yixing Xuan Teahouse – this little teahouse is a tea lover’s delight. They have a huge range of Chinese teas, from oolong to white, jasmine, pu-er and flower, plus a cute selection of teapots and accessories. If you’re keen to learn more, you can book into a tea workshop here too. 

Chinatown Restaurants

There’s a tremendous choice when it comes to eating out in Chinatown, with everything from hawker stalls to fine dining. 

If you’re after a cheap and cheerful meal, join the locals for hawker favourites at one of these local Chinatown hawker centres: 

• Chinatown Complex Food Centre – hunt down Liao Fan Hawker Chan, the stall famous for receiving a Michelin Star in 2016. 
• Maxwell Road Food Centre – be sure to try Tian Tian Chicken Rice, one Singapore’s most famous chicken rice stalls. 
• Amoy Street Food Centre – don’t miss the J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff, recipient of the Michelin Bib Gourmand for several years. 

For something more upmarket, the heritage shophouses around Chinatown are home to a wide choice of fine-dining restaurants and casual eateries.

Head to Club Street/Ann Siang Hill, Tanjong Pagar, Keong Saik or Duxton Hill and take your pick. 

Chinese Restaurants

• Yum Cha – this popular Singapore dim sum restaurant is right in the heart of tourist Chinatown, making it an ideal stop for refuelling during your sightseeing. Famed for its large selection of dim sum, Yum Cha Chinatown is always busy and bustling. 20 Trengganu St.
• Red Star – another popular dim sum restaurant, Red Star is tucked away in an HDB block in Chinatown and has more of a traditional local feel to it. Dim sum is served the traditional way – pushed by on trollies. 54 Chin Swee Rd. 
• Spring Court – located in a four-storey shophouse, Spring Court claims to be the oldest family-run restaurant in Singapore, having opened in 1929 (then named Wing Choon Yuen). This Singapore institution dishes up traditional Hokkien and Cantonese cuisine in elegant surroundings. 52-56 Upper Cross Street.
• Tong Heng – come here for a sweet tooth fix. This traditional bakery specialises in old-school Cantonese pastries, and is famed for its egg tarts and mooncakes. 285 South Bridge Road. 

International Restaurants

• Esquina – buzzy tapas restaurant showcasing contemporary cuisine with Spanish and Catalan flavours. 16 Jiak Chuan Rd.
• Les Bouchons – serving Steak Frites to Singaporeans since 2002, Les Bouchons is a local favourite. We love the cozy relaxed atmosphere here and the reasonably priced steaks. 7 Ann Siang Rd. 
• PS Cafe – famed for its European cafe cuisine and cocktails, PS Cafe is a much-loved string of restaurants throughout Singapore. This branch has a lovely garden setting and is the perfect spot to refuel when sightseeing Chinatown. 45 Ann Siang Rd.
• Luke’s Oyster Bar and Chophouse – one of Singapore’s best-hidden secrets, this relaxed restaurant serves up a selection of New England classics, seafood and steaks. Perfect for date night or a fun dinner with friends. 22 Gemmill Ln.

Chinatown Bars

Chinatown is full of cool (sometimes hidden) bars, its traditional shophouses making for cozy and hip surroundings. Below are a few worth seeking out.

For a more comprehensive list, see our article: Best Bars in Chinatown (coming soon). 

• Employees Only – this legendary cocktail institution from New York is a popular choice for classic cocktails and a fun night out. Get ready to party. 112 Amoy St
• Potato Head – this Singapore offshoot of the famous Bali beach bar offers four floors of eclectic fun. Head to level three for an intimate cocktail den or up to the roof bar for drinks under the twinkling lights. 36 Kong Saik Rd
• The Elephant Room – if you’re looking for unique and distinctly Singaporean, then check out this bar where the food, cocktails and decor are all inspired by Singapore’s Little India. 20A Tek Lim Rd
• Smith Street Taps – this hawker stall craft beer bar is where to head for a taste of local craft beers to wash down your local hawker dinner. 335 Smith St 
• The Other Roof – a great place to spend an alfresco evening with drinks and nibbles under the stars. This rooftop bar boasts over 200 tea-finished spirits that form the basis of their innovative cocktail menu. 28 Ann Siang Rd

Chinatown Hotels

If you’re bored of international chain business hotels, then Chinatown offers a good choice of small boutique hotels that complement the heritage architecture beautifully. 

• Amoy Hotel – This beautiful boutique hotel comprises just 37 rooms inspired by the Zhangzhou people who came from China to settle in Singapore. It also has an onsite museum, the Fuk Tak Chi temple museum, dedicated to these Chinese immigrants. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Hotel Scarlet – the seductive Scarlet Hotel was one of the original boutique hotels in Singapore and is still known for its rich velvet upholstery and quirky decor. Ask for a room with a window if you get claustrophobic! Click here to check prices and availability.
• The Clan Hotel – this luxury hotel is handily located on the edge of Chinatown towards the CBD and offers rooms with all the mod cons, a rooftop infinity pool, gym and restaurant. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Ann Siang House – boasting a great location on Ann Siang Hill, this boutique hotel has 20 rooms with cozy surroundings, comfy beds and rain showers.  Click here to check prices and availability .
• Wink – this Chinatown hostel offers clean, comfortable capsule accommodation in three fantastic locations and is known for its friendly welcome.  Click here to check prices and availability.

How to get to Chinatown Singapore

Chinatown is centrally located and easy to get to by foot, MRT or taxi. 

• Walking to Chinatown – Chinatown is just a 10-15 minute walk from Boat Quay or Clarke Quay. Remember that Singapore is hot and humid so if you are coming from much further afield, you would be best to take public transport to get here. 
• MRT – Chinatown is located on the North East (NEL – purple) and Downtown (DTL – blue) lines. There are six exits at the Chinatown MRT station. Exit A will bring you out onto Pagoda Street in the heart of the Chinatown markets. 
• Taxi – If you are not staying near an MRT station or don’t want to have to change trains to get here, remember that taxis are cheap and plentiful in Singapore. Depending on traffic, it should only take you around 10 minutes to get here by taxi from Orchard Road. 

Click here for a comprehensive guide to public transport in Singapore .

Want to explore more of Singapore? You might also like these district guides:

• Insider Guide to Kampong Glam
• Insider Guide to Little India
• Insider Guide to Sentosa Island
• Where to stay in Singapore: A guide to the best areas

The Best Time to Visit Singapore

Insider guide to little india singapore.

• The Top 10 Things To...

The Top Things to Do in Chinatown, Singapore

Singapore Travel Writer

No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to Chinatown in the Outram district. Anticipate flavoursome cuisine at cheap prices from Chinatown’s Street Markets and Telok Ayer Street, must-see cultural landmarks like Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple, Thian Hock Keng Temple, and great shopping destinations like Pagoda Street. Culture Trip selects the best 15 things to do in Chinatown.

Chinatown street markets.

No trip to Singapore would be complete without a trip to Chinatown’s bustling Street Markets. This is one of the city’s most popular districts, with shops and stalls lining whole streets, including Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street and Temple Street. This area is a feast for the senses with sights, sounds and smells serving up an authentic Chinatown experience. Head to Mao Shan Wang on Temple Street for ice cream and pizza topped with durian fruit , and quench your thirst with bubble tea and frozen yoghurt drinks from Super Dream on Terengganu Street. Jump on the North-East Line (purple line) to get there – the MRT subway train will take you to Chinatown station.

Masjid Jamae (Chulia)

This light green mosque, on South Bridge Road in the central Chinatown district, is a real head-turner, with two minarets jutting up towards the sky. It was established in 1826, making it one of Singapore’s earliest mosques; it is one of three erected by Tamil Muslims from the coast of Southern India. The mosque is open daily to both Muslim and non-Muslims visitors for free, with tours given around the two prayer halls and other areas. Remember that no shorts or skirts are permitted – you’ll also be given a blue robe on arrival and asked to remove your shoes. Keen photographers are permitted to take photographs quietly.

Singapore Musical Box Museum

The Singapore Musical Box Museum, tucked away inside a temple, showcases dozens of antique musical boxes, which reveal how music was enjoyed before the internet. These music boxes produce sound as a set of pins on a cylinder or disc revolve and pluck the tuned teeth of a steel comb. Since these instruments are so delicate, you must book a guided tour, which takes around 40 minutes, in advance. The museum is open Monday and Wednesday to Saturday. If travelling by train , it is just a three-minute walk from the Telok Ayer MRT subway stop.

Telok Ayer Street

Market, Natural Feature

Hop off the MRT subway at Telok Ayer to explore this hip street that’s buzzing with cool cafés, restaurants and bars. The area is always a hive of activity, given its location in the heart of the Central Business District. Cocktail lover? Head to Bitters & Love at 118 Telok Ayer Street, which is one of the strip’s hippest bars – think bespoke drinks paired with moreish snacks like cuts of wagyu. Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen, at number 127, is another cool spot serving up yong tau foo (stuffed tofu) by day and Asian tapas and drinks by night.

Pagoda Street

Thinking of bringing home souvenirs? Hit Pagoda Street in Chinatown, where you’ll get the most bang for your buck. This pedestrianised strip, which was once known for its opium-smoking dens, is now home to dozens of bargain shops and stalls selling goods including silk clothing, fancy chopsticks and traditional Chinese medicines. Keep up your energy with a pit-stop at one of the restaurants dotted along the strip; Chuan Garden Restaurant is a popular choice for its Sichuan cuisine .

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Chinatown's Maxwell Food Centre

Food Court, Street Food

Chinatown Complex

NUS Baba House

Thian hock keng temple.

Buddhist Temple

The Thian Hock Keng Temple, built in 1840 by the Hokkiens from the Fuzhou province, is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore. The temple, which was crafted without the use of a single nail, showcases southern Chinese architectural styles and features elaborate carvings on the walls and roofs. It was originally located along the coastline before land reclamation took place, and was the first port of call for immigrants entering Singapore who thanked their deities for their safe journeys.

Sri Mariamman Temple

Hindu Temple

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Buddhist Temple, Museum

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a relatively young temple, having been built in its current form and at its location on South Bridge Road in 2007. This traditional Tang-style design, with its red lacquered walls, is a colourful addition to the architecture in diverse Chinatown. As its name suggests, the temple houses the sacred Buddha tooth relic which you can view – though only monks can actually enter the relic’s chambers. The temple also houses other revered Buddhist artefacts.

Keong Saik Road

Keong Saik Road has a shady past as a former red-light district. But today it is known for being a hipster hangout, just down the road from Chinatown. This area, with its quaint row of narrow shophouses, has gradually become more gentrified with award-winning food outlets, trendy boutique hotels and co-working spaces.

The Pinnacle@Duxton Skybridge

Building, Bridge

Ann Siang Hill

The narrow lanes of Ann Siang Road and Club Street are bustling most nights – but make your visit on the weekend. The roads are closed off to traffic on Friday and Saturday nights, so tourists and office workers spill out of the many restaurants and bars onto the streets. Take your pick from breezy rooftop spots, intimate hole-in-the-wall diners, sports bars and trendy restaurants in this Chinatown treasure.

Everton Park

Everton Park, at the edge of the busy Chinatown district, is a collection of some of the oldest shophouses in Singapore. This neighbourhood is a favourite for coffee enthusiasts – you’ll discover numerous hipster cafés alongside retail outlets and traditional sundry shops. Heritage murals and other street art displays are also popular in this area.

Sadie Whitelocks contributed additional reporting to this article.

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Chinatown Singapore Guide 2023: Best Things to do & eat

Chinatown was one of my favorite walks in all of Singapore . Away from the skyline, this hub of bustling markets brings a down-to-earth part of Singapore to light. Writing this Chinatown Singapore Guide took me back on a sweet memory lane to the evening here.

As someone who doesn’t like crowds, I was unsure of what to expect here. But the moment I witnessed the colorful lights floating over my head, I was glad! It was to be quite a chunk on my SG travel blog . There are tons of places for walking tours ( like Marina Bay ) in SG and Chinatown is a must! Here goes my Chinatown Singapore Guide.

Table of Contents

Self-Guided Walking Tour Chinatown Singapore

Most people talk of the must-try foods here which make up for most of the spot! But with Chinatown’s heritage since the country’s beginnings and lit markets, there’s a lot more. This Chinatown Singapore Guide shall take you through all the things to do here.

What to expect

I visited Chinatown in the evening and highly recommend you do the same. The evenings are when the place comes alive; Get a small backpack along with a water bottle. Don’t carry too much luggage as you’ll need to walk around a lot.

Get some comfortable shoes on and begin! Unlike most attractions of Singapore like the Zoo or the National Gallery , you don’t need a ticket as such to enter or walk around. It’s a part of the everyday city.

But you’ll find paid tours that guide you around the heritage key spots of town. Now, should you get yourself a paid tour? Well, it depends on whether you’d prefer a paid walking tour or a self-guided walk.

Chinatown Walking Tour Guides Singapore

To make sure not to miss out on anything important here, put in some time beforehand and get your itinerary checklist in place before you get here. But if that’s too much work for you and are willing to pay for a leisure walk, the walking tour guide is highly recommended!

It also avoids the self-guide hustle of holding the maps up every 20 seconds. I took a self-guided walk around the place but I missed out on a few spots. I wished I’d read more about the place beforehand.

The best part of guided tours is that even tours are out-of-the-box here to make history interesting! One is the Trishaw Uncle Guided tours (yes, they take you around with the trishaw). Something like the infamous Singapore River Cruise at Clarke Quay.

Another is the Murder Game tour where you’ll get around Chinatown while playing a history game! Find your preferred tour guide on Klook below and book before you miss out on great deals !

For self-guided explorers like myself, don’t worry! Keep reading this post for all the key spots before you visit. Thus this self-guided walking tour of Chinatown Singapore.

Chinatown Singapore Guide: Best Things to do

The moment you land in Chinatown, Singapore, you’ll find yourself wandering away into amazing shops, colorful buildings, and aromatic food around. There’s so much detail you observe when you visit it physically – especially the cozy tiny streets you walk through.

In fact, I didn’t know the names of the streets that lured me in with their colorful air. I had to figure them out while writing this article.

Walking through Chinatown, you’ll come across all these places one after the other. Walk through the streets, take pictures, talk to people, and enjoy your tour! Here are all the best things to do in Chinatown Singapore Guide.

Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

This majestic landmark beaming between Chinatown’s bustling streets and skyscrapers was my first stop here. There’s no hard and fast on when to visit the temple. But if you’re visiting Chinatown in the evening, get there at least at 4 pm.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple closes at 5 every day. Having an hour (or more if you’re too passionate) to tour the entire temple place is sufficient.

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Walk the Pagoda Street

Chinatown Singapore guide: Pagoda street is where you’ll go back in time to the colorful Chinatown markets. Running parallel to Chinatown Temple Street, this 250m stretch of the paved footpath is filled with shops and restaurants on either side and it’s ever-lively!

Even if you’re broke, I suggest you visit it for the street’s ambiance, lighting, and Instagrammable shots. Thank me later. Take a stroll till the end of Pagoda Street towards Shri Mariamman Temple.

Check out the Chinatown Heritage Center museum

Oh, you’re already on Pagoda Street? You might as well snuggle into Chinatown’s Heritage Center – it’s right on the way! I couldn’t visit this museum as it remains closed for the time period as it undergoes review.

But I hope it opens soon for your visit! When you do visit, expect to dive into the lives of early landers of Singapore. The laborers, traders, and immigrants and their stories of victories and struggles. If it opens up, I’ll be sure to visit it!

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Eat at the Maxwell Food Centre

A friend suggested me this place, the Maxwell Food Centre. And sure enough, the place is popular to be a landmark around here. The food center located by Maxwell Road is a large food court with a bunch of hawker stalls.

They serve a range of Chinatown delicacies including the popular chicken rice and dim sums! If you’re a foodie and looking to try every food place out here. I suggest eating to a minimum at Maxwell as there are still a ton of outdoor hawker stalls!

For small street hawker stalls, expect to spend around $4-6 SGD for a dish. But there are also bigger places with nice seating arrangements where it can cost between $8-10 SGD. For an authentic place, it’s worth the money as well.

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Try out hawkers at Complex, 335 Smith Street

For newcomers, it’s tough to figure out where to eat. Going around Chinatown’s Complex on Smith Street with a series of restaurants, it all comes to where you end up. At the end of this street, you’ll also find the infamous Hawker Chan restaurant which previously held a Michelin star!

I was too hungry when I arrived in Chinatown. So I plunged to the first hawker spot I found – the Tiong Bahru Chicken Rice. Not to mention, this place was popular among locals and a lot of people came in! I got a medium-sized Hainanese chicken rice with soup for myself and it was worth the S$ 3.5!

Take pictures at the People’s Park Complex

Find this name familiar from social media? Sure, it’s a beautiful picturesque spot. But the People’s Park Complex is worth the sight regardless of its distinguished structure. There’s a lot more to it than its looks.

The People’s Park Complex is very different from the skyscrapers you see in SG today. Built after Chinatown’s market fires in 1966 with millions of dollars in damages, it stood as one of its kind in Southeast Asia back in the day. The 40-year-old structure stood as the biggest shopping complex back in the day!

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Visit the Shri Mariamman Temple

Though living near Singapore for almost a decade, never had I realized the Hindu Temple – Shri Mariamman Temple was around Chinatown’s corner. Though worlds apart from Chinatown’s streets, it’s a must-visit in Chinatown!

This temple is very similar to many beautiful Dravidian-style builds I’ve come across in India. Built-in 1827, it is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple! What I loved most about Pagoda Street and Mariamman Temple is how so many cultures come in together in a single place.

Right next to it is Masjid Jamae and the Buddha temple isn’t a far walk away either. It’s quite a wonder to see!

Take a stroll on Telok Ayer Street

Another gem of Chinatown Singapore Guide that I deeply regret missing out on is Telok Ayer Street. It’s a 500-meter walk from Pagoda street. Begin with walking the Telok Ayer Green park with its black metal sculptures and the Nagore Dargah museum at its corner.

With a series of restaurants similar to the rest here, Telok Ayer street stands apart with its appearance. The place blends today’s technology and development with remainders of old Singapore with its colorful shophouses. There are also some places to see here like the Thian Hock Keng Temple and the Singapore Musical Box Museum.

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Shop at the street markets of Chinatown

Remember those fancy lights around Pagoda Street? Right from Buddha Tooth Relic Temple’s Kreta Ayer Square, walk into the alleys of the street markets of Chinatown. It’s best to walk in the evenings. The bright hues come to life at night over your head.

Gift shops of all sorts become livelier than ever. Yet, the pavements remain clean and photogenic throughout with so many tourists flocking in. The gift shop items are equally alluring with their curious detailed works. I couldn’t help buying myself a hand fan embroidered with Chinese scripts and Pandas on it!

Mural Paintings around Chinatown Singapore Guide

Another thing to look out for is street art – Chinatown’s Mural heritage or Chinatown Wall paintings. The picture at the beginning of this article? That’s one of them! Called the Labour of Love murals, you’ll find these amazing paintings in the alleys of Chinatown.

It’s hard to spot them with the bustle. But keep an eye on the alley walls, you’ll find them! These depict the histories of lives in old Chinatown and add up to the flavor of the place. Keep an eye out for them for I found only one! You can even book a tour just to spot all these amazing wall paintings. Here’s a great tour on Klook for the same:

Taste a pinch of Ya Kun Kaya Toast

People who live in Singapore know of the popular restaurants around here. But there are too many to count for tourists. Ya Kun Kaya Toast is another resto chain with restaurants across over a dozen countries.

However, I put it on this list because the infamous Ya Kun Kaya Toast empire began here – at Telok Ayer Street, Chinatown! Loi Ah Koon started it here at Telok Ayer in 1944 and today it looks to expand to Brunei, India, and Malaysia. Its ingredients are simple with bread, yet delicious with its kaya .

Tailpiece: Singapore Chinatown Guide

That sums up for most of my Singapore Chinatown Guide to the best places to visit. I was glad I could visit most of Chinatown in the evening. Yet, I know I missed a good deal of stuff like the Ya Kun Kaya Toast and the top floors of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

It’s not tough to fall in love with the place here. If you think you might, you will . Much sooner than you think. Keep half a day for a complete walking tour of the place. Another idea is to spend two evenings here instead and roam Singapore elsewhere during the day. With the MRT, it shouldn’t be hard getting around.

After getting around Chinatown, I sat down at Kreta Ayer Square facing the Buddha temple as dusk fell. It was time to head back to my cozy SpacePod at Lavender . Tired and weary, I needed a break from all the walk. Stallkeepers and workers were headed home. One Chinese old man came and sat down on the stairs beside me.

He smiled and I waved hi. We then talked for a good 15 minutes. Where we had come from and how we’d come here. Sounds pretty sweet, doesn’t it? Talk to people on your visit. Be friendly. It’ll make the trip worth it all!

Tell me how your self guided walking tour of Chinatown Singapore went in the comment section below. I’ll be happy to hear about it :)

Manas Patil

Hi there! I'm a 22-year-old dude all the way from India, I love traveling and building itineraries! Sign up and get your FREE COPY of my travel checklist to get the best of your next vacation!

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Singapore Area – Chinatown

No trip to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the famous Chinatown area. Located on the south of the island, right near Downtown Core , Chinatown is easily accessible by the MRT .

There are heaps of attractions, places to visit and things to see & do in Chinatown; including eating great food, watching live entertainment and visiting museums and religious temples .

Singapore Chinatown Attractions, Things To Do & See, Places to Visit

If you are looking to shop while in Singapore, then Chinatown is an excellent option for you, as there are plenty of retail stores to visit where you can purchase clothing and accessories, souvenirs at Pagoda Street or traditional Chinese medicine along South Bridge Road. The street markets are probably the most popular attraction here as they sell heaps of clothing and souvenirs at a cheap price.

You can stop at any of the street vendors and try some of the local dishes, or stop off at one of the many restaurants for a delicious meal. Make sure to try har guay teaw, laksa or Hainanese chicken rice, which are some of the most popular dishes here.

Head over to some of the Chinese temples to learn about Chinese culture in Singapore, and you can also head over to a local Mosque or Hindu Temple, which are also located in this area.

Chinatown also comes alive during the biggest festival in Singapore, Chinese New Year . During this time, you will see lanterns, light shows, dragon dances and live music as this part of the city comes to life!

So make sure to visit Chinatown on your next visit to Singapore.

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While Singapore is still largely Chinese, the city’s very own Chinatown still has its own distinctive charms and allure that makes it a compelling destination for tourists and locals alike. There are five...

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is located in Chinatown. It was built to house the Buddha Tooth Relic in a stupa made out of gold and contributed to by its followers. Chief Abbot Venerable Shi Fa Zhao designed...

• Maxwell Food Centre

The Maxwell Food Centre is one of Singapore’s most famous hawker food courts. You know that the quality of food is good here because it’s not only frequented by tourists, but locals regularly come to dine...

• Peoples Park Complex

The People’s Park Complex is a commercial and residential high-rise building in Singapore’s Chinatown. At 103 meters high, the building was among the first shopping centres of its kind to be built in...

• Sri Mariamman Temple

The Sri Mariamman Temple is one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples. This magnificent monument of architecture is located in the downtown area of the Chinatown district. This building mainly serves as a temple for...

Chinatown Heritage Centre

Chinatown Heritage Centre is your gateway to discovering the rich history and cultural heritage of the first Chinese people to step foot in Chinatown. They are considered the early pioneers of Singapore and have...

Pagoda Street

Pagoda Street in Singapore’s Chinatown is one of the best places to go for souvenir shopping. It’s buzzing with a vibrant culture, colourful decorations and lanterns, and the charming shophouses which line...

Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple

The Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple has a long and rich history dating back to 1920. Back then, the government first acquired the temple land, which was initially intended to be used as part of a hospital extension...

Sago Street

Sago Street (also known as Street of the Dead) is a street in Singapore’s Chinatown that’s steeped in both history and Chinese influence. The one-way street links South Bridge Road to Trengganu Street and...

Singapore Musical Box Museum

The Singapore Musical Box Museum is one of the most unique and interesting museums in Singapore. It showcases the history and significance of the humble music box, which were a prominent symbol of 19th and 20th century...

Nagore Dargah

Nagore Dargah is a beautiful shrine built by the South Indian Muslim immigrants of Singapore. It was constructed from 1828 to 1830, although it was initially given the name of Hamid Dargha. Nagore Dargah, Indian Muslim...

Masjid Al-Abrar

Masjid Al-Abrar is one of Singapore’s oldest mosques. Also known as Masjid Chulia or Kuchu Palli, this mosque was gazetted as a national monument in 1974. This monument is of significance because it honours the...

Jamae Mosque

Singapore’s great sightseeing and breathtaking tourist attractions and the Jamae Mosque is one of the greatest construction marvels in Singapore. The Mosque is also known by its other name, Chulia Mosque from the...

Chinatown Visitor Centre

The Chinatown Visitor Centre is a helpful tourist information facility in Singapore’s Chinatown. If this is your first time visiting Singapore or Chinatown itself, and you’d like to make the most out of your...

• Gan Heritage Centre

The Gan Heritage Centre was established to preserve and honour the contributions and heritage of the Gan Clan. This living museum houses an impressively comprehensive archive, as well as illustrations and documents of...

Frequently Asked Questions About Singapore Chinatown Attractions

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What to do in chinatown singapore —10+ where to go & best things to do in chinatown singapore.

No trip to Singapore would be complete without a visit to Chinatown here. Historically, this is the settlement area, inhabited by many immigrants from China, accounting for more than three-quarters of the total population here, right from the time when the island nation was still a colony of Britain. So, if you come here, don’t be too surprised to find many different cultural features here. With all kinds of eateries, cheap food and a variety of choices, and most importantly, Chinatown is very close to famous tourist attractions and attractions in Singapore.

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So, what to do in Chinatown Singapore and where to go in Chinatown Singapore? Let’s check out our suggested 10+ Chinatown Singapore things to do including best things to do in Chinatown Singapore, Chinatown Singapore places to visit, Chinatown Singapore what to see to help you planning a perfect trip to the must-go place in Singapore! So, if you have the opportunity to travel to the island nation of lions, do not miss Chinatown. Let Living Nomads reveal to you the 10+ best things to do in Chinatown, Singapore right now.

What to do in Chinatown Singapore: Chinatown’s Maxwell Food Centre

The food stalls of the Hawker center are always considered the best places to experience the authentic flavors of Singapore’s signature food as well as the local people. Therefore, the Maxwell Food Centre is considered one of the most popular places for tourists and locals in the Chinatown Singapore. If you want to enjoy a delicious meal in local-style, then don’t miss Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown, we believes you will not be disappointed.

The most special dish here, perhaps everyone knows and should not be missed if coming to Chinatown is Hainanese chicken rice at Tian Tian rice restaurant which is honored to receive a Michelin star with only a small stall with a rice dish that it seems simple, but it has a very unique aftertaste, making diners who have eaten it will want to eat again. However, you should note that if you want to enjoy an authentic delicious plate of Hainanese chicken rice here, you have to wait a long time, because there is always a large number of visitors queuing up at the door to enjoy the dish. But we believe that your waiting effort is completely worth it with this “small but great” plate of chicken rice.

If you do not want to wait, then there are still many stalls selling Asian cuisine waiting for you to visit and enjoy at Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown.

Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184 Opening hours: Every day of the week, from 8 am to 2 am the next morning Phone number: +65 6225 5632

Where to go in Chinatown Singapore: Chinatown Complex

The complex in Chinatown is considered the second largest hawker center in Singapore with more than 260 food stalls, ensuring to serve visitors a variety of authentic Singaporean street food, from traditional dishes From Hainanese Chicken Rice and Char Kway Teow, to craft beers and there are even Michelin-starred restaurants but the food is so affordable, you won’t have to worry about your wallet when you come here and only leave when you are full.

In addition, more than 470 fresh stalls and small sundries are located throughout the building, you will feel really dizzy when you get lost in this market. And the most special feature here is the image of old people sitting together in covered areas to chat or play typical Chinese games, such as chess.

Address: 335 Smith Street, Outram, Singapore Opening hours: All days of the week, from 8 am to 12am

What to do in Chinatown Singapore: NUS Baba House

Peranakan culture is considered a unique blend of Malay cultures with Chinese immigrants, found mainly in Malaysia and Singapore. This bright blue house is a prime example of a traditional Peranakan terrace house. This is also the home of a man of Peranakan culture, also known as Baba for short, named Wee Bin. He lived with his descendants for generations in this very house.

The furniture and decorations, antiques in the house made by people (artifacts) are all relics that appeared and existed in the house when Mr. Wee Bin’s family for many generations was still live here. These things that make NUS Baba House a true representation of the Peranakan culture that has and has always existed in Singapore in the 19th and 20th centuries to this day. If you want to come here to learn and visit, you should contact to book in advance so that someone can follow the guide for more useful information.

Address: 157 Neil Road, Bukit Merah, Singapore Phone number: +65 6227 5731 Opening hours: Weekdays, except Monday and Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm

Where to go in Chinatown Singapore: Thian Hock Keng Temple

Thian Hock Keng Temple is one of the oldest Chinese temples built in Singapore. The temple was built in 1845, by people from Fujian, China.

The temple itself is a testament to the architectural style of the South China region and was assembled and built without the use of a single nail, along with intricately carved reliefs on walls and roof, making the temple unique and attracting many visitors.

The temple was originally built along the coast when land reclamation had not yet taken place. Any immigrant who has just arrived in Singapore will come here to worship, thanking them for helping them have a safe trip cross the sea.

The main deity worshiped here is Mazu – the goddess of the sea. But the temple also worships Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and ancestors.

Address: 158 Telok Ayer Street, Outram, Singapore 7:30AM–5PM Phone number: +65 6423 4616

Sri Mariamman Temple

In Chinatown, there are countless places of worship of different religions, including the Sri Mariamman Temple – the first Hindu temple built in Singapore.

The temple was built in the early 19th century by immigrants from South India for the purpose of worshiping the goddess Mariamman. The temple follows the same architectural style as Dravidian temples, with a towering gopuram (a monumental entrance tower), decorated with six floors filled with sculptures of figures from Hindu mythology and culture which intricately decorated.

Historically, the Sri Mariamman temple has been the center of Hindu culture and a center for helping immigrants. Today, the temple still retains much of its social, cultural and religious significance within the Hindu community itself. You can visit the Sri Mariamman temple in the evening to see the Hindu rituals performed every day of the week.

Address: 244 South Bridge Road, Outram, Singapore Hours: 6AM–12PM, 6–9PM Phone number: +65 6223 4064

Chinatown Singapore things to do: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple stands proudly along South Bridge Road. This is a relatively young temple, built in 1989 and restored to its current form and location in 2007 with a traditional Tang style design and red lacquered roofs, helping the architecture in Chinatown become more unique and diverse.

True to its name, the temple keep the sacred Buddha tooth relic that the public can admire and look at. However, only monks can enter the relic worshiping rooms. In addition, the temple of the Buddha’s tooth is also a museum containing other Buddhist antiquities that are worshiped and revered by everyone.

Address: 288 South Bridge Road, Outram, Singapore Hours: 7AM–5PM Phone number: +65 6220 0220

Chinatown Singapore places to visit: Keong Saik Road

The former Keong Saik Road area has a rather murky past as a red light district with many brothels built, along with the housing of wealthy businesswomen and crowded, chaotic, complex residential areas next to cafes and grocery stores.

However, today, the ​​Keong Saik Street has become one of the most recommended places to visit if visitors come to Chinatown, Singapore with a series of restaurants with a comfortable, airy, cool space next to hotels designed in a classic and luxurious style, along with pubs and bars in the “hipster” style, which are extremely attractive to tourists. We believe that visiting the Keong Saik Road area is one of the top 10 things to do in Chinatown, Singapore that you should not miss.

Address: Keong Saik Road, Outram, Singapore

Best things to do in Chinatown Singapore: The Pinnacle Sky Garden 50th Storey Skybridge

Pinnacle@Duxton is Singapore’s tallest public housing complex, located on buildings near Chinatown. There are two skyscraper bridges that connect the two towers together, but only one rooftop on the 50th floor is open to visitors for a fee and is limited to 200 guests per day.

On a clear day, if you come here, you will be able to admire the panorama from the observation deck that can see the entire scene of Chinatown and the surrounding apartment and office buildings.

Especially, on occasions such as National Day and New Year, New Year’s Eve, when Singapore holds fireworks and other aerial shows, the Pinnacle @ Duxton area is considered one of the best places to visit. The best way to see the whole show with a beautiful view. If you come to Singapore on the above occasions, we advise you not to miss Pinnacle @ Duxton.

Address: 1G Cantonment Road, Outram, Singapore Hours: 9AM–9PM Phone number: +65 1800 225 5432

Chinatown Singapore what to see: Ann Siang Hill

The narrow lanes of Ann Siang and Club Street are always very busy at night, but especially on Fridays and Saturdays, the shops on this road are always closed so people can easily save traffic and people wishing to have fun on the weekend can easily go to restaurants and bars, turning this place into a very bustling and vibrant nightlife city.

You can choose from rooftop bars to a variety of restaurants, eateries with cozy atmosphere, or dynamic bars or luxurious locations to have a really “chill” night with you. friends in the Ann Siang Hill area when coming to Singapore.

Location: Ann Siang Hill, Outram, Singapore

Everton Park

Located on the edge of the busy Chinatown, bustling with people, is Everton Park where a car collection of the oldest shophouses in Singapore is located quietly in the middle of a quiet residential area.

If you are a coffee lover, especially pure coffee beans, then this area will be the ideal place for you as it is extremely easy to find many well-designed and cafes decorated in hipster-style and other retail stores that specialize in these items are nestled among traditional knickknacks.

Besides, what makes the Everton park area special and outstanding, becoming one of the most must-visit spots in Chinatown, Singapore is the paintings painted on the walls and various types of other street arts, turning this street into a colorful and unmistakable work of painting. If you are a enthusiast and love street art, then we suggest you not to miss Everton Park if you have the opportunity to visit Chinatown, Singapore.

Address: Everton Park, Bukit Merah, Singapore

The Chinatown Singapore is considered one of the areas where many typical cultures are concentrated, especially the Chinese culture with architecture, stalls as well as street food. If you are a lover of Chinese culture and want to experience the feeling of “one day as a Chinese”, then we advise you not to miss the Chinatown. Come here and experience something special, you will certainly not waste your time.

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What to See and Do in Chinatown Singapore

Taking several detours off the tourist trail and including the best places to eat and drink, here are the best things to do in Chinatown Singapore.

Visit the Chinatown Heritage Centre

To fully appreciate how Chinatown once was, start at the Chinatown Heritage Centre on Pagoda Street. 

The Chinatown Heritage Centre faithfully recreates the cramped and frighteningly overcrowded interior of a traditional shophouse as it would have looked in Singapore’s Chinatown in the early and mid 20th century.

In times gone by shophouses were carved up and subdivided by landlords, keen to squeeze in as many tenants as possible. 

It was perfectly normal to find over a hundred people living under one roof . Over several decades these tiny units were home to a variety of immigrants to Singapore, from lowly labourers to tailors and doctors.

The Chinatown Heritage Centre is an eye-opening exhibition of a bygone era, when the neighbourhood was plagued by overpopulation, prostitution and a dependency on opium .

• Chinatown Heritage Centre
• 48 Pagoda Street.
• Opening hours: 9.00am-8.00pm daily
• S$15 for adults, S$11 for children under 12. 

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the Symbol of Chinatown

One of Singapore’s most iconic and recognisable landmarks, a visit to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of the most essential things to do in Chinatown.

Much more than just a temple, t he enormous complex stretches over several floors, and contains museums documenting the history of Buddhism in Singapore and wider Buddhist culture.

The main hall of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a spectacular display of Buddhist iconography . A gleaming golden Buddha sits flanked by two Bodhisattvas in the hall, known as the Hundred Dragons Hall.

The walls of the Hundred Dragons Hall are filled with smaller statues of Buddha in various different poses and forms. The Buddha tooth relic, from which the temple gets its name , is enshrined in a stupa in the dazzling Sacred Light Hall on the fourth floor.

A fiery deity inside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and and the prayer wheel on the temple’s roof garden

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple’s  roof garden is a wonderful spot for a moment’s sanctuary.

At the centre of the roof garden is a huge prayer wheel housed inside a pagoda, alongside thousands of small Buddha statues. There are free guided tours of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple every Saturday at 2.00pm. 

• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• 288 South Bridge Road
• 7.00am-7.00pm daily

The Sri Mariamman Temple

Less than 200 metres away from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple on South Bridge Road is another of Singapore’s most iconic temples, the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple . 

The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore , Sri Mariamman temple was built in 1827 as a place of worship for migrants from southern India. 

The entrance of the temple is marked by the spectacular gopuram tower , beautifully decorated with colourful deities and fantastic mythical creatures. Inside. the temple is adorned by many more vibrant statues and dioramas of Hindu deities. 

If you’re in Singapore in October or November you might be able to catch the famous fire walking ceremony that takes place at Sri Mariamman temple each year.

• Sri Mariamman Temple
• 244 South Bridge Road
• Jamae Mosque

Pratically next door to Sri Mariamman Temple, on the corner of South Bridge Street and Mosque Street is Jamae Mosque . 

Also known as Masjid Chulia , Jamae Mosque was one of the first mosques to be built in Singapore by early Muslim settlers from India in the 1830s. 

Hardly altered since it was first built, Jamae Mosque’s pale green minarets are typically Islamic in style, though the inner halls are designed in the Neo-Classical style popular in Singapore in the early 19th century.

• 218 South Bridge Road

Admire Chinatown's Playful Murals

Throughout Chinatown there are several playful murals created by the Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong . 

The murals depict moments and memories from Chong’s childhood growing up in Chinatown. Each mural portrays classic scenes of daily life from a generation ago.

The murals artistically celebrate many of Chinatown’s traditional crafts and foods, as well as the city’s heritage and culture .

Fairly quiet during the day, both streets come alive at night , when workers from the office towers in the neighbouring Central Business District clock off for the day. 

Attracting a younger and less touristy crowd than the likes of Clarke Quay, Club Street and Ann Siang Road typify modern Chinatown.

Visit Historic Amoy Street

Follow Ann Siang Road to the narrow walkway that leads out onto Amoy Street . One of the oldest streets in Singapore, Amoy Street is named after the region in mainland China that many of the first settlers in Singapore arrived from.

Before land reclamation reshaped Singapore , this area would have been right on the sea and a first stop for new arrivals. Once notorious for its opium dens, Amoy Street is now more reflective of modern Singapore. 

Today the grand colourful shophouses that line the street are now occupied by fashionable bars, restaurants, gyms and offices.

Also on Amoy Street is another huge mural by Yip Yew Chong . 

This wonderful mural portrays Singapore’s history whilst also contemplating the future. The mural ponders the uncertain journeys of the migrants who left their home nations and essentially created Singapore. 

Immediately next door to Nagore Daragah is Thian Hock Keng Temple . The oldest Hokkien temple in Singapore,  Thian Hock Keng Temple  is also one of the most beautiful. 

Built in a striking traditional Chinese design, the Thian Hock Teng temple dates from 1840 and is one of Chinatown’s most significant landmarks.

Thian Hock Keng Temple is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and fine detail. A pair of stone lions guard the entrance, alongside the beautifully painted Door Gods.

Guanyin, one of the Door Gods and Confucius at Thian Hock Keng Temple in Chinatown, Singapore 

Exquisite hand carved scenes fill the wooden beams of the entrance and main hall, decorated in spectacular gold leaf . An army of decorative dragons stand guard from the temple’s magnificent curved roof.

Thian Hock Keng’s spectacular main hall is dedicated to Mazu, the sea Goddess . In the 19th century, following an arduous journey across the sea, new arrivals from China would have come to Thian Hock Keng temple to give thanks to Mazu for their safe arrival.

• Thian Hock Keng Temple
• Telok Ayer Street
• 7.30am-5.30pm daily.

See How Singapore Works at the Singapore City Gallery

The Singapore City Gallery documents Singapore’s phenomenal transformation from a tropical island into a densely populated and highly urbanised city-state. 

Run by the planning authority that is responsible for ensuring that Singapore’s finite supply of land is used most effectively, the exhibition essentially explains how Singapore works .

The Singapore City Gallery  also looks at future plans for further growth and development. The exhibition explores the many challenges Singapore faces when considering future development, and how it overcomes the serious obstacle of a very limited supply of land.

At the centre of the gallery is an enormous scale model of the centre of Singapore which also displays some of the proposed developments scheduled for Singapore in the future.

• Singapore City Gallery
• 45 Maxwell Road
• 9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday

Admire the Hand-Made Deities at Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop

Sandwiched between the karaoke bars of Neil Road is Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop .

Established in 1896,  Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop  is the last remaining workshop making statues of Taoist deities by hand in Singapore.

The shop is the proud legacy of one family and is currently run by the grandson of the founder, who first moved to Singapore from China in the late 19th century. 

The shop is filled with bold, heroic Buddhist deities said to bring their owners protection , prosperity , good health and good luck .

The deities are meticulously hand carved , a dying skill in the modern age. Once a month the shop runs highly recommended tours that delves in to the long history of the shop and explains the meaning and significance of several of the deities. 

There’s also the chance to try your hand at some of the intricate techniques involved in creating a deity statue , led by 90 year old Chwee Lian, who began working in the shop when she married into the family at the age of 19.

• Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop
• 35 Neil Road
• 10.00am-9.00pm daily

See the Colourful Old Streets of Keong Saik Road and Bukit Pasoh Road

Keong Saik Road and Bukit Pasoh Road are two of Chinatown’s most beautiful streets. As with much of Chinatown, both streets were once synonymous with vice. 

Yet just like Club Street and Ann Siang Street, these two colourful streets are now amongst the most stylish in Singapore .

Both Keong Saik Road and Bukit Pasoh Road consist of beautifully restored grand old shophouses , rich with intricate architectural details and Art Deco inspired balconies. 

Both streets are a blend of old and new Chinatown; upmarket modern eateries, bars and a growing number of chic hotels mingle with  Chinese clan houses  and long established traditional local restaurants. 

Stunning Views From the Skybridge at Pinnacle @ Duxton

The western end of Chinatown is dominated by one gargantuan tower block. This is the Pinnacle@Duxton , the largest public housing building in the world.

The block actually consists of seven connected 50 storey towers. At the very top is a sky bridge , a huge viewing platform which is open to the public .

Needless to say, the views across Chinatown and the Central Business District are pretty spectacular.

The entrance for the sky garden is towards the southern end of Cantonment Road, close to the junction with Yan Kit Road.

Look for the easy-to-miss kiosk hidden down a narrow entrance between a convenience store and beauty saloon. There you’ll find a small window where you can pay the $6 (cash only) to access the sky garden.

You will need some kind of EZ-Link card to get into the sky bridge – either a Singapore Tourist Pass or a regular travel card used on public transport around Singapore. The Singapore Tourist Pass can be bought from these stations ,  while a regular travel card can be bought any MRT station.

The EZ-Link card is registered with the access system at the entrance to the sky garden on the 50th floor. Without an EZ-Link card you won’t be able to get in to the sky bridge.

The sky garden is the longest in the world , and from the top there are sensational views across Singapore in every direction. 

It’s a lovely place to relax and spend some time after a long day in Chinatown. The best time to visit is around 6.00pm on a sunny day, just before a dazzling, jaw-dropping sunset kicks in.

• Pinnacle@Duxton
• 1G Cantonment Road
• 9.00am-9.00pm daily
• S$6 (cash only)

Where to Eat in Chinatown Singapore

Some of the best food in Singapore can be found in Chinatown, ranging from classic Singaporean dishes to cuisine from all over the world. 

And there’s plenty of choice to suit every budget, ranging from a just a few dollars in Chinatown’s hawker markets  to a few hundred at the swankier restaurants around Ann Siang Road and Club Lane . 

However, we recommend avoiding Food Street, the rather joyless covered stretch of restaurants at the top of Smith Street. Whilst the food here is okay, it’s aimed squarely at tourists – you won’t find many Singaporeans eating here.

Instead, here are our suggestions for the best places to eat traditional Chinese and Singaporean dishes in Chinatown:

• Chinatown Complex Food Centre

Head up to the second floor of the Chinatown Complex for a real slice of Singaporean life. Singapore is filled with hawker markets, and the Chinatown Complex Food Centre is a sight to behold. 

There are over 200 hawker stalls here dishing up authentic Chinese and Singaporean classic dishes for just a few dollars. 

In Singapore, where there’s food there’s usually a queue. Chinatown Complex Food Centre.

One of the  two of Singapore’s hawker stalls to have been awarded a Michelin Star  can be found in the Chinatown Complex Food Centre. 

Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle is often cited as the cheapest Michelin starred meal in the world – prices start at just $3 – though queues regularly begin to form up to an hour before the stall opens. 

If you can’t wait that long there’s plenty of other places to fill up on food. Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao specialises in delicious Chinese dumplings – at just $6 for 10 pieces they have a loyal fanbase. 

Alternatively, try the fried wonton, prawn noodles and laksa from Woo Ji Cooked Food , a steal at just $2 a dish.

• 335 Smith Street
• 8.00am-12.00am daily

Maxwell Food Centre

A stone’s throw from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Maxwell Food Centre has a reputation as one of the best hawker markets in Singapore. 

With a huge variety of traditional Singaporean food available it’s another great place to fill up on food for next to nothing.

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is consistently voted as one of the best hawker stalls in Singapore, a mighty accolade considering the volume and quality of the competition. They’ve even been  graced by Anthony Bourdain  and Gordon Ramsey during their visits to Singapore.

Two other stalls that dish up delicious versions of this Singaporean staple are Tong Fatt Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice and  Ah Tai Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice . 

Head to Marina South Delicious Food for local stir-fry classics such as Hokkien mee and char kway teow from as little as $4. 

China Street Hainanese Curry Rice is also hugely popular, their signature dish consisting of pork chop, stewed cabbage, rice and a rich curry gravy sauce.

• Maxwell Food Court
• 20 Maxwell Road
• 8.00am-2.00am daily
• Jing Hua Xiao Chi

Nearby on Neil Road is Jing Hua Xiao Chi. Jing Hua Xiao Chi has been serving mouthwatering xiao long bao, succulent crispy dumplings and original recipe Chinese pizzas for thirty years. This is the original store, though there is now a second in Bugis and six in Japan .

• 21 Neil Road
• 11.30am-3.30pm & 5.30pm-9.30pm daily.

To sample the finest traditional Chinese pastries pop in to Tong Heng opposite the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple on South Bridge Road. Freshly baked throughout the day, Tong Heng’s menu  includes a huge variety of tasty traditional pastries, cookies and  cakes.

• 285 South Bridge Road
• 9.00am-10.00pm daily

Museum Cafe

Next door to Thian Hock Keng Temple on Telok Ayer Street, located inside a former school, is Museum Cafe . 

Museum Cafe specialises in Peranakan food , dishing up huge bowls of rich and delicious curries and  mee siam as well as traditional sweets. An authentic taste of Singapore, the food here is simply sublime.

• Chong Wen Ge Cafe
• 168 Telok Ayer Street
• 11.00am-5.30pm daily
• The Blue Ginger

On Tanjong Pagar road, sandwiched between a number of Japanese and Korean restaurants is Blue Ginger , another excellent Peranakan restaurant. Blue Ginger’s specialities include traditional dishes such as Nonya fish head curry and beef rendang .

• 97 Tanjong Pagar Road
• 12.00pm-2.15pm & 6.30pm-9.45pm daily

The Best Places to Drink in Chinatown Singapore

Though a night on the tiles is certainly one of the most expensive things to do in Chinatown, the area is also a great place to quench your thirst . Some of the most fashionable bars in Singapore can be found in Chinatown.

Club Street and Ann Siang Road are perhaps the most obvious spots to head for a drink. Fry Rooftop Bar has one of the best views in the neighbourhood, as well as great cocktails, good food and a wallet-friendly happy hour.

For a bit more glamour head to Employees Only , a sultry speakeasy-style cocktail bar just behind Thian Hock Keng Temple on Amoy Street.  

Potato Head , housed in an iconic building on Keong Saik Road, is another of Chinatown’s famous roof terraces, a great place to sip on cocktails and watch the sun set.

• Fry Rooftop Bar
• 12 Ann Siang Hill
• Monday-Thursday 6.00pm-1.00am / Friday & Saturday 5.00pm-3.00am - closed Sundays
• Employees Only
• 112 Amoy Street
• 4.00pm - 10.00pm every day
• Potato Head
• 36 Keong Saik Road
• Sunday & Tuesday 11.00am-1.00pm / Friday & Saturday 11.00am-2.00pm - closed Mondays

How to Get to Chinatown Singapore

Chinatown is easily reached by Singapore’s MRT system.  Download an MRT map here .

Chinatown station is on two MRT lines, the Downtown Line and the North East Line.  Telok Ayer MRT station is also on the Downtown line and closer to the Thian Hock Keng Temple.  Outram Park station is on the North East Line and the East West Line, and closer to Duxton Pinnacle and Keong Saik Road.

Accommodation in Chinatown

Within easy reach of all of Singapore’s main sights, Chinatown is a great place to stay whilst visiting Singapore. There’s something for every budget here too, from backpacker hostels and capsule hotels to plush 5 star hotels.

→ To find the best deals on accommodation in Chinatown click here .

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I’m James , the founder, editor, writer and photographer at Where You’re Between . Currently based in Japan, I started Where You’re Between in 2017 to create detailed itineraries and in-depth travel guides for the places that I’m fortunate enough to visit. You can see all of our destinations here . 

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• 10 Interesting Things To Do In Chinatown On Your 2024 Trip To Singapore

Singapore has developed itself quite a lot and changed its state from a third world country to a first world country. This country has come to the top when one talks about tourism and is one of the most sought after travel destination today. This has been made possible due to the experiences it offers to its visitors. The various neighborhoods of Singapore have amazing hotels, restaurants, and cafes, all of which cater to the tourists’ needs. Here we have listed some of the things to do in Chinatown Singapore .

Chinatown is a famous neighborhood in Singapore and is mostly visited by one and all. It has great food outlets, tourist attractions, and places to shop. Head here on your Singapore trip and experience one of the most lively places in the country. Have a look.

10 Best Things To Do In Chinatown And Around

When one says that a trip to Singapore isn’t complete without visiting Chinatown, they are absolutely correct. Know what this place offers to one in terms of things to do here.

1. Chinatown Street Market – Explore Various Dishes

If you are a food lover and like to experiment with food and taste the local dishes of a place then Chinatown’s Street Market is the place to be. Hawker centers are the best places to enjoy local dishes and if you want to taste the best of Singapore then this place in Chinatown is where you should head. It is as much visited by locals as tourists and is a great place to gorge on Singaporean delicacies. If you are looking for the best things to do in Chinatown Singapore , then eating at different hawker centres, restaurants and food stalls should be on top of the list. Head here for cheap and delicious food. Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown is also a great places to explore food in Singapore.

Location: Trengganu St, Singapore 050005 Timings: 9.30 am – 8 pm

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2. Drama Box – Enjoy A Theatre Show

Image Credit: PublicDomainPictures for Pixabay

If you are someone who enjoys theatre and drama, you are in for a theatrical treat at Drama Box in Chinatown Singapore. The respectable theatre company showcases works which raise social awareness and a sense of civic responsibility among the locals. Chinatowns Crossings is one of their famous running plays which gives you a peak in the streets of Chinatown. If you have time on your hand, you must come here to watch plays and dramas.

Location : 14A-C, Trengganu Street, Singapore Timings : 10 AM – 6 PM Cost : INR 3600 for the sho

  Chinatown In Singapore: Take A Pleasant Stroll In Singapore’s Most Happening Town

3. Chinatown Heritage Centre – Know About The History

Image Source

Though Chinatown Singapore history goes all the way back to 1819 before independence when the Chinese migrants settled in this part of Singapore. Chinatown Heritage Centre is where you learn about their struggles and journey. The objects inside the streethouse museum give you a glimpse of the lifestyle and nightlife of the early settlers. You can also buy souvenirs from the local designers in the shops at the museum.

Location : 48 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059207 Timings : 9 AM – 8 PM

Things To Do In China Town Within 5 Km

Here are some of the things to do within 5 Km of Chinatown:

4. Thian Hock Keng Temple – Temple Tour

Another thing to do in Chinatown is to explore the place on foot and visit the various temples it has. It is a vibrant neighborhood in Singapore and has quite a lot of places for tourists to visit. One of the places to visit in Chinatown is Thian Hock Keng Temple. It is one of the oldest temples of the Chinese in Singapore. The temple is built without the use of nails and is a structure to marvel at. Head here and spend an hour exploring the architecture, and the carvings on the walls and roofs of this temple.

Location: 158 Telok Ayer Street, Outram, Singapore Timings : 7.30 am – 5.30 pm

5. Baba House – Witness The Peranakan  Heritage

Baba House is a traditional Peranakan house which has now been turned into a museum. The Peranakans is a sub ethnic group of early Chinese settlers in Malay Peninsula. Their houses were built in a particular design. Baba House is a terrace-building which was the former family residence of Wee Bin, a shipping tycoon from China. This museum preserves the Peranakan history mainly in the form of its architectural heritage. 

Location: 157 Neil Rd, Singapore 088883 Timings: 10 am – 6 pm (Closed on Sun & Mon)

6. Pinnacle Duxton – Walk Along The Sky Gardens

Pinnacle@Duxton is one of the most striking structures in Singapore. This is a residential building that has 50-storeys. A major highlight of Pinnacle@Duxton is the two sky gardens that its features. Stretching across 500 meters these are the longest sky gardens in the world. They are located on the 26th and 50th floors, and the latter is open for public. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the city from this sky-scraper.

Location : 1G Cantonment Rd, Singapore 085301 Timings: 9 am – 9 pm (For 50th floor Skybridge only)

7. Singapore City Gallery – Try The Interactive Exhibits

Visiting Singapore City Gallery is one of the best things to do in Chinatown and around. This is a 3-storey gallery that features huge and detailed model replicas of Singapore’s Central Region. These models show the transformation of the city that has taken places over the years. You also get to see its infrastructural future plans. The exhibits here are interactive and it is an exciting experience to explore them.

Location : 45 Maxwell Road The URA Centre, Singapore 069118 Timings: 9 am – 5 pm (Closed on Sundays)

8. Club Street – Taste Different Wines

Image Credit:Pixabay

Club Street is a street in Chinatown which is lined with a number of bars and restaurants. A major crowd puller of this place is its trendy wine bars. With so much variety in what to drink and where to drink from, bar hopping is one of the best things to do in Chinatown Singapore . Explore various wine flavours and the food that complement its taste. Club Street is one of the best hangout places to experience nightlife in Singapore.

Location : Club Street, Chinatown, Singapore Timings: NA

9. G-Max Reverse Bungy – Indulge In Adventure

Image Courtesy: gmaxgx5.sg

G-Max Reverse Bungy is one of the best places for indulging in fun and adventure in Singapore. This giant bungee ride involves a 3-seater carriage attached to two tall towers by elastic ropes on the either sides. Feel the adraneline rush while you take this extremely thrilling ride experience. 

Location: 3E River Valley Rd, Singapore 179024 Timings: 4.30 pm – 11.30 pm

10. Hong Lim Park – Enjoy A Debate

Hong Lim Park, also known as Dunman’s Green is a heritage park near Chinatown. This is an interesting place in Singapore and is often celebrated as the only venue in the country that allows public protests. Come here on a weekend to witness various debates. Or simply spend some time relaxing in the park.

Location: New Bridge Rd, Singapore 059299 Timings: Open 24 hours

Are you still not convinced about Chinatown? Well, it is definitely one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Singapore and is surely on every traveler’s itinerary. And if it is on yours too, then make a note of these exciting things to do in Chinatown Singapore. One can easily spend a day here exploring the ancient Chinese and Hindu temples, gorging on local delicacies at the Hawkers Centre, shopping for trinkets and souvenirs, and sipping on coffee at one of the chic cafes in Chinatown. So, plan your holiday and book a trip to Singapore soon with TravelTriangle and have a smooth hassle free trip. It is a great place for a holiday and one need not even wait for a particular time to visit, as it is a year-round destination! Have a great vacay!

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Chinatown Singapore

What is famous in Chinatown Singapore?

Chinatown Singapore is famous for a lot of things such as Sri Mariamman Temple, Pinnacle@Duxton Skybridge, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Singapore City Gallery, Chinatown Street Market, Red Dot Design Museum, Thian Hock Keng Temple, NUS Baba House, etc.

What is Chinatown famous for?

Chinatown was once a place where the Chinese immigrant population of Singapore lived. But now, it is a lot more than that. Now this place is famous for the amalgamation of new and old as it has a lot of temples, traditional medicinal halls, new bars as well as lifestyle shops.

How do you get to Chinatown Singapore?

You can easily visit Chinatown by the Chinatown station which is on the North-East MRT Line.

What can you buy in Chinatown Singapore?

ChinaTown Singapore is a must visit in every shopaholic’s list and it is because of the great options of antiques, Chinese tea, traditional clothes, medicine, some decorative items such as lantern, drama masks, Chinese handwriting, herbal as well as chinese handicrafts like bags, shoes, silk scarves, fridge magnets, cups, lighters, mobile cases, cigarette boxes, key chains, stamps etc.

What is famous in Singapore to buy?

You would love to buy these products from Singapore such as Orchid Perfumes, Asian Artefacts, Singapore Sling, Ya-Kun Kaya Spread (Coconut Jam), Bak-Kwa (BBQ Meat), Singapore Pressed Pennies, Souvenirs with miniature Merlion, etc.

How far is Changi Airport to Chinatown?

The distance between Singapore Airport (SIN) as well as Chinatown MRT Station happens to be 18 km and the distance via road is 21.2 km.

What’s cheap in Singapore shopping?

The best places in Singapore to shop are thrift stores, flea markets, sungei road thieve’s market, Bugis Street, Lucky Plaza, Far East Plaza, City Plaza, Anchor point etc.

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• 25 Things to Do in Chinatown Singapore For A Fun Day Out!

What to Do in Chinatown Singapore?

Here are some of the best things to do in chinatown singapore:, quick navigation.

Visit Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a relatively new addition to the many attractions of Chinatown Singapore. This exquisite four storey structure houses the sacred Buddha Tooth Relic. The main highlight of this Temple is the solid gold Stupa where the relic is kept. The roof has a beautiful pagoda with a giant prayer wheel. Religious rituals are held daily and visitors can view or partake in these ceremonies. A point to remember would be to dress appropriately as this is a religious place.  Location: 288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840 Timing: 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM Must Read:  15 Alluring Festivals in Singapore                       Best Things to Do in Sngapore

Visit Sri Mariamman Temple

This beautiful Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Mariamman is one of the oldest shrines here and the most significant places of worship for Tamil Hindus in Singapore. The Temple was also an asylum for immigrants belonging to the South Indian Hindu Tamil Community. The Temple is built in traditional Dravidian style with a beautiful Gopuram filled with elaborate sculptures depicting Hindu mythology. Visiting the Temple in the evenings when the rituals are held is one of the best   things to do in Chinatown Singapore.  Location: 244 S Bridge Road, Singapore 058793 Timings: Daily 7:00 AM to Midday and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Read More:  10 Tips To Visit Adventure Cove Waterpark

Visit Telok Ayer Street

Telok Ayer Green is located in one of the most colorful parts of Singapore. It is a beautiful park with many sculptures that narrates the story of the festivals celebrated by the Chinese immigrants to Singapore. These sculptures also tell the tales of Singapore’s culture and history in the most expressive ways. The park also has a variety of trees such as the yellow rain tree that folds up before a rainstorm, breadfruit trees, cinnamon trees, tamarind and nutmeg trees. It is a nice place to visit and enjoy the greenery and the sculptures.  Location: Telok Ayer Street, Singapore Planning a Honeymoon Trip? Checkout   Singapore packages for couple         Also Checkout:  Adventure Cove Waterpark Rides

Experience the Authentic Food at Chinatown’s Maxwell Food Center

Chinatown’s Maxwell Food Centre is a popular food joint loved by tourists and locals alike. It is a great place to grab a meal. The food here is mainly influenced by Chinese, Indian and Malay cuisines and there is a wide variety of flavorful food from satay to nasi goreng to dumplings and roast pork. The flavor is authentic and mostly inexpensive making a visit to this place one of the best things to do in Chinatown Singapore.  Location: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184 Timings: Daily 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM Popular Read:  Things To Know About Bird Paradise Singapore

Learn the Peranakan History at NUS Baba House

A visit to NUS Baba House is one of the most interesting things to do in Chinatown Singapore. This magnificent heritage house once belonged to the Wee family of the Peranakan community. The Peranakans go way back to the 15th century when the first Chinese immigrants settled in the Malay Islands and most of these became traders. The NUS Baba House belonged to one such shipping tycoon, Mr. Wee Lin and it showcases the lifestyle and culture of the Peranakan community of Singapore at the time. Location: 157 Neil Road, Singapore 088883 Timings: Heritage tours Monday to Friday at 10:00 am                 Self-guided visits on Saturday. Book Now:  Gardens By The Bay Tickets Suggested Read:  Things To Do In Sea Aquarium Singapore

Shopping at Chinatown Street Market

Chinatown Street Market is all sights, sounds, and scents that represent what a real Chinatown is. This busy street is filled with a variety of stalls selling all kinds of items from silken scarves to ‘Made in China’ items to pets and lucky cats. The street also has several street food carts. Shopping here is an experience in itself and one of the most invigorating things to do in Chinatown Singapore. The Market is at its best at night with the beautiful lights shining and the brightly colored lanterns swaying above.  Location: 335 Smith Street, Chinatown, Singapore Timing: Daily 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Also Checkout:   Best Markets in Singapore you should visit.                             Singapore Trip From Bangalore

Explore the Largest Hawker Center - Chinatown Complex

Chinatown Complex is a busy hawker center in the heart of Chinatown and it is a place favored by the locals to eat and socialize as well. The Complex is filled with hawkers serving a variety of dishes and a menu as diverse as one could find in a place like this. The aromas and scents that float around are enough to whet anyone’s appetite. The dishes are authentic and flavorful. Fusion dishes and Vegan versions of most dishes are also available at the Chinatown Complex.  Locations: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184 Timings: Daily 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM Book Now:  Singapore River Cruise Also Checkout:  Finest Restaurants in Singapore                             Singapore Travel Packages From Delhi

Watch the Sunset at Pinnacle @ Duxton Skybridge

One of Singapore’s architectural wonders, the Pinnacle @ Duxton Skybridge is one of the tallest public residential complexes in the world. The views from the top is spellbinding and watching the sunset from here is one of the most enthralling things to do in Chinatown Singapore . However, there is a cap to the number of people who can visit this marvelous architectural wonder. Only 200 visitors are allowed each day so as not to disturb the residents living here. Location:  1G Cantonment Rd, Singapore 085301 Timings: Daily 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturdays till 1:00 PM Book Now:  Singapore Flyer Ticket Must Checkout:  Inexpensive Things to Do in Singapore on a Budget                             Best Indoor Things to do in Singapore

Explore Bars and Restaurants at Ann Siang Hill

This erstwhile spice hill is a popular hangout for many tourists and locals looking for great restaurants and bars to spend some relaxed time. This interesting street is filled with a cornucopia of rooftop bars, cozy restaurants, boutique hotels and entertainment centers. The variety of restaurants and bars can be daunting but this lane is one of the most fascinating things to do in Chinatown Singapore. The streets are lined with interesting shops and well maintained green spaces The boutique theatre is a great place to cozy up and watch some timeless classics.  Location: Ann Siang Hill, Outram, Singapore Suggested Read:  Romantic Restaurants in Singapore to visit with your loved ones Also Checkout and Book:  S E A Aquarium Singapore Tickets

Learning Chinese Culture at Chinatown Heritage Center

If you are looking for interesting things to do in Chinatown Singapore  then a visit to this Heritage Center is a must. The Center was built to document and showcase the lifestyle of the earlier residents of Chinatown. It has six galleries, preserved living spaces and features multi-sensory experiences such as craft workshops, multimedia guides and story-telling sessions. There is also a range of postcards, books, and prints by local artists that can be bought as souvenirs. Location: 48 Pagoda St, Singapore 059207, Singapore Timings: Daily 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Price: S$15 for adults Must Book:  Singapore Night Safari Tickets Must Checkout:  Unusual & Unique Things to do in Singapore                               Universal Studios Singapore Rides

Chill at 1927 Rooftop Bar

If you are thinking what to do in Chinatown Singapore then visit to the 1927 Rooftop Bar is just the thing to do. This magnificent lounge featuring tropical charisma is a great place to unwind and sip on some luxurious cocktails. Enjoy the view of the skyline while taking a dip at the infinity pool or just lounge around in the comfortable cabins for a relaxing evening.  The menu features an exotic blend of old recipes mixed with local ingredients to add zing to age-old cocktails.  Location: 35 Robinson Rd, Singapore 068876 Timings: Daily 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM Suggested Read:  Things To Know About Skyline Luge Sentosa

Visit the Singapore City Gallery

A visit to Singapore City Gallery can able to find the answer for your question related to what to do in Chinatown Singapore as Singapore Gallery is a magnificent portrayal of Singapore’s journey of urban development. It showcases the growth and development of Singapore from a trading port to a world-class metropolis. This journey is represented in ten thematic areas and interactive exhibits spread over three floors of the Gallery. The highlight of this Gallery is the Central Area Model which gives the visitors a bird’s eye view of the central district of Singapore. The Model is brought to life with a light and sound show that depicting Singapore’s urbanization. Location: 45 Maxwell Road, The URA Centre, Singapore Timings: Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Book Now: Art Science Museum Tickets Also Read:  30 Historic Museums in Singapore                      Abandoned Places in Singapore

Visit Michelin Star Hawker Chan

Feeling a dilemma of what to do in Chinatown Singapore then Michelin-star Hawker Chan meal you will find the best to go for hangout. This is not a fancy restaurant but a humble hawker in Chinatown Food Complex. The world famous Soya Sauce Chicken and Rice, a signature dish that won this humble hawker the first Michelin-starred meal in the world is a mere S$2 here. If you are planning to get a bite of this signature dish then make sure you reach on time and be ready for some queuing up. Location: 78 Smith St, Singapore 058972 Timing: 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM Must Checkout:  Things to Do in Singapore with Kids to have fun Also Checkout and Book:  Adventure Cove Waterpark Tickets

Click Instagrammable Pictures at People's Park

People’s Park is a bustling residential and commercial complex that was the first of its kind in Southeast Asia and many people come here to find the answer for their question of what to do in Chinatown Singapore as dated back to the history of People's Park when it was started back in 1970. It started as a shopping complex then later the residential tower was added. In a bunch of things to do in Chinatown Singapore this 25-floor tower was the tallest residential structure then, and can be used to take pictures shot here offer panoramic views of the city below. The bustling atrium of the mall is a perfect place to mark your visit the place with some random Insta pictures clicked here. Click as many pictures as you can while you shop and dine at People’s Park! The lively pulse of the city is found in every corner of People’s Park.  Location: People's Park Complex, 1 Park Road, Singapore 059108 Timings: 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM Recommended Read:  30 Free Things to Do in Singapore Click Here to Book Now:  Bird Paradise Tickets

Visit Thien Hock Keng Temple

Thien Hock Keng Temple is the oldest temples in Singapore and people used to come to spend some time alone in peace and that's what they prefer for things to do in Chinatown Singapore which is dedicated to Ma Zu Po the Goddess of Heavenly Sages and also the protector of sailors. The temple is built based on South Chinese architecture and is an architectural wonder -the temple was entirely built without using any nails. When the Temple was built, it was right at the shoreline and sailors would visit the Temple to offer prayers to the Goddess for a safe journey at sea.  Location: 158 Telok Ayer St, 068613 Timings: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Also Check:  Places to Visit in Chinatown Singapore Experience the Best Adventurous Activities by Booking the Tickets of Rock Climbing in Singapore

Eat at Chinatown Food Street

Authentic flavors, a delectable selection of local and Asian food and quaint surroundings is what makes Chinatown Food Street a must try in your list of things to do in Chinatown Singapore. The area is covered and even has a unique cooling system which makes it a great street food destination at any time of the day. This is a great place to try out authentic Malay, Chinese, Thai and Indian dishes served with a smile by the friendly staff of this awesome Food Street.  Location: Smith St, Singapore 058938 Timings: Daily 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Book Now:  Art Science Museum Ticket Travel as Per Your Own Itinerary by Booking   East Coast Park Bike Rental

Visit Red Dot Design Museum

The Red Dot Design Museum is the first museum of contemporary design in Singapore and the first of its kind in Asia. The museum showcases some futuristic designs and prototypes from various disciplines such as product development, communications, research works, etc. There is a permanent collection of award-winning design works on display which visitors can view. The Museum also has a great Cafe Bar serving some authentic and mouth-watering local snacks. Location: 11 Marina Blvd, Singapore 018940 Timings: Monday–Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM                 Friday–Sunday 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM Also Checkout:   Tiger Brewery Tour in Singapore

Pray at Masjid Al-Abrar

The Masjid Al-Abrar is one of the oldest mosques in Singapore built by early Tamil immigrants which started off as a thatched hut and later was replaced by a brick and mortar structure. This masjid considered as prime location for retrospection and sole thing to do under things to do in Chinatown Singapore which is also popularly known as Chulia Masjid after the Chulia people who were the first immigrants of Singapore. This Mosque was honored as a National Monument in 1974. The structure follows Indo-Islamic architecture framed by minarets at the doorway and the traditional crescent and star. Despite the numerous renovations the Mosque still retains its original quaint splendor.  Location: 192 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068635 Also Read:  Things to do in Singapore this Weekend

Watch Theater Show at Drama Box

Drama Box is a non-profit group that showcases theatre that expresses inspirational dialogues, thoroughly researched social issues and many such inspiring subjects. The theatre group also features plays that relate the history, culture and the glorious past of Singapore to make the public better understand their roots and heritage. The Drama Box started off as a community performance targeting domestic violence with a humorous twist. Over the years the Group has produced over 16 original pieces and reaching out to many people through community theatre. Location: 14A-C Trengganu Street, Singapore 058468 Timing: 10:00AM to 6:00 PM Also Checkout and Book:  Singapore Cable Car Tickets You Must Checkout:   Singapore Trip From India

Have a Coffee at Everton Park

If you are a coffee enthusiast then Everton Park is a must visit thing to do in Chinatown Singapore. This exquisite park is a colorful collection of old fashioned shophouses, cafes and stores with beautiful murals and street art decorating the walls surrounding the area. The Park is more than just a residential complex. It is a great place to indulge in some fusion food, Asian snacks while you sip on your cuppa. The murals and street art depicts the life of the people living here before the urbanization of Singapore. Location: Everton Park, Bukit Merah, Singapore. Check Out:  15 Adventurous Trails for Hiking in Singapore Spend a Memorable Time With Your Friends by Booking Yacht Rental in Singapore

Explore the Historical Jamae Masjid

Take Part in Sermons at Al-Abrar Mosque

Relish up on Local Delicacies at Taikoo Lane

Do Cafe Hopping at Keong Saik Road

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Singapore Top Attractions

The Universal studios Singapore is a uniquely designed studio thematically planned based on the popular Hollywood movies produced by the studio. Established in the year 2010 with 7 themed sections featuring innumerable rides and shows this destination is the ultimate zone for great rides and shows.The theme park is a property of the Resorts World Sentosa development and is among fun places to visit in Singapore. The park is based in a sprawling 18 acre property which has 18 original attractions inside it. The Hollywood Boulevard will take you to Hollywood when you revisit the famous Hollywood titles on display here. Here you can click photos with your favorite stars and show it off to your friends.For lovers of science fantasy the sci-fi features some great rides including the interlocking roller coaster ride. Madagascar is the most popular zone suitable for all ages. It features some great rides and shows with wonderful sound and video effects.The Universal studios in Singapore city is just not about the park with rides and entertainment, you can also find some lip smacking dishes served here at the restaurants stationed here. If you are a shopping freak, you will be tempted to choose from enviable collection of T-shirts, key chains and other little attractive thingies offered.You can access your favorite film, get royally welcomed by Shrek and explore the lost world without fearing the gigantic Dinos coming your way.Get a piece of the great Hollywood movies here with 24 rides, all designed innovatively and maintained extremely well. If you are up for some adventures in Singapore like breathtaking rides, thrills down your spine, then spending a day at Universal Studios Singapore will be an exhilarating experience. The cinematic experience and 4-D experience will sway you by your feet, wanting you to come back again to witness nerve racking action and adventure.Learn More: Outdoor Things to Do in Singapore

Recreation with elements of nature is how this place can be defined. With intense greenery and gardens that unveil a variety of flora, this garden is a manifestation of how nature should be. Gardens by the Bay in Singapore has perennial vegetation; however, you will be wonderstruck as everything looks natural. It has two air-conditioned conservatories called the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. It is here that you will see the perfect amalgamation of technology, management, flora, and other natural elements that transform together into this piece of visual craft. If you're planning to visit, consider exploring Singapore tour packages from India for a seamless travel experience.The place is sprawled in about 250 acres of reclaimed land that has numerous unique attributes that are a hallmark of delightful series. No wonder this place has been awarded many accolades for its unique concept, structure, and the best-themed destination. This being distinctive from other Asian parks, it is often full of visitors, not just tourists but even the locals. The place attracts people from all over the world solely for its greenery and conservatories. The entry to the Supertrees and adjoining gardens is absolutely free; however, you have to pay for is the OCBC Skyline and conservatories (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest) this place has. The OCBC Skyline gives you an overview of entire Singapore and the conservatories situated in the Bay South Garden. The Supertrees and the skyline are the main attractions including the light show. The supertrees are something that you will feel overwhelmed about. They are large vertical trees providing shade and then spectacularly emanate light in the evenings. Trip to Singapore wouldn't be complete without visiting this originality.Learn More: Restaurants in Gardens by the Bay

Embark on an unforgettable journey with the Singapore Flyer, one of the world's tallest observation wheels, offering breathtaking vistas of Singapore's skyline and iconic landmarks. Step into the spacious capsules and be captivated by the 360-degree panoramic views, spanning from Marina Bay to the surrounding lush landscapes. Whether you're enjoying a day or night ride, the Singapore Flyer promises a unique experience of the city's grandeur and beauty. A must-visit attraction for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the charm of Singapore's skyline and savor the wonder of soaring high above the city, capturing memories that will last a lifetime. Don't miss the chance to enjoy this iconic landmark during your visit to Singapore, especially for those planning Singapore tours from India.Suggested Read: Places to Visit in Singapore.

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Three Days In Singapore: How To Make The Most Of This Island Nation

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Singapore is a uniquely beautiful country despite its small size. It's a popular spot among tourists and is relatively safe and pleasant, where instances like petty theft and littering are things that are pretty much non-existent in Singapore .

Although this tiny Southeast Asian country is notorious for being one of the most expensive spots in this part of the world, you can visit Singapore on a budget and see everything you'd like without spending a fortune.

I spent several weeks visiting Singapore and exploring its sights and was astounded by its beauty and the wide variety of activities available to me. This three-day Singapore itinerary hits on some of my highlights, and in following it, you'll walk away with a greater understanding of and appreciation for the country.

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Day One: Marina Bay

See the merlions and singapore's famous bay.

One of the highlights of my trip was Marina Bay. I was fascinated by the Merlion statues, and seeing Merlion Park up close was a magical experience. The Merlions are Singapore's mascots, regal statues that are half lion and half mermaid, and they're one of the most easily recognizable symbols of the country.

After spending some time in Merlion Park, visit the Gardens by the Bay, one of Singapore's top attractions , where you can see its futuristic trees and enjoy a gorgeous skywalk that gives you tremendous views of the bay. If you plan ahead, you can round off your day by taking in a show at Esplanade - Theatres On The Bay , or cap off your evening by seeing Singapore from a bird's-eye view on the Singapore Flyer.

Visiting Marina Bay on your first day is an excellent way to get energized about the city and tick off some of the most significant sights in a short amount of time. Between the futuristic construction, great use of green space in the vertical garden, super trees, and stunning views, it's a bite-sized overview that will make you hungry for more.

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Day Two: Sentosa

Get some beachy vibes on sentosa.

Sentosa Island is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Singapore where you can step away from the posh vibe of Marina Bay and the shopping and enjoy lovely tropical beaches and nature. My favorite beach was Tanjong Beach, but if you're looking for something a little busier and with more excitement, Siloso Beach might be more your vibe.

Sentosa is also where you can find Universal Studios Singapore . Full disclosure: I didn't go to Universal Studios while I was there, but I've heard excellent things about it.

If you're in for a more chill day, hop aboard the Singapore cable car and see everything in just an hour. I like to sandwich lazy beach days between busier ones, so I spent most of my time in Sentosa eating good food and chilling on the beach. It's a proper pick-your-own adventure spot.

Singapore has some famously very strict rules revolving around jaywalking and littering, so err on the side of caution when you visit. It's always better to be overly cautious than under cautious when you're in this country.

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Day Three: Museums & Dining

Sample some tasty singaporean food and visit all of the museums.

Singapore is famous for having some of the best street food on the planet and phenomenal museums, like the National Museum of Singapore, where you can learn about the country's fascinating history. Immerse yourself in the local culture, sample some tasty dishes like Kaya toast, chili crab and chicken and rice, then get ready for some shopping.

For me, Chinatown was an epic place to pick up some great souvenirs, but if you're looking for something a bit more high-end, you can visit Clarke Quay and spend some time picking up goodies for going back home. I like to explore any city by foot, and Singapore is surprisingly safe and walkable, so download a Google Map and set off in the morning to make the most of your third full day.

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Overall, one of the best pieces of advice I heard before going to Singapore was to keep my schedule flexible so that I could spend more time in certain places if I wanted to. I spent far longer in Merlion Park than I thought I would, and having this extra cushion saved me the stress of worrying that I could pack it all in.