Surrounding Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Pasoh, the four sub-districts of Chinatown each have their own unique charms. While the size of Chinatown may seem daunting to the first visitor, this comprehensive guide will ensure you don't miss any of its flagship attractions.
1. Chinatown Heritage Centre (1 h 40 min)
A gateway to Singapore of yesteryear, the Chinatown Heritage Center is the ideal starting point for your journey of discovery. Discover the life of the people of Chinatown thanks to the establishment's six interactive exhibition galleries, which include olfactory exhibitions of opium and spices, immersive street landscapes and tributes to its notable current residents.
If you're looking for a guided tour, you can explore Chinatown's rich culinary culture with the upcoming Hawker Food Tour of Wok N ’Stroll and Chinatown" Off the beaten track ". Led by gastronomy enthusiast and explorer Karni Tomer, these excursions will satisfy both your appetite and your curiosity for new acquaintances.
2. Sri Mariamman Temple (15 min)
Built almost two centuries ago, Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, remains a flourishing place of worship to this day. Admire the majestic six-story gopuram (grand tower), then head inland to explore further.
The statue of the patron goddess of the temple is only revealed on special occasions, but you can admire the murals and shrines of the site, dedicated to the Hindu deities Durga, Ganesh and Shiva.
3. Masjid Jamae (15 min)
Discover the religious diversity of Chinatown as you descend South Bridge Road and observe the distinctive octagonal minarets of Masjid Jamae.
Also known to locals as the Chulia Palli (Chulia Mosque), this centuries-old religious establishment was created by Tamil Muslims from the Coromandel Coast between 1830 and 1835. Its architecture dates back to the 19th century and combines elements neoclassical and Tradition from southern India.
4. Mohamed Ali Lane murals (10 min)
Take a detour through Mohammed Ali Lane and discover works of art independent of the galleries. Painted by Yip Yew Chong, one of Singapore's many daring street artists, these Instagrammable murals depict nostalgic scenes from our city's past.
Puppeteers, creators of lion dance costumes and other nostalgic characters are immortalized in this quiet street and give a glimpse of the past of the City of the Lion.
5. Tong Heng (25 min)
For a taste of tradition, take a sweet piece or two for the road past Tong Heng. This centenary Cantonese confectionery is famous for its egg pies, but you should also taste their pastries with red bean paste and Lao fist (pastry made from winter melon, almond paste and sesame).
6. Temple and museum of the relic of the tooth of Buddha (40 min)
The distinctive Tang Dynasty-inspired architecture of the Buddha tooth Relic Temple and Museum will be easy to spot when walking down South Bridge Road. Both a museum and a place of worship, visitors are free to explore the temple's relics and cultural artefacts.
We recommend that you take a short break in the temple's tranquil roof garden with its distinctive pagoda and prayer wheel.
7. Sago Street (10 min)
Named for the sago flour factories that dotted the region in the 1840s, Sago Street is now home to traditional Chinese apothecaries, unpretentious restaurants and souvenir stalls. For tasty pastries and delicious moon cakes, be sure to switch to Tai Chong Kok - This old-fashioned bakery has been operating since 1935.
8. Purchase of souvenirs (> 15 min)
You will find many memorable trinkets and souvenirs as you browse the merchandise of stroller vendors along Sago Street and its immediate surroundings.
We personally recommend that you visit 8 On Cheong Jewelery along Smith Street for a contemporary view of jade jewellery, the Thye Shan Medical Hall on New Bridge Road for traditional Chinese medicine and Lim Chee Guan for bak kwa (slices of meat barbecue) with a sweet and salty taste.
9. Chinatown Visitor Center (10 min)
If you still feel confused by the hustle and bustle of the area, you can get all the information you need at Chinatown Visitor Center. Located just behind the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, this property offers a range of walking tours, souvenirs, and tickets to island attractions.
10. Chinatown Food Street (45 min)
Are you hungry for all this walking? You can delight your taste buds with our city's mix of cuisines at Chinatown Food Street. This expanse of outdoor restaurants offers some of Singapore's most iconic dishes, ranging from satay (grilled meat skewers) to char kway teow (sautéed rice noodles in black soy sauce).
11. Chinatown complex (45 min)
Early careers enjoying craft beers at Smith Street Taps at the Chinatown Complex Food Center
Otherwise, make a pit stop for lunch in the largest hawking centre on the island. Although you can't find food vendors touting their dishes along Singapore's busy street these days, their legacy lives on at Chinatown Complex.
Savor sa kae ma (honey crackers) at Pan Ji Cooked Food and spill a pint of craft beer at Smith Street Taps. For lunch, let yourself be tempted by the rice in the clay pot of Lian He Ben Ji Claypot, recipient of the 2018 Michelin Bib Gourmand.
12. Nam's supplies (10 min)
Make 12 Nam’s Supplies your next destination and learn about the religious customs of the Chinese community in Singapore. Traditionally, members of this ethnic group believe that material objects can be burned as sacrificial offerings for loved ones who have disappeared. You will see evidence of this belief in the curious wares and paper effigies stored at this establishment.
13. Thian Hock Keng Temple (20 min)
One of Singapore's oldest and most revered Hokkien temples, the protective deity of the Thian Hock Keng temple, Mazu, is said to have watched over 19th-century Chinese immigrants who crossed the seas.
Before the land was recovered, it was on the shore of the Telok Ayer basin. Venture inside and admire the ingenuity of traditional Chinese carpentry; the space was built without a single nail being used during its construction.
14. My Awesome Café (30 min)
Talk about putting "hospital" in hospitality - formerly the home of a decades-old medical facility known as the Chung Hwa Free Clinic, this space has been revitalized by 14 My Awesome Cafe. This trendy restaurant serves all-day breakfast dishes, hearty sandwiches and healthy salads in a chic industrial setting.
Be sure to grab some goods on the way out and take an Instagram photo to commemorate your stay in Chinatown.
Then spend the night relaxing at one of the water points in Keong Saik or Ann Siang, or slip into a starry nose in the region.
