Singapore Chinatown | Singapore Purple Travel Guide
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Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel GuideSingapore Chinatown is one of the most vibrant and historically significant neighborhoods in the city-state. It represents the ancestral heart of the early Chinese immigrant community of the country. This district is a stunning blend of traditional culture, restored 19th-century shophouses, and bustling street markets. It serves as a living museum where ancient traditions and modern lifestyle coexist within a dense urban landscape.
Our proposal is to walk there via S Bridge Road.
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.
free GuruWalk tours
paid Viator tours
Why You Should Visit
A walk through Chinatown offers an immersive cultural experience that allows you to witness the blending of Chinese heritage with the unique Singaporean context. The area is highly concentrated with attractions, making it perfect for self-guided exploration. Within a few blocks, you can discover traditional medicinal halls, tea houses, and intricate architecture. It is also a premier destination for food lovers, home to everything from Michelin-starred street food stalls to hidden rooftop bars.
What is Special About It?
- The Street of Harmony: Chinatown is unique because it is home to major places of worship for three different faiths, all located within a short walk of each other on South Bridge Road. You will find the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the brightly colored Sri Mariamman Temple (the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore), and the Masjid Jamae (one of the oldest mosques). This religious confluence perfectly embodies the multiracial harmony of Singapore.
- The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: This massive Tang-style building houses what is believed to be the left canine tooth of Gautama Buddha. The Sacred Light Hall on the fourth floor features a giant stupa made of 926 pounds (420 kilograms) of solid gold.
- Niu Che Shui: The local name for Chinatown is Niu Che Shui in Mandarin (Ox Cart Water), which refers to the era when the neighborhood lacked a running water supply. Potable water had to be transported in by ox-driven carts, a history that is still commemorated in the name of several streets and plazas.
History and Cultural Facts
- The Raffles Plan: The area was officially designated for the Chinese community under the 1822 town plan created by Sir Stamford Raffles. It was divided into ‘kampongs’ (villages) based on different dialect groups, such as the Hokkien, Teochew, and Cantonese communities.
- Shophouse Architecture: The conserved shophouses feature distinct Southern Chinese architectural styles. You should notice the ‘Five-Foot Ways’, which are covered walkways measuring exactly 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide. These were designed to protect pedestrians from the tropical sun and sudden rain showers.
- Heritage Murals: As you explore the back alleys, look for the large-scale murals painted by local artist Yip Yew Chong. These life-sized paintings depict scenes from daily life in the mid-20th century, such as traditional barbers, letter writers, and street vendors.
Self-Guided Information
Category |
Details |
|---|---|
Opening Hours |
Street markets typically open from 10:00 AM and run until 10:00 PM. Temples generally open at 7:00 AM and close by 7:00 PM. |
Admission Fee |
Entry to the district and most temples is Free. Donations are welcomed at religious sites. |
Best Time to Go |
Visit at 10:30 AM to see the markets open and explore the temples before the midday heat. Alternatively, visit at 7:00 PM to see the red lanterns illuminated. |
Getting There |
MRT: Chinatown Station (NE4/DT19). Take Exit A to emerge directly into the heart of the Pagoda Street market. |
Dress Code |
If you plan to enter the temples, you must ensure your shoulders and knees are covered. Most temples provide free scarves or wraps at the entrance. |
Traveler Tip
You should visit the Chinatown Complex Food Centre, which is the largest hawker center in Singapore with over 200 stalls. It is home to the world’s most affordable Michelin-starred meal: Hawker Chan’s Soya Sauce Chicken Rice. You should also visit the Singapore City Gallery located nearby on Maxwell Road, which features a massive 1:1000 scale model of the entire central area of Singapore.
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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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