Chinatown Singapore : Best Things To Do In A Day

The enclave of Chinatown Singapore, is a cultural delight just begging to be explored.
It is easy to become enlightened at the enticing sights, sounds and smells along the narrow bustling streets.

This neighbourhood is rich in history and even though modernised today, it is possible to see Chinatown through different eyes as you explore and unravel the memories of its past.

Discover Intriguing Chinatown, Singapore In A Day

Meander the alleys and streets on foot, and take in the sights of Chinatown with this ultimate one day guide covering all the best sights. Enjoy exploring!

MORNING :

Take the East/West Line (Green) and alight at Outram Park MRT and take Exit H. Walk north-east on New Bridge Road and turn right onto Teo Hong Road. Cut through Duxton Plain Park onto Keong Saik Road.

1. BREAD AND HEARTH

Begin your day early, with a hearty breakfast in this artisan café and bakery. Baking is their forte and the love for this is portrayed in the wide range of yummy croissants, breads, pies and tarts that are produced daily.

Using age-old techniques and traditional European methods, all ingredients are natural and sourced from global farms.

Location / 18 Keong Saik Road
Open / Daily 8am-6.30pm Daily
Website / breadandhearth

Leave the pleasing aromas of fresh bread and gourmet coffee behind, and walk south on Keong Saik Rd. Turn right and your next stop is on the left hand side.

2. PINNACLE @ DUXTON

Great Views From This Quirky Residential Building

This, believe it or not, is a residential building! The housing project, permits public access to one of it’s two skybridges. Climb to the 50th storey skybridge via a lift, and you will be able to enjoy amazing views. Walk around to make the most of views from all directions.

So as not to intrude on residents privacy, the number of visiting members of the public, is capped at 200 per day. This is not a problem though, as chances are, you will have the space to yourself.

For entry, show an EZ-Link card (used for public transport around the city)

Location / 1G Cantonment Rd, Level 1 MA Office.
Open / Daily 9am-9pm
Cost / $6 per person/per entry
Website / The Pinnacle@Duxton for details of entry & exit

Retrace your steps to Neil Road and continue before turning right onto Maxwell Road. Just before you turn off, keep a look out for the architectural delight of Jinrikisha Station. This building has a long history of serving as the main depot for rickshaws.

3. SINGAPORE CITY GALLERY

chinatown-singapore-planning — Discover How Building Like This Were Created

Do you fancy discovering Singapore’s secret? Great planning! You can find out how planners have transformed this incredible Island into the metropolis that it is today. Plus, discover how future plans will endeavour to shape the city and maintain sustainability. Don’t miss the Central Area Model, a miniature 3D version of central Singapore!

Location / 45 Maxwell Rd, The URA Centre
Open / Monday–Saturday 9am to 5pm (closed on Sundays)
Cost / FREE
Website / Singapore City Gallery

Walk north-west on Maxwell Rd turning right onto South Bridge Road. You will pass Maxwell Food Centre on your right hand side. The hawker centre is a great place to taste authentic, inexpensive Chinese, Indian and Malay inspired dishes.

4. TONG HENG PASTRIES

For a truly authentic experience make a stop at Tong Heng, a long standing pastry shop, where its employees still roll and mould the famous pastries by hand.

Open since the 1920’s, the shop is now run by a fourth generation family member since being founded by Fong Chee Heng.
Pastries such as egg tart and mooncakes are still made by hand as the taste was altered when made by machine and authenticity is paramount over costs.

Location / 285 South Bridge Street
Open / 9am-6pm daily

Turn right onto Ann Siang Hill and continue along Club Street, named after the numerous Chinese clubs that lined it over the years. Be sure to stop and look at the old restored shophouses along both Ann Siang Road, and Ann Siang Hill.

5. ANN SIANG HILL PARK

Follow the Pioneers Trail through this quiet park, as you escape the hustle and bustle around you. You will spot several tree types including, breadfruit, nutmeg and cinnamon.

There is a delightful cafe here, called PS. Cafe where you can stop for lunch. If you prefer somewhere else, you will be spoilt for choice with the options along Club Street.

Location / Ann Siang Road
PS.Cafe

Exit the park along Amoy Street with its colourful shophouses and walk through Telok Ayer Green to reach Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple.

6. THIAN HOCK KENG TEMPLE

Built circa 1840, this is a colourful and elaborately painted Taoist-Buddhist Temple. It’s original home down at the waterfront, was a welcome sight for sailors. They came to the temple to offer up thanks to Mazu, Goddess of the Sea, for safe passage across the waters and for their protection.

Everything about this temple – it’s architecture, doors, panels and shrines shout colour and elaborate decoration. You can’t fail to admire the fact that it was constructed and assembled without nails! This masterpiece is all wood, stone, tiles and columns.

Location / 158 Telok Ayer Street
Open / Mon to Fri 7.30am-3.30pm | Sat to Sun 7.30am-5.30pm
Check Out The Website

Walk north-east on Telok Ayer St towards Boon Tat Street. Turn left onto Cross Street and then at Kenko Wellness (South Bridge), continue onto Upper Cross Street. Your next stop is a 3-storey conservation shophouse.

7. CHOP WAH ON

Established in 1916 by the founder and late Mr Tong Chee Leong, this shop has served generations of customers with its proprietary medicated oils and balms.

Based on secret formulas, all products are manufactured in its own factory including its signature preparation of 100% crocodile oil, known to heal wounds and damaged skin.

Take a look at the extensive range, which includes skin oils/creams, natural remedies and aromatic oils to treat a scope of ailments ranging from aches to motion sickness.

Location / 34 Upper Cross Street
Open / 9.30am-6.30pm daily
Check Out The Website

Continue north-west on Upper Cross Street, turning left onto New Bridge Road. Take a left down Pagoda Street and on your left hand side is Chinatown Heritage Centre. (Presently closed) Leave the Heritage Centre and walk left onto South Bridge Road.

8. JAMAE MOSQUE

The mosque was built in 1826 and hence one of the earliest mosques in Chinatown. With its striking green exterior, distinctive front gate and minarets, the mosque has an eclectic architectural style which has never been rebuilt. Hence this is a good opportunity to see early Singapore architecture in its original form.

If you would like to enter the prayer hall, be respectful and adhere to the required attire. There is no cost for admission.

Location / 218 South Bridge Road
Open / Daily
Check Out The Website

Retrace your steps along South Bridge Road, to your next stop at number 244.

9. SRI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

Dating back to 1827, this is Singapore’s oldest and largest Hindu Temple and extremely decorative or gaudy depending on your taste.

Built by immigrants from South India, this ornate landmark is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman who is known for her power to cure disease and illnesses. See if you can spot the sculptures of deities, mythological beasts and other beings which cover its six tiers.

Location / 244 South Bridge Road
Open / 7am-11.30am / 6pm-8.30pm
Cost / Admission is free, although donations are always welcome
Check Out The Website

Continue along South Bridge Road, before stopping for some window shopping!

10. ON CHEONG JEWELLERY

An award winning jewellery retailer, who firmly believes in unique designs, quality and craftsmanship. It doesn’t cost anything to look and admire the finer things in life!

Location / 251 South Bridge Road
Open / 11am-5.30pm (Monday to Saturday)

Take a right hand turn and proceed up Smith Street for your next stop.

11. CHINATOWN COMPLEX FOOD CENTRE

If you are starting to feel hungry or just fancy a snack then make a pit stop here. As Singapore’s largest hawker centre, you will have your pick of any dish you like among the 250 plus stalls. Enjoy street food such as Hainanese Chicken Rice, Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Xiao Long Bao among others.

Location / 335 Smith Street
Open / 8am-12am Daily

Walk south-east on Smith Street, turning right on Trengganu Street. Take a left onto Sago Street, followed by a right onto Banda Street.

12. CHINATOWN VISITOR CENTRE

chinatown buddha tooth relic temple — Chinatown Visitor Centre On The Left

Take a look inside the centre for information about Chinatown’s shops, history, culture and more.

Location / 2 Banda Street
Open / 10am-7pm daily
Check Out The Website

Walk north-east on Banda then turn right into Sago Street. Your next stop will be on the left hand side.

13. ENJOY TEA

Calling all tea drinkers and those interested in learning something new. Whilst you can stock up on teas and accessories here, the real treat is being educated in the types and tastes of different tea by the owner.

The passion he shows will entertain and guide you, adding a whole new dimension to tea drinking.

Location / 18 Sago Street
Open / 11am-8pm daily

Continue your walk along Sago Lane.

14. STREET OF THE DEAD

Sago Lane used to be lined on both sides with death houses and funeral parlours in the late 19th century. Poor Chinese immigrants came here to die, due to overcrowded quarters and superstition.

With minimal medical care the dying where basically provided a room or dormitory to rest in until their death and then given a proper burial by the attached funeral parlour.

The dead were laid out in their coffin surrounded by paper effigies of worldly goods and personal items which when burnt, symbolised assurance that comfort and wealth awaited them in the spirit world.

Although there are no death houses to see today, walking along this route will help to complete the picture of early Chinese immigrants that lived in Chinatown.

Continue to the bottom of Sago Lane until you reach South Bridge Road.

15. BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE & MUSEUM

The Buddhist Temple & Museum is a grand imposing building right in the heart of Chinatown, and a great place to immerse yourself in Buddhist history and art.

Take a free tour and witness the ornate and colourful interior as well as learning about the historic Buddha tooth relic, said to be housed here.

** Wear appropriate attire during your visit to show respect. No bare backs, bare shoulders, shorts or mini-skirts. **

Location / 288 South Bridge Street
Temple Open / 9am-5pm Monday to Sunday
Museum Open / 9am-5pm Monday to Sunday
Check Out Website

It is time to kick back, chill out and start the evening off with a drink!
Walk south-west on South Bridge, keep slightly to the right to stay on South Bridge Road before continuing onto Neil Rd. Turn right onto Teck Lim Road and your destination will be on the left.

16. POTATO HEAD

As you navigate Singapore’s Chinatown you will discover a plethora of eateries at your disposal and Potato Head will tick a lot of boxes for those looking for somewhere slightly different in style.

The interior is relaxed yet quirky and unique and offers gourmet burgers hawker style on the ground floor or served to your table in the first floor restaurant (Three Buns).

You are headed for the rooftop garden, but make sure you are there at 5 pm as no online bookings are taken for the 30-capacity tropical open-air bar.

Find a seat and sip on your favourite cocktail as you relax overlooking the sights and sounds of bustling Chinatown.

This is a great way to kick the evening off after a busy day discovering this amazing neighbourhood.

Location / 36 Keong Saik Road
Open / Mon to Thurs 5pm-12am | Fri to Sun 4pm-12am
Check Out The Website

After cocktails (and dinner if eating here), walk north on Keong Saik Rd towards Teck Lim Rd. Turn right onto New Bridge Rd and then right onto Smith Street.

17. CHINATOWN FOOD STREET

With its high-ceiling glass canopy shelter and internal cooling system you can sit and indulge in hawker food regardless of the weather and all within the Chinatown Street Market.

Authentic and tantalising dishes are served up for locals and tourists alike from Satay to Kway Teow and this is your lunch time stop, so enjoy the spread of local delights on offer.

Location / 335 Smith Street
Open / 11am-11pm daily
Check Out The Website

You are now free to wander around the many stalls encompassing the street market.

18. CHINATOWN STREET MARKET

Going strong since 2004, this market which spreads across several streets, seeks to provide visitors with an authentic street hawker experience of yesteryear.

Various stalls sell a wide mixture of affordable merchandise and especially comes to life in the evening.
The market which has been refurbished, has stalls selling goods that highlight the true character and uniqueness of Chinatown.

Wander along the streets and maybe pick up a souvenir or two, but soak up the atmosphere as Chinatown really comes to life. Haggle for bargains and engage with vendors who are always up for a fun time.

Location / Spreads across Pagoda, Trengganu, Sago and Smith Street.

As the day draws to a close, you will now have discovered the many and varied sights that Chinatown has to offer.

CHINATOWN SINGAPORE WRAP UP

We hope you found this day walking tour of Chinatown helpful. There are many vibrant neighbourhoods to discover in Singapore, each one with its own personality. However there is something enchanting about Chinatown’s historic temples, trendy shops and hip bars.

We hope this article has inspired you to visit Singapore and its cultural districts and neighbourhoods. If you have any questions about Chinatown or have your own tips to share please leave these in the comments below.

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