Chinatown in Singapore,
Old Charming Place
with Modern Uses

If you think Chinatown in Singapore as a place formed by Chinese people who were flocking to avoid discrimination when they migrated to a new country, you may find this Chinatown slightly different.

Chinatown in Singapore began as early as the 18th centuries when small groups of the Chinese immigrants landed in Singapore’s shores and settle down in the area around Singapore River.

The Chinatown area was designated to these people by the ruling authority at that time to avoid conflict with others as the group grew fast forming a bigger community over the time.

However, not only Chinese people occupying this town area, a smaller group of people from Indian and Middle East had also come here to trade their goods or work as laborers.

Some of them stayed permanently and built places of worship according to their religion such as Jamae Mosque and Sri Mariamman Temple which known as the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. The racial and religious harmony were built up uniquely here and spread to the other part of the city.

The Chinese people who came to Singapore from different provincial origin and dialect group brought with them their cultures, traditions, skills, and the type of business they normally did in their home town.

And so, their living and working spaces in Chinatown then was divided by this nature.

Shop houses were built along the endless narrow street for practical reason.

It’s to accommodate their business activities and need of place for their growing families member. Each street had its own identity to represent different trades available there.

These days, you won’t see distinct type of businesses along those streets.

Spa, fusion restaurants, budget hotels, tattoo house, street stalls selling souvenirs or snacks mixed with shop selling traditional Chinese tea, herbs, medical halls and Chinese condiments can be found almost in every streets occupying the old shop houses.

And, if we talk about Chinatown in Singapore today it will mean the area comprises of four main districts named as Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Pasoh. Click here to get your walking direction in Chinatown area.

However, the center of the happening can be found along the Eu Tong Sen Street, Trengganu and Smith Streets area.

Eu Tong Sen Street and basically all streets will have a new face during Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival. Lanterns, colorful decorations, and performances will adorn these streets.

Check out the past and upcoming event in Chinatown here.

Eu Tong Sen Street:

You’ll see apartments and shopping centers along Eu Tong Sen Road such as People’s Park Centre, Yue Hwa Singapore, OG Shopping Mall , Northbridge Centre, and Chinatown Point.

Yue Hwa Singapore claimed their shop as a “one-stop-shop” for authentic Chinese goods such as tea & foodstuffs, silks & cheongsams, handicrafts, Chinese herb & medicine, household items and antiques.

If you are on tour, you’ll be brought to this place. Well, you can go there now even if you are traveling alone.

Temple Street:

There are pub, spa, souvenir shops, and restaurant along this street. Do you want to get a tattoo in Singapore? You can go to “galaxy tattoo” shop there.

Smith Street:

Smith Street is like a larva turned to a butterfly at night. It’s lively with al-fresco roadside dining and casual restaurants. The laid back ambience makes it a good place to catch up with friends while enjoying the foods.

Sagoo Street:

Few meters from Smith Street you’ll be at Sagoo Street. Find the Chinatown Trishaw Park there located exactly at the back of Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Price at S$36.00 and S$20.00 for adults and child, you shall decide whether this price is reasonable for you.

I’ll be walking than riding on them though.

But, it’s ok to try them if you think you’ll get a memorable experience with it.

The trishaws are available from 10am – 10pm daily.
Telephone: +65 6339 6833/ 6338 9205

Trengganu Street:

Kreta Ayer Road:

Keong Saik Road:

You'll see fine-dining French restaurant here, "NICOLAS" serves foods such as pan-roasted foie gras (S$34.00/ serving) and roasted Tasmanian rack of lamb (S$42.00/ serving).

>Address: 35 Keong Saik Road
Telephone: +65 6224 2404
Opening hours: Noon to 2pm – Mondays to Fridays and 6.30 to 10pm – Mondays to Saturdays

Bukit Pasoh Road:

Trip to Chinatown in Singapore doesn't seem complete without taking a time off to relax at “MAGMA” German wine bistro!
Go to No.2-4 Bukit Pasoh Road to enjoy the pork knuckles (S$22), Bavarian sausages (S$10), and good wines.
Telephone: +65 6221 0634

Tanjong Pagar Road:

How to get to Chinatown in Singapore?:

The easiest way to go there is to take MRT from any point in Singapore. You shall alight at Chinatown (NE4) MRT Stations then slowly take a walk to explore the places there.

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