A trip to Singapore isn’t complete without a Chinatown Walking Tour, as there are so many things to do! From visiting temples to perusing the shops to sampling the delectable food.
As one of the best places to explore on foot, we created this fantastic Self-Guided Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour.
Our site utilizes Affiliate Links. If you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy.
Of course, visitors can just let their senses lead the way – as there is something to see and smell along every street.
However, if you want to know what to see in Chinatown – and not miss a thing – then use our outlined itinerary to the best Chinatown Singapore attractions!
About Our Singapore Chinatown Walking Tour
Chinatown Singapore attractions are located in a compact area. Our walk is a little over half a mile and can be completed in less than half an hour.
We suggest taking your time and allowing for at least 2 hours. In addition to the list of places to go in Chinatown, we provide tips on the best food and drinks, too!
Chinatown Walking Tour Singapore: What You Will Need
Before you set off on your self-guided tour, make sure you are prepared for your walk!
Comfortable Shoes
As with any sightseeing Singapore walking tour, the proper shoes are an essential item for exploring Chinatown.
I wear lightweight trainers from New Balance and Kris prefers Merrell Trail Shoes. Read reviews and see more choices in our article on the Best Shoes for Travel!
Water
Because of the stifling heat and humidity of Singapore, it is also necessary to have a bottle of water for your Chinatown walking trip.
We use these refillable, collapsible water bottles that are perfect for travelers. Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in Singapore.
Travel Camera
Rather than relying on your phone, we suggest using a real camera. We shoot with a Canon Rebel with a 18-135mm lens that is perfect for city sightseeing.
Weather Appropriate Items
If it is sunny (as it often is), slather on the sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed travel hat for your walk.
If the forecast calls for rain, carry a packable raincoat in your day pack. For both sunny and rainy weather, a travel umbrella is recommended for protection from either.
WiFi and Chinatown Map
At the end of the article we have included a map to help you find your way to each attraction. However, you will need a WiFi Connection.
We use a GlocalMe Hotspot, which we believe is one of the easiest ways for travelers to stay connected abroad.
Guided Singapore Chinatown Tours
Those who would rather join Guided Chinatown Tours have many choices. Check out this highly-rated 4-Hour Combo Tour!
Pro Tip: Be sure to get (and stay) organized for your vacation to Singapore by using our Trip Planning Printables!
Singapore Chinatown Self-Guided Walking Tour
Our Self-Guided Walking Tour begins near the Chinatown MRT Station and makes nine stops in the district.
Chinatown Singapore tourist attractions are listed in order, however, don’t hesitate to detour if a sight, scent or sound catches your attention!
#1 Thye Shan Medical Hall
Established in 1955, Thye Shan Medical Hall practices Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
At this location, they have a range of medicines and health products, as well as qualified Chinese physicians who can recommend herbs, teas and tonics for ailments.
Some of the most popular products are pre-packaged multi-herb soups (like the 12 Herb Brain Tonic Soup), cleansing herbal teas and crocodile oil for dry skin.
#2 Chinatown Heritage Center
If you are wondering where to go to learn more about the district, head inside the Chinatown Heritage Center.
Located in restored shophouses, it offers insight into the history of Chinatown and the people who lived here over the centuries.
#3 Sri Mariamman Temple and Masjid Jamae Mosque
Walk down Pagoda Street and make your way to the Sri Mariamman Temple. As the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, it is one of the top places to visit in Chinatown.
Unlike the traditional Chinese temples that are ornately decorated in red and gold, the Sri Mariamman incorporates all colors of the rainbow and rooftops are covered in sculptures of deities, including several animals.
Across the street from Sri Mariamman Temple is another unique place of worship, the Masjid Jamae (Chulia) Mosque. The ‘Big Mosque’ was founded in 1826 and adds a unique architectural element to the district.
#4 Herbal Medicine Shops and Chinatown Shopping
Walk south on South Bridge Road toward the Chinatown Street Market for some of the best Singapore shopping.
Along the route, there are a fascinating number of herbal medicine shops selling remedies to cure just about any ailment.
From loose herbs to pre-packaged combinations of whole, dried herbs ready for boiling into tea, the options were almost endless.
The dried squid and lizards caught my attention, but I was weary of what – if anything – they might cure!
Vendors under the canopies sell an array of goods. Visitors will find everything from inexpensive souvenirs to local food to bargain apparel.
#5 Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Next is the grandest of all the Chinatown temples: The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
It was completed in 2007 after receiving the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic as a gift and the multi-level complex has all the bells and whistles this coveted item deserves.
Seven floors of glimmering gold, intense chanting and more than 10,000 Buddha statues had us wandering the halls in awe.
In search of the elusive Buddha tooth we unsuccessfully canvassed every floor, including the rooftop orchid garden and spinning prayer wheel!
#6 Sago Street and Sago Lane
Named for the Sago factories (flour from Rumbia Palm for cakes) that lined the streets in the mid-1800s, Sago Lane was formerly known as ‘Street of the Dead,’ as it was home to funeral parlors and hospice houses.
In the early 1900s, Sago Street was a well-known street for prostitution, with 14 brothels. Today, these have been transformed into tourist attractions.
Walk down the shop lined streets and take note of the goods for sale. At 36 Sago Street, find the Laughing Buddha and rub his belly so that you will never go hungry again!
#7 Al-Abrar Mosque
Designated a National Monument of Singapore in 1974, Al-Abrar Mosque (Masjid Al-Abrar) was established in 1827 and ranks as one of the first mosques in Singapore.
Hidden in plain sight between shops, the original structure was a wooden thatched hut used by Tamil immigrants.
Although the mosque that stands today is rather modest, it attests to the long-standing diversity of Singapore.
#8 Thian Hock Keng Temple
Ranking as our favorite Chinatown temple, Thian Hock Ken is dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese sea goddess. Thick with incense it is a peaceful escape from the chaotic street scene.
The colorful temple is one of the oldest in Singapore, completed in 1842 and made of stone, tile, wood and not a single nail. Detailed carvings, many of dragons, decorate the traditional rooftops.
#9 Telok Ayer Street and Telok Ayer Park
Telok Ayer Street represents the very beginnings of Singapore Chinatown. As Chinese immigrants arrived in Singapore in the 1820s, this is where they lived.
Many temples and houses of worship were built along the street, which, before land reclamation in the late 1800s, was fronted by the bay.
Some additional historic buildings found here include Fuk Tak Chi Temple, now a museum (1824), Ying Fo Fui Kun Temple (1823), Nagor Durgha Shrine (1828-1830), Al-Abrar Mosque (1827) and Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (1924).
The small Telok Ayer Park features statues of the areas first immigrant residents. Use this link for a Telok Ayer Map of Sights.
This wraps up our Chinatown Singapore free tour! Below you will find our map of Singapore Chinatown attractions and advice on food and beverage.
Where To Eat in Chinatown Singapore
One of the best things to do in Singapore Chinatown is eat. You can even turn your Chinatown Tour into a grazing feast!
In Singapore, food center hawker stalls are the place to eat. There are three popular food centers nearby: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Maxwell Food Centre and Chinatown Food Street.
With tightly packed stalls offering amazing food, it’s difficult to choose which to go to…and possibly even more difficult to know what to order.
Don’t worry! We have a few tips to help guide you to the best Chinatown hawker stalls.
Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Boasting more than 260 food stalls, the Chinatown Complex Food Center is the largest hawker center in the city.
The maze of food stalls are located on the second level (so don’t be fooled by the ground floor sundry goods). With so many options, it’s difficult to point to just one recommendation.
However, the most popular is Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (#126) – which was awarded a Michelin Star. Another top choice is Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao dumplings (#135).
Maxwell Food Centre
Popular with both tourists and locals, there are more than 100 hawker stalls at Maxwell Food Centre.
Many people come to line up for a plate of Tian Tian Chicken Rice (which has been featured by the late Anthony Bourdain, Gordon Ramsay and a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand).
So expect a really long line to get a plate of the Hainanese Chicken Rice that many claim is the best food Chinatown!
Chinatown Food Street
Modernized with a high glass ceiling and improved ventilation, the pedestrian-only Chinatown Food Street is an ideal place to get a taste of Singapore.
While there are not as many options on this street as at the food centers, the occupants represent some of the absolute best hawker stalls in Singapore…all in one place.
Chinatown Singapore Street Food Tour
Food choices overload? We get it! Let a guide lead the way on a Hawker Center Food Tour that includes both history and a taste of this iconic Singapore district.
Where To Drink in Chinatown Singapore
Chinatown has an abundance of pubs and clubs for imbibing. The two most popular streets for bars are Club Street (so aptly named) and Ann Siang.
For craft beer drinkers (like ourselves), we recommend Smith Street Taps. It is located inside the Chinatown Complex Food Centre on the 2nd Floor, stall #62.
It’s a unique and fun place to sample craft beer. They offer 12 beers on tap (sometimes more) – and you can grab bites to eat from nearby food vendors.
For cocktail bars and clubs, check out this list. It features the best places to drink and eat on Ann Siang Hill and Club Street.
Chinatown Singapore Events
Chinatown tourist attractions are even better during the district’s many festivals! One of our visits to Singapore just happened to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival.
During the event, all of Chinatown is decorated with hanging lanterns of every size, shape and color, making the area even brighter and the energized crowds even more spirited!
Things To See Near Singapore Chinatown
After completing our self-guided walking tour of Chinatown, consider moving on to these nearby Singapore attractions.
Historic Downtown Core
Looking for another free tour Singapore? We’ve got you covered with a fun history walk. Use our Self-Guided Downtown Singapore Walking Tour to lead the way!
Marina Bay
The iconic attractions on Marina Bay can’t be missed when visiting Singapore! Check out all the top spots by using our Self-Guided Walking Tour of Marina Bay.
The Pinnacle Duxton Sky Garden
This is the tallest public housing project in Singapore, standing at nearly 512ft. The 50th-floor Sky Garden offer super views and is open to the public for a fee.
Clarke Quay
Riverside refreshments can be found in the direction of Clarke Quay. The area is very popular with tourist and features themed restaurants (like Hooters) as well as the Brewerkz brewery.
Boat Quay
Boat Quay is just as popular as Clarke Quay, but with a distinctly different vibe. The line of waterfront eateries, each with overly-enthusiastic staff attempting to lure you in, can be fun place to eat and drink in Singapore.
Feel free to haggle with the hostess for special prices on food and/or drinks, along with the coveted waterside table, of course!
More Singapore Tourist Attractions
Find more Singapore walks and top attractions in our 3-Day Itinerary. The trip plan is absolutely packed with the best things to do…even on a budget.
Hopping over to Malaysia as well? Check out this KL Itinerary and our Guide to Johor Bahru!
Chinatown Singapore Map
Our map of Chinatown Singapore includes markers for all of the featured attractions – including food, drink and nearby sights.
Singapore Chinatown Google Map Route
Want step-by-step directions to our recommended SG Chinatown must-see attractions? Use this Google Map for an interactive version with navigation.
Start planning your trip to Singapore! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board.
