I’m back again with my Singapore area guides series (apologies if you’re getting bored of it, only one more to go!). Today we are heading to Chinatown, one of Singapore’s most vibrant and culturally rich neighborhoods; where old and new constantly meet. It’s where you can find ornate temples next to beautiful cafes, hawker food markets next to upmarket restaurants and lots of traditional shophouses side by side with some of Singapore’s most innovative buildings. Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or planning to linger (I highly recommend the latter – there’s lots to see and do), Chinatown offers an experience that’s both historic and constantly evolving.
How to get to Chinatown, Singapore
Getting to Chinatown is easy as it’s one of Singapore’s most central districts. This means it may well be walkable from your hotel. If it’s not then you can easily get the MRT train to the area, by arriving in to either Chinatown MRT Station (Downtown & North East Lines), Telok Ayer MRT (Downtown Line) or Maxwell MRT (Thomson–East Coast Line). All are within walking distance of the heart of the neighbourhood.
Transport Tip: If you want to travel by taxi, download the Grab App (the local Uber). If you want to ride the MRT, you can tap in and out with your bank card.
Time Needed: You can easily spend an entire day in Chinatown, or even longer if you want to go in to all the museums and attractions. As a minimum I think it needs half a day.
Things to Do in Chinatown, Singapore
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
One of Chinatown’s most iconic landmarks, this striking red-and-gold temple is inspired by Tang Dynasty architecture. Inside, you’ll find richly decorated halls, a museum, and a rooftop garden. It’s free to enter and worth visiting for both its cultural significance and visual impact. I always love taking photos here, but be warned it does get busy as it’s firmly on the tourist trail.
Thian Hock Keng Temple
One of the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore, built by early Hokkien immigrants. It’s beautifully preserved and offers a quieter, more contemplative atmosphere compared to the busier spots. Make sure you step through the entrance to explore the inner courtyards which are beautiful and lined with lots of pretty red lanterns.
Top Tip: If you happen to be visiting at a time you want a main meal, head to Le Shan Cafe in the temple. The beef rendang is one of the most delicious things ever!
Pinnacle @ Duxton
My top hidden gem in the area – I would never normally recommend visiting a housing estate but wow does this one have something special. A HUGE rooftop on level 50 giving the most amazing views out over Chinatown. It’s well worth a visit, and I spent 1 hour doing so. It’s such an off the beaten track thing to do, and I had the entire thing to myself.
Important: You need to go to the Management Office in block 1G level 1 (this may require you to take a lift to L1 as you can arrive to L2 and L3 depending on route). There, use the ticket machine to buy a ticket for $6 and pick up the print out of the QR code. Then take the lift to L50 and use the QR code to scan the turnstile and access the rooftop. Exit is via the same route (press the button to exit the turnstile).
Chinatown Heritage Centre
One of the best places to learn about Chinatown’s history is at its Heritage Centre. Learn about the arrival of Chinese migrants, and the conditions they lived and worked in – including tiny rooms for families of 10, and 40 people sharing one toilet! Also learn about Chinese festivals, foods, traditions and cultural practices. We found it fascinating and spent 1.5 hours exploring the museum.
Singapore City Gallery
I was absolutely blown away by the Singapore City Gallery, and I think it may actually be in my top 3 museums in Singapore, which is no mean feat. It’s completely free to enter, and you can learn all about how Singapore has developed itself from post war city in recovery to become a futuristic world leading “city in nature”. Learning how it’s prioritised green initiatives, understanding the decades of careful city planning, land reclamation, heritage preservation and architectural designs to incorporate nature is truly amazing. Plus there are lots of maps showing the city over time (my idea of heaven), and huge models of the city too. I spent 2 hours here.
Hawker Centres
Chinatown is the place to find the most incredible food at the local Hawker Centres. Be sure to try to local Hainanese Chicken Rice, or if you want to play it a bit safer, opt for a Curry Puff (like a spicy Cornish pasty and absolutely delicious). You can find all my recommendations in the “Eat & Drink” section below.
Sky Garden @ Capita Spring
One of Singapore’s best hidden gems, Sky Garden (in the Capita Spring building) is a stunning urban rooftop garden with glorious views out to Marina Bay Sands hotel. Entrance is free but tickets need to be purchased online in advance. The views are unbeatable so make sure you include it during your day here!
Other Attractions
- Ann Siang Hill and Park – Lovely for a stroll and to take in some views across Chinatown.
- Telok Ayer Park – Another nice little park, with some benches if you need to find somewhere to eat your lunch.
- Sri Mariamman Temple – Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, known for its intricate tower covered in colorful deities. It’s an important place of worship and a reminder of Chinatown’s multicultural roots.
- Tanjong Pagar – A beautiful area in the south of Chinatown full of preserved shopfronts, cozy cafes and great restaurants. Be sure to check out the Oasia Hotel, a really impressive tall hotel with plants all over the outside.
- Green Heart @ Marina One: This is a bit of a cheat as it’s 5 minutes walk outside of Chinatown, but is well worth the diversion if you have the time. It’s another beautiful urban garden built in to the centre of a tower block, with a waterfall carving through the middle. Wow. Entrance is free and no booking is required.
- Park Royal Collection Pickering Hotel: a garden built in to the side of a hotel is one not to miss as you walk past. Entry not permitted for non hotel residents.
Where to Eat & Drink in Chinatown, Singapore
Chinatown is the beating heart of Singapore’s famous Hawker Market scene. In fact, the Hawker Markets have their origins in Chinatown – where street vendors used to sell their wares, before the government created specific areas for them to congregate – i.e. the Hawker Centres. You can easily spend a full day in the area just eating.
- Chinatown Complex – Home to the famous Hawker Chan (once the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal), this is the largest hawker centre in Singapore. Expect everything from roast meats to handmade noodles at very local prices.
- Maxwell Food Centre – A must-visit for classics like Hainanese chicken rice, congee, and fresh juices. It’s slightly more curated and very popular with both locals and visitors.
- Lau Pa Sat – One of Singapore’s most visited Hawker Centres, and one that many tourists head to as a taster for the experience. If it’s your first time visiting and you’re a bit nervous, I recommend coming here.
- Amoy Street Food Centre – What makes Amoy stand out is its mix of heritage hawkers and modern, experimental stalls; you’ll find everything from traditional fish soup and curry puffs to creative “Singapore-style ramen.” Several stalls have even earned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, making it a must-visit for food lovers
- Guoco Tower – Just a short walk away, Guoco Tower is a striking contrast to the low-rise shophouses of Chinatown. Standing at around 290 metres, it’s currently the tallest building in Singapore and a defining feature of the Tanjong Pagar skyline in the south of Chinatown.
Top Tip: Order coffee (Kopi) like a local in Singapore. A “Kopi” will give you a coffee with condensed milk – ask for “Kopi C” to add sugar over evaporated milk, and “Kopi O” to get it black with sugar. There are lots of variations but they should cover a decent cup!
Where to stay in Chinatown Singapore
There are hotels to suit all budgets in Chinatown; plus the opportunity to stay in some of the unique heritage hotels in Singapore.
Boutique & Heritage Stays (for atmosphere)
- The Scarlet Singapore – One of the most distinctive stays in the area, known for its bold, dramatic interiors and romantic, heritage setting. Perfect if you want something atmospheric and memorable, at 4* quality.
- Hotel Mono – A minimalist, monochrome-designed hotel set across a row of conserved shophouses. It’s simple at 3* but central and great for short stays.
- Ann Siang House – Located near Ann Siang Hill, this is a more upscale boutique option with spacious rooms, and is another 4* option.
Modern Stays (for convenience)
- Capri by Fraser China Square – A modern serviced-style hotel with kitchenettes and longer-stay comfort, ideal for business travellers or extended visits.
- Oasia Hotel Downtown – A striking green-covered skyscraper offering a mid range option feel in the middle of the neighbourhood, which is great for family stays.
- Mondrian Duxton – a beautiful 5* hotel that’s recently opened with a lovely pool.
- The Clan Hotel – this was our pick as a 5* stay in the area, but we were a little disappointed. It has rave reviews though so it might still be worth a go!
You can read my review of The Clan Hotel HERE (coming soon).
And that’s a wrap on my ultimate guide to Chinatown, Singapore’s cultural and heritage heart, which is an absolute must visit if you’re coming to the city. I love it for its mix of things to see and do – from temples to interesting museums and all the delicious foods – it’s undoubtedly one of my favourite places in Singapore. So what do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
And if you’re interested in reading more of my Singapore posts, you can do so below. Stay safe and happy travelling!
- Singapore 2 Day Itinerary HERE
- Singapore Layover Guide HERE
- Free things to do in Singapore HERE (coming soon)
- Gardens by the Bay HERE
- Singapore Botanic Gardens HERE
- Mount Faber & The Southern Ridges Walk HERE
- Singapore’s Best Gardens HERE
- Singapore’s WW2 history HERE
- Jurong Lake Gardens HERE
- MacRitchie Treetop Walk HERE
- Rail Corridor Walking Guide HERE
- Bukit Timah Nature Reserve HERE
- Singapore Museums HERE (coming soon)
- Civic District Area Guide HERE
- Sentosa Island Area Guide HERE
- Marina Bay Area Guide HERE
- Bukit Timah Area Guide HERE (coming soon)
- Hotel Reviews: Raffles Singapore HERE, Conrad Marina Bay HERE, The Clan Hotel HERE (coming soon)
Leave a Reply