Chinatown Travel Guide

Singapore
Chinatown showing a temple or place of worship, interior views and religious elements
See the sights, smells and shops that make up one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world.

The majority of Singapore's population is ethnically Chinese, and the area known as Chinatown has been their cultural centre for hundreds of years. As trading houses expanded along the south bank of the river in the 19th century, coolies and Chinese merchants settled in an area that was soon officially designated as Chinatown by Singapore's British founder, Sir Stamford Raffles. Characterised by temples, markets and shop-houses, the area around Pagoda Street is a great place for a stroll and a bite to eat. As well as Chinese medicine shops and market stalls, there are also some interesting attractions such as the Chinatown Heritage Centre and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.

Inside the Heritage Centre, a museum housed in three restored shop-houses, you can learn about how life was for the early immigrants, There are vivid accounts about their living conditions and a series of exhibits following individuals who lived here hundreds of years ago.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple was completed in 2007 and is based on the Tang dynasty architectural style. It was built to showcase a tooth relic which was found in Burma. Visitors are welcome to enter the temple and take a look around the lavish gold and red interior.

A Chinatown highlight is the food: there's plenty of traditional Chinese cuisine on Smith Street, affectionately known by locals as Food Street. Sample the local favourite Bak kut teh, or pork rib soup. The cuisines from many different Chinese provinces are on offer here too, so it's easy to find something a little different.

As well as the many Chinese attractions, the area also has the oldest Hindu temple in the city, the Sri Mariamman Temple. Its location in Chinatown illustrates the fascinating ethnic blend in Singapore.

Chinatown is well served by public transportation and the Chinatown MRT station is just a minute's walk away.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Chinatown

Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
4 out of 5
8 Club Street, Singapore
The price is ₹10,302 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
₹10,302
₹12,352 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Nov - 17 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (311 reviews)
Modern hotel in an excellent location
"Brand new, modern clean and busy hotel in a really good location which was important for our stay. 5 min walk to the MRT. Room very small which was fine but as it was the start of a longer trip, we were constantly having to move around our luggage and laying luggage on the bed as very little room ..."

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2024

Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
Carlton City Hotel Singapore
Carlton City Hotel Singapore
5 out of 5
1 Gopeng Street, Singapore
The price is ₹13,507 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
₹13,507
₹16,745 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Nov - 24 Nov
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"Third stay at this hotel - still as good as remembered albeit this particular room had minor issues with aircon (hotter compared to my sister’s and parents room next door) with a damp smell."

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2024

Carlton City Hotel Singapore
Oasia Hotel Downtown Singapore by Far East Hospitality
Oasia Hotel Downtown Singapore by Far East Hospitality
4.5 out of 5
100 Peck Seah Street, Singapore
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹13,016 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
₹13,016
₹16,028 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Great property. Pool was not what we expected as its more of an indoor pool area but otherwise really happy. Staff were amazing and super helpful."

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2024

Oasia Hotel Downtown Singapore by Far East Hospitality
Mondrian Singapore Duxton
Mondrian Singapore Duxton
4 out of 5
16A DUXTON HILL, Singapore
The price is ₹16,687 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
₹16,687
₹20,007 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy 4 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (213 reviews)
"Excellent location. Friendly, helpful staff."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2024

Mondrian Singapore Duxton
Hotel Mono
Hotel Mono
3 out of 5
18 Mosque Street #01-04, Singapore
The price is ₹7,058 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
₹7,058
₹8,635 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Nov - 6 Nov
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (748 reviews)
"Friendly staff, clean room , has basic needs"

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2024

Hotel Mono
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, an IHG Hotel
5 out of 5
75 Airport Boulevard, Singapore
The price is ₹20,604 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
₹20,604
₹24,704 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,467 reviews)
"Good location, comfortable,quiet and clean"

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Chinatown

Chinatown showing interior views, religious elements and a temple or place of worship

Outram

Travellers love Outram for its popular shops, and you can see more of Singapore by jumping on the metro at Chinatown Station or Telok Ayer Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and Sri Mariamman Temple.

Outram
Clarke Quay Mall showing shopping, interior views and modern architecture

Downtown Singapore

4.5/5(242 area reviews)

Downtown Singapore is highly notable for its stunning river views, and you might want to visit top sights like Orchard Road and Clarke Quay Central. See more of Singapore by jumping on the metro at Clarke Quay Station or Chinatown Station.

Downtown Singapore
Boat Quay which includes a house, street scenes and night scenes

Financial District Singapore

4.5/5(81 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and stunning river views are just a few top-rate features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by UOB Plaza or Boat Quay while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Raffles Place Station to get around town.

Financial District Singapore
Clarke Quay Mall which includes a city, a bridge and a river or creek

Clarke Quay

Known for its ample dining options and beautiful river views, there's plenty to explore in Clarke Quay. You can visit top attractions like Clarke Quay Central and Clarke Quay Mall, and jump on the metro at Clarke Quay Station or Fort Canning MRT station to see more of the city.

Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay Mall which includes a city, a bridge and a river or creek

Singapore River

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

UE Square and Robertson Quay are a few top attractions in Singapore River. Hop around the city on the metro at Fort Canning MRT station or Clarke Quay Station and check out the area's fantastic nightlife, stunning river views and popular shops.

Singapore River
Default Image

Downtown Core

While you're in Downtown Core, take in top sights like Marina Bay Sands Casino or Merlion, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Raffles Place Station or Downtown Station.

Downtown Core


Chinatown Travel Guide