Chinatown Travel Guide

Singapore

Chinatown showing a temple or place of worship, interior views and religious elements
Chinatown
Chinatown
Chinatown
Photo provided by Singapore Tourism Board
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 ₹13,729 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹13,729
₹16,461 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (873 reviews)
"The best"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
Carlton City Hotel Singapore

Carlton City Hotel Singapore

5 out of 5
1 Gopeng Street, Singapore
The price is ₹13,478 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹13,478
₹16,394 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,523 reviews)
"Pristine spacious room with a great view, and a friendly omelet chef at breakfast."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Carlton City Hotel Singapore
Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Mondrian Singapore Duxton

4 out of 5
16A DUXTON HILL, Singapore
The price is ₹17,278 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹17,278
₹20,717 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (314 reviews)
Kid free friends getaway
"Girls trip away from the kids. Choose this hotel for its location, pool and feeling it would have few kids. Great location in Chinatown with no shortage of restaurants and cafes. Newly renovated but rooms are small. Hotel breakfast is your standard hotel buffet, only did it once. Great rooftop pool ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Mondrian Singapore Duxton
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
The price is ₹13,833 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹13,833
₹17,232 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,002 reviews)
"Stayed 3 nights in June 2025 as a couple. Location of hotel is good for accessing Marina Bay Sands/Gardens by the Bay and is walking distance to some nice hawker markets. Hotel was in nice but is more dated than the photos made it out to be."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Oasia Hotel Downtown Singapore by Far East Hospitality
Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay

Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay

4.5 out of 5
Merchant Road, 20, Singapore, SIN
The price is ₹16,175 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹16,175
₹19,394 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,184 reviews)
"Great location, wonderful breakfast, and helpful/courteous staff!!"

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay
YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road

YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road

4 out of 5
366 Orchard Road, Singapore
The price is ₹11,452 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹11,452
₹13,731 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,534 reviews)
"perfect amenities and room had everything required. location was great. nice pool, good wifi and friendly staff. near MTR as well."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road
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
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Tanjong Pagar

While you're in Tanjong Pagar, take in top sights like Shenton Way and jump on the metro at Tanjong Pagar Station to see more of the city.

Tanjong Pagar
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


Chinatown Travel Guide