A Chinatown Discovery on Foot
A Chinatown Discovery
on Foot
Spending half a day soaking up Chinatown’s vibrant sights, sounds and aromas starts from
the moment you take your first steps of this walking tour. We reveal a blend of old
and new, including temples, traditional medicinal halls alongside trendy bars.
WHY THIS TOUR?
Stroll in the footsteps of Singapore’s pioneers as we turn into unknown corners in culturally enthralling Chinatown. Besides being an ethnic enclave for first Singapore’s early Chinese settlers, Chinatown has transformed into the country’s largest heritage precinct—filled with an exciting meld of hip haunts, cultural treasures and architectural gems.
This half-day discovery of Chinatown on foot passes some of the most exquisite examples of Chinese heritage as your guide elaborates on the means, symbols and historical values of one of Asia’s most thriving Chinatowns.
TRAIL ITINERARY
09:00 - 14:00
With an excellent public transportation system in place, meeting your guide at Telok Ayer MRT station is easy; it is here where we will meet your local, English-speaking guide. The following immersive five-hour walking tour of the colourful quarter is all about following in the footsteps of Singapore’s early pioneers and discover the stories of people who made Chinatown their home. The city state’s Chinatown is the only one in the world to have a Buddhist temple, Islamic mosque and a Hindu shrine on a single street.
Our journey starts at one of the city’s oldest Chinese temples, the Thian Hock Keng Temple. It is one of the most venerated Hokkien temples in Singapore and patron of the deity Mazu, who was said to have watched over the 19th-century Chinese immigrants who made their way across the seas.
Next, we explore what makes China town such a treat to visit. Via the National Monument, we will reach Tajong Pagar, gazetted as a conservation area in 1989 thanks to its beautifully ornated and colourful shop houses. Standing out from this picturesque landscape is the Pinnacle at Duxton representing a testament to the nation’s innovative approach to urban planning and public housing. The 50th-storey sky bridge is open to the public and offers a breathtaking view of Chinatown and the port of Singapore.
Experience a tea degustation at a traditional teahouse before making our way to the last stop of this elaborate walking tour. Experience the Chinatown Heritage Centre before heading to the Chinatown MRT station and making your way back to your hotel. Nestled in the heart of Chinatown in Singapore, the Chinatown Heritage Centre brings the history of the area to life and tells the stories of the people who immigrated here through exhibits and immersive experiences. Spending more time to venture deeper into this vibrant part of Singapore is an option you can pursue.
