Uniquely Singapore - Chinatown Singapore Attraction

A short stroll in Chinatown Singapore

Chinatown Singapore - a man resting

Chinatown Singapore is a historical settlement area for many Chinese immigrants.  Today Chinatown Singapore is a tourist attraction that is considered a uniquely Singapore attraction.

Street of Chinatown - lantern festival

Lanterns adorn the street

Lanterns everywhere

Here you can discover restaurants aplenty, tourist attractions and many other interesting finds.

Some interesting finds

If you start from URA centre at Maxwell Road, you can check out the enormous model replica of Singapore at the Singapore City Gallery.  Situated between historic Chinatown Singapore and the Central Business District, this allows visitors to get a complete view of the Central Area of Singapore and also the city’s physical transformation past, present and future. 

Moving on to South Bridge Road, you will be greeted by a few religious buildings within walking distance from each other.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is immediately noticeable with its solid gold two-metre stupa on the fourth floor where its sacred relic is kept.  This Singapore attraction Buddhist Temple houses 300 Buddhist artefacts from Asia.  If you would like to know more, you can join the free English language tour which is conducted every Tuesday and Thursday.  Book early to avoid disappointment.

Buddha Tooth Relic temple against a backdrop of public housing

Located on Smith Street, Chinatown Food Street provides alfresco dining.  The high ceiling glass canopy provides shelter from the weather elements.  The Chinatown Food Street seeks to bring back the nostalgic street dining from yesteryears. 

View of Sri Mariamman Temple

Sri Mariamman Temple

Moving a short distance along South Bridge Road near Pagoda Street, you will come across the Sri Mariamman Temple.  One of the oldest Hindu Temple in Singapore, this uniquely Singapore tourist attraction stands out for its many colourful sculptures of Hindu deities making a great photo opportunity, especially the landmark entrance tower.  The fire-walking festival, Theemithi, is celebrated at this temple annually.

Sri Mariamman Temple - landmark entrance tower

Sri Mariamman temple surrounding

Trengganu Street is now a pedestrian mall where you can find stalls selling knick knacks of sorts.  Soak in the atmosphere of the old Chinatown as you search for that special souvenir for your loved ones.

Chinatown Singapore

Peranakan influence

Shops

Entrance to the food street

Antiques

Busy Chinatown street

Chinatown mosque - Masjid Jamae

One of Singapore’s oldest mosque, Masjid Jamae or Masjid Chulia is another Singapore landmark.  Established in 1826, Masjid Jamae is one of the approved mosques in Singapore to conduct the yearly sacrificial event.

Old shophouses

One of the new kid on the block - a shopping centre

Chinatown Singapore used to be where the Chinese immigrants gathered and settled in the early years.  Rich in history, you will find souvenir shops, antiques and boutiques as you stroll through the area which is a uniquely Singapore tourist attraction.