Choosing between Chinatown or Little India comes down to what you want outside your hotel door. Chinatown is closer to Marina Bay and the river, with big hawker centres and many boutique hotels. Little India has a livelier street scene and great Indian food, and rooms there are often cheaper.
Both areas sit on the same two MRT lines, so neither will leave you far from the sights. Here is how they compare as places to sleep.
Chinatown or Little India at a glance
- MRT: both stations serve the North East and Downtown lines.
- Distance to Marina Bay: Chinatown is closer.
- Food: Chinatown for Chinese hawker dishes; Little India for Indian food, with plenty of vegetarian choices.
- Street feel: Chinatown mixes temples, souvenir stalls and office workers. Little India is full of colour, spices and flower stalls.
- Busiest times: Chinese New Year in Chinatown; Sundays and Deepavali in Little India.
- Hotels: Chinatown has more boutique hotels; Little India has many budget and mid-range options.
MRT lines and distance to the main sights
Chinatown and Little India stations are both on the North East Line and the Downtown Line. They are three stops apart on the North East Line.
From Chinatown
You can walk to Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and the Singapore River. The Downtown Line takes you to Bayfront for Gardens by the Bay in a few stops. HarbourFront, the gateway to Sentosa, is two stops away on the North East Line.
From Little India
Dhoby Ghaut, at the start of Orchard Road, is one stop away. Bugis and Kampong Glam are within walking distance to the south. Marina Bay is a little further than from Chinatown, but the Downtown Line still reaches Bayfront without a change.
Food: hawker centres and local meals
Both areas are excellent for cheap, filling meals. Each has a big food centre with a wet market for fresh produce in the same building.
Eating in Chinatown
Chinatown Complex Food Centre is a large hawker centre with roast meats, noodles and rice dishes. Maxwell Food Centre, a short walk away, is known for chicken rice. Our Chinatown Cheap Eats Crawl links several stops into one route.
Eating in Little India
Tekka Centre has a hawker centre beside its wet market, with biryani, prata and more. South Indian vegetarian restaurants such as Komala Vilas are known for dosa, a thin, crisp rice and lentil pancake. For banana leaf meals, read Banana Leaf Rice in Little India.
Street atmosphere, crowds and evening noise
In Chinatown, Pagoda Street and the lanes around it fill with souvenir stalls and tour groups by day. In the evening, restaurants around Keong Saik Road and Club Street get busy, especially at weekends. The weeks before Chinese New Year bring a street bazaar and big crowds.
In Little India, Serangoon Road is busy with traffic, shoppers and flower garland sellers from morning to night. Sundays are the busiest day, when many people come to shop, eat and meet friends. Around Deepavali, the streets are lit up and the bazaars draw large crowds.
Both areas have important temples, such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes where asked and follow the posted rules.
In either area, rooms facing a main road can be noisy. Rooms in converted shophouses are often compact, and some have small or no windows. Check the room details and ask for a quiet side if you sleep lightly.
Hotels to look at in each area
Chinatown and nearby Tanjong Pagar have many boutique hotels. Examples include Hotel 1929 and Hotel Soloha, while Dorsett Singapore is another choice. Browse Hotels in Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar.
In Little India, look at Holiday Inn Singapore Little India, Parkroyal on Kitchener Road or the boutique The Vagabond Club. See all in Hotels in Little India & Jalan Besar.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Chinatown if Marina Bay, the river and Sentosa are high on your list.
- Choose Chinatown for boutique hotels and Chinese hawker food.
- Choose Little India for Indian food, lively streets and lower room rates.
- Choose Little India if you plan to shop on Orchard Road or explore Bugis.
Still deciding? Our guide to the best area for first-time visitors compares more neighbourhoods. Find more guides in Where to Stay by Area.
FAQs about Chinatown or Little India
Is Chinatown or Little India better for first-time visitors?
Chinatown is a little easier for a first trip because it is closer to Marina Bay and the river. Little India suits you if you want lower rates and Indian food.
Is Little India safe to stay in?
Yes. Like the rest of Singapore, it is generally safe by day and at night. Take normal care with bags in crowds, especially on Sundays and during festivals.
Can I walk between Chinatown and Little India?
You can, but it is a long, hot walk of around 45 minutes or more. The North East Line links the two in three stops, which is much quicker.
Where can I find vegetarian food?
Little India has many South Indian vegetarian restaurants. The food centres in Chinatown also have Chinese vegetarian stalls.
