Chinatown Guides

Chinatown Singapore at a glance

Chinatown Singapore is one of the oldest parts of the city. Its streets are lined with shophouses, the narrow two- or three-storey buildings with a shop below and living space above. Within a short walk you will find temples, large hawker centres, a street market and modern restaurants.

The area is compact and easy to explore on foot. Chinatown MRT station, on the North East and Downtown Lines, opens onto Pagoda Street in the middle of it all.

Temples and places of worship

Chinatown has places of worship of several faiths within a few streets. They are active places of prayer, so visit quietly and dress modestly. Cover your shoulders and knees, and follow any signs at the entrance.

• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a large Buddhist temple on South Bridge Road, built in a Tang dynasty style. Followers believe it holds a tooth of the Buddha.
• Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple. Look up at the gopuram, the tall gateway tower covered in painted figures of gods. Remove your shoes before you go in.
• Thian Hock Keng Temple on Telok Ayer Street is one of the oldest Hokkien temples in Singapore. It honours Mazu, a sea goddess. Early Chinese migrants came here to give thanks for a safe journey.

Entry is generally free. Some areas do not allow photos, so check the signs.

What to eat in Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the easiest places in the city to try hawker food. A hawker centre is a large food hall full of small stalls, each cooking a short menu at low prices. If you are new to them, read What Is a Hawker Centre? A Plain Guide for Visitors first.

Hawker centres in and around Chinatown

• Chinatown Complex Food Centre is one of the largest hawker centres in Singapore. Walk the rows before you choose.
• Maxwell Food Centre is smaller and sits across the road from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. It is home to Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, a well-known chicken rice stall.
• Hong Lim Market & Food Centre is on the northern edge of Chinatown and gets busy at weekday lunchtime.

What to order

Good first choices are chicken rice, char kway teow (fried flat rice noodles) and bak kut teh, a peppery pork rib soup. For bak kut teh, try Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (New Bridge Road). A hawker dish often costs around S$4 to S$8. Prices change, so treat this as a rough guide.

For a ready-made route, follow our Chinatown Cheap Eats Crawl: A Half-Day Route.

Streets, markets and shophouses

Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street and Sago Street form the Chinatown street market. Stalls sell souvenirs, clothes, snacks and small gifts.

Away from the market, the streets get quieter. Ann Siang Hill and Club Street have restored shophouses with cafés, restaurants and bars. Keong Saik Road and Duxton Hill, on the Tanjong Pagar side, are known for small restaurants.

To learn the history, join the Chinatown Heritage Walk. The free Singapore City Gallery, a short walk from Maxwell Food Centre, shows how the city has been planned and built.

Chinatown during festivals

Chinatown is at its busiest in the weeks before Chinese New Year. Lights and lanterns hang over the streets, and a festive market sells snacks, decorations and gifts.

Some family-run stalls close for a few days over the holiday itself. Read What's Open During Chinese New Year in Singapore? before you plan your meals. Lanterns also go up for the Mid-Autumn Festival, when mooncakes are sold across the area.

Where to stay and practical tips

Chinatown suits travellers who want food and heritage on the doorstep. Browse Hotels in Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar for options. These range from boutique hotels such as Hotel 1929 to four-star hotels like Dorsett Singapore. Still choosing an area? Chinatown or Little India: Which Area to Stay In? compares the two.

• Visit temples and markets early in the day, before the heat and crowds build.
• Carry some cash. Many stalls take cards or QR payments, but not all.
• Return your tray and clear your table after eating. It is the rule at hawker centres.
• The legal drinking age in Singapore is 18. If you visit the bars on Club Street, drink responsibly.

FAQs about Chinatown Singapore

Is Chinatown Singapore worth visiting?

Yes. It packs temples, hawker food, markets and heritage streets into a small area. Most sights are free, so it suits any budget.

How much time do I need in Chinatown?

Half a day covers the main temples, a hawker meal and the street market. Allow a full day if you also want the heritage walk and dinner nearby.

Which MRT station is closest to Chinatown?

Chinatown MRT station, on the North East and Downtown Lines, is in the middle of the area. Maxwell station, on the Thomson-East Coast Line, is next to Maxwell Food Centre.

What should I wear to temples in Chinatown?

Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Some temples lend wraps at the entrance. At Sri Mariamman Temple, you need to remove your shoes.

Is Chinatown good for cheap food?

Yes. Its hawker centres are some of the best places in the city for low-cost local meals.