Chinatown Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Chinatown which includes religious elements, interior views and a temple or place of worship
Chinatown
Chinatown
Chinatown
Photo provided by Singapore Tourism Board

Visit historic temples and try out the wonderful traditional cuisine at the heart of Singapore’s huge Chinese community.

Any visit to the island state of Singapore is incomplete without a trip to the city’s enormous Chinatown. The ethnic Chinese community make up almost 50% of the population and the history of its people has consequently had a major influence on the entire city state. The zone around Pagoda Street has been the traditional heartland for Chinese immigrants since 1330 and it remains the centre of the city’s Chinatown today.Tourists flock to the area to visit its fascinating cultural and historical attractions as well as some of the city’s best restaurants. Stop by the Chinatown Heritage Centre for a poignant insight into the lives of early Chinese immigrants, including the hardworking Samsui women.The visually stunning Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is an excellent example of Tang Dynasty architecture. Step inside to admire the extravagant red and gold interior and, if you can, try to time your visit to coincide with one of the beautiful Buddhist ceremonies. Chinatown is defined by its diverse architecture, especially the colourful, old-style shop houses, and another structure worth seeing is the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s largest Hindu place of worship, built in the South Indian style.Like most places in Singapore, wandering around on foot is definitely the best way to get a feel for the area and there are plenty of companies who organise guided tours. Alternatively, you can always follow the Chinatown trail which will take you to many of the most important cultural and historic sites.Another huge draw here is, of course, the food, and where better to sample the fantastic cuisine than along “Food Street” (also called Smith Street)? Here you’ll find a huge selection of fantastic Chinese fare such as Bak kut, a very popular pork rib soup, and the world-famous Singapore noodles – the perfect way to top off a hard day’s sightseeing!Chinatown, located in the centre of Singapore, is open every day and is well served by public transport. There is parking on the surrounding streets but the easiest way to get there is by MRT to Chinatown Station.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Chinatown Hotel Deals

Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
4 out of 5
8 Club Street, Singapore
The price is NZ$320 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
NZ$320
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (856 reviews)
"Very central so easy to get around. Very clean."

Reviewed on 6 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 NZ$348 per night from 12 July to 13 July
NZ$348
12 July - 13 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,504 reviews)
"Friendly staff good space in room, some of the amenities not working, fridge and coffee machine. Plus no towels at pool and took 45 mins to replace."

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Carlton City Hotel Singapore
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 NZ$313 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
NZ$313
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 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
Mondrian Singapore Duxton
Mondrian Singapore Duxton
4 out of 5
16A DUXTON HILL, Singapore
The price is NZ$450 per night from 12 July to 13 July
NZ$450
12 July - 13 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy 4 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (312 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
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 NZ$377 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
NZ$377
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,178 reviews)
"The property is modern, efficient and convenient to the MRT and Clarke Quay. Service at the hotel is exemplary."

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport by IHG
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport by IHG
5 out of 5
75 Airport Boulevard, Singapore
The price is NZ$459 per night from 8 Aug to 9 Aug
NZ$459
8 Aug - 9 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,126 reviews)
"Lovely"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport by IHG
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(443 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(134 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

3.5/5(7 area reviews)

UE Square and Robertson Walk 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

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