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Chinatown Time Travel, From Opium Dens to Hipster Enclaves

By VibTour Singapore
Free cancellation available
The previous price was NZ$248 and current price is NZ$211 per adult* *Get lower prices by selecting more than 2 adults
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Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

Go beyond the standard tourist trail to uncover the gritty transformation of Singapore Chinatown. This isn't just a heritage walk, it is an in-depth exploration of how Chinatown transformed over the years. We trace the strategic evolution of the district from its dark history of 19th-century opium dens and the low-end red-light districts of Smith Street to its modern status as a world-class lifestyle enclave.

Experience the raw architectural contrast of the area, comparing the spiritual grandeur of Tang-style temples with the sophisticated Art Deco shophouses of Keong Saik Road. You will gain exclusive insights into the social and structural engineering that turned a settlement of migrants into a global visionary city.

The journey concludes in the “local living room” of Everton Park. Here, you’ll discover hidden heritage murals that bring nostalgic scenes to life and enjoy an authentic tasting of handmade Ang Ku Kueh, a local Peranakan snack also called “Red Tortoise Cake”.

Activity location

  • Chinatown Heritage Centre
    • 48 Pagoda Street,
    • 059207, Singapore, Singapore

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • 83 Pagoda St
    • 83 Pagoda Street
    • 059242, Singapore, Singapore

Check availability

Chinatown Time Travel, From Opium Dens to Hipster Enclaves
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English
Starting time: 9:30 AM
Price details
NZ$247.74
NZ$210.58 x 1 AdultNZ$210.58
Total
The previous price was NZ$247.74 and current price is NZ$210.58
15% off
Until Sun, 19 Apr

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Tasting of Ang Ku Kueh (Red Tortoise Cake)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Service charge & Tips is optional
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Personal Expenses

Know before you book

  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Chinatown Heritage Centre

  • 15m
The tour begins on the 1950s living conditions of the “Samsui women” and coolies. This stop provides the essential context of the cramped, high-density cubicles that housed Singapore’s early workforce. Fist floor visit is free of charge.

Pagoda Street

  • 15m
Walk through the historic “five-foot ways” and uncover the shadows of the opium trade. Learn how this bustling merchant street, including the coolie house, was once the epicentre of vice and the social reforms that eventually cleaned it up.

Smith Street

  • 15m
Historically known as “Theatre Street,” this was the raw entertainment heartbeat for early migrants. Beyond the Cantonese opera houses, it served as a notorious red-light district for the poor, where labourers and coolies sought temporary escape.

Sago Street (Street Of The Dead)

  • 15m
Once known as the “Street of the Dead” due to its proximity to death houses, Sago Lane has undergone a complete transformation. Today, it is a lively spot for traditional snacks, festive decorations, and local souvenirs.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

  • 30m
Explore this massive Tang-style architectural marvel. We focus on the structural design and the temple’s role as a modern guardian of Chinese heritage and spiritual tradition in the heart of the city.

Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple

  • 15m
Observe Singapore’s religious harmony in action. This Hindu temple, tucked into the Chinese quarter, highlights the multi-racial social fabric that is a cornerstone of the nation’s stability.

Keong Saik Road

  • 30m
Witness the ultimate urban turnaround. Once a notorious red-light district, we explore its Art Deco architecture and its current status as a premium enclave for boutique hotels and world-class bars.

Everton Park

  • 30m
Step into one of Singapore’s oldest public housing estates. View life-sized heritage murals by Yip Yew Chong and conclude at Ji Xiang to taste the traditional craft of handmade Ang Ku Kueh.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Chinatown Heritage Centre
    • 48 Pagoda Street,
    • 059207, Singapore, Singapore

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    83 Pagoda St
    • 83 Pagoda Street
    • 059242, Singapore, Singapore

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