Chinatown Travel Guide

Singapore
Chinatown showing a temple or place of worship, interior views and religious elements
Sample traditional food and visit important historical sites in on of the oldest Chinatowns in the world. 

As the dominant ethnic group in Singapore, the Chinese residents of Singapore have cast an influence over the whole city. But at the heart of the Chinese community sits Singapore’s Chinatown, the first location in the world to be called Chinatown. Since 1330, the area around Pagoda Street has been a hub for the Chinese immigrants in Singapore, and today it remains a fascinating cultural excursion that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. Chinatown offers some of the best dining in the city and historical and cultural attractions, like the Chinatown Heritage Centre, the many markets and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. Feel free to enter the temple and take a look around the lavish gold and red interior. If you are lucky you may get to witness a Buddhist ceremony taking place.

Join a walking tour, or embark on your own following the Chinatown trail, to discover the history of the area. Beginning at the Chinese Heritage Centre, see how life was for early immigrants to the city. Make your way to the oldest Hindu temple in the city, the Sri Mariamman Temple, to admire the South Indian architectural style. The architecture in Chinatown is one of its defining features. Particularly charming are the old style shop-houses which are still in operation.

Eat traditional Chinese cuisine on Smith Street, affectionately known by locals as “Food Street.” Here you can try Bak kut, a variety of pork rib soup that is incredibly popular in the city. Other options are the noodle dishes that have become known around the world as Singapore Noodles. 

Chinatown is located in the central downtown precinct of Singapore and can be reached on foot from many downtown hotels. Visitors arriving by car will find parking in the nearby streets. Chinatown is well served by public transportation and the Chinatown MRT station is just a minute’s walk away. Chinatown is open daily and there is no fee to visit.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Chinatown

Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
4 out of 5
8 Club Street, Singapore
The price is Rp1.921.864 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
Rp1.921.864
Rp2.304.315 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Nov - 23 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (328 reviews)
"Lack of a proper bar area and lack of a proper lounge area, was a real drawback. Entrance hall feels like a waiting room in a third-rate bus station: needs some large plants or something to make it feel more inviting. Pool goid, but no staff around to collect the scores of towels keft behind on seats ..."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
Carlton City Hotel Singapore
Carlton City Hotel Singapore
5 out of 5
1 Gopeng Street, Singapore
The price is Rp2.965.102 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
Rp2.965.102
Rp3.606.466 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (936 reviews)
"this hotel is safe and quiet close to shopping center, the staff is nice and very helpful."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

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 Rp2.587.302 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
Rp2.587.302
Rp3.193.035 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel! Great staff, clean and chic room. Location convenient to two different MRT lines. 100% would stay again."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

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 Rp3.207.852 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
Rp3.207.852
Rp3.846.215 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy 4 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (222 reviews)
"Nice Rooftop Pool"

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

Mondrian Singapore Duxton
Hotel Mono
Hotel Mono
3 out of 5
18 Mosque Street #01-04, Singapore
The price is Rp1.373.758 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
Rp1.373.758
Rp1.680.924 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (760 reviews)
"Friendly staff, clean room , has basic needs"

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2024

Hotel Mono
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, an IHG Hotel
5 out of 5
75 Airport Boulevard, Singapore
The price is Rp3.665.778 per night from 2 Dec to 3 Dec
Rp3.665.778
Rp4.395.256 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Dec - 3 Dec
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,494 reviews)
"0"

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, an IHG Hotel
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(242 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(81 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
Clarke Quay Mall which includes a city, a bridge and a river or creek

Singapore River

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

UE Square and Robertson Quay 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
Default Image

Downtown Core

While you're in Downtown Core, take in top sights like Marina Bay Sands Casino or Merlion, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Raffles Place Station or Downtown Station.

Downtown Core

Chinatown Travel Guide