How to make the most of Chinatown
By LINDA JAMES | Updated APRIL 6, 2025 | AREA GUIDES
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One of my favourite places to spend time when I’m in Singapore, Chinatown has fantastic food as well as cultural and historical experiences. It’s also a very central place to stay. A short MRT ride will get you to many of the other popular activities and places in Singapore such as Marina Bay, the Riverside district and Orchard Rd.
Chinatown Heritage Centre
Maxwell food centre
Getting There
There are a couple of MRT stations servicing different areas of Chinatown, which makes it easily accessible from just about anywhere: Telok Ayer MRT (DT18), Chinatown (DT19/NE4) and Outram Park (EW16).
There are also a stack of buses that will get you there: the 143, 147 and 61.
What to See & Do
Al-Abrar Mosque
This mosque has two thin minarets topped by the Crescent and Star.
Address: 192 Telok Ayer St Open: Saturday to Thursday 10am to 6pm, Friday 10am-noon, 2.30pm-6pm Cost: Free Getting there: near Telok Ayer MRT More information: https://chinatown.sg/visit/al-abrar-mosque/
Baba House
The National University of Singapore bought this 1895 three-storey townhouse, which was once the ancestral home of a Peranakan Chinese family. It has been carefully restored and provides visitors with an insight into life in those times.
Address: 157 Neil Rd Open: Bookings only Cost: Free for Singaporean residents, others $S10 Getting there: near Outram Park MRT (EW16/NE3), 8 min walk; buses – 143,147,167,400 More information: babahouse@nus.edu.sg
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
One of the most well-known temples in Singapore, it’s an impressive sight with its red and gold four-storey exterior embellished with hundreds of Buddha statues. It has bell and drum towers and a stunning main hall with a high ceiling. There’s also a pagoda on the roof with a large prayer wheel. While it looks very old, it was actually only built in 2007.
On the 4th floor, you’ll find the 2m-high, 318kg solid gold stupa, which holds the sacred relic, a tooth of Lord Buddha, who died more than 2000 years ago.
Busiest time of the year is Vesak Day in May when Buddhists flock to the temple.
Address: 288 South Bridge Rd Open: Daily 9am-6.30 pm Cost: Free Getting there: Near Chinatown MRT station More information: https://www.facebook.com/BuddhaToothRelicTemple/
Chinatown Heritage Centre
These three beautifully restored shophouses will give you an insight into what life was like for Chinatown’s earliest residents. The six galleries feature a host of artefacts and memorabilia including carefully maintained living spaces. There are multimedia self-guides available in English, Mandarin, French and Japanese.
Address: 48 Pagoda St
Open: Daily 10am-7pm
Cost: $S12 for locals, $S20 for others
Getting there: near Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19), 4 min walk, Outram Park (EW16/NE3), 9 min walk; buses – 143, 33
More information: https://chinatown.sg/visit/chinatown-heritage-centre/
Chinatown Street Market
If you’re after some traditional Chinese wares such as fans, tea, decorated chopstick sets, laughing Buddhas and souvenirs, this is the place to visit. The market runs from Pagoda, Trengganu and Sago streets every night.
Address: 29 Smith St Open: daily 9am-10pm Getting there: near Chinatown MRT station More information: www.chinatown.sg
Chinese Theatre Circle
I haven’t yet been able to experience this yet but friends say it’s definitely worth it. The circle gives you the chance to learn about Chinese Opera and enjoy a set Chinese dinner with Chinese tea and dessert. While you eat, you get to view excerpts of opera and then discover more about the historical and artistic context. The evening is capped off with a performance. There are some different options available.
Address: 5 Smith St Open: Friday and Saturday 7pm–9pm for the dinner show Cost: $S40 per person, $S25 without dinner Getting there: near Chinatown MRT station More information: ctcopera@yahoo.com
City Gallery
If you’re interested in learning about Singapore’s transformation from trading port to thriving global financial hub, this three-storey visitor centre has all of the info. There’s a huge model replica (with light and sound) of Singapore’s Central Area as well as interactive exhibits like the 270-degree panoramic show about daily life in the city-state.
Address: 45 Maxwell Rd Open: Daily 9am-5pm, closed Sunday Cost: Free Getting there: near Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW15), take Exit B, 7 min walk, Telok Ayer MRT (DT18), 10 min walk; buses – 10,143,568,655,80,97E More information: https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Singapore-City-Gallery
Musical Box Museum
One of the symbols of European culture, musical boxes were a firm favourite in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This museum is in Thian Hock Keng temple so you can combine the two.
The museum only operates guided tours so bookings are essential.
Address: 168 Telok Ayer St Open: 10am-5pm Cost: Adult $S12, student $S6, child 6yrs and under free (includes 45-minute guided tour) Getting there: near Telok Ayer MRT (DT18), 3 min walk, Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19), 9 min walk, Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW15) 10 min walk, Raffles Place MRT (EW14/NS26), 10 min walk; buses – 10,655,97,97E More information: smbmbox@gmail.com
Pinnacle@Duxton City
This is one of the places to visit to get a bird’s-eye view of Singapore. There are seven 50-storey towers linked at the 26th and 50th levels by skybridges, which have 500m-long sky gardens. The 50th-storey skybridge is open to the public for just $S6.
Address: 1G Cantonment Rd Open: daily 9am-9pm Cost: $S6 per person Getting there: near Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW15), Outram MRT (EW16), 10 min walk; buses – 167,196,75,166,197,61 More information: http://www.pinnacleduxton.com.sg/
Sri Mariamman Temple
This is one of the most prominent places of worship for Tamil Hindus and honours Goddess Mariamman – the deity of disease and protection.
There’s an elaborate six-tiered grand tower entrance, built in the Dravidian style and decorated with Hindu deities and mythological figures.
The walls and ceilings are covered with colourful murals of Hindu deities and religious motifs. Busiest time is the week before Diwali when it hosts the annual Firewalking Festival, in which devotees prove their faith by walking barefoot over burning embers.
Address: 244 South Bridge Rd Open: 5am-11.30am, 5pm-8.45pm Cost: Free Getting there: Near Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19), 6 min walk, Outram Park (EW16/NE3), 10 min walk; buses - 143, 568, 61, 80 More information: http://smt.org.sg/
Thian Hock Keng Temple
Also known as the Temple of Heavenly Happiness, this Taoist-Buddhist temple, built around 1820, is dedicated to the Mother of Heavenly Sages and protector of sailors, Ma Zu Po. One of the most fascinating facts about it is that it was built without a single nail!
Its intricately painted doors and elaborately decorated beams and gold-leafed panels feature intricate sculptures of dragons and deities. The roof ridges are also decorated with colourful broken porcelain. Taoist “door gods” decorate the wooden entry door.
During the Chinese New Year festival, worshippers flock to the temple to offer fortune rice buckets to the spirit of the Jade Emperor.
Address: 158 Telok Ayer St Open: Daily 7.30am-5.30pm Cost: Free Getting there: near Telok Ayer MRT (DT18), 3 min walk, Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19), 9 min walk, Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW15) 10 min walk, Raffles Place MRT (EW14/NS26), 10 min walk; buses – 10,655,97,97E More information: https://chinatown.sg/visit/thian-hock-keng-temple/
Where to Stay
Luxury
The Clan
Everything about this hotel reeks of luxury – from the welcome tea ceremony to the soaring ceilings and full height windows of the reception centre over which hangs 150 painted aluminium panels folded in geometric shapes. The 30-storey hotel is in the Far East Square complex and has an infinity pool on the top floor that has stunning views of the city. The 324 deluxe and premier rooms offer a variety of outlooks and bed types.
Address: 10 Cross St Price: from $S400 Getting there: across the road from Telok Ayer MRT station (DT18); a 5-minute walk from Raffles Place MRT (NS26/EW14). More information: www.theclanhotel.com.sg
Mid-range
KeSa House
Also in a row of colourful shophouses, KēSa House is in the Bukit Pasoh Conservation Area, on the fringe of Chinatown. This means there are a stack of dining options from hawker stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants.
The 60 rooms are all a little different because the 10 shophouses were integrated. They start with the 13sqm standard to the 15-21sqm premier and the 29sqm studio premier, which has a kitchenette and extra living space, perfect for anyone staying a little longer. With these rooms, you also have a choice of a private balcony or an additional sofa/pull-out bed.
Address: 55 Keong Saik Rd Price: from $S168 Getting there: a six-minute walk from Chinatown MRT More information: www.oakwood.com/the-unlimited-collection/singapore/singapore/kesa-house
Capri by Fraser China Square
Just a 2-minute walk from Chinatown MRT station and Chinapoint shopping mall, this property is also 6 minutes from Maxwell Food Centre.
There’s a decent-sized rooftop swimming pool with great views of the area as well as a fully equipped gym and self-service laundry with interactive games. There’s also all-day dining at JÙN restaurant.
The 304 rooms come in superior, deluxe (on a higher floor), executive and studio configurations. They’re all 26sqm except for the 29sqm studio deluxe and studio executive rooms, which have a bathtub and cooktop as well as a microwave. I love the fact that all of the rooms have filtered drinking water taps and free wifi.
The executive rooms on high floors also have Nespresso machines and access to The Den, which is the club lounge although it only provides free snacks and drinks and no alcohol aside from beer.
Address: 181 South Bridge Rd Price: from $S150 Getting there: also near Raffles Place and Telok Ayer MRT stations More information: www.capribyfraser.com
Heritage Collection Chinatown
This property is also in a renovated shophouse. There are studios (from about 10sqm) and lofts (20sqm) but some don’t have windows so check carefully when booking.
However, all rooms have microwaves, fridges, kitchen utensils and crockery as well as TVs, wifi and air conditioning. Some even have washing machines and dryers, and there’s also a self-service laundry.
Address: 227 South Bridge Rd Price: from $S120 to $S165 Getting there: a 6-minute walk from Chinatown and Telok Ayer MRT stations More information: www.hericoll.com
Budget
Wink Capsule Hostel@Downtown
This shophouse hostel is conveniently located, only a 2-minute walk to Amoy Street Food Centre or 5 minutes to Maxwell Food Centre. The dorms are airconditioned, carpeted and include couches. Linen and towels are included – and there’s a free breakfast!
Guests have access to a kitchenette with microwave and refrigerator. There are shared bathrooms, a café, internet stations and a self-service laundry.
Address: 8A Mosque St Price: from $S35 for a single pod in a 12-pod mixed room to $S75 for two single pods in a private room (all shared bathroom) Getting there: a 5-minute walk to Telok Ayer MRT More information: www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g294265-d18906628-Reviews-Wink_Capsule_Hostel_Downtown-Singapore
Where to Eat & Drink
Amoy Street Food Centre
Avoid this one in the middle of the day when it’s packed with office workers! Four of the stalls here have been awarded Michelin Bib Gourmands for “great food at reasonable prices”: A Noodle Story, Hong Kee Beef Noodle, Hoo Kee Bak Chang, and J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff. There’s a wide variety of food on offer such as mee goreng and rice dumplings. Some stalls here even offer modernised hawker food.
Stalls to try
Hoo Kee Rice Dumplings (#01-18)
Bib Gourmand
Dish: Bak zhang (rice dumpling)
Open: Tuesday to Friday 11am–3pm
Amoy Street Fried Kway Teow (#01-01)
Dish: char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles)
Open: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am–2.30pm
Address: 7 Maxwell Rd Open: Most stalls operate Monday to Friday, some Saturdays and a few Sundays Getting there: Near Telok Ayer (DT18) and Tanjong Pagar (EW15) MRT stations
Chinatown Complex Food Centre
One of the biggest – and most well-known – hawker centres in Singapore, this has more than 260 stalls. There’s not much you couldn’t find here with stalls selling chicken rice, chilli crab, black pepper crab, satay, carrot cake, char kway teow, BBQ stingray, BBQ chicken wings, Hokkien mee and bak kut teh and desserts such as ice kachang and soya beancurd.
Stalls to try
Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu (#02-88)
Dishes: Fried fish cake, Ikan Bilis bee hoon, brinjal, yong tau fu
Open: Tuesday to Thursday 6am-3pm
China La Mian Xiao Long Bao (#02-135)
Dish: Steamed dumplings
Open: Tuesday to Friday 11am-9pm, weekends 9am–9pm
Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodles (#02-127)
Dishes: Soya sauce chicken rice, soya sauce chicken noodles
Open: Daily 10am-8pm, closed Wednesdays
Jia Ji Mei Shi (#02-166)
Dishes: Fried bee hoon, yam cake
Open: Daily 7.30am–10pm (closed Wednesday)
Hong Kong Mongkok Tim Sum (#02-97)
Dish: Hong Kong-style dim sum
Open: Wednesday to Sunday 11am until sold out
Cheng Ji (#02-190)
Dish: Steamed fish head
Open: Monday to Saturday noon-9pm
Hai Sing Ah Balling (#02-59)
Dish: Teochew style dumplings
Open: Tuesday to Sunday noon-9pm
Zhao Ji Clay Pot Rice (#02-53)
Dish: Claypot rice dishes
Open: Daily noon-7pm (closed Wednesday)
Yue Ping (#02-65)
Dish: Fried pumpkin cake
Terry Katong Laksa (#02-04)
Dish: Laksa
Shi Xiang Satay (#02-79)
Dish: Satay
Tian Tian Porridge (#02-185)
Dish: Pork porridge
Address: 335 Smith St Open: All day Getting there: Near Chinatown MRT (NE4) – walk 1 minute from Exit B
Hong Lim Market and Food Centre
This centre also has Michelin-awarded eateries and modernised hawker stalls. It also gets busy at lunchtime. Popular dishes include include pork noodles, mushroom minced pork, porridge, fishballs, rice dumplings and Hokkien prawn mee.
Stalls to try
Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist (#02-48/49/50)
Dish: wanton noodles
Open: Daily 7.30am–7pm
Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa (#02-66)
Michelin Bib Gourmand
Dish: laksa
Open: Monday to Saturday 10.15am–3pm, closed Sunday
Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee (#01-58)
Dish: curry chicken
Open: Monday to Saturday 10.30am–2.30pm, closed Sunday
Tuck Kee (Ipoh) Sar Hor Fun (#02-39)
Dish: hor fun
Open: Monday to Saturday 11.15am–2.30pm, closed Sunday
Granny’s Pancake (#01-58)
Dish: ban chang kueh
Open: Monday to Saturday 7am–7pm (or till sold out), closed Sunday
Tai Wah Pork Noodle (#02-16)
Dish: pork noodle
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 8am–7.30pm, Sunday 8am-3pm, closed Monday
Ma Bo Lor Mee (#02-04)
Dish: lor mee
Open: daily 8.30am–6.30pm
Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee (#02-17)
Dish: char kway teow
Open: Monday to Saturday 6am–3.30pm, closed Sunday
Belly Lucky Noodles (#02-25)
Dish: char siew and dumpling noodles and dumpling soup
Open: weekdays 11.30am–2.30pm, weekends closed
Cantonese Delights (#02-03)
Dish: curry fried chicken
Open: Saturday to Thursday 10.30am–2pm, closed Friday
Dong Fang Hong Sotong Ball Seafood Soup (#01-47)
Dish: sotong ball seafood soup
Open: Monday to Thursday 11am–2pm, closed Friday to Sunday
Eddy’s (#02-52)
Dish: duck confit, mala shrimp spaghetti
Open: Monday to Friday 10.30am–7pm, Saturday 10.30am–3pm, closed Sunday
Address: 531A Upper Cross St Open: daily Getting there: Near Chinatown MRT Station (NE4/DT19), walk 2 mins from Exit F
Maxwell Food Centre
This centre, opposite the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, is home to the very well-known Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice stall (#01-10), which I can definitely say serves one of the best chicken rice dishes I’ve ever eaten. Renowned chef Anthony Bourdain once gave it the thumbs up as did the Michelin Guide. Another very good chicken rice stall is Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice (#7), which was founded by a former Tian Tian chef.
Stalls to try
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (#01-10/11)
Michelin Bib Gourmand
Dish: Hainanese chicken rice
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 11am–8pm or until sold out
Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice (#01-7)
Dish: Hainanese chicken rice
Open: Wednesday to Monday 11am–7.30pm or until sold out
Zhen Zhen Porridge (#01-54)
Dishes: Pork congee, pork intestine congee, slice fish congee, raw fish
Open: daily 5.30am-2.30pm
China Street Fritters (#01-64)
Dishes: Deep fried prawn fritters, ngoh hiang (local sausages), fish cake
Open: Tuesday to Sunday noon-7pm, closed Monday
Marina South Delicious Food (#01-35)
Dish: Char kway teow
Open: Daily 7am-8pm
Hoe Kee Porridge (#01-45)
Dish: Cantonese style congee
Open: 7am-4pm, closed Tuesday
Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum (#01-92)
Dishes: Fried and steamed dumplings
Open: daily 11am-8pm
Fu Shun Roasted Meat Specialist (#01-71)
Dishes: crispy sio bak and charcoal roasted char siew
Open: Monday to Saturday 11.30am–7.30pm
Address: Cnr South Bridge and Maxwell Rds Open: weekdays 8am-10pm, weekends 8am-3am Getting there: near Tanjong Pagar MRT (Take Exit G, walk 6 minutes to Maxwell Rd); near Chinatown MRT Station (NE4) - take Exit A to Pagoda St, walk to South Bridge Rd; buses – 100, 143, 568, 80 (Walk 1 minute from bus stop B05269) More information: Tian Tian
Conclusion
Chinatown is one of the best places to stay in Singapore. It’s so central and the MRT makes all of the top attractions just a short ride away. It also has SO MANY hawker centres that you will never be short of delicious – and cheap – food!