Chinatown
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 12:00 AM
About
For a fascinating peek into Singapore’s Chinese culture and history, Chinatown is good place to start. Here, you’ll enjoy a mix of heritage visits to museums, shopping as well as a good variety of food options, sure to leave a traveller happy and satisfied at the end of the day.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Chinatown
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Outram
How to get there
  • Telok Ayer • 6 min walk
  • Raffles Place • 10 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Matthew B
    202 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    People’s Park and Chinatown Complex Market are better to visit
    Maybe we went at the wrong time of day but there wasn’t a lot going on here. The mall/street area was pretty dirty and there was a handful of stores selling the same souvenir stuff. The shopping centers around here were more interesting.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 October 2023
  • AZCasualTraveler
    2,438 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Singapore's Colorful Chinatown District
    Singapore has a large, colorful Chinatown district that is located to the west of the Singapore River. This district was created in the mid-1800's for the Chinese immigrants, but today this area is served by people from other nationalities. Today, Chinatown Singapore consists of several modern Asian shopping malls, old European styled buildings from the 1800's, colorful temples, and many more Asian building and businesses. As for public safety, this Chinatown area is very safe to walk around in and there are hundreds if not thousands of tourists who visit this interesting area. Singapore is famous for modern and fancy high-rise buildings, and it is quite different here in Chinatown with its many old, but interesting and colorful buildings. Singapore Chinatown is definitely a worthwhile place to visit.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 October 2023
  • Steven R
    1,966 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Shop, shop, shop
    A great place to visit in the evening. Go to the Hawkers Market for local food then walk it off by checking out all the shops that are ablaze with lights. Some great bargains to be had. Access is easy via the MRT. Get off at Chinatown MRT Station.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 October 2023
  • Dan L
    8,536 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Vibrant
    The area is somewhat sanitised since first visited in the 1970's but is still a remarkable enclave in a modern city, surrounded by towering buildings, and representing the heritage of a bygone era. So much colour and energy throughout. Enjoyed visiting the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple and the many shops in the area. We both loved the murals that reflected business of a past era and the quaint street names which included the Street of the Dead.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 December 2023
  • MikeJennyQ
    962 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very cool had fun
    Incredible store after store and kiosks. Lots of food choices and active produce fish meat markets Colorful and reasonable walk from Quay and harbor area if you are a walker. A little crowded toward evening. Whole change in scenery from downtown Singapore
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 January 2024
  • eVe 🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬
    1,404 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice murals...safe...but a bit manufactured
    The interesting things about Chinatown for a local like me are the wall murals and the food. For travellers, it would be the vibes especially during Chinese New Years, shops selling all types of souvenirs, murals stretching all the way to Telok Ayer and the food. Importantly, very safe unlike the Chinatown in other countries. Do visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple 👍 👍 👍. Nearest MRT - Chinatown Station, Maxwell Station, Telok Ayer Station Nearest Hawker Center - Chinatown HC, Maxwell HC, People's Park HC, Amoy Street HC, Lau Pat Sat
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 February 2024
  • cliff1608
    318 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Same Same !!!!
    Went here on a Friday night to visit hawker centre, got there about half past eight and the place was rammed, found food centre and because of the time most places were shutting down as run out of food. Battled our way around the streets looking at the same tat in nearly every shop. Worth a visit but just don’t expect too much.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 February 2024
  • philb92
    312 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must visit
    Visited during the start of the Chinese New Year festival and the place was heaving. Tried the hawker centre but the queues were very long so went to a small local restaurant which provided an excellent meal at a reasonable price. Went back to Chinatown later on during the day and it was much less crowded and more enjoyable
    Visited January 2024
    Written 18 February 2024
  • Georgie
    375 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Chinatown New Year delight
    Due to the new year celebrations, we visited Chintatown 3 times during our stay in Singapore. We walked away with purchases after each visit - little souvenirs and gifts to give away to family and friends, and of course, for ourselves. The night time display of the New Year celebrations was wonderful to see. It is very see to get to Chinatown via cab or via the MRT, with Chinatown and Maxwell being the main stations. Well worth a visit.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 21 February 2024
  • rzeczpospolita
    485 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Less vibrant than other Chinatowns in the region
    There’s something about Singapore’s Chinatown that just didn’t connect with me, particularly when compared with others in the region — and notably that of nearby Kuala Lumpur. This Chinatown lacks pretty back alleys and quaint, lantern-lit eateries and cocktail bars. Though, as everywhere in Singapore, there are some good hawker markets for food. Too much tourist tat being sold too. So, nothing special in my estimation.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 26 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles14,591 reviews
Excellent
5,615
Very good
6,249
Average
2,294
Poor
311
Terrible
122

TERRIES322
Mablethorpe, UK30 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
We felt very unwelcome here, the people glared at us like they wanted to hurt us , those that did speak just wanted to charge us high prices for cheap goods. Also when out in the city avoid Chinese taxis because they will bring you to Chinatown and usher you into a shop where both the owner and the cab driver try to pressure you into buying. Not a good experience especially as my partner is totally blind and I'm in a wheelchair, I think that made them think we were easy targets.
Written 23 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jilly T
Crawley, UK68 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Busy, vibrant and buzzing with all kinds of stalls and food. We visited in the evening the week before Chinese New Year and it was extremely crowded. I guess it might be a little more comfortable at quieter times!
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terry
Singapore, Singapore14 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
Whenever I have overseas visitors come to visit me, I bring them here. Good fun bustling atmosphere. They can pick up their cheap souvenirs and I often take them to a Chinese restaurant which is cheaper than say places like orchard road.
Written 13 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MusicMan42
Glen Allen, VA211 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Couples
For those interested in authentic Chinese cuisine as well as shopping for bargains, this is a good place to spend 2 to 4 hours. Six of us had a great lunch at a local restaurant and then went shopping. There are hundreds of storefronts offering a great variety of Chinese oriented merchandise from clothing to art to souvenirs along with jewelry for those interested. Although the area was crowded with shoppers and tourists, we didn’t feel uncomfortable moving from place to place. Do be careful as in any crowded tourist area of pickpockets! Overall, a fun experience.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob H
Preston, UK143 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The walking tour turned out to be a great way to see and gain an understanding of Chinatown.
The tour comes as part of a package if you buy a multi day pass on the hop on hop off bus.
we used this for all our stave's around Singapore.
Written 31 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yaron M
London, UK3,205 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
China town extends to several streets, with numerous stalls which sells all kinds of food and arts. There is one street dedicated to food only and there were various place to try all sorts of food and drinks. There was a general feel good atmosphere all round. There are signs around warning to be careful from pickpockets, keep your valuables safe. We felt safe enough and general common sense safety should always be used wherever one travels. There are temples and museums here too and enough to keep a tourist busy for a good 2-3 hours.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael C
Cannes, France41 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019
China town is representing the traditional and old Singapore and worth a walk around. It is the contrast to the modern part of the city and where you can feel the Asian different cultures, whether the buildings style, the different religions temples or just the typical street markets where you can buy anything and at good prices. Consider the fact that the climate is very hot and humid, get dressed with light clothing.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jason S
Melbourne, Australia2,241 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
I do enjoy visiting the Chinatown areas when I visit major cities and I did while in Singapore.

Nice area to just walk around and explore and of course they have a large temple there to walk around that is impressive to see.

They have market like stalls which is nice to walk around and you get to taste some different types of food.

Although not amazing good to walk through and I would put it in the list to do while in Singapore.

Conveniently located close to the waterfront I would visit Chinatown in late afternoon then go to the waterfront area to see the city and night views and Merlion.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris H
Bristol, UK2,155 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We happened to be in Singapore a week before the Chinese New Year, so decorations were everywhere.
We went up to Chinatown on the MRT one evening and stepped out into a lovely atmosphere in “Pagoda Street” – the street itself and many stalls decorated for the celebration. Many of the stalls were brightly coloured, selling decorations for the New Year.

We enjoyed just wandering along the various streets and alleyways and eventually stumbled across an open air concert of Chinese music in a square in the centre of Chinatown. We found a couple of seats and enjoyed nearly an hour of entertainment – musicians playing instruments we had never seen before and singers who were surprisingly entertaining for our western ears. It was a delight to have found this event and we felt privileged t have been there.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Johannawrites
36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
I enjoyed my visit here, it was lit up, bustling and festive in the week leading to the Chinese New Year and the deals I got were unbeatable. The products, especially the Singapore branded souvenirs, are the same quality as the ones sold in some stores on the Orchard Street but for a third of the price. The choices are wide and I found the deals good enough not to have to bargain for the most part. There’s a Singapore souvenir coin machine here too. Lots of eatables and food stalls. If you’re around Boat Quay in the evening, I suggest you plan your Chinatown visit around the same time as it’s only a short walk away.
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Chinatown - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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