Contact: Steven Tan
Mobile : (+65)98581198
steventan@merlioncity.com

hinatown is one of the places in the Lion City of Singapore with a rich history dating back to the beginnings of Singapore. Chinatown was a home for many of the Chinese immigrants who came to Singapore back in 1819, while the nearby Singapore River became a place of work. Chinatown was also known as "Niu Che Shui" , which translates literally to "Bullock Cart Water". This name was drawn from the days when each household used bullock-drawn carts to collect water.

In present day Singapore, Chinatown has become a place of Chinese culture where tradition still lives in the form of food, trishaw rides and old historical buildings in the many small streets that make up the Chinatown area.

So if you have some time to spend in Singapore, hop on down to Chinatown and experience the sights and sounds of Singapore's Chinatown. And if you need a professional and comfortable ride around town, or to visit other Singapore attractions, you can book my private limousine service by sending me an email at steventan@merlioncity.com or give me a call at (65)98581198.

 

Best time to visit	: 10am to 8pm (After 6pm if		Suggested next stops	: Empress Place
	having dinner at Smith Street)			Merlion Park
Duration	: 30mins - 1.5hrs			Fullerton Hotel
				Singapore River

Things to do at Chinatown

South Bridge Road
South Bridge Road is the main street that links all the other small streets of Chinatown. This is a good place to start your exploration of Chinatown. Situated on this street, you find the oldest and most important of Singapore's Hindu temples, the Sri Mariamman Temple. Built in 1827, this temple is a national monument and a work of art. Inside the temple, you will find elaborate ceiling paintings. Also notice the striking Gopuram or Pagoda, which features celebrated acts of Hindu deities.


Pagoda Street
Next stop on your tour of Chinatown, walk down Pagoda Street. You will immediately notice the walls of the Sri Mariamman Temple covered with statues of cows, which are considered as sacred animals by the Hindus. Walking down this street, you will find the Chinatown Heritage Centre. In this Centre, you can experience the life of the first Chinese immigrants to the Singapore island and see the living conditions back in the 1950s in shophouse No.50. Highlights include the living cubicles and tailorshop which recreate that bygone era.


Temple Street & Trengganu Street
Next, along Temple Street, you will find shops selling a wide array of souvenirs: from silks and lacquerware to exotic remedies and beauty treatments. At Trengganu Street, you will see the remains of the once famous Cantonese opera house Lai Chun Yuen (see picture right).


Smith Street
Along this street, you will finally experience the savory wonders of "Chinatown Food Street", with its rows of hawker stalls and shophouses selling delectable local Chinese cuisine. Spend your lunch or dinner time here to experience authentic local food, but be sure to come early to beat the crowd! This street was named after Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, the governor of the Straits Settlements from 1887 to 1893. This street was lined with hawker stalls in the past.


Chinatown Complex
Your next destination could be Chinatown Complex, located at the junction of Smith Street and Trengganu Street. This is one of the oldest "shopping" centre in Chinatown and you'll find that there is no air-con to provide you comfort! At the basement is the "wet market", so called because the floors are always wet and the abundance of fresh seafood. Above the wet market are many small stalls selling all sorts of products, from clothing and toys to local Chinese oldies music. This is a good chance to pick up items at cheap prices! Further up the complex, you will find more food stalls selling local favorites.


Sago Street
Thinking of traveling in "style"? This is the place where you can hire a trishaw ride to tour Chinatown! Along this street, you will also see Chinese medical halls (see picture right) that sell traditional Chinese medicine and herbs, a rattan mat weaver, pastry makers and furniture restorers.


Ang Siang Hill
Across from Sago Street, Ang Siang Hill is the congregation for remittance houses and Clan and Sporting Associations, with their wall-full of trophies and photographs of members and founders. Look out for the traditional designs on these buildings - you will see figurines of protective Chinese Gods on the doors or mirrors hung on the outside of windows or above the doors to ward off evil spirits by frightening them with their own reflections.


Club Street
Looking for a hippier and modern part of Chinatown? You will see that all in Club Street, where there are rows of modern restaurants (air-con!) serving European and Asian cuisine and even a massage parlour!
Club Street got its name from a grand Victorian manor named "Chinese Weekly Entertainment Club", which you will see at the top of the road. This club was founded in 1891 by a Peranakan millionaire as a gentleman's club for influential entities among the Chinese community.


Keong Saik Road
Tucked away within walking distance of Chinatown lies Keong Saik Road, a once famous place where prostitutes solicit. Although it is probably not as "happening" now, local rumours has it that you can still find some activities.