Main Description
Chinatown in Singapore offers a vibrant blend of rich cultural heritage and modern attractions, making it a must-visit destination for both history enthusiasts and urban explorers. With its bustling streets lined with traditional shophouses, ornate temples, and contemporary shops, Chinatown is a dynamic neighborhood where the past and present seamlessly coexist. Visitors can immerse themselves in the district’s lively atmosphere, sample delicious street food, and explore its colourful markets, all while discovering the cultural stories behind the area’s significant landmarks.
Overview
The rooftops of Chinatown in Singapore, visible only from above, distinctly mark the gridlines of this historic district, where rows of traditional shophouses, narrow 19th and 20th-century Southeast Asian buildings, stand. These shophouses once housed multiple families in cramped conditions, with rooms above the ground-floor shops, creating a densely packed living environment. Once home to Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese, Hakka, Henghua, and Foochow immigrants from China in the 1800s, Chinatown became officially recognized by the media around 1853.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of Singapore’s most iconic temple landmarks, known for its impressive size and stunning deep red architecture. This five-storey temple features several distinct areas, including a main hall, a bell tower, a drum tower, and a pagoda with a prayer wheel. Completed in 2007 at a cost of USD 75 million, the temple is named after what is believed to be the left canine tooth of Buddha, and makes for an excellent expedition from nearby hotels like the Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre.
Chinatown Heritage Centre
The story of the centre begins with a tour – Starting on the ground floor, it tells the story of a fictional tailor and his business, followed by a glimpse into his family’s living quarters. As you move upstairs, the tour reveals the different families and communities that lived in the rooms across the upper floors. It’s a highly engaging experience, though it requires a couple of hours to fully explore, and may hold limited appeal for children.
Markets and Shopping
The markets of Singapore are truly an experience, however, since COVID, the area has seen a decline, with the once-bustling streets now often quite empty. However, the lack of crowds creates an opportunity to engage with shopkeepers without the rush, and it’s always a pleasant experience when the vendors go the extra mile, like giving a demonstration of singing bowls or helping you find exactly what you’re looking for – a perfect choice of must see places in Singapore.
