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Chinatown, Singapore

Pagoda Street, Singapore,

Description

Singapore's Chinatown is a neighbourhood with a high concentration of ethnic Chinese population and some distinctive architecture. It covers the areas between South bridge Road, Pickering St, Telok Ayer and Tanjong Pagar. In the early 19th century, this is where Chinese immigrants were settled but, as the population grew, some moved to other neighbourhoods, especially after the Housing Development Board relocation drive of the 1960's. The main ethnicities are Hokkien, Cantonese and Teochew, all from the south-eastern Chinese provinces. Highlights in the area include Pagoda Street (the centre of slave traffic in the 1850's), Temple Street (where one entrance to Sri Mariamman is located), Mosque Street, Kreta Ayer / Keong Saik Rd and Telok Ayer / Amoy St.

Access & Transport

The neighbourhood has its own namesake MRT station (NE and Downtown lines). There are also many bus stops on South Bridge rd / Eu Tong Sen St and Upper Cross St.

Instructions & Recommendations

This activity can be combined with a visit of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple and dinner & drinks in the Keong Saik rd area or near Pagoda St.

Meta review

The neighbourhood is well known among tourists and regularly featured in travel magazines, guidebooks, and online blogs. Visitors enjoy the variety of food, the cheap souvenirs, the bright decoration during Chinese New Year, the lively atmosphere and the several temples worth visiting. However, this experience is far from being unanimous and there is a significant percentage of reviewers who find the place too crowded and touristy and are disappointed by the lack of artisanal shops, only finding cheap junk products for sale.

Environmental & Social

Urban environment with few patches of green. The area's commercial activity enables the preservation of old buildings, the most valuable architectural heritage of Singapore

Conclusion

Singapore's Chinatown is far from being a homogeneous neighbourhood, in fact it spans several of them and the visitor's experience will greatly vary from one to the other. Around Chinatown MRT and Pagoda St, one can find the main tourist and shopping area which feels very staged and only deserves a quick look in our opinion. It is the temples and various other sub-areas with heritage shophouses and multitude of small stores and restaurants along Bukit Pasoh, Kreta Ayer or Amoy St that is worth exploring - that is an absolute must do for any traveller.

Key positive

One of the best places for heritage buildings

A lot of great restaurants and shops. Good for massages (foot / shoulder) as well

Key negative

The Pagoda St neighbourhood is very crowded and commercial

Suitability

No restrictions

About this Rating

TYPE

Onsite

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 25m

est. visit time:2h

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningNo

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightOk

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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