Best of Singapore's Chinatown

Description:

This pedestrian street forms the heart of busy tourist Chinatown. You'll be surrounded by beautifully preserved traditional shophouses, overflowing with shops selling cheap clothing and souvenirs. There's nearly always a buzz here, as tourists and locals browse the shops looking for a bargain. Keep a look out for silk cushion covers, traditional Chinese clothing, silk fans and paintings. In some of the more upmarket shops, you'll find beautiful lacquerware, silk lamps, furniture and antiques. You'll probably be stopped by touts selling massages or offering to measure you up for a tailor-made suit along the way. It's all part of the fun!

Description:

The Chinatown Heritage Centre provides a fascinating journey through the lives of the Chinese immigrants who flooded into Singapore throughout the 19th century. Divided between the maze-like warrens of three restored shophouses, the exhibitions explore the harsh conditions which forced many Chinese migrants to flee their home country in search of a better life, and the further perils they faced on arrival in Singapore.

The Four Evils: prostitution, drinking, gambling and opium-smoking are well documented here, and personal accounts by former immigrants help bring the exhibition to life. In contrast, the museum also celebrates the Golden Years of Chinatown during the 1950s with its vibrant street stalls and food markets. One of the highlights of the museum is the re-creation of cubicle living endured by the ever-increasing numbers of immigrants pouring into an already cramped Chinatown.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the best spots in town for authentic dim sum.

Description:

Yum Cha is one of the best places in Singapore to experience dim sum in an authentic setting. Tucked away at the top of a hidden staircase in the middle of bustling Chinatown, this popular restaurant packs in local families and tourists alike, creating a buzzing and convivial atmosphere. Saturday lunchtime is obviously a busy time to visit but has the added attraction of trolley service, making Yum Cha one of the few places in Singapore still to practise this old tradition.

The menu includes a wide choice of Chinese and local Singaporean dishes, but the majority of people flock here at lunchtime to indulge in a dim sum feast. Perennial favourites such as Har Gao (prawn dumplings), Xiao Long Bao (steamed pork Shanghai dumplings) and Char Siu Bao (barbecue pork buns) are all available, and other standouts include the Prawn and Mango Rolls and the Pan Fried Pork Pancake. Get here early or be prepared to queue.

Our Local Expert Says:

A fascinating insight into the rich history and culture of Buddhism.

Description:

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is located in the heart of Chinatown. The magnificent temple building comprises five floors and a roof garden and was designed to incorporate the best of the Tang Dynasty and the Buddhist Mandala.

The Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic Chamber is the most revered part of the temple and can be found on the 4th floor. Its importance is evident in the magnificence of the room, complete with gold floor tiles surrounding the solid gold stupa. The roof garden houses the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion with its large Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel, while the excellent Buddhist Culture Museum can be found on the 3rd floor. This houses an impressive collection of rare Asian Buddhist artefacts, which accompany a display on the life story and teachings of Lord Buddha. The 100 Dragons Hall on the ground floor is where the daily ceremonies take place, when the chanting monks and congregation add to the air of reverence.

Description:

Da Dong restaurant is something of an institution in Singapore, dishing up traditional Cantonese fare since 1928. Located on Smith Street in the heart of Chinatown, Da Dong has garnered its reputation through serving up its famous Peking Duck, dim sum and Chilli Crab to a loyal following of locals. The inviting Chinese food aromas also draw in the passing tourist trade, the restaurant's wooden floors and floor-to-ceiling window shutters making for a pleasant spot to rest those sightseeing-weary legs. Ask for an upstairs window table to indulge in some Chinatown people watching while you eat.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the most elaborate and beautiful temples in the whole of Singapore.

Description:

Thian Hock Keng Temple, also known as the Temple of Heavenly Bliss, is one of the most popular temples in Singapore with visitors.

The temple is dedicated to Ma-Zu-Po, the Goddess of the Sea, and once faced the sea - the spot where it stands originally bordered the shoreline, before the island was extended through reclaimed land. It was therefore often the first stop for new Chinese immigrants arriving in Singapore who came to pay their respects to Ma-Zu-Po, and give thanks for a safe passage.

The temple was erected in 1821, making it the oldest Hokkien temple in Singapore. Nearly all of the materials used to construct the temple came from China, and some even from the boats the immigrants arrived on. Incredibly the entire temple was constructed with bricks and wooden poles and without the use of any nails.

Take your time to explore the temple - wander through the courtyards and admire the rooftop dragons, ceiling mosaics, gold-leafed details and the intricately painted doors. You will find a statue of Ma-Zu-Po on the central altar in the main part of the temple, flanked by the Protector of Life and the God of War.

Description:

Maxwell Road Food Centre is one of Singapore's best and most popular hawker centres, with over a hundred food stalls, many with long snaking queues. All the old favourites are here - from congee to roti prata, from wanton noodles to nasi lemak. As always with hawker centres - if in doubt, go for the stall with the longest queue.

Description:

Yixing Xuan, which translates as 'happy and relaxing small house', is a tranquil and welcoming tea house where you can sample some of the finest Chinese teas in Singapore. The walls are lined with various tins and packets of high quality tea leaves imported from China, and doll-sized cups and saucers. The welcoming staff will often invite you take a seat and sample some of the produce before you buy. If you're interested in learning more about the fascinating world of Chinese tea, they also run tasting workshops, which will have you distinguishing between an Oolong and a Lung Ching in no time.

Description:

Located in the heart of Chinatown, the Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, dating back to 1827. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, the Goddess of healing. Its distinctive colourful gopuram towers above the entrance, covered with figurative sculptures of gods, goddesses and mythological beasts. The Theemithi festival (fire walking ceremony) is held here annually in October/ November and draws thousands of devotees and tourists.

Description:

Jamae Mosque was built by the Chulias, Tamil Muslims who were some of the earlier immigrants to Singapore and who had a very influential hold over Indian Muslim life centered in the Chinatown area. The Chulias built not only this mosque, but the Al-Abrar Mosque and the Nagore Durgha Shrine as well. Jamae Mosque dates from 1827 but wasn't completed until the early 1830s. The mosque stands today almost exactly as it did then.

Although the front gate is typical of mosques you'd see in southern India, inside, most of the buildings reflect the neoclassical style of architecture introduced in administrative buildings and homes designed by George Coleman and favored by the Europeans. There are also some Malay touches in the timber work. A small shrine inside, which may be the oldest part of the mosque, was erected to memorialize a local religious leader, Muhammad Salih Valinva.

Description:

This intimate and trendy bar cum restaurant is split into two parts - downstairs SaVanh Bistro & Lounge provides moody lighting, chill out tunes and cocktails and nibbles while upstairs, the Indochine Restaurant provides a more formal setting for sumptuous Asian cuisine. Choose from Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian specialties such as Tom Som Laotian Green Papaya Salad, Danang Butter Garlic Prawns and Lemon-grass Scented Sesame Lamb Tenderloin.

Our Local Expert Says:

Part restaurant, part cinema, part awesome roof bar.

Description:

The Screening Room, offers fine Mediterranean fare along with a cinematic experience. In this five storey building you can indulge in your tasty grub and watch films at the same time. Each level has different themes and it also houses a private screening room. The basement has a bar with two wall mounted screens, on the next level you can enjoy relaxed dining at the bistro and you can take in the sights of Chinatown from their rooftop lounge. An exhilarating experience, with a perfect blend of good food and cinema. Check website for timings.