Chinatown, Singapore

Chinatown in Singapore is a historic urban quarter that developed in the 19th century as a settlement area for Chinese immigrants and remains a dense mix of commercial, religious and cultural sites. The precinct contains narrow streets, restored shophouses, markets and multiple temples reflecting the area’s heritage.

Prominent features include traditional markets and food centres, heritage shophouses on streets such as Pagoda Street and Trengganu Street, and religious sites including the Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Visitors often explore street-level shops, specialty stores and daytime markets for souvenirs and local food.

The district has undergone conservation and adaptive reuse projects that preserve architectural details while housing restaurants, galleries and boutique shops. Cultural festivals, street events and temple processions remain important aspects of the area’s contemporary life.

Chinatown sits in central Singapore south of the Singapore River and north of Maxwell and the central business district; it is a short walk from the Telok Ayer and Chinatown MRT stations and borders other civic heritage precincts.

• Hawker centre: The Chinatown Complex Food Centre is one of Singapore's largest hawker centres and a good place to sample a wide range of local hawker dishes under one roof.

What to See #

• Sri Mariamman Temple: A red-and-gold temple in the historic precinct, built in 1827 and serving as the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, known for its ornate façade and annual festival activities.
• Chinatown Complex and market: A multi-storey cultural and retail complex that includes a large hawker centre and market stalls selling food, produce and traditional goods for the Chinese community.
• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: A four-storey temple housing a revered relic and museum displays dedicated to Buddhist art and community activities, located in the heart of Chinatown.