Chinatown is the setting of conserved buildings, century-old beliefs and interesting contrasts. Late 18th C shops can be found alongside modern shopping centers in this bustling district. A walk through Pagoda Street or Trengganu Street reveals unique finds like Chinese calligraphy, or herbal cures. Chinatown is at its most vibrant during Chinese New year when the entire area is alight and decorated with stalls selling a variety of festive goods. Singapore's oldest Hindu temple is smack in the middle of Chinatown
The oldest (c1827) and most magnificent Hindu temple in Singapore, Sri Mariamman Temple, has a pagoda-like entrance topped by an ornate gopuram (pyramidal gateway tower).
Hundreds of brightly colored statues of deities and mythical animals line the tiers of this towering entrance. A designated national monument, this temple is also where the annual fire-walking ceremony of Thimithi is held.
Address: Sri Mariamman Temple, 244 South Bridge Road, Singapore, Singapore 058793, Singapore
Hours:
7am-12pm, 6pm-9pm
Tips: Remember to leave your shoes at the door.
Transit: Take the MRT to City Hall Station, then take SBS bus 61, 103, 166 or 197 from North Bridge Road.
A popular Singapore hobby is keeping songbirds and every Sunday morning, at a small coffee shop, bird enthusiasts meet informally to show off their pets and meet with fellow competitors. The elaborate cages are moved about the cafe for maximum effect while visitors have breakfast and enjoy the show.
Hours:
am-am; Sun:6am-am; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Tips: Starts about 6am at the Wah Heng Coffee Shop.
Transit: Take the MRT to Tiong Bahru and walk left for about 5 minutes.
Herbal medicines, rattan, kites and masks can be purchased on this street named after the tapioca-like crop that was processed in local factories. The area was infamous for death parlors where the sick and lonely would wait out their last days.
The heart of activity in Chinatown. On this corner stands the remains of the once famed Cantonese opera house. This area was also the red-light district with opium dens just around the corner in Pagoda Street.
Read More
Read Less
Read More
Covered walkway in Singapore Chinatown.
Chinese New Year in Singapore's Chinatown.
Decoration for the Chinese New Year in the Chinatown of Singapore.
A colonial style Chinese house in Singapore.
Shophouse windows in Singapore's Chinatown.
