Chinatown Travel Guide

Singapore

Chinatown showing a temple or place of worship, interior views and religious elements
Chinatown
Chinatown
Chinatown
Photo provided by Singapore Tourism Board

Sample traditional food and visit important historical sites in on of the oldest Chinatowns in the world. 

As the dominant ethnic group in Singapore, the Chinese residents of Singapore have cast an influence over the whole city. But at the heart of the Chinese community sits Singapore’s Chinatown, the first location in the world to be called Chinatown. Since 1330, the area around Pagoda Street has been a hub for the Chinese immigrants in Singapore, and today it remains a fascinating cultural excursion that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. Chinatown offers some of the best dining in the city and historical and cultural attractions, like the Chinatown Heritage Centre, the many markets and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. Feel free to enter the temple and take a look around the lavish gold and red interior. If you are lucky you may get to witness a Buddhist ceremony taking place.

Join a walking tour, or embark on your own following the Chinatown trail, to discover the history of the area. Beginning at the Chinese Heritage Centre, see how life was for early immigrants to the city. Make your way to the oldest Hindu temple in the city, the Sri Mariamman Temple, to admire the South Indian architectural style. The architecture in Chinatown is one of its defining features. Particularly charming are the old style shop-houses which are still in operation.

Eat traditional Chinese cuisine on Smith Street, affectionately known by locals as “Food Street.” Here you can try Bak kut, a variety of pork rib soup that is incredibly popular in the city. Other options are the noodle dishes that have become known around the world as Singapore Noodles. 

Chinatown is located in the central downtown precinct of Singapore and can be reached on foot from many downtown hotels. Visitors arriving by car will find parking in the nearby streets. Chinatown is well served by public transportation and the Chinatown MRT station is just a minute’s walk away. Chinatown is open daily and there is no fee to visit.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Chinatown

Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
4 out of 5
8 Club Street, Singapore
The price is Rp2.488.935 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp2.488.935
Rp2.984.232 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (848 reviews)
"Very welcoming and helpful staff, fantastic location including a MRT station ( Telok Ayer) in the basement, very clean, comfortable beds and pillows, great views from balcony room....the only downside was the size of the room, shower room/ toilet and separate bathroom basin. Very compact. Only one ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
Carlton City Hotel Singapore
Carlton City Hotel Singapore
5 out of 5
1 Gopeng Street, Singapore
The price is Rp3.190.942 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp3.190.942
Rp3.825.939 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,501 reviews)
"Good size room and convenient location to shopping and dining options. TV in room did not have audio. Shower faucet did not work properly and had to maneuver handle to turn on or off the water."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Carlton City Hotel Singapore
Mondrian Singapore Duxton
Mondrian Singapore Duxton
4 out of 5
16A DUXTON HILL, Singapore
The price is Rp3.420.690 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
Rp3.420.690
Rp4.101.407 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy 4 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (311 reviews)
Kid free friends getaway
"Girls trip away from the kids. Choose this hotel for its location, pool and feeling it would have few kids. Great location in Chinatown with no shortage of restaurants and cafes. Newly renovated but rooms are small. Hotel breakfast is your standard hotel buffet, only did it once. Great rooftop pool ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Mondrian Singapore Duxton
Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay
Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay
4.5 out of 5
Merchant Road, 20, Singapore, SIN
The price is Rp3.082.758 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
Rp3.082.758
Rp3.696.227 total
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,170 reviews)
"This was a great stay! In the downtown area with plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes within walking. Local food options are everywhere! The happy hour included a generous spread with free/reasonable drinks. The pool and spa was open early morning for jet laggers and early risers. I would definitely ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport by IHG
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport by IHG
5 out of 5
75 Airport Boulevard, Singapore
The price is Rp3.803.603 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp3.803.603
Rp4.560.494 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Singapore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,112 reviews)
"Above"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport by IHG
lyf Bugis Singapore
lyf Bugis Singapore
4 out of 5
200 Middle Road, Singapore
The price is Rp1.940.093 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp1.940.093
Rp2.326.171 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Singapore. Enjoy 2 restaurants, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Ok, fine, satisfactory
"Ok fine"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

lyf Bugis Singapore
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Chinatown

Chinatown showing interior views, religious elements and a temple or place of worship

Outram

Travellers love Outram for its popular shops, and you can see more of Singapore by jumping on the metro at Chinatown Station or Telok Ayer Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and Sri Mariamman Temple.

Outram
Clarke Quay Mall showing shopping, interior views and modern architecture

Downtown Singapore

4.5/5(242 area reviews)

Downtown Singapore is highly notable for its stunning river views, and you might want to visit top sights like Orchard Road and Clarke Quay Central. See more of Singapore by jumping on the metro at Clarke Quay Station or Chinatown Station.

Downtown Singapore
Boat Quay which includes a house, street scenes and night scenes

Financial District Singapore

4.5/5(81 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and stunning river views are just a few top-rate features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by UOB Plaza or Boat Quay while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Raffles Place Station to get around town.

Financial District Singapore
Clarke Quay Mall which includes a city, a bridge and a river or creek

Clarke Quay

Known for its ample dining options and beautiful river views, there's plenty to explore in Clarke Quay. You can visit top attractions like Clarke Quay Central and Clarke Quay Mall, and jump on the metro at Clarke Quay Station or Fort Canning MRT station to see more of the city.

Clarke Quay
Default Image

Tanjong Pagar

While you're in Tanjong Pagar, take in top sights like Shenton Way and jump on the metro at Tanjong Pagar Station to see more of the city.

Tanjong Pagar
Clarke Quay Mall which includes a city, a bridge and a river or creek

Singapore River

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

UE Square and Robertson Quay are a few top attractions in Singapore River. Hop around the city on the metro at Fort Canning MRT station or Clarke Quay Station and check out the area's fantastic nightlife, stunning river views and popular shops.

Singapore River

Chinatown Travel Guide