Chinatown
Upper Pickering Street, Cantonment Road, New Bridge Road an South Bridge RoadBuses: SBS 2, 12, 33, 51, 61, 62, 63, 81, 84, 103, 124, 143, 14,1 147, 166, 174, 190, 197. Tibs 851.
Nearest MRT station: Chinatown, Outram Park
No visit to Singapore would be complete without a visit to Chinatown - the original site where Chinese immigrants lived, worked and played.This is where you can see the oldest Hokkien temple, Thian Hock Keng, or experience a prayer session in progress at the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore's oldest Indian temple.
Pop by a wet market and see how housewives haggle for the best fresh produce, or experience a Chinese tea appreciation session that comes with an opera performance. Shop for Chinese antiquities or buy Tiger Balm (medicated ointment) and take in the smell of the array of Chinese herbs on sale. Don't forget to stop by Food Street for an alfresco meal and the various Chinese pastry shops for home-made tarts and cakes. Learn about the rich cultural history of old Chinatown at the Chinatown Heritage Centre at 48 Pagoda Street (open from 10.00am to 7.00pm daily, admission charges are SGD 8.00 for adults and SGD 4.80 for children).
Neighbouring lanes like Club, Smith and Trengganu Streets also offer an interesting mix of art galleries, Chinese opera performances and modern plays.
Best time to visit: 10.00am to 10.00pm daily
Places of Interest Arab Street Kampong Glam Little India Katong