Singapore Chinatown Tour

Trace the roots of Singapore's Chinatown and explore its rich tapestry of faiths and traditions
From US$648 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Yueh Hai Ching Temple
  • URA Gallery
  • Thian Hock Keng Temple
  • Fuk Tak Chi Temple
Photos & Highlights
  • Uncover and discover the rich, diverse history that Singapore's Chinatown architecture was built upon.
  • Visit the award-winning Thian Hock Keng Temple, a UNESCO Heritage site and experience the intricate Yueh Hai Ching Temple.
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Tour Description
Uncover the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown, where the past meets the present in a vibrant tapestry of faiths, cultures, and traditions. This expert-led tour delves into the architecture, stories, and rituals that define this iconic neighborhood, offering a deeper understanding of its diverse communities.
Experts
Joe Joe
Local Guide
Shanti Shanti
Local Guide
Stefan Stefan
Local Guide
Lim Gim Lim Gim
Local Guide
Claire Claire
Local Guide
Tim Tim
Art Historian
Carey Carey
Local Guide
Jane Jane
Local Guide
Frederik Frederik
Historian
Elaine Elaine
Local Guide
Isabela Isabela
Local Guide

We’ll begin our Singapore Chinatown Tour at Raffles Place, a bustling hub in the heart of Singapore’s financial district. Here, we’ll discover Masjid Moulana, an underground mosque established in the 1950s by three businessmen to serve Indian worshippers. This unique site offers a glimpse into the blending of faith and daily life in Singapore’s central business district.

Continuing along Chulia Street, once a prominent Indian enclave, we’ll discuss the history of the community that later moved to Little India. Shifting our focus to the Chinese community, we’ll visit Yueh Hai Ching Temple, a site renowned for its intricately detailed carvings and ceramic roof depicting Chinese legends. This hidden gem provides insight into the second-largest Chinese dialect group in Singapore, the Teochew.

Our journey will then take us down Telok Ayer, a quieter street lined with historical landmarks amidst the towering skyscrapers. Here, we’ll encounter the preserved remains of Fuk Tak Chi Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore, now serving as the entrance to a boutique hotel. This site tells the story of early Cantonese and Hakka immigrants who built the temple on Singapore’s former seashore.

Next, we’ll visit the celebrated Thian Hock Keng Temple, a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage site and a key religious space for the Hokkien community. Dedicated to Ma Zu Po, the Goddess of the Sea, the temple’s stunning architectural elements include dragon sculptures and intricate carvings. As we explore, our expert will discuss its significance to early immigrants who braved perilous sea journeys to Singapore.

In the final part of our tour, we’ll explore a mix of historical and modern-day Chinatown highlights. Depending on group interests, we may visit the Al Abrar Mosque or the vibrant Amoy Street Hawker Centre, where local professionals gather to enjoy authentic Singaporean cuisine. We’ll also stroll through Ann Siang Hill, a peaceful green space once home to exclusive social clubs, now transformed into a hub for trendy bars and restaurants. Finally, we’ll conclude at the URA City Gallery, where a 3D model of Singapore offers a bird’s-eye view of our route and places our exploration into a broader urban context.

  • You’re interested in exploring the intersection of religion, architecture, and history.
  • You want to see a mix of Singapore’s historic and modern neighborhoods.
  • You’re keen to visit UNESCO Heritage sites and hidden gems.
  • You’re a fan of local markets and vibrant street scenes.
  • You enjoy learning from expert guides who bring stories to life.
 This tour begins near Raffles Place and ends in Chinatown, near Amoy Street or the URA Gallery. The exact meeting point will be provided in your confirmation email.


  • Where do we meet? Where does it end?
    The walk starts near Raffles Place and ends near Amoy Street or the URA Gallery. Exact details will be in your confirmation email.

  • What if it’s raining?
    Tours operate rain or shine. Please bring an umbrella, hat, and sunscreen. Sheltered areas are available if needed.

  • Is this tour good for kids and teens?
    Yes, guides can adjust the tour to appeal to younger audiences. Please provide details about your children when booking.

 We aim to make our tours enjoyable for everyone. If you have mobility concerns, please let us know at the time of booking.

  • Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
    Some portions of the route may have limited accessibility; contact us for more details.
 Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

Highlights

  • Visit the award-winning Thian Hock Keng Temple, a UNESCO Heritage site.
  • Experience the lively Amoy Street food court, a feast for all senses.
Where You'll Start
(5.0) 2 Reviews

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

We had a terrific and very knowledgeable guide in Singapore. Swee Lin spent the extra time and effort making sure that we really understood the heritage, the culture, the food and beauty of Singapore and we are very thankful for this experience.
Tim was a pleasure to spend time with. Very knowledgeable and helpful. We loved the temples and their role in Singapore history. Highly recommend!
Pavla was highly engaging and knowledgeable. She shared tons of valuable and interesting insights into the temples, evolution of Singapore and where it’s headed, as well as life in Singapore. She has a passion for Asia which she imparted and gave us a spark to explore more. Having shared a past common background we connected very well with her and felt we saw and learned enough during this tour for it to merit the money spent on this tour. Pavla was natural and attentive and worked very hard to give us a wonderful experience. This was our favourite tour of the three we took.