Singapore/Chinatown

[[file:Singapore_Chinatown_Banner.jpg|1280px|Halal Explorer to Singapore's Chinatown|caption=Overlooking Smith Street}}

Sign Fragrance - Fragrant signage for bak kwa, Pagoda St

Singapore's Chinatown is the traditional Chinese quarters of town, and while the entire city is largely Chinese these days and the area does retain some of its own charm. The area is commonly called Niu Che Shui (牛车水) in Chinese and Kreta Ayer in (Malay), both names meaning "bullock cart water", a reference to the carts that used to haul in drinking water. Unlike most of predominantly Hokkien Singapore and the dominant Chinese dialect in Chinatown is Cantonese.

The area between Pagoda Street and Smith Street has been tarted up considerably for tourists, but workaday Chinatown continues south and east, merging seamlessly into the Central Business District. Tanjong Pagar is the unofficial home of Singapore's community, with many watering holes in restored shophouses, while Club Street and Ann Siang Hill caters more to the expat, yuppie and hipster crowd with small, intimate eateries offering excellent (if pricey) Western and modern Singaporean fare. Hence Chinatown is quite the paradox — simultaneously the gaudiest and trendiest neighborhood in Singapore.

Travel to Singapore/Chinatown

There are several MRT stations around this area. Exit A (Pagoda Street) Chinatown station (North East and Downtown lines) will deposit you right in the heart of the action. Outram Park (North East line), Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place (East West and North South lines) as well as Telok Ayer (Downtown line) are also all within walking distance, as is Clarke Quay (North East line) and the Singapore/Riverside|Singapore River to the north.

What to see in Singapore/Chinatown

Chinatown's primary attraction is the town itself, composed as it is of restored shophouses full of strange little shops selling everything from plastic Buddhas to dried seahorses. Wander at random and see what you can find!

Chinatown is at its busiest and most colourful in the month preceding the Chinese New Year (January - Feb), when the streets are decked with festive decorations. Street markets are thronged with people, shows entertain the crowds and the drums of lion dances echo into the night. The festivities in a 24:00 countdown and a roar of firecrackers atop People's Park Complex, showering flaming confetti down below (steer clear!) — and for the two following days virtually everything is closed.

Temples and masjids

Buddha_Tooth_Relic_Temple_and_Museum - Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Held up as a shining example of racial and religious tolerance in "National Education" classes, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim places of worship can all be found within a few hundred metres of each other in Chinatown.

• Jamae Mosque - Masjid Jamae | One of Singapore's oldest masjids, built in the 1830s by Tamil Muslims in an Indian style. Note the stepped minarets outside.

• Sri Mariamman Temple - Singapore's oldest and most important Hindu temple and worth a visit for the intricately carved gopuram (statuary above the entrance), which gave adjacent "Pagoda Street" its name. This is an active temple, so take off your shoes and don't disturb the worshippers. The Thimithi fire-walking festival is held here one week before Deepavali, usually October - November.

Museums and galleries in Singapore/Chinatown

• Singapore City Gallery - URA Gallery | 3-storey visitor gallery with large scaled models of the entire country (ground floor) as well as the downtown (incredibly life-like), which provide good orientation of the nation for first-timers. The gallery tells the history of Singapore's urban planning, various planning, design, and conservation strategies adopted to create a good living environment, sustainable development, and many others. Learn the story of Singapore's transformation from 3rd to 1st world, play games on land planning, and the expanse of land reclamation done on the island country. There are also wonderful images of old-new Singapore to browse, free walking maps to unique neighborhoods like Joo Chiat to pick up. It is in an office building. Just walk in and take the escalator up to 2nd floor for permanent exhibits.

• Chinatown Heritage Centre - An excellent museum chronicling how Chinatown came to be and the privation suffered by early migrants. The centre is on the left if you walk straight from the Pagoda Street exit of Chinatown MRT station.

Parks and gardens

• Ann Siang Hill Park | A nice hidden park with few visitors, connecting Telok Ayer and Ann Siang Hill. Hard to brave the heat and climb the multiple stairways though, to one of the highest geographical points in Chinatown.

Viewing deck

• @Duxton Skybridge - Singapore's tallest public housing project has a 50th-storey viewing deck that offers some of the best city views around at a fraction of the cost of the Singapore Flyer. $5, but payment must be made by ez-link card; enter via Block 1G, Level 1 (next to bus stop). As of 2023 the EZ-link self-service kiosk is not working and the entry fee has to be paid at a counter at level 3 of block 1G.

Best things to do in Singapore/Chinatown

Probably the most strenuous activity in Chinatown is avoiding touting tailors — which, incidentally, is illegal and can be reported to the police.

• Bath Culture Foot Therapy - Bath Culture | A massage parlour focused on foot massages. Uses traditional techniques and herbal remedies with natural ingredients and plays oriental music during the massage.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Singapore/Chinatown

Singapore_CNY_Tinsel - Chinese New Year decorations on sale

The central streets of Chinatown around the pagoda are packed with near-identical stalls selling all sorts of Chinese trinkets aimed squarely at tourists. There is also a cluster of (expensive) antique shops on South Bridge Rd. For Chinese handicrafts, antiques, fashion items, home accessories and Chinese medicine aimed more at the local residents, poke into any of the numerous shopping malls. Chinatown is made up of pre-war shophouses, home to merchants who have been hawking the same wares for years – bales of fine silk, traditional handicrafts, and Gold and jade jewellery. At the junction of Eu Tong Sen Street and Upper Cross Street, a large Chinese emporium Yue Hwa stocks an array of Chinese products such as tea, medicinal herbs, food, household items, antiques and traditional Chinese clothes such as the cheongsam.

During Chinese New Year and the Chinatown Food Market buzzes with activities like lion dances and other street performances. A large variety of stalls are set up on Pagoda, Smith, Trengganu and Sago Streets during the festive season, selling traditional Snacks and customary decorations.

In shophouses on Ann Siang Road and Club Street, local designer boutiques such as Asylum and Style:Nordic can be found amidst traditional Chinese clan associations. A popular haunt for today's hipsters, this area of Chinatown blends traditional Chinese legacy with contemporary threads, quirky cafes and chic restaurants.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Singapore/Chinatown

For a Muslim not much to shop in Chinatown.

Visit a Muslim Friendly Mall in Singapore/Chinatown

• People's Park Complex - Has numerous shops selling electronics, clothing, clocks, Chinese medicine and jewellery. Also and there are many massage parlours and travel agents. Head to the rooftop carpark on level 6 for a viewpoint of Chinatown and join in on the regular events held by the active mod-Sin Lepark café.

• People's Park Centre - It has a large food hawker centre selling local food on the first level. 2nd and 3rd level sells clothes and discount retail store selling cosmetics, skincare, beauty products, and toiletries.

• Chinatown Point | A shopping mall that mainly sells handicrafts, along with gifts and watches as well as beauty salons.

• OG People's Park - Sells a wide range of department store merchandise, well known brands such as Adidas (currently on the BDS List so for the time don't purchase any Adidas products), Giordano and Billabong have counters in the building. On the fifth floor and there is a food section selling mainly Korean products, with a Westlake cafe on the third floor.

Halal Restaurants in Singapore/Chinatown

In Chinatown there is, needless to say, plenty of Chinese food to go around! But if you hanker for Halal food, Tanjong Pagar is also Singapore's unofficial Korean neighborhood.

• Akbar Restaurant | At the southernmost tip of Tanjong Pagar, this busy but friendly 24-hour coffee shop (don't be fooled by the name) serves up a wide variety of (Malay) and Muslim Indian food, with the roti prata being the star of the menu.

• Blue Ginger | Possibly Singapore's best-known (and most expensive) restaurant for very authentic Peranakan food. One of the most popular dishes is ayam buah keluak, a Chicken Curries dish made with candlenuts.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Singapore/Chinatown

Singapore/Chinatown - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Singapore/Chinatown, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Singapore/Chinatown. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Singapore/Chinatown and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Singapore/Chinatown. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Singapore/Chinatown. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSingapore/Chinatown: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Singapore/Chinatown.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Singapore/Chinatown: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Singapore/Chinatown, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Singapore/Chinatown.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Singapore/Chinatown, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Singapore/Chinatown, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Singapore/Chinatown and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Singapore/Chinatown, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Singapore/Chinatown, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Singapore/Chinatown without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Singapore/Chinatown is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Singapore/Chinatown.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Singapore/Chinatown is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Singapore/Chinatown, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Singapore/Chinatown Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

While there are a few ordinary hotels and the most interesting accommodation options in Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar are in renovated shophouses.

• [https://+Singapore&hotelId=361783&&.Zz0d015083e7c44f4cbcfbd3b-206204 Amara Hotel | Classy, modern business hotel with its own large shopping mall.

Go Next

For more culture, head to Singapore/Little India|Little India or Singapore/Bugis|Kampong Glam. Chinatown lost a bit of its soul after receiving various makeovers, with some local activity shifting over to the Bencoolen area centred around Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple in Singapore/Bugis|Bugis. Recent Chinese immigrants have gravitated towards Singapore/East Coast|Geylang in the east. The nearby Singapore/Riverside|Riverside is an easy walk north, while neighbouring Tiong Bahru and the very first Singaporean public housing estate, has also undergone a similar revitalisation, spurring the opening of boutique eateries and retail outlets.

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