Chinatown (Singapore) - Chinatown (Singapore)

Disambiguation - For toponyms of identical name, see Chinatown (disambiguation).

Chinatown is a district of the city of Singapore, related to the Chinese quarter, also known as Niu Che Shui (牛车水) in Chinese language e Kreta Ayer in Malay. Both names indicate the wagons with which drinking water was transported.

To know

The area between Pagoda Street is Smith Street it has been dressed up for tourists but regular Chinatown stretches south and east to join the Central Business District. Tanjong Pagar it is the unofficial "home" of the local gay community gay community, while Club Street he gathers foreigners, especially in small but expensive western-style restaurants.

The predominant Chinese dialect here is Cantonese.

How to orient yourself

How to get

Exit A (Pagoda Street) of the North-East MRT line at the station Chinatown and you will find yourself in the heart of the neighborhood. Outram Park, Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place are within walking distance as are Clarke Quay and the river to the north.

How to get around

What see

The main attraction is Chinatown itself! Browse the shops and see the oddities being sold, from plastic Buddhas to dried seahorses.

Chinatown is at the peak of its traffic and colors in the month leading up to Chinese New Year (January-February), when the streets are decorated with festive decorations. Street markets are thronged with people, shows to entertain the crowds and lion dance drums echoing into the night. The midnight countdown celebrations and a rumble of firecrackers atop the People's Park Complex and a flaming shower of confetti. For the next two days everything is practically closed.

Temples and mosques

Held as a shining example of racial and religious tolerance in "national education" classes, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim places of worship are all located in Chinatown within a few hundred meters of each other.

• 1.2815103.84431 Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, 288 South Bridge Road. Free. 9:00-18:30. Four-story temple completed in 2007, with a statue of Maitreya Buddha, and the relic, a tooth of Shakyamuni Buddha on the fourth floor (visible only during daily ceremonies at 9: 00-11: 00, 14: 00-15: 30 , 18: 30-20: 00). On the roof, the Pagoda of the 10,000 Buddhas, with the Tibetan-style prayer wheel. 
• 1.2832103.84532 Jamae Mosque, 218 South Bridge Road. Free. One of the oldest mosques in Singapore, Tamil and Indian style. Note the minaret. 
• 1.2827103.84513 Sri Mariamman Temple, 244 South Bridge Road. Free, but photo / video permit 3/6 $. The oldest and most important Hindu temple in Singapore. The temple is still active so take off your shoes and don't disturb the faithful. TheThimithi it is held here a week before the Deepavali festival, usually between October and November. 
• 1.281103.84754 Thian Hock Keng Temple, 158 Telok Ayer Street, ☎ 65 64234616. Free. The oldest Hokkien temple in Singapore dates back to 1821, but the structure was renovated in 2000. The iron of the facade is from Scotland, the decorations from England and Holland, while the dragon is from China. Chinese New Year is celebrated between January and February and Chinatown is decorated for the occasion, parties and parades are held in a truly unique and very charming atmosphere. 

Museums and galleries

• 1.2799103.84535 Singapore City Gallery (URA Gallery), 45 Maxwell Road (opposite the Maxwell Food Center along South Bridge Road), ☎ 65 63218321. Free. Mon-Sat 9: 00-17: 00. On three floors with a scale model of the entire country (ground floor) and the city center. This gallery tells the whole history of Singapore, its urban plan and development, ideal for first-time visitors. Stunning images of old Singapore and maps of neighborhoods like Joo Chiat. It is located in an office building, on the second floor there is a permanent exhibition. 
• 1.2771103.83746 Baba House, 157 Neil Road. Free. On appointment. Baba House is a symbol of Peranakan culture. Visits are by appointment only. 
• 1.2836103.84447 Chinatown Heritage Center, 48 Pagoda Street. Adults $ 10, children $ 6. Mon-Sun 9: 00-20: 00. Excellent museum on the history of Chinatown. 
• 1.27825103.845598 Red Dot Design Museum, 28 Maxwell Road. Adults $ 8, children / students $ 4. Fri-Mar 11: 00-18: 00, Wed-Thu closed. Once the headquarters of traffic control, then painted bright red to house a museum on modern design. 
• 1.2834103.84439 Singapore Coin and Notes Museum, 2 Trengganu Street, Level 3 (Entrance in via Pagoda Street, opposite the Chinatown Heritage Center), ☎ 65 6222 2486. Adults $ 10, children $ 6. Mon-Sun 9: 00-20: 00. Small museum in the Chinatown Heritage Center, the entrance is a bit hidden. Operated by the Singapore Mint it displays local currency, commemorative coins, the history and production of the coins. 

Parks and gardens

• 1.2809103.846410 Ann Siang Hill Park (8 minutes from Tanjong Pagar MRT). A nice hidden park with few visitors, connecting Telok Ayer and Ann Siang Hill. Difficult to brave the heat and climb multiple stairs through, to one of the highest geographic points in Chinatown. 
• 1.28623103.8465111 Hong Lim Park (Close to Clarke Quay MRT). It houses the Speakers' Corner, the only place in Singapore where protests are sanctioned even if closely guarded by police. Never truly used for its purpose until recent issues have roused residents from their normal apathy. Hosts every June Squad Dot SG (collection to support gay rights). Foreigners are allowed to watch, but not to participate in any protest. 

Other

• 1.2756103.841312 Pinnacle @ Duxton Skybridge, 1G Cantonment Road (10 minutes from Outram Park MRT). Mon-Sun 9: 00-22: 00. One of the tallest buildings in the city, 50 floors, from which to admire the view at a much cheaper price than the Singapore Flyer. 5 $, you pay only with ez-link card; entrance via Block 1G, Level 1 (near the bus stop). 

What to do

The most stressful activity in Chinatown is avoiding the touts. This type of activity is illegal and you can tell the police.

• 1.2791103.84021 Rustic Nirvana, 25 Cantonment Road (Outram Park MRT, exit H.), ☎ 65 62279193. Balinese-style spa with 80 face and body treatment options including Kung Fu Bouncing Herbs. For ladies only. 
• Toy Factory Theater Ensemble. A theater group that pushes its art to the limit. Shows atAttic (21 Tanjong Pagar Rd, 4F) et al Theatrette (17A Smith St). 
• 1.2817103.84582 Qimantra, 83A Club Street, ☎ 65 62215691. $ 1 per minute with 30-minute and 2-hour packages. Traditional Chinese massages. 
• 1.2804103.8473 ^{[link not working]}Spahaven, 45-46 Amoy Street, ☎ 65 62212203. Mon-Sat 11: 00-21: 00. Spa in a renovated environment, offers hair removal for men and women, waxing, skin treatments with a background of jazz and bossa-nova. 
• 1.2833103.84494 Living Wellness, 24A Pagoda Street, ☎ 65 62354454. 10:00-21:00. Colon hydrotherapy, infrared sauna in a relaxing environment. 
• 1.2832103.84345 Bath Culture Foot Therapy (Bath Culture), 59 Temple Street Chinatown, ☎ 65 62266289. 12:00-24:00. Foot massage center. Traditional techniques and herbal remedies with natural ingredients and oriental music in the background. 

Shopping

The central streets around the pagoda are lined with stalls selling tourist stuff. There are rather expensive antique shops on South Bridge Road. For Chinese handicrafts, fashion, accessories and traditional Chinese medicine products, visit one of the many shopping malls.

Chinatown is mostly made up of pre-war buildings that housed merchants of silk, traditional crafts, and gold and jade jewelry. At the intersection of Eu Tong Sen Street and Upper Cross Street, there is a large Yue Hwa convenience store that sells tea, medicinal herbs, food, home accessories, antiques, and traditional Chinese clothing such as cheongsam.

During the New Year period, the Chinatown Food Market is very lively. Many stands are located in Pagoda, Smith, Trengganu and Sago Streets during the holidays and sell snacks and decorations.

In the shops of Ann Siang Road and Club Street, there are local designers such as Asylum and Style: Nordic along with traditional groups. This is a very trendy area, where the Chinese cultural heritage is combined with the contemporary with classy bars and restaurants.

Shopping centers

• 1.28386103.842411 People's Park Complex, 1 Park Road. Many stores for electronics, clothes, watches, Chinese medicine and jewelry. There are also massage parlors and travel agencies. 
• 1.28523103.844162 People's Park, 1 New Market Road. There is a large hawker center on the first floor. The second and third places sell clothes and discount stores where you can find cosmetics and beauty products in general. 
• 1.2853103.8453 Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Road. Mainly handicraft products are sold. 
• 1.2859103.843214 OG People's Park, 100 Upper Cross Street. Department stores and major brands such as Adidas, Giordano and Billabong. On the fifth floor is the food section where you can buy Korean products. Westlake cafe on the third floor. 
• 1.2817103.84075 Pearl's Center, 100 Eu Tong Sen Street. Old, labyrinthine mall that sells everything from Buddhas to sexy underwear for men and everything in between. The Yangtze multiplex, famous for showing only local soft porn productions, is located on the fourth floor. 

Shops

• 1.2801103.843536 Tea Chapter, 9 Neil Road. To section Drinking, this shop not only sells a large selection of Chinese teas but also everything you need to prepare them. 
• 1.285103.84357 Yue Hwa, 70 Eu Tong Sen Street (Cross Street Corner). In downtown Chinatown, this building was built in 1936 as the best hotel in the neighborhood. Today, it's a six-story general store selling everything from Chinese medicine on the first floor to porcelain on the sixth. On the second floor there is the part dedicated to tea. 

Among the things to buy bak kwa (grilled pork), freshly cooked or vacuum packed.

• 1.2836103.84388 Bee Cheng Hiang, 69-71 Pagoda Street (Chinatown MRT Exit A). Bee Cheng Hiang the most famous brand of bak kwa with 28 stores in Singapore. 
• 1.28401103.843619 Fragrance, 205 & 207 New Bridge Road (Chinatown MRT Exit A). Another brand of bak kwa, with 20 stores in Singapore. 
• 1.28409103.843610 Lim Chee Guan, 203 New Bridge Road. Among the most popular, thing hours during Chinese New Year and with only 2 shops in town. 

Boutiques

• 1.2798103.841411 ^{[link not working]}Rose Citron, 23 Keong Saik Road, ☎ 65 6323 1368. Handmade accessories and household items with floral decorations. 
• 1.2837103.844212 ^{[link not working]}The Tintin Shop, 56 Pagoda Street (Chinatown MRT), ☎ 65 8183 2210. Mon-Sun 11: 00-21: 00. One of only seven others in the world, the Tintin Shop celebrates the Belgian characters loved by the Hergé. It looks more like a small gallery, but you will be able to find all kinds of authentic Tintin books and other collectibles. 

How to have fun

Chinatowne and Tanjong Pagar have a vibrant nightlife. Dominate the karaoke boxes and the like KTV lounge but aroundClub St is Ann Siang Hill there are classy wine bars. Gay communities are often found on the second floor of bars and clubs, keep an eye out for the rainbow flags.

Bars and pubs

• 1.2816103.84541 Beaujolais Wine Bar, 1 Ann Siang Hill, ☎ 65 6224-2227. Romantic and welcoming with friendly staff, well-stocked wine list and generously sized food such as cheese platters ($ 10 / $ 16) and chilli with beef ($ 14). $ 10 glasses of wine. 
• 1.28112103.845142 Breeze, 33 Erskine Road (Scarlet Hotel). 15$. This bar at the top of the Scarlet is breezy and set in a garden and only the view of the skyscrapers reminds you that you are in Singapore. Long cocktail list and self-proclaimed best mojito in town. 
• 1.28246103.847313 Club Street Social, 5 Gemmill Lane (Close to Club Street), ☎ 65 6225 5043. 10/30$. Mon-Fri 11: 00-22: 30, Sat 09: 00-22: 30, Sun 09: 00-21: 00. Cozy bar serving coffee, cocktails and sandwiches. The drinks are expensive, but the food, decor and service are impeccable. Also good for a long breakfast and free wifi. 
• 1.2836103.84544 Cow & Coolies Pub, 30 Mosque Street, ☎ 65 6221 1239. $ 10 beer, $ 20 mug of Tiger beer. Mon-Thu 17: 00-1: 00, Fri-Sat 17: 00-2: 00. A pub frequented by travelers, gay, straight without being too elegant and not even a place frequented by prostitutes. It also has some $ 25-a-night accommodations upstairs. 
• 1.2835103.84355 Jess Pub, 58 Temple Street. One of the many places where prostitutes approach customers with the excuse of a drink. They are not too pushy. Average prices, $ 12 for cocktails and $ 10 for ladies. 
• 1.278103.84426 ^{[link previously not working]}O'Bama's Irish Pub, 54 Tras Street (100 meters from Tanjong Pagar MRT), ☎ 65 6225 1090, @[email protected]. Mon-Wed 11: 00-24: 00, Thu-Fri 11: 00-2: 00, Sat 15: 00-4: 00, Sun 16: 00-24: 00. The only Irish pub run by the Irish in Singapore, it really feels like Ireland with lots of Gaelic sports on the television. 
• 1.2788103.84267 The Toucan, 15 Duxton Hill (Behind the Berjaya Hotel), ☎ 65 62235950. Mon-Thu 11: 00-1: 00, Fri 11: 00-3: 00, Sat 16: 00-3: 00. Typical Irish pub. The $ 7.50 lunch menu is great - try the fish & chips or the lamb. $ 11.10 pint of Guinness 

You

• 1.2801103.84368 Tea Chapter, 9 Neil Road. The place to drink real Chinese tea. 
• 1.2797103.84379 Yixing Xuan Teahouse, 30/32 Tanjong Pagar Road. Divided into two parts: a Chinese restaurant and the place where tea is tasted and where lessons are held and where the leaves and the necessary to prepare it are sold. The setting is not the best but the tea is great. Ask to try the house tea: Beauty of the East. 

Where to eat

Chinatown obviously has Chinese food, but Tanjong Pagar is also the Korean neighborhood with many restaurants to try their cuisine. There are also European restaurants around Club Street and Duxton Hill.

Moderate prices

To eat well, spend little and in a welcoming environment there are Smith Street is Maxwell Center. Most of the Smith Street stands are open for dinner only, while the Maxwell Center is always open. On the second floor of the renovated Chinatown Complex, there is the largest hawker center in Singapore with over 200 stands, but it is quite chaotic and the lights and the rest are not quite a sight to behold.

• 1.28224103.844251 Ah Balling Peanut Soup, Smith Street. 50cents / bowl. 
• 1.27353103.841892 Akbar Restaurant, 2 Lim Teck Kim Road. 5$. Open all day. Malay and Islamic-Indian cuisine, with the roti prata as a main dish. 
• 1.28228103.843883 From Dong, 39 Smith Street. Big Bao beans ($ 2.50) with chicken, mushrooms, sausage, and more. 
• 1.28214103.843694 Erich's Wuerstelstand, Trengganu Street (Corner Sago Street). 3$. 15: 00-late at night. The strangest place in Chinatown; a German sausage stand run by the Austrian Erich Pollski. Real German sausages with sauerkraut and mustard. 
• 1.28327103.843185 Mei Hong Yuen, 67 Temple Street. Specializing in Chinese desserts, try the mango pudding ($ 3). 
• 1.28153103.845126 ^{[link not working]}Tong Heng, 285 South Bridge Road. Famous Chinese bakery that has also opened other stores including one at Changi Airport. 

• 1.2804103.84477 Maxwell Center, 2, Murray Street (A few minutes walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT station). Many dishes are less than $ 5, while seafood is slightly more expensive. One of Singapore's best hubs for food hawkers. 
• Day & Night Herbal Soup, Maxwell Center # 01-12. 5/10$. The place to try Chinese herbs from nearby shops. 
• Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Maxwell Center # 01-10. 3$. Tue-Sun 11: 00-20: 00. Considered by many to be the best in Singapore, it stands out from the rest with a long line of people waiting. The chicken is great and don't forget to try the spicy sauce. 
• Zhen Zhen Porridge, Maxwell Center # 01-54. Wed-Mon 6:00 am-late night (or at the end of stock). Famous for rice soup (from $ 2.20) and raw fish salad (from $ 2). Be prepared for long lines. 

Average prices

• 1.28194103.844558 Hometown Restaurant, 9 Smith Street, ☎ 65 63721602. Two excellent courses are: $ 10 and tea smoked duck mapo doufu $ 6. THE dan dan noodles are sold for only $ 5. Authentic Sichuan cuisine. 
• 1.27978103.843689 Han Kook Gwan, 26 Tanjong Pagar Road, ☎ 65 6224 2881. $ 9 lunch, $ 14 dinner. Korean restaurant on two floors which offers both an expensive one bulgogi barbecue but also cheaper rice and noodle dishes. Try the dolsot bibimbap (rice with toppings in a stone bowl). 
• 1.27995103.8433910 Qun Zhong Eating House, 21 Neil Road. Large portions around $ 9. Closed on Wednesday. Excellent Chinese restaurant. 
• 1.28586103.8440211 Tian Jin Fong Kee, 1 Park Road (# 01-100 People's Park Complex), ☎ 65 6532-3319. Originally a Chinese shop has now become a meeting place for sailors and their Thai or Filipino girlfriends. Cheap Chinese dishes ($ 5/10), Filipino dishes are more expensive ($ 25), but they are huge and worth sharing. Fun atmosphere. 
• 1.28259103.8423312 ^{[link not working]}Tiong Shian Porridge Center, 265 New Bridge Road, ☎ 65 62211596. 10$. Tue-Sun 7: 00-23: 30, closed Mon. Crowded and in the center of Chinatown. Write down the table number and pay at the cashier. There is plenty of seating on the second floor if the first floor is full. 

High prices

• 1.27741103.8437713 Blue Ginger, ☎ 6562223928. 50$. Mon-Sun 11: 30-14.30 and 18: 00-22: 00. Singapore's best known and most expensive Peranakan restaurant. One of the best dishes is the ayam buah keluak, a kind of chicken curry. 
• 1.27984103.8420714 Esquina, 16 Jiak Chuan Road, ☎ 65 6222 1616. Prices from $ 40. Mon-Fri 12: 00-15: 00, Mon-Sat, 18: 00-23: 00, Sun closed. A tapas bar created by Jason Atherton (of Pollen Street Social), with deliberately dilapidated decor to give an edgy underground vibe. There is spectacular food like Iberian pork, foie gras burgers and sangria ice cream for dessert. 
• 1.28198103.8456515 From Paolo, 80 Club Street, ☎ 65 62247081. 50$. Italian restaurant with homemade pasta. Better to book on weekends .. 
• 1.27958103.843716 Korea Garden, 34 Tanjong Pagar Road, ☎ 65 62217153. 40$. Korean restaurant very popular with Korean. A little shabby environment and not excellent service. 
• 1.27945103.8403117 Restaurant Andre, 41 Bukit Pasoh Road (near Outram Park MRT), ☎ 65 6534 8880. Lunch $ 128, Dinner $ 298 . Wed and Fri lunch, Tue-Sun dinner, closed on Mondays and holidays. Ten courses for tasting, with creative dishes and excellent service. Rated by Restaurant Magazine as the fifth best restaurant in Asia. Surely it is necessary to book in advance. 

Where stay

In Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar there are several options where to sleep.

Moderate prices

There are several hostels around Chinatown.

• 1.2839103.8441 A Beary Good Hostel, 66A & 66B Pagoda Street (Near the Chinatown MRT station exit, Exit A), ☎ 65 62224955, @[email protected]. Sleeps 27 $. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Small, cozy and well priced. Open February 14, 2010. Dorm beds (10-12 beds per dorm). 
• 1.2828103.84362 Beary Nice! Hostel, 46B Smith Street (Chinatown MRT Exit A), ☎ 65 62224951, @[email protected]. Bed 28/30 $. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Twin of the previous one, located in Chinatown Food Street, 3 minutes from the MRT. Separate bathrooms for men and women and lift. 8 and 10-bed dormitories. 
• Beary Best! Hostel, 16 & 18 Upper Cross Street (Chinatown MRT Exit E), ☎ 65 62224957, @[email protected]. Beds $ 28 and rooms $ 110. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The largest of the Beary Hostels in Chinatown. Rooms for 6, 8, 9 and 10 people. Also a dormitory for women with ensuite bathroom. Very clean and welcoming. 
• 1.284103.84413 [www.winkhostel.comWink Hostel], 8A Mosque Street (Chinatown MRT Exit A), ☎ 65 62222940, @[email protected]. Bed from 50S $ per night. Check in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modern and stylish 3 minutes walk from the train station. 
• 1.2739103.83454 ^{[link not working]}Sentosa View, 105 Spottiswoode Park Road (Close to the KTM train station), ☎ 65 91009123, @[email protected]. Dorm 20/25 $. Small but clean and on the 23rd floor of a building. Coodo if you arrive by train from Malaysia, inconvenient for the rest (10 minutes walk from Chinatown). Lounge with TV, PC, free wifi, basic breakfast. No lockers. 
• Home Sweet Home II, Tiong Bahru Estate, ☎ 65 62225168. Just a room in a residential area of ​​Chinatown run by ex-backpacker Ros. 

Average prices

Keong Saik Road, in the west of the city, was a red light district that still hosts the seedy karaoke bars. There are several accommodations that don't look like much from the outside but are clean and comfortable enough inside.

• 1.2808103.84185 Hotel 1929, 6663471929 (Outram Park MRT). 200$. Popular hotel, rooms with TV and free internet. The "superior" rooms are small and a bit expensive for what they offer, better consider one of the top floor suites with outdoor bathtub. 
• 1.2832103.8446 Inn at Temple Street, 36 Temple Street. 110/170$. 1 minute walk to MRT and Chinatown shopping. A little old and poorly maintained. 
• 1.2811103.84177 Keong Saik Hotel, 69 Keong Saik Road, ☎ 65 62230660. 100$. The least worst of the mid-range housing. Have the room shown before entering. 
• 1.2855103.83858 Hotel Re!, 175A Chin Swee Road (8 minutes from Outram Park MRT), ☎ 65 68278288. 200$. A refurbished old primary school, at the top of a hill (Pearl's Hill Park) and a 5-10 minute walk from Outram MRT. The restaurant offers a variety of cuisine and full meals for $ 18.80. 

High prices

• 1.2751103.84369 Amara Hotel, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, ☎ 65 6879-2555. 300$. Modern and elegant hotel with attached shopping center. 
• 1.2787103.843210 ^{[link not working]}Berjaya Hotel Singapore, 83 Duxton Road, ☎ 65 62277678, fax: 65 62271232. 240$. Old hotel in need of refurbishment, rooms facing the bar street can be noisy. No swimming pool. 
• 1.2737103.845111 ^{[link not working]}M Hotel, 81 Anson Road (Tanjong Pagar MRT), ☎ 65 6421-6120. 300$. Elegant hotel in Tanjong Pagar. 
• 1.2794103.840412 New Majestic, 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Road (Outram Park MRT, exit H.), ☎ 65 65114700. 300$. The same as the 1929 Hotel, 30 rooms in 4 themes: mirror, suspended bed, aquarium and loft. Nice pool even if in the shade, small gym, free wifi and good restaurant with a view of the pool from below! 
• 1.28124103.8452513 ^{[link not working]}The Scarlet, 33 Erskine Road (Close to the Maxwell Hawker Center), ☎ 65 65113333. 250$. Beyond simple luxury, this old-fashioned hotel has everything it takes to encourage the 7 deadly sins with the Desire restaurant, Bold bar, Sanctum spa and Flaunt gym. Small but comfortable rooms, great location close to the Maxwell Food Center in the heart of Chinatown. 

How to keep in touch

Around

For more cultural aspects, head to Little India or Kampong Glam. Chinatown has lost some of its soul, after undergoing various transformations, with some local businesses moving to the Bencoolen area centered around the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple in Bugis. Recent Chinese immigrants have gravitated east towards Geylang. The neighbor Riverside it's an easy walk north, while nearby Tiong Bahru, Singapore's first public housing block, has undergone a similar revitalization, spurring the opening of trendy restaurants and shops.

Other projects

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