Chinatown

Central Singapore, Singapore

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Chinatown in central Singapore is one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant ethnic districts, originally laid out in the 1820s as a settlement for Chinese immigrants and now a lively mix of heritage, food, and shopping.

It sits within the downtown core, easily reached by the Chinatown MRT station, and is known for its colorful shophouses, ornate temples, busy streets, and bustling hawker stalls and restaurants. Key landmarks include the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, the Sri Mariamman Hindu temple, and the Chinatown Heritage Centre, which help tell the story of early Chinese migrants and local communities.

The area is especially famous for its food, with “Food Street” on Smith Street offering dishes such as bak kut teh and Singapore noodles, while festivals like Chinese New Year bring extra lights, decorations, crowds, and street markets, turning Chinatown into a festive hub in the heart of the city.