Chinatown History - Thing to Do in Chinatown, Singapore

Chinatown is the center of the Chinese community in Singapore, a legacy of the first Chinese settlers who lived in Singapore.

Singapore's Chinatown emerged in 1821 when the first junk from Xiamen came to port. The passengers, all men, settled in the southern part of the Singapore River, today is known as Telok Yesterday.

Like the rest of Singapore, Chinatown also stands out for the cultural mix. In very few cities it is possible to see two Arab mosques and a Hindu temple in the heart of Chinatown.

Chinatown can be divided into four small districts and is bounded by Chuch Street, New Bridge Rd., Maxwell Rd. And Cecil St.

What to see in Chinatown

In Chinatown, you will find the Chinatown Heritage Center, a three-story museum where the life of the first Chinese settlers is told.

In addition to the museum, do not miss the Al Abrar Mosque (Telok Ayer Street), the Jamae Mosque and the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple (South Bridge Road). Do not forget to visit the clothing and craft shops, where you will find items that you will want to put in your suitcase.

Sri Mariamman was built in 1827 and became the first Hindu temple in Singapore.

A good place to eat

As in any self-respecting Chinese neighborhood, if there is one business that stands out besides the stores, it's the Chinese restaurants. The prices are very cheap and the quality of the food quite good.

Things To Do In Little India, Singapore - Little India History - Shopping

Little India is one of the most characteristic neighborhoods of Singapore: the smell of incense, colorful clothes, architecture, and shops are some of the things that make it so special.

History of Little India, Singapore 

The first Indian immigrants were the servants of Sir Stamford Raffles who arrived in Singapore in 1819. At the end of the 19th century, many more immigrants were arriving in search of work.

Currently, Little India is the nerve center of the Indian community in Singapore.

What to see in Little India, Singapore

Although the most impressive is the atmosphere of the neighborhood, do not miss the opportunity to enter Tekka Center, Little India Arcade and the various temples that you will find.

If you want to go shopping, the Mustafá Center is a must stop, it is a large shopping center open 24 hours a day.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

One of the best experiences of the trip was to enter the temple of Sri Veeramakaliamman. This temple was built in 1881 and is the most important of the Hindu community.

Sri Veeramakaliamman remains closed between 12:15 and 16:00 hours. The best hours to visit are 8:00, 12:00, 18:30 and 21:00.

If you have the opportunity - do everything possible to have it - do not miss out on attending one of the rites celebrated in the temple.

Walking through the streets of Little India is like going through some of the most unique streets of Bombay. Their colorful houses, the no less colorful clothes of their inhabitants, their shops, markets, and restaurants are a spectacle that no traveler can miss.

But it is not only the colorful or the smell of spices that invades the streets that make little India so special but the daily life of the inhabitants of the Indian neighborhood is a free show that you will not want to end. You should spend at least two hours to see the main streets.

Boat Quay in Singapore - A must visit place in Singapore

Boat Quay is one of the best-known areas of Singapore. It is located on the south bank of the Singapore River and is full of bars and restaurants.

The Boat Quay area that overlooks the river is the favorite place for foreigners living in Singapore to dine and have a drink. In this area, you will find some of the best bars, pubs, and restaurants in the city.

During the 19th century Boat Quay was the financial center of Singapore. It is said that in 1960, three-quarters of the country's trade exchanges took place here.

The Circular Street

If on the riverfront restaurants predominate, on Circular Road, a street parallel to Boat Quay, two out of three stores are pubs.

To have a drink and start the night, the Circular Street is a good option.

Our opinion

While Boat Quay is worth a visit, the insistence of restaurant waiters makes it lose points. If we had to choose an area for dinner, we would choose Clarke Quay.

Travelling To Merlion Park Singapore? You must visit Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay, on the banks of the Singapore River, is one of the liveliest areas of Singapore and there are dozens of restaurants, shops and pubs.

Clarke Quay covers five blocks with houses of old warehouses rehabilitated. During the 19th century, Clarke Quay was the commercial center of Singapore.

The best time to visit Clarke Quay is at night, when the lights and the atmosphere combine perfectly.

G-Max

If you like amusement parks and believe that you are not impressed by anything, for 45SGD you can download the adrenaline rush at the G-Max attraction, a great catapult that will catapult you at more than 200 kilometers per hour.

Essential

For us, Clarke Quay is the prettiest and most atmospheric area of Singapore, where a large number of restaurants and cocktail bars are concentrated.

If you do not have much time to get to know the city, you can dine at one of the Boat Quay restaurants and go to Clarke Quay for a drink.