Singapore's Historic Chinatown Walking Tour with Lunch

Sky Garden at CapitaSpring

20 min

Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Singapore's second tallest skyscraper. From here, we'll have a bird's eye view of the Historic District of Chinatown.

Yueh Hai Ching Temple

15 min

Possibly established as early as 1819, making it older than Thian Hock Keng Temple, Yueh Hai Ching Temple is often overlooked by locals and tourists. Once inside this serene temple, you'll be transported to a different world.

10 min

Step inside the courtyard of a Chinese boys' school from 1854 and imagine what the area must have been like with school boys learning to read and write, and playing traditional games like chapteh after classes.

Fuk Tak Chi Museum

10 min

Once a temple built by Cantonese and Hakka worshippers of Tua Pek Kong (God of Prosperity) in the 1820s, the quaint building now houses a museum with an intriguing display of what life was like in the area about 200 years ago.

Thian Hock Keng Temple

25 min

Established in 1821, Thian Hock Keng Temple is the oldest Hokkien temple and likely the second oldest Chinese temple in Singapore. Admire its stunning architecture, built without a nail being used, learn about Taoist and Buddhist practices, find out about the gift from Qing Emperor Guang Xu to the temple, and hunt for the bats which live on the premises.

Ann Siang Hill

10 min

See if you can spot the last water well in Chinatown, learn about the hills and plantations which used to exist in the area, and find out how Ann Siang Hill got its name.

5 min

Discover the truth behind how Club Street got its name, and the high society parties which used to take place at this millionaire's club.

2 min

We stop at another Chinese millionaire's club and find out the story behind its interesting window grills.

Mohamed Ali Lane

2 min

Come face-to-face with local artist, Yip Yew Chong's second mural on this tour. He has successfully breathed vibrancy into Historic Chinatown with his brilliantly-coloured, often interactive, heritage-themed street art.

30 min

Enjoy a traditional soya sauce chicken noodle/rice lunch at this establishment dating back to 1949.

Yue Hwa Chinese Products

2 min

Once the "Raffles Hotel of Chinatown", we learn about the illustrious past of this 1927 building, which now houses a Chinese emporium.

2 min

Find out how The Majestic Theatre came into being, and the wealthy Chinese merchant who made it possible.

10 min

Established in 1938, Lim Chee Guan endured the Second World War and remains as one of Singapore's best loved brands 85 years on.

10 min

Established in 1925, this tea shop with its unique Nanyang blends has close to 100 years of history.

10 min

This old school bakery from 1950 sells Cantonese-style mooncakes and other sweet treats year round. We drop by for a taste.

15 min

Located along Temple Street where we'll find 3 more of Yip Yew Chong's murals, Lau Choy Seng (1948) is a treasure trove of kitchenware which will inspire you to display your culinary skills.

Smith Street

15 min

We take a look at another of Yip Yew Chong's murals, one which depicts his own home in Sago Lane, Chinatown more than 5 decades ago. We also stop to take a look at Lai Chun Yuen Opera House along Smith Street, which was Singapore's first integrated resort, bringing theatre, opium-smoking, gambling and prostitution all under one roof. We learn about the sordid past of Smith Street, where numerous brothels once lined, and the coolies, rickshaw pullers, businessmen, etc. who used to frequent them.

Sago Street (Street Of The Dead)

5 min

Find out how Sago Lane became known as the Street of the Dead, and what has become of it today.

10 min

We end our tour at Fong Moon Kee. Established in 1908, this 115-year-old ointment shop might just have the answer to any aches and pains which may have been nagging you. If coolies and rickshaw pullers lived by their ointments, who are we to question their wisdom?