Singapore Chinatown Tours
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For many visitors, Singapore’s Chinatown is the sightseeing focus of the city, home to traditional shophouses, temples, and cultural heritage. Take a wander down the atmospheric streets, dropping into shophouses to see what’s for sale. Admire the rooftop dragons of Thian Hock Keng Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, and the festively gaudy Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple, covered with colorful cows and depictions of the gods. Of course, Chinatown is also the place to go to for great food, especially along Smith Street.
The Basics
When Sir Stamford Raffles divided up Singapore among its ethnic groups, the Chinese immigrants received the largest portion of land. Today Chinatown remains one of the city’s most vibrant and popular neighborhoods, and visitors have a wealth of options for experiencing it. Catch the highlights—including Thian Hock Keng Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Maxwell Road Hawker Centre, and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple—on an evening trishaw, riverboat, and walking tour of the neighborhood, or treat your tastebuds to a food tour of Chinatown’s best bites. The neighborhood is included in many Singapore sightseeing tours, and it’s also a stop on the hop-on hop-off bus.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Singapore’s Chinatown is a must for first-time visitors and foodies.
- Experience the neighborhood as part of a city-wide sightseeing tour or dive deep on a dedicated Chinatown food tour or trishaw ride.
- There’s a lot to see (and buy, and eat) in Chinatown, so don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes.
How to Get There
The easiest way to reach Chinatown is to take the MRT to Chinatown Station and exit toward Pagoda Street.
When to Get There
Shopping the markets of Chinatown is best during the late afternoon or early evening, to see the major attractions before the neighborhood’s night market and nightlife scene begins to pick up. The district is particularly lively in the months leading up to Chinese New Year, with decorations and lights adorning the streets and stalls.
Understanding Singapore’s Chinese Heritage
To truly understand Singapore you have to understand its many ethnic influences, including that of its sizable Chinese population. One of the best places to do so is at the Chinatown Heritage Centre. This museum comprises re-created scenes depicting day-to-day life of Singapore’s Chinese immigrants from the 1950s onward, with stories of how they went from being mere visitors to the largest ethnic group in the country.
Address: Smith Street, 058971, Singapore
Admission: Free
Admission Tickets (1)
Chinatown Heritage Centre Ticket
Save time on the day by booking your admission ticket for the Chinese Heritage Centre in advance. You won’t need to print this e-ticket, which grants you access to all of the exhibits inside the museum. Highlights include recreations of early Chinese homes in Singapore and personal anecdotes from the first Chinese settlers.
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- 1 to 2 hours
From
$12.50
111 Tours and Activities to Experience Singapore Chinatown
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Chinatown Heritage Centre Ticket
Save time on the day by booking your admission ticket for the Chinese Heritage Centre in advance. You won’t need to print this e-ticket, which grants you access to all of the exhibits inside the museum. Highlights include recreations of early Chinese homes in Singapore and personal anecdotes from the first Chinese settlers.
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- 1 to 2 hours
From
$12.50
Singapore's Chinatown Trishaw Night Tour with Transfer
Experience central Singapore during the vibrant evening hours with this Chinatown tour by trishaw and riverboat. With a guide, walk through the bustling Night Market and learn about the history of Singapore’s Chinatown. Shop for bargains as you wander through this captivating district, indulge in dinner, and take a thrilling trishaw ride through Little India and Bugis Village. Then, cruise along the Singapore River on a bumboat to admire the city skyline lit up at night.
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- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$76.49
Singapore City Tour
Take a Singapore city tour to orient yourself with popular districts like Chinatown, Little India and Marina Bay. A great activity for the start of your trip, this half-day tour introduces you to top attractions like the Merlion, colonial landmarks like City Hall and cultural sites like Thian Hock Keng Temple. A stop at the UNESCO-listed botanical gardens is also included along the way.
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- 3 hours 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$26.78
Singapore's Chinatown Morning Walking Tour
Spend a delightful morning exploring Singapore’s Chinatown on a 2.5 hour walking tour. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who speaks English, wander the neighborhood’s streets, take in its unique architecture, try some local delights and visit Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple. En route your guide may fill you in on everything from the community’s Chinese history to the ways of traditional Chinese medicine.
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- 2 hours 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
From
$28.30
Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Singapore Private Street Food Tour
With three local cuisines to choose from—plus a welter of international fare—Singapore’s world-class street food scene can be hard to navigate. Discover it with a private guide on this comprehensive tour. Taste no fewer than seven foods and three drinks from Malay, Chinese, and Indian traditions—from “nasi lemak” coconut rice to dim sum, from mango lassi to a cup of foaming “teh tarik” tea.
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- 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$95.78
Price varies by group size
The Best of Singapore in a Day Private Tour
Get beneath Singapore’s skin in a way that’s only possible with a local to connect you on this insightful private tour that goes beyond the obvious to deliver hidden gems. You might meet a third-generation spice maker, tour an opera house turned hotel, get behind the scenes at a garland maker in Little India, or explore Singapore’s best hawker court. Travel by public transport for an authentically local experience.
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- 7 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$196.35
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Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems: Best of Singapore Private Tour
Enjoy the best of both worlds—the must-see sights and the hidden places only locals know about—on this tour with a lot of variety. Get a personalized experience with a private guide, who will answer all your questions as you visit local markets and hawker stalls, Singapore’s Merlion, the Gardens by the Bay, the Colonial District, and more.
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- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$104.16
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Private Food & Culture Tour in Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Glam
Singapore is a very diverse place, and on this food-focused walking tour, you can sample a variety of different cuisines as you explore the Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam neighborhoods. Follow your tour guide through the streets and learn about the history, culture, and heritage of Singapore and discover where the locals like to eat. Get in-depth insights into each dish that you sample and hear stories about the local communities.
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- 5 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$141.51
Price varies by group size
Private Michelin 1 Star Chicken Rice and Local Hawker Food Tour
Singapore is a very diverse place, and on this food-focused walking tour, you are introduced to a huge range of different cuisines in the heart of Chinatown. Follow your tour guide through the vibrant neighborhood to see where the locals eat and learn about Singaporean culture. Sample various dishes including the famous chicken rice from the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant. This tasting tour is a must-do for adventurous foodies!
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- 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$100.55
Price varies by group size
Half Day or Full Day Private Custom Walking Tour of Singapore
Experience Singapore exactly how you want to on a private sightseeing tour. You choose the duration, ranging from four to eight hours. Whether you want to explore gardens, enjoy local cuisine, take in the architecture, or all of the above, a 100% customized itinerary will be created for you. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and all public transportation costs along the way are included.
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- 4 to 8 hours
- Taking safety measures
From
$166.37
Price varies by group size
Private Singapore City Highlights Tour By Car - Half Day or Full Day
With beautiful waterfront scenery, pretty gardens, and cutting-edge galleries, Singapore ranks among Asia’s must-see cities—but beating the crowds and exploring independently by public transport can be challenging. On this tour, spin through Singapore by private air-conditioned minivan and explore in comfort. Hit top attractions like Chinatown, Gardens by the Bay, Little India, or Marina Bay with your guide, and customize your itinerary to hit the highlights of most interest.
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- 4 to 8 hours
- Taking safety measures
From
$250.50
Price varies by group size
Private One Day Highlight Tour of Singapore with Singapore Flyer
Take in Singapore’s most famous sights in just one day . Pass your day in Singapore with our professional tour guide and see different sights of Singapore.
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- 7 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$279.85
Price varies by group size
Singapore's Private Hawker Centre Food Tour: Tastings & Secrets
Singaporeans eat out more than any other nation on earth. Find out why on this delectable private food tour, with eight different tastings at three different hawker centers in the Chinatown area. Set out at a time that suits your body clock—morning, noon, or night—then savor highlights from Tian Tian’s legendary chicken rice through to spring rolls, dim sum, and the local breakfast favorite, kaya toast.
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- 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$96.98
Price varies by group size
Singapore Hawker Center Food Tour in Chinatown
Discover the culinary delights of Singapore’s Chinatown on a walking tour that includes a hawker center and other food sites. With a guide, visit the Chinatown Complex to sample authentic dishes like Singaporean chicken rice and spring rolls. Try sugar cane juice, ‘pulled’ tea and 'chwee kueh' (water rice cake) and pass by temples and other cultural sights while learning about the neighborhood’s diverse culinary heritage. This small-group tour is limited to 12 people to provide a more personalized experience.
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- 3 hours 30 minutes
From
$86.00
3 Hours Chinatown Tour from Singapore
To truly get a handle on Chinese culture, it pays to have a guide. Join a small group and local guide to venture deep into the soul of Chinatown, from its colorful past of opium dens and brothels to its vibrant present. Learn about Chinese medicines and beliefs as you visit a Chinese pharmacy and a funeral store, and leave with personalized recommendations of where to dine.
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- 1 to 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$93.10
Price varies by group size
Private Singapore Full Day Round Island Tour with River Cruise
A private tour of Singapore is made even more luxe with an included cruise along the Singapore River—break up your Singapore sightseeing tour with unbeatable views of the city skyline. Other attractions include Little India, the National Orchid Garden, Mount Faber Hill, and more. Private tour limited to your party of 15 people or fewer and includes all transportation.
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- 7 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$231.07
Price varies by group size
Private Full Day Singapore Highlights Tour with Private Vehicle,Lunch and Dinner
Save precious time in Singapore on this private door-to-door guided day tour complete with vehicle that brings you to the heart of the Lion City. Cruise the Singapore River on a traditional bumboat and explore Kampong Glam, Little India, and Chinatown, with an optional stop at Gardens by the Bay. Enjoy lunch at a 19th-century convent and dinner at a hawker market.
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- 9 to 10 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$369.71
Price varies by group size
Amazing Singapore City Guided Tour with Hotel Transfers
Discover the cultural mix that makes Singapore special on this small-group guided tour, with hotel transfers to keep things simple. Soak up the sights and scents of Little India; stroll the streets of historic Chinatown; and savor the surreal skyline of Marina Bay. Wrap up the day with a visit to Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanical Garden & National Orchid Garden. Choose between morning and afternoon departures.
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- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$36.50
The Chinatown Private Food Tour
Delve deeper into the culture and cuisine of Singapore’s Chinatown during a private food tour that can be tailored to the preferences and dietary requirements of your party. A great introduction for first-time visitors, this tour features enough tastings to amount to a full meal, which saves you money on dinner out.
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- 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$134.07
Panoramic Singapore City Tour ( SIC )
This tour is a great Singapore orientation for first-time visitors and explorers on a tight schedule. Discover the city, its history and its cultural diversity without the stress or noise of a large group to distract you from the sights and sounds. Visit the Little India and Chinatown neighborhoods, get panoramic photos of Marina Bay from Merlion Park and explore the historic Thian Hock Keng Temple.
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- 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$29.43
A full day in Singapore with a local: private & personalized
Get more out of your visit to Singapore with a customized full-day tour led by your own private guide who creates an itinerary that suits your interests. Choose to visit top destinations such as Marina Bay Sands Skypark, Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, and Tiong Bahru, or go to other places that you would like to explore. Benefit from the personalized attention of your guide throughout the day.
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- 8 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$170.14
Price varies by group size
Private Half Day Singapore City Tour with Botanical Orchid Garden
Avoid the crowds on a private tour that introduces you to Singapore’s top attractions in comfort and ease. Visit sites such as Chinatown, the National Orchid Garden, and more, all with the insight of a private guide. Tour includes all transportation with pickup and drop-off from your hotel.
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- 3 hours 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
From
$118.11
Price varies by group size
Chinatown and Little India Photo Walk
Learn photography tips and tricks from a professional photographer while also sightseeing on this walking tour. Your guide will seek out many lesser-known spots so you can take some unusual photos, as well as show you to the more iconic places. Learn tips so that you can take better photos of landscapes, architecture, portraits, people, nature, and more. Enjoy an extended lunch stop, plus a river cruise.
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- 5 hours 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
From
$95.61
Private Customized Tour of Singapore - Half Day or Full Day
This private tour allows you to create an itinerary tailored to your interests, and ensures that you receive the undivided attention of a private guide. Plus, you can choose a duration that suits your schedule.
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- 6 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$149.66
Price varies by group size
Private and personalized experience: see Singapore with a local
Choose your own adventure with this private host for a day in Singapore. Choose whatever highlights or hidden gems (suggested by your host) interest you and spend the day traveling at your own pace. Learn about the ins and outs of life in Singapore and listen to in-depth commentary on the stops you choose to visit. Multiple tour lengths available to suit your schedule and budget; this tour can accommodate up to six people.
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- 3 to 8 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$79.75
Price varies by group size
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