HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

Tucked between Ann Siang Road and Erskine Road is one of Singapore’s most famous handmade Chinese pastry shops, Tong Heng. Besides their signature melt-in-your-mouth diamond-shaped egg tarts, other must-tries include traditional pastries such as their Baked Pork Bun and Wife Pastry.

*Being young at heart is the key to keeping traditions alive and meaningful, so that younger people can relate to Tong Heng and desire to experience what we have to offer.” - ANA FONG General Manager, Tong Heng

As the 4th generation of the family, Ana Fong has been running Tong Heng with her aunts over the past eight years. She understands the importance of upholding brand heritage and values even as she strives to sustain the pioneer Cantonese bakery that dates back to 1935. The answer thus far is to keep to the roots of Tong Heng–to create pastries that bring happiness to customers–but to speak fluently in today’s language of social and visual engagement.

Foodies can enjoy the signature diamond egg tarts from Tong Heng Confectionary in Chinatown.

Visitors can also drop by Tong Heng for their refreshing Chinese desserts like Chilled Rose Peach Gum, Warm Almond Soup, and many others. Visitors can also shop a selection of souvenirs in the form of delicious cookies in beautifully designed tins or jars of fragrant kaya (a traditional jam made from coconut and eggs)

Address: 285 South Bridge Road
Tel: +65 6223 0398 / +65 9008 0260 (Trade Contact: Ana Fong)
Website: www.tongheng.com.sg
Email: info@tongheng.sg / anafong@tongheng.sg (Trade Contact: Ana Fong)
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 9am–9pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

Built-in 1840 with the support of prominent members of the Hokkien (Chinese dialect group) community, such as philanthropist Tan Tock Seng, Thian Hock Keng Temple is one of Singapore’s oldest Chinese temples. Dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, devotees came here to give thanks and pray for safe passage across the sea.

At the temple, visitors can keep an eye out for the detailed carvings and sculptures of dragons, phoenixes, and deities, as well as the colourful porcelain on the roof ridges–a Fujianese decorating technique. Amazingly, not a single nail was used in the original construction of the temple, which is now a gazetted national monument and managed by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan.

Bookings for free guided tours covering the temple’s history, architecture, customs and faith can be made three weeks in advance. Content and duration vary depending on the season and requirements

Address: 158 Telok Ayer Street
Tel: +65 6423 4616 Fax: +65 6423 4626
Website: www.thianhockkeng.com.sg
Email: admin@shhk.com.sg
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 7.30am–5.30pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

The church was founded in 1889 by Dr. Benjamin West, a Methodist missionary and medical doctor who preached from a shophouse in Chinatown. He delivered sermons in Malay to a humble crowd of around 30 people. His sermons were then translated into Hokkien, a local dialect. Subsequently, a four-story structure was built at Telok Ayer Street, and became the present-day church building. Reminiscent of its past, visitors will notice that the building is a unique blend of Western and Eastern influences.

Familiar architectural touches like a pagoda roof and louvred doors and windows, typically seen in Southeast Asia, are said to have put the local Chinese community at ease. On its 100th anniversary in 1989, the church was gazetted as a national monument. English services are held on Sundays at 9 am while Hokkien and Bahasa Indonesia services are held at 1.30 pm.

The Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church, located on 235 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore

Address: 235 Telok Ayer Street
Tel: +65 6324 4001
Fax: +65 6324 4002
Website: www.tacmc.org.sg
Email: admin@tacmc.org.sg
Opening Hours: Mon–Wed & Fri 9am–10pm; Thu, Sat & Sun 9am–6pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

Dedicated to educating people on Chinese tea appreciation, Tea Chapter shares its knowledge in Chinese tea culture through their services. Its ambiance and fine oriental décor make it an ideal place to seek solace and enjoy some peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of life.

The shop offers different setting styles–an oriental style, a Japanese style, a Korean style and more. Tea Chapter is helmed by Grand Tea Master Patrick Kang who has over 20 years of experience in Chinese tea art and Chinese culture.

Staged shot featuring Active Silver with family and kids enjoying a traditional tea appreciation day at Tea Chapter.

Notable figures he has met and shared his art and knowledge with include Singapore’s former President Tony Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Visitors can contact Tea Chapter to book a session with the Grand Master. You may also add this to your customsied tour itinerary by booking clicking this link

Address: 9 & 9A Neil Road Tel: +65 6226 1175 / +65 6226 1917 (Trade
Contact: Tay Wei Wah) Fax: +65 6221 0604
Website: www.teachapter.com
Email: inquiry@teachapter.com (Trade Contact: Tay Wei Wah)
Opening Hours: Mon–Thu & Sun 11am– 9pm; Fri & Sat 11am–10.30pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

With roots dating back to 1827, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple was formerly known as ‘Mariamman Kovil’ or ‘Kling Street Temple’. It was later rebuilt as Sri Mariamman Temple, dedicated to goddess Mariamman, who is believed to be able to heal the sick. During the colonial period, it was a refuge for new immigrants, a dispute mediation venue and where marriage ceremonies were held for Hindus.

Today, weddings are still held at the temple, and travelers who visit in October or November may get to observe the Theemithi (fire-walking ceremony) celebrations, which is the main festival observed here annually.

Façade of Sri Mariamman Temple

Visitors can marvel at the temple’s six-tiered gopuram, or grand tower entrance, decorated with sculptures in the image of Hindu deities and mythological creatures. The visual treat continues with the temple’s elaborate interiors, featuring shrines with statues of different deities.

Address: 244 South Bridge Road
Tel: +65 6223 4064 Fax: +65 6225 5015
Website: smt.org.sg
Email: smt@heb.org.sg
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 7am–noon, 6–9pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

The name draws inspiration from Sri Mariamman Temple’s gopuram—the word for pagoda in Tamil— over the main gate of the temple. Jamae Mosque , also known as Masjid Chulia, flanks Pagoda Street on the other side. Both places of worship are gazetted as national monuments.

a local traditional Chinese tea shop located in Pagoda Street in Chinatown. The woman is depicted in the process of brewing Chinese tea the traditional way

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

An urban enclave of world-class restaurants, hip bars and bustling creative hubs, Keong Saik and Bukit Pasoh attracts local artists, discerning gourmands and lifestyle enthusiasts alike. Visitors can enjoy bespoke cocktails at sophisticated speakeasies Gibson Bar and Ginza- style bar D.Bespoke along Bukit Pasoh Road–both ranked in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019. Old-school eats can also be found in the area such as Keong Saik Bakery.

The bakery fuses old-world charm with modern baking techniques to give rise to locally-inspired creations like Chendol Delight, a cake that fuses traditional chendol (traditional local dessert which includes shaved ice, green rice flour jelly, adzuki beans, coconut milk and palm sugar) ingredients with rich coconut custard.

Shot features the front façade of Potato Head Folk at Keong Saik from the Keong Saik road junction

Travelers can also savour gourmet food at Michelin- recognised restaurants, hunt down whimsical street art and if they have not had their fill of the neighborhood, spend a night in one of the boutique hotels nestled in conservation shop-houses.

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

Once the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore and built by Singapore’s early Cantonese and Hakka immigrants, the building is now a museum—displaying artifacts and dioramas showing life in the district during its heyday—and part of a hotel, as it adjoins the boutique hotel, AMOY.

Address: 76 Telok Ayer Street
Tel: +65 6580 2888
Website: www.fareastmalls.com.sg/Far-East- Square/index.aspx?key=fuktakchimuseum
Cost: Free admission

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

While Chinatown is known for its cultural landmarks and conserved shop-houses, visitors can also seek out the many murals that adorn the walls along the street. Mural artists such as Belinda Low, Ceno2, Didier Jaba Mathieu, Ripple Root, Tom Civil, and Yip Yew Chong have filled the walls of the streets around co-sharing spaces with scenes from old Singapore and old crafts and trades. Each mural provides visitors with Instagram-worthy photo opportunities that will surely stand out on their social media feed. To fully appreciate the artwork of local mural artist Yip Yew Chong, visitors can choose to embark on the Yip Yew Chong Street Art Trail by LocoMole.

Admire the instagram worthy art mural along Amoy street on your private customised tour

Address: Various locations around Chinatown

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

One of the major Buddhist temples in Singapore, this is a fine example of the Chinese Tang dynasty style of architecture in the heart of Chinatown. As its name suggests, the building houses a tooth relic of Buddha, as well as other revered artifacts. Built-in 2007, visitors will marvel at the rich interiors comprising paintings, statues, tapestries and other exhibits related to Buddha and Buddhism. The building also has a roof garden and a vegetarian restaurant in the basement. Admission to the temple is free, and complimentary tours are conducted every Saturday.

Visit the Buddha tooth relic temple and museum with Hello! Singapore Tours

Address: 288 South Bridge Road
Tel: +65 6220 0220
Website: www.btrts.org.sg
Opening Hours: (Temple) Mon–Sun 7am– 7pm; (Museum & Stupa Chamber) Mon–Sun 9am–6pm