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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
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.
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
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
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
Indicative of Tiong Bahru’s old-meets-new appeal, this establishment was built on the site of the old Seng Poh Road Market and reopened in 2006 as a two-storey market and food centre. The first floor lets visitors experience a typical Singapore wet market before heading upstairs to enjoy delicious local dishes. With over 80 stalls housed in an art deco-style building, the hawker centre houses many famous stalls. These includes Jian Bo Shui Kueh (#02-05), serving traditional handmade chwee kueh (steamed rice cakes topped with preserved radish), and Tiong Bahru Lor Mee (#02-80), which sells lor mee (thick rice noodles in a rich gravy) with generous toppings such as braised pork belly, ngoh hiang (five-spice meat rolls) and fried wanton (Chinese dumplings), all for S$3 per bowl. Dessert stall Tian Tian Yuan Dessert House (#02- 15) has over 80 hot and cold desserts to choose from. Order the S$2 ice kachang (sweet shaved ice with toppings) for a refreshing treat.
Address: 30 Seng Poh Road
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 6am–11pm
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru Station
KAMPONG GLAM GUIDE TO THE BEST SINGAPORE MUSEUMS
The Malay Heritage Centre is a must-visit for visitors who are keen to learn about the rich heritage and culture of Singapore’s Malay community. Formerly the royal residence of Malay sultans in Singapore, the museum houses exhibitions and a diverse collection of artefacts from the National Collection and the Malay community. In 2015, the museum was gazetted as a National Monument.
Visitors to the Malay Heritage Centre can learn about the rich heritage, culture and contributions of Singapore’s Malay community, as well as the community’s connections to the wider Nusantara (Malay Archipelago) through artefacts and exhibitions.
An exhibit with display of sampans (boats)
The centre occupies the grounds of the original Istana Kampong Gelam—‘Istana’ in Malay stands for ‘palace’—which was built by Sultan Hussein Mohamed Shah (the then Sultan of Johor) and was home to Malay royalty for more than 50 years. The centre organises a variety of programmes for children and adults throughout the year. Purchase 20 or more adult tickets to receive 20% off the admission fee.
Address: 85 Sultan Gate Tel: +65 6391 0450
Website: www.malayheritage.org.sg
Email: nhb_mhc@nhb.gov.sg
Cost: Free admission for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, 1st caregiver of Persons with Disabilities and visitors aged six and below; Adult S$6, Child & Senior Citizen S$4
Opening Hours: Tue–Sun 10am–6pm (Last admission: 5.30pm; Closed on Mon)
Nearest MRT: Bugis Station / Nicoll Highway Station
The four-storey Indian Heritage Centre fuses traditional and modern architectural elements. Inspired by the stepwells in India, the unique glass façade is a large mirror by day and turns transparent at night to reveal a ‘glowing lantern’ of the façade’s colourful mural. The centre showcases Indian culture and history, and houses a permanent exhibition titled, ‘Indians in Singapore - Past & Present’. Through the displays and with the help of audio guides and augmented reality technology, visitors will discover connections between South Asia and Southeast Asia, and gain a better understanding of the Indian community in Singapore.
The centre also provides venues ideal for conducting events, seminars and workshops. Grab a Little India Heritage Trail booklet from its Visitor Services Counter and embark on three specially curated thematic routes around the Little India neighbourhood that features over 40 heritage sites. The trail is available till 8 July 2020
Address: 5 Campbell Lane Tel: +65 6291 1601
Website: www.indianheritage.org.sg
Email: nhb_ihc@nhb.gov.sg / IHC_GroupBooking@nhb.gov.sg
Cost: Adult S$6, Senior Citizen & Student S$4; Free admission for children under six
Opening Hours: Tue–Thu 10am–7pm; Fri–Sat 10am–8pm; Sun & Public Holidays 10am–4pm; Closed on Mon
Nearest MRT: Little India Station / Rochor Station