Experience the enchanting vibe of Chinatown!

Singapore’s Chinatown is quite fascinating. I still remember the first time I visited Chinatown at Singapore. Visit it once and the captivating vibe that is quintessential to chinatown will make you want to revisit the place soon. As always said beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. That being said, for today’s blog I ‘ll summarize all of our favourite “must-do” things at Chinatown.

1. Shopping at Pagoda Street: For first timers visiting Singapore, who are looking for amazing souvenirs for friends and family, shopping at Pagoda street, Chinatown is a must go- to place.
We personally love the chinese street art souvenirs like the chinese paper cutting art, carving your name on rice etc. You could also take home a personalized piece of art where artists who write your name in chinese etc.

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Chinatown street art: As I had mentioned earlier chinatown street art is adorable and can be great personalized gifts/ souvenird that you can take home from singapore.
• Chinese Papercutting : This is quite a talent!! The artist first asked us to take a selfie and hand it over to him. He then used red craft paper and cut out our selfie in it. Doesn’t that sound cool.

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• Chinese Calligraphy: If you love chinese calligraphy, you could take home a scroll with your name written on it in chinese .

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2.Check out the Peranakan chinese buildings of chinatown: As you take exit A at Singapore’s chinatown mrt to Pagoda street and take the escalator to the exit. You reach the entrance to Chinatown and the view is splendid. Every shop is lined one next to each other in the beautiful peranakan chinese buildings or shophouses as they are usually called. I love to check out these colourful buildings, especially the tiny windows and colourful window panels . They are so picturesque and definitely make a great insta picture.

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3.Chinatown Heritage Center: If you have been fascinated by the beautifully coloured shophouses and wondered how the interior looked in the yesteryears of the first chinese residents here in Singapore and learn more on their history. Then you should visit chinatown heritage centre.

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4.Visit Mariamman Temple: Near the exit of Pagoda Street adjacent to the main road you’ll find the temple of Mariamman. A Hindu Temple with goddess Mariamman as the main deity of the temple. Devotees believe that she has the power to cure diseases and any kind of illness. Indian temple architecture is a blend of art and culture.

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5.Get mesmerized by the amazing Budha Tooth Relic Temple: Wow!! This is the best part of Chinatown. The famous budha tooth relic temple. I have always been fascinated by budha temples. There is so much peace and serenity in and around these temples. Though the temple is built adjacent to the main road, it still holds it’s beauty and tranquility. You’ll be amazed by the beauty of temple. This temple is also maintained as a budha museum, there are three main dieties to the centre of the temple along with thousands of tiny budha idols decorating the entire temple.

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6. Jinriksha Station: Jinriksha or rickshaws were introduced in Singapore in 1880. By 1990s Jinrikshas became a common, easy and affordable mode of public transport. As you move further ahead from the budha tooth relic temple , you ‘ll come across a beautiful old white building with red bricks right at the centre dividing the main road. This building is the Jinriksha station that was the main depot of rickshaws / Jinrikshas , which is now maintained as a historical monument

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7.Try out new delicious food at chinatown food street:

Food lovers will love trying out food at Chinatown Food street – an entire street exclusively dedicated to foodies. This is where we first tried out a thai dish that one of our friend recommended called ” Pandan Leaf Chicken” it’s basically grilled chicken rolled in pandan leaves which is said to be healthy coz of it’s rich medicinal value. We loved it. Do give it a try!!

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8. Book lovers should definitely visit the book store ” Littered with Books”.

Well this book shop is not technically in Chinatown, but is near Clubstreet.Google map should help you find your way to clubstreet by walk in 3-5 min from Chinatown. Check out my blog on Screening room : an offbeat experience to know more on Clubstreet and things to do there. I personally love the beauty of shophouses lined up with varied coloured windows and find them quite fascinating. Everytime we go to Club street or chinatown, I absolutely love clicking photos of these photogenic shophouses. Here’s a glimpse of few of the most beautiful shophouses you’ll find at Clubstreet. “Littered with books” is a cozy bookstore in one of these shophouses. We would definitely recommend every bookworm to go visit this place. It’s worth it!!

Here’s the link to their facebook page – ” Littered with Books”.

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By: Aswathi Ashok

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