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Thian Hock Keng Temple
View of Marina Bay and beyond
Pek Sin Choon Tea Shop (1925)
Teck Soon Medical Hall (1967)
View of the Historical Conservation Zone of Chinatown

Singapore's Historic Chinatown Walking Tour with Lunch

By On-A-Roll-Tours
10 out of 10
Free cancellation available
Price is $49 per adult
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h 30m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview

On this walking tour, we trace the footsteps of the early immigrants who left China in search of a better life in South-East Asia, and how they found their way to Singapore, built temples and formed clans to look after each other. We learn about how some prospered to become some of Asia’s richest men, whilst others slaved and died penniless without any next-of-kin to mourn them.

We’ll see where Chinese opera theatres, brothels, opium and gambling dens once thrived when the ratio of men to women was 14:1.

Through murals by local artist Yip Yew Chong, we sneak a peek at what life was like in 19th and 20th century Singapore.

Lunch will be at one of the oldest establishments in Singapore, before we continue our hunt for other traditional trades in Chinatown which have withstood the test of time.

Activity location

  • Sky Garden at CapitaSpring
    • 88 Market St
    • Singapore, Singapore

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • The Whisky Distillery
    • 1 Raffles Place
    • 048616, Singapore, Singapore

Check availability


Singapore's Historic Chinatown Walking Tour with Lunch
  • Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes3h 30m
    3h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 10:00am
Price details
$48.71 x 1 Adult$48.71

Total
Price is $48.71

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedLicensed tourist guide and disposable poncho in the event of rain.
  • What's includedWhat's includedTraditional Soya Sauce Chicken Noodle/Rice Lunch and Snacks will be provided.
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedGratuities.

Know before you book

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Sky Garden at CapitaSpring
  • 20m
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
  • 15m
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.
Pekin Street
  • 10m
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
  • 10m
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
  • 25m
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
  • 10m
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.
Chinese Weekly Entertainment Club
  • 5m
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.
Goh Loo Club
  • 2m
We stop at another Chinese millionaire's club and find out the story behind its interesting window grills.
Mohamed Ali Lane
  • 2m
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.
Chiew Kee Noodle House
  • 30m
Enjoy a traditional soya sauce chicken noodle/rice lunch at this establishment dating back to 1949.
Yue Hwa Chinese Products
  • 2m
Once the "Raffles Hotel of Chinatown", we learn about the illustrious past of this 1927 building, which now houses a Chinese emporium.
The Majestic
  • 2m
Find out how The Majestic Theatre came into being, and the wealthy Chinese merchant who made it possible.
Lim Chee Guan New Bridge Road Store
  • 10m
Established in 1938, Lim Chee Guan endured the Second World War and remains as one of Singapore's best loved brands 85 years on.
Pek Sin Choon Pte Ltd
  • 10m
Established in 1925, this tea shop with its unique Nanyang blends has close to 100 years of history.
Tai Thong Cake Shop
  • 10m
This old school bakery from 1950 sells Cantonese-style mooncakes and other sweet treats year round. We drop by for a taste.
Lau Choy Seng Pte Ltd
  • 15m
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
  • 15m
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)
  • 5m
Find out how Sago Lane became known as the Street of the Dead, and what has become of it today.
Fong Moon Kee (冯满记)
  • 10m
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?

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESSky Garden at CapitaSpring
    • 88 Market St
    • Singapore, Singapore

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEThe Whisky Distillery
    • 1 Raffles Place
    • 048616, Singapore, Singapore

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