Joanna James
As a popular base location for Singapore holidaymakers, the area known as Chinatown is a tourist's dream destination. Here are six of the best things to do during a tour of the region.
Head down to Sago Street and one will find some of the best souvenir shops in Chinatown. Vendors on pushcarts and kiosks retail everything from artworks and handicrafts to other attractive knick-knacks to take back home as mementoes. One of the main hotspots in the area is, of course, the On Cheong Jewellery shop where one can find modern jewellery pieces made with precious jade. Other highlights include the Lim Chee Guan sweets shop and the Thye Shan Medical Hall where one can buy Traditional Chinese Medicine remedies.
The Chinatown Food Street is often regarded as the ideal location to dig into local delicacies as this vast expanse lined with eateries offers diners a choice of Singapore's finest culinary offerings. Find everything from satays to hearty noodle dishes at this open-air dining hub or head down to the Chinatown Complex Food Centre, the area's topmost hawker centre and the island's most expansive as well. Pan Ji Cooked Food, Smith Street Taps and Lian He Ben Ji Claypot are some of the best eateries in the area along with the Michelin starred Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle.
No trip to Chinatown would be complete without uncovering the region's rich cultural heritage and there's no better venue to explore the evolution of Singapore's Chinese community than the Chinatown Heritage Centre. The six galleries in the museum explore everything from spices and the opium industry to the traditional trading practices undertaken by the Chinese. The well-preserved Chinese shophouses in the venue are also worthy of deeper exploration.
Chinatown is also home to the oldest Hindu temple in the country and those touring Chinatown should pay homage to the Sri Mariamman Temple during a visit. The Gopuram in the temple is a grand structure with six tiers while the sculpture of the venue's patron goddess is another highlight of a tour. The separate shrines and murals devoted to the Hindu gods of Shiva, Ganesh and goddess Durga are worthy of note.
Singapore's most sacred and oldest Hokkien temple is also found in Chinatown and known as the Thian Hock Keng Temple. Dedicated to the worship of Mazu, who is believed to have protected Chinese immigrants from harm during sea voyages in Singapore during the 19th century, the temple is also a classic example of Chinese architecture. Made without the use of even one nail, the temple remains an active spiritual epicentre throughout the year.
The works of Singapore's famed street artist Yip Yew Chong are all found along Mohamed Ali Lane. Offering visitors a glimpse at the local street art scene the bold works can be explored during an organized tour. Those based at Destination Singapore Beach Road or any other best value hotels in Singapore will have easy access to the murals.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
