The 9 Best Attractions in Chinatown (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 9 picks

The best things to do in Singapore's Chinatown in 2026 are the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the Sri Mariamman Temple (Singapore's oldest Hindu temple), Thian Hock Keng on Telok Ayer Street, the Chinatown Heritage Centre's recreated shophouses, the street markets of Pagoda Street, and lunch at Maxwell Food Centre or Chinatown Complex.

Chinatown packs temples of three faiths, restored shophouses, street markets and two of Singapore's most famous hawker centres into a few walkable blocks between Chinatown, Maxwell and Telok Ayer MRT stations. Start at the temples on South Bridge Road in the morning, eat at Maxwell, and finish in the evening on Keong Saik Road or Club Street. For where to eat and stay, see our Chinatown restaurants and Chinatown hotels guides.

1. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple — South Bridge Road

A grand Tang-style temple with a rooftop orchid garden.

Best for First-timers · Families

Completed in 2007 in the style of the Tang dynasty, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple houses a relic believed to be a tooth of the Buddha, kept in a gold stupa on the fourth floor, with a museum of Buddhist art and a peaceful rooftop garden with a prayer wheel.

Entry is free; dress modestly.

Good to know: Visit the fourth-floor relic chamber and the rooftop garden.

288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840

Google Maps Website

2. Sri Mariamman Temple — South Bridge Road

Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, with a towering gopuram.

Best for First-timers

Founded in 1827, the Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, its entrance tower (gopuram) crowded with colourful sculpted deities. It is famous for the Theemithi fire-walking festival.

Remove your shoes before entering.

Good to know: There is a small fee to bring in a camera.

244 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058793

Google Maps Website

3. Thian Hock Keng Temple — Telok Ayer

Singapore's oldest major Hokkien temple, built without nails.

Best for First-timers

Thian Hock Keng was built in the 1840s by Hokkien immigrants who gave thanks here to Mazu, goddess of the sea, after safe voyages. It is a masterpiece of southern Chinese temple craft.

Telok Ayer Street was once on the waterfront.

Good to know: Walk Telok Ayer Street to see the mosque and dargah nearby.

158 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068613

Google Maps Website

4. Chinatown Heritage Centre — Pagoda Street

Recreated shophouse homes that tell the story of early Chinatown.

$ BudgetBest for Families · First-timers

The Chinatown Heritage Centre recreates the cramped shophouse homes and businesses of Chinatown's early immigrants across three restored shophouses on Pagoda Street.

It brings the neighbourhood's history to life before you explore the streets.

Good to know: Visit first, then walk the streets it describes.

48 Pagoda St, Singapore 059207

Google Maps Website

5. Maxwell Food Centre — Maxwell

One of Singapore's most famous hawker centres.

$ BudgetBest for Budget · First-timers

Maxwell Food Centre is a classic hawker centre at the edge of Chinatown, home to Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice and dozens of other well-loved stalls.

Come at lunchtime for the atmosphere, or just before to beat the queues.

Good to know: See our hawker centres guide for what to order.

1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184

Google Maps

6. Chinatown Complex Food Centre — Smith Street

Singapore's largest hawker centre, with over 200 stalls.

$ BudgetBest for Budget

Chinatown Complex's second floor is the largest hawker centre in Singapore, with more than 200 stalls, including famous claypot rice, soy sauce chicken and craft beer stalls.

The wet market downstairs is worth a look in the morning.

Good to know: Go in the morning for the wet market, or evening for claypot rice.

335 Smith St, Singapore 050335

Google Maps

7. Pagoda Street and Chinatown Street Market — Pagoda Street

Souvenir stalls under the shophouses.

Best for First-timers · Families

Pagoda, Trengganu and Sago streets are lined with stalls selling souvenirs, snacks and trinkets under restored shophouse facades, busiest in the evenings.

Before Chinese New Year, the streets fill with a festive market and lanterns.

Good to know: Come in the evening when the stalls and lanterns are lit.

Pagoda St, Singapore 059191

Google Maps

8. Pinnacle@Duxton Skybridge — Tanjong Pagar

A public housing rooftop with a 50-storey view.

$ BudgetBest for Couples · Budget

Pinnacle@Duxton is a public housing complex whose 50th-storey skybridge, linking its seven towers, is open to visitors for a small fee, with sweeping views over the port, Chinatown and the CBD.

It is a unique view of how Singapore lives.

Good to know: Visitor access is limited daily and needs an EZ-Link card for payment; check current arrangements before going.

1 Cantonment Rd, Singapore 080001

Google Maps

9. Singapore City Gallery — Maxwell

A free gallery explaining how Singapore is planned, with a giant city model.

Best for Families

The Singapore City Gallery at the URA Centre explains the city's urban planning, with a huge architectural model of central Singapore and interactive exhibits.

It is free and a short walk from Maxwell Food Centre.

Good to know: Pair it with lunch at Maxwell next door.

URA Centre, 45 Maxwell Rd, Singapore 069118

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Chinatown Singapore?

Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple and Thian Hock Keng, explore the Chinatown Heritage Centre, browse Pagoda Street's stalls and eat at Maxwell Food Centre or Chinatown Complex.

Is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple free?

Yes, entry is free. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered); shawls are available. Don't miss the rooftop orchid garden.

What is the oldest temple in Singapore?

The Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road, founded in 1827, is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple; Thian Hock Keng, from the 1840s, is the oldest major Chinese temple.

Which MRT station is best for Chinatown?

Chinatown MRT (Exit A) brings you out on Pagoda Street; Maxwell MRT is closest to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Maxwell Food Centre.

When is the best time to visit Chinatown?

Weekday mornings for the temples, lunchtime for the hawker centres, and the weeks before Chinese New Year, when the streets are lit up and the festive market runs.

1. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple — South Bridge Road

2. Sri Mariamman Temple — South Bridge Road

3. Thian Hock Keng Temple — Telok Ayer

4. Chinatown Heritage Centre — Pagoda Street

5. Maxwell Food Centre — Maxwell

6. Chinatown Complex Food Centre — Smith Street

7. Pagoda Street and Chinatown Street Market — Pagoda Street

8. Pinnacle@Duxton Skybridge — Tanjong Pagar

9. Singapore City Gallery — Maxwell

Frequently asked questions

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