Let's go back in time and take a walk around Chinatown; an area where the journey began for a lot of the early years' immigrants. Listen to their stories & the arduous journeys that they had to go through in making their way to Singapore, in seeking a better life for themselves and their families. From the building of Singapore's oldest Chinese temple; Thian Hock Keng Temple; to immigrants lives inside the shophouses. End off the tour with a taste of some tropical fruits Singapore has to offer!
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Telok Ayer MRT Station (Exit B)
- Take the MRT and alight at Telok Ayer Station. Head to Exit B.
Thian Hock Keng Temple
You would be introduced to Singapore's oldest Chinese temple; Thian Hock Keng Temple. At this site, listen to the stories of the dangers and struggles that the early immigrants from China had to go through in making the journey to Singapore - to escape the hardships in China & in seeking better lives for themselves. And how it has led to the creation of this temple.
Admire the architecture and design of this temple. Learn more about the temple and the role that it plays within the community.
Murals @ Thian Hock Keng Temple
We will take a short walk to the back of the temple, to take a look at the mural paintings done up by one of our most prominent local artist; Yip Yew Chong. Enjoy the painting where he displayed life and the environment around the temple. At the same time, his mural paintings showcased some of the common jobs that the Chinese immigrants used to do. At the same time, some of the cultural practices of the Chinese community.
Chinatown @ South Bridge Road
I would take you on a short walk through the back alleys of Telok Ayer, to head over to our next stop.
Our first stop would be at Pagoda Street. Welcome to the main heart of Chinatown Singapore. Here, you would be greeted by Singapore's oldest hindu temple; Sri Mariamman Temple. The temple was built for the immigrants from India during those early years of Singapore being under the British colony.
Next, take a walk along the street to take in the sights of the shophouses that have been purposefully preserved. Experience how walking through here, provides a different feel from walking the other parts of the city that are surrounded by high-rise apartment buildings. Observe how the uses of the shophouses have evolved to make it more relevant to the current times.
You would learn about some of the previous uses of some of the shophouses or streets in the area; from having an old Chinese Theater to learning about some 'underground illicit activities' that used to take place at one of the streets, and learning about which of the streets used to feature 'Death Houses'.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Chinatown Complex
We would end off the walking segment of the tour at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Take in the majesty of the temple's architecture standing outside the temple. This is truly an IG worthy shot to take to document your trip to Chinatown Singapore!
Next, learn about how a typical public housing neighborhood in Singapore is like. From seeing the public housing that about 90% of Singaporeans live in; to the amenities that have been provided for the convenience of the residents of the neighbourhood.
Fruit Stall @ Smith Street
We would end off our tour with a tasting of one serving of a tropical fruit of your choice. The options can range from mangosteen, to mangos and bananas amongst others. If you are feeling adventurous and they are in season, you may even get a taste of the KING of fruits: DURIAN!
Wash down your meal with one serving of a drink of your choice from the stall as well. Nothing better than enjoying a round of tropical fruits amidst Singapore's hot and humid weather.
Ending Point
Chinatown,
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guiding Fees
1 serving of a type of fruit of your choice, that is being sold at the fruit stall
1x canned drink or fruit juice of your choice from the fruit stall
Other food and beverages options not mentioned above
Any protective equipment (e.g. umbrella & poncho)
Souvenirs
Tips
This tour involves a lot of walking, so please come in comfortable clothing and footwear.
For tours starting from 5pm onwards, we would not be entering Thian Hock Keng Temple.
You're encouraged to bring along a poncho or an umbrella in the event of inclement weather.
You're encouraged to bring bottled water that would allow you to keep yourself hydrated over the course of the walking tour.
Hello there! My name is Hilmi, your friendly guide from Singapore whose smile will always make u feel good and comfortable. I love bringing tourists around different parts of Singapore, and sharing many interesting stories about Singapore in the past as well as our aspirations for the future.
I hope that through our time together, my guests would be able to see Singapore from a whole different perspectives. Feel free to contact me for any tours or recommendations on places to visit.
You're just a click away from connecting with me. Let's not waste time and let's get connected! :)
$150/ per group