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 Located on Upper
Pickering, Cantonment Road, New Bridge Road and
South Bridge Road, no visit to Singapore would
be complete without a visit to Chinatown which
is the
original site where Chinese immigrants lived,
worked and played because it is one of the most
unique place in Singapore after the restoration
of traditional and heritage buildings together with its
lively street life and colorful temples. This is where you
can witness the oldest and most important Hokkien temple, Thian Hock
Keng Temple, or experience a prayer session in progress
at the Sri Mariamman temple, Singapore's oldest
Indian shrine whereby devotees will walk
barefoot over burning coals during the annual Thimithi Festival in the month
Photo: Thian Hock Keng Temple
of October.
 Stop by a wet market
and learn how housewives haggle for the best fresh
produce, or experience a Chinese tea
appreciation session that comes with an Chinese opera
performance. There is never lack of activities
over in Chinatown as the shops here open very
early in the morning and closes way past
midnight. Shop for Chinese antiquities or buy
Tiger Balm (medicated ointment) and take in the
smell of the array of Chinese herbs and
medicinal products on sale. Chinatown is a very
famous tourist area Photo: Heritage Buildings in Chinatown and some of the
tourists attractions in Chinatown are the
colorful alleys and side streets where Chinese
immigrants first arrived here in the 1800s
whereby tourists will be awed by the remarkable
architectural styles of the buildings seen along
these roads.
 Don't forget to stop
by Food Street for an alfresco meal and the
various Chinese pastry shops for home-made tarts
and cakes and try the famous dim sum. Learn about the rich cultural history
of old Chinatown at the Chinatown Heritage
Centre at 48 Pagoda Street (open from 10.00am to
7.00pm daily, admission charges are SGD 8.00 for
adults and SGD 4.80 for children) with its
interactive and imaginative displays. Tourists
will be taken back to the times of coolies,
samsui women and rickshaw pullers. Neighboring lanes
like Club, Smith and Terengganu Streets also
offer an interesting mix of art galleries,
Chinese opera
Photo: Chinatown Heitage Centre
performances and modern plays or
visitors coming here can simply enjoy the bustling
and exciting atmosphere seen here every minute.
No wonder this is the busiest tourist attraction
in Singapore.
Best time to visit:
10.00 am to 10.0pm daily
Buses: SBS 2, 12,
33, 51, 61, 62, 63, 81, 84, 103, 124, 143, 145,
147, 166, 174, 190, 197.
Tibs 851
Nearest MRT Station:
Chinatown, Outram Park
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