The Wonders Of Chinatown

The next destination that we are going to introduce is Chinatown, 牛车水 (niu che shui) We know how we can find a Chinatown in the States, in Canada, In Thailand, etc.. But Singapore's Chinatown promises you a place thats uniquely different from all the chinatowns that one has gone to. Singapore's Chinatown is a place where it depicts the rich culture of the Chinese in Singapore and it is easily accessible via the public bus transport and MRT train. When we think of chinatown, we will think its merely a place where we can see chinese people everywhere and its going to be boring. But we beg to differ and prove you wrong.

The Chinatown station alone showcases various Chinese calligraphy paintings painted by renowned Singapore's artist, Tan Swie Hian. This enhances the strong Chinese culture that Chinatown originally portrays.

Things to see: When you exit from the Chinatown station, you will be awed to catch a glimpse of the brightly painted shop houses that are preserved to give Chinatown the "authentic Chinese feel". Back in the olden days, the chinese used to live in shophouses like these.

Strolling down the aisle of the streets, you will be able to spot shops that are selling unique souvenirs of Singapore. Not just souvenirs, but traditional clothing like the "cheong-sam" and the "qipao" and plentiful beautiful chinese handicrafts and decorations.


What's more is that you will be able to find interesting objects to the Chinese culture that will leave you beguiled. One very interesting thing that you can find is the Chinese traditional lion dance head that is displayed in one of the shops there. Other than the lion dance head that was being displayed, you can find many other traditional objects that you probably have never seen before, thats displayed all over the streets in Chinatown.


Traditional Chinese Fans that you might chance upon.

The lion head thats used in a traditional "lion dance"

Things to do: There are also museums that are of Chinese culture themed. These museums are unique because they showcase the history of Singapore and of course, the history of the Chinese.

Chinese Lanterns Displayed

A coffee house decorated like how it was back in the olden days

Chinatown also houses the famous Ba kwa ( Barbeque Pork) store, Fragrance, Lim Chee Guan. Ba kwa is a traditional chinese snack somewhat like beef jerkey. During chinese new year, the response for ba kwa is overwhelming. So overwhelming that people pay others to queue for them to get a bag for ba kwa!

Tourists can also do some shopping at People's Park Complex, a mall with numerous shops selling electronics, clothing, clocks, Chinese medicine and jewelery. Or at OG People's Park which is a large departmental store where you can find Adidas, Billabong and Giordano just to name a few.

Things to eat: After exhausting your energy from exploring the wonders of Chinatown, you are in for sweet treats! We visited one of the famous dessert stall in Chinatown, Mei Hong Yuan and we recommend you to try! It will definitely boost your energy level and wanting more!

Just looking at menu will make you go hungry!

The desert store offers delicious deserts from Mango Pomelo Sago, to Ah balling Peanut Soup, to dumplings and even glutinous rice.

You can also try some cheap and good chinese food at the hawker center at Chinatown Complex or at Maxwell Food Center. It is simply a chinese food haven where you can find local chinese food from oyster omelette, Wanton noodles, Chicken rice, Char Kway teow, Hokkien mee, and many more! Chicken Rice

You will defintely be able to spend an interesting day at Chinatown with the numerous things that you can see and do there. Chinatown dont just offer a place of culture and residence but a place of shopping, a place to discover chinese food & desert, a place to appreciate the chinese way of life! So come down and exeperience Chinatown yourself!

The easiest way to get there is by train. The North east line train, NE4.