A Walking Tour of Chinatown
After I got back from my Melaka trip, it was a bit frenzied for me coz I only have a day left in Singapore before my flight to Male and I still have lots of places to visit. Foremost in my itinerary is a visit to Chinatown. 
Singapore is such a hassle-free destination especially for beginners. The minute you arrive, information kiosks are all over the airport. You can get free maps, shopping guides, and several walking guides of their more popular destinations like Little India and Chinatown.
Armed with my Chinatown walking guide, we alighted in South Bridge avenue, from there everything is just a block or two away. Walking ahead we immediately saw the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Indian temple in Singapore. I was just a bit surprised to find it here (I mean, the city was previously segregated into different cultural enclaves --- Little India for Indians, etc) coz it is smack in the middle of Chinatown. I mean, what is a Hindu temple doing in Chinatown???
Further into Temple Street, numerous stalls selling everything from souvenirs to designer knock offs lined up the small alley. Turn left and you will find the Food Market and farther on is the Food Street. The best time to visit there according to the locals is during night time when the whole place is alive with people dining outside and with the bazaars full of shoppers.
Still following the map, we went to Sago street (nakakatuwa ang mga names ng street no?) to look for the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, a multi-storied temple which houses a gallery, a theater, and a temple in one. We were debating on going inside as we initially thought it was not a temple kasi nga may nakasulat na theater --- kala ko tuloy sinehan sya! Take note, they do not allow sleeveless outfits inside and they have shawls for visitors to use just in case..
Only one more temple to visit then I’m done, the Thian Hock Keng Temple. It is a bit far from the main Chinatown complex, a few blocks towards Boon Tat road near the Raffles MRT. One of the most beautiful temples in Singapore, it was built in 1839 (without the use of a single nail daw according to the guidebook!!) and has elaborate dragon designs and carvings --- even on doors! 
Good timing! We saw this young Chinese couple getting married or I think getting blessings for their marriage so naka-traditional costume talaga sila.
Nagutom ako sa kalalakad. Just across the temple is a Chinese restaurant and yummy…….. I can’t resist, inubos ko pag order ang isang plateful of siomai!!!!
Singapore is such a hassle-free destination especially for beginners. The minute you arrive, information kiosks are all over the airport. You can get free maps, shopping guides, and several walking guides of their more popular destinations like Little India and Chinatown.Armed with my Chinatown walking guide, we alighted in South Bridge avenue, from there everything is just a block or two away. Walking ahead we immediately saw the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Indian temple in Singapore. I was just a bit surprised to find it here (I mean, the city was previously segregated into different cultural enclaves --- Little India for Indians, etc) coz it is smack in the middle of Chinatown. I mean, what is a Hindu temple doing in Chinatown???
Further into Temple Street, numerous stalls selling everything from souvenirs to designer knock offs lined up the small alley. Turn left and you will find the Food Market and farther on is the Food Street. The best time to visit there according to the locals is during night time when the whole place is alive with people dining outside and with the bazaars full of shoppers.Still following the map, we went to Sago street (nakakatuwa ang mga names ng street no?) to look for the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, a multi-storied temple which houses a gallery, a theater, and a temple in one. We were debating on going inside as we initially thought it was not a temple kasi nga may nakasulat na theater --- kala ko tuloy sinehan sya! Take note, they do not allow sleeveless outfits inside and they have shawls for visitors to use just in case..Only one more temple to visit then I’m done, the Thian Hock Keng Temple. It is a bit far from the main Chinatown complex, a few blocks towards Boon Tat road near the Raffles MRT. One of the most beautiful temples in Singapore, it was built in 1839 (without the use of a single nail daw according to the guidebook!!) and has elaborate dragon designs and carvings --- even on doors! Good timing! We saw this young Chinese couple getting married or I think getting blessings for their marriage so naka-traditional costume talaga sila.
Nagutom ako sa kalalakad. Just across the temple is a Chinese restaurant and yummy…….. I can’t resist, inubos ko pag order ang isang plateful of siomai!!!!
Comments
In Chinatown/Little India, there are some budget hostels and they offer dorm rooms at about S$25 - 35, u can try Fragrance Hostels kasi they have very good rates.