Singapore`s Chinatown is not just an ethnic quarter for tourists. It is a living, pulsating organism, a spiritual and cultural center. Unlike many other "Chinatowns" in the world that have become mere restaurant zones, Singapore`s has preserved its authentic atmosphere. At every step, one can feel the legacy of the first Chinese migrants, their work ethic, and the faith that helped them survive and prosper in a foreign land.
A Labyrinth of Streets as a Single Whole: The Architecture of "Shophouses"
Chinatown is unimaginable without its famous architecture—rows of two- and three-story houses known as "shophouses." These narrow, deep buildings with mandatory five-foot sidewalk arcades ("kaki lima") are the district`s hallmark. Walking along its streets, you witness the evolution of styles:
• Early Style: Simple facades with minimal decoration.
• "Chinese Renaissance": Bright pastel tones, decorative shutters, tiles with images of flowers, birds, and mythical creatures.
• Art Deco: Geometric patterns and smooth lines.
The streets of Chinatown are not just avenues, but a single fabric where each plays its own role, yet all are inextricably linked:
• Trengganu Street: The main tourist artery, a bustling souvenir market where you can buy everything from magnets to silk. During the day and evening, it is filled with people, and its arches create perfect frames for photographs.
• Pagoda Street: A historic lane, named after a Hindu temple. In the 19th century, coolie workers lived here, and it still retains the spirit of that time. Now, it hosts numerous bars, cafes, and souvenir shops.
• Smith Street: The festival street, famous for its "Chinatown Food Street"—an open area with dozens of stalls where you can sample all the variety of Chinese street food, from dim sum to barbecue.
• Ann Siang Road and Amoy Street: These neighboring streets represent another facet of Chinatown—the bohemian and hipster one. Here, historic shophouses have been carefully restored and transformed into trendy bars, boutiques, high-end restaurants, and design studios. A business atmosphere prevails here during the day, giving way to vibrant social life in the evening.
The Street of Gods: A Unique Coexistence of Religions
The most amazing thing about Singapore`s Chinatown is its religious tolerance, visibly embodied in its architecture. On one street, South Bridge Road, within a hundred meters of each other, stand temples of three different denominations, coexisting peacefully for centuries. This is a visual lesson in Singaporean harmony.
Sri Mariamman Temple: The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, founded in 1827. It is impossible to miss thanks to its gopuram—a monumental tower covered in bright, multi-colored stucco with images of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures. Stepping inside, you enter another world—the air is filled with the scent of flowers and sandalwood, mantras are chanted, and devotees make offerings. This temple is a spiritual stronghold of the Indian community, built right in the middle of the Chinese quarter.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: A majestic four-story temple, built in 2007 in the style of the Tang Dynasty. Its rich red and gold facade symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. Inside, the main relic—a tooth of the Buddha—is kept, making it one of the most important Buddhist centers not only in Singapore but in all of Southeast Asia. On the temple`s roof, there is a tranquil garden with the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
Jamae Chulia Mosque: This mosque, founded in 1826 by Indian Muslim Chulia merchants from Tamil Nadu, represents a unique blend of styles. Its facade is made in the Neoclassical European style with symmetrical columns, while the inner gates and minarets bear distinct features of Indian Islamic architecture. This building is a silent witness to the trade and cultural connections that shaped Singapore.
The atmosphere of Chinatown is a cocktail of aromas from Peking roast duck and incense, the flashes of cameras and the flame of candles. It is a place where you can get lost in the crowd, step into an ancient temple, and then have a cocktail on the rooftop of a trendy bar, looking down at that very "street of gods."
