Cultural Gems in Chinatown Singapore: Temples, Traditions & Must-See Spots

Some people think of Chinatown Singapore only as a destination for food and shopping but the district actually offers far more than that. It’s chock-full of heritage and history, ready for discovery by the canny adventurer!

The district was established back in the 19th century as a settlement for Chinese immigrants. However, it has turned into a melting pot of different groups and traditions over time. This is clearly reflected in its numerous temples, clan houses, and traditions.

If you wish to see what Chinatown culture has to offer here in Singapore, read on. This guide is designed to help you explore the many layers that shape Chinatown Singapore's heritage.

Temples that Define Chinatown’s Culture

Sri Mariamman Temple

Standing in the heart of Chinatown since 1827, Sri Mariamman Temple is one of the district's most iconic landmarks. This is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore and one of the most powerful testaments to the nation's multicultural heritage.

For visitors, the chief object of attraction might be the gopuram. This is the entrance of the temple, an intricate construction festooned with colourful sculptures of Hindu deities. 

Beyond its architectural beauty, the temple remains an active place of worship for the local Hindu community, drawing its largest crowds during the annual Theemithi fire-walking festival.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum is far younger than the Hindu temple, having opened in 2007. However, it houses an ancient relic: an item said to be the actual tooth of the Buddha himself.

The building's architecture draws inspiration from the Tang Dynasty style and features a rooftop garden, a museum and multiple prayer halls.

Today, the temple continues to serve as an important centre for both Buddhist worship and cultural appreciation. Many visitors who come here may not share the same religion, but want to learn more about Buddhist art, history, and tradition.

Thian Hock Keng Temple

Dating back to 1842, Thian Hock Keng Temple is the oldest Hokkien temple in Singapore. It’s also a wonderful example of traditional Southern Chinese temple architecture.

The temple is dedicated to Mazu (媽祖), the Goddess of the Sea, revered by early Hokkien immigrants for ensuring safe voyages. Considering most of the area’s first inhabitants were immigrants, Thian Hock Keng Temple is of great relevance to Chinatown culture!

Interestingly, the temple also reflects traditional Southern Chinese architectural practices, as it was constructed entirely without the use of nails. Instead, the whole structure relies on tenon-and-mortise joinery.

Masjid Jamae

Also known as the Jamae Mosque, Masjid Jamae was built in the early 1820s by the Chulia community from the Coromandel Coast of Southern India. It was gazetted as a national monument in 1974.

Its design is just as distinctive as its history. The mosque faces Mecca, leaving it slightly askew from the street grid, and combines South Indian and neoclassical influences. The front gate reflects traditional South Indian style, while the foyer, prayer halls, and shrine echo the neoclassical designs of colonial architect George Drumgoole Coleman.

Today, Masjid Jamae remains an active place of worship and an enduring symbol of the multicultural faiths woven into Chinatown’s history.

Traditions that Bring Chinatown to Life

Festivals

Chinatown comes alive most vividly during its festivals. To truly experience Chinatown Singapore's culture, visit during Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Deepavali.

During these annual occasions, the entire district is transformed. For Chinese New Year, the streets glow with red lanterns and come alive with lion dances, while the Mid-Autumn Festival fills Chinatown with lantern parades and stalls overflowing with mooncakes for both locals and tourists to enjoy.

Deepavali adds yet another layer of vibrancy, as the area lights up with dazzling displays and bazaars offering Indian-inspired products and traditional foods.

Clan Associations

Clan associations once served as vital lifelines for new migrants, providing housing, jobs and welfare support. Today, they continue to support the preservation of cultural identities and dialects.

In Chinatown, you'll still be able to find clan houses such as the Hok San Clan (鶴山會館), famous for its lion dance troupe, and Ying Fo Fui Kui (应和会馆), which acts as a kinship bridge between Hakka communities in Singapore and China in the early 1800s. These clan associations continues to preserve heritage and keep traditions alive.

Everyday Rituals

Chinatown culture is about more than grand events or landmarks. You can also see it in small, everyday things, like the daily sale of traditional herbal remedies or dried goods in the old-style shop.

Rituals such as visiting the fortune-teller at the temple entrance or going to the tea house with friends show that heritage remains woven into day-to-day life.

Must-See Chinatown Landmarks

Pagoda Street

Pagoda Street was once lined with opium dens and coolie quarters. Now, it’s a bustling street market filled with heritage shops and unique souvenirs. 

It still retains its old-world charm, thanks to many conserved facades that frame the streets. They still tell stories of the past amidst modern history and commerce.

Smith Street

Known historically for its bustling trades and vibrant community life, Smith Street remains one of Chinatown’s most recognisable areas. Following recent rejuvenation efforts in 2023, the area has been refreshed with conserved shophouses, street activity, and food stalls that bring back its lively charm.

Beyond stalls offering street-style dining experiences, Smith Street is worth exploring for its heritage architecture and atmosphere. It’s a great spot to pause, grab a bite, and take in the spirit of Chinatown!

Chinatown Complex Food Centre

This is Singapore’s largest hawker centre, an absolute treasure trove of heritage eats and award-winning dishes. You can even find Michelin-recognised food here, along with the Claypot Chicken, Char Kway Teow, Coffee and more.

For a glimpse of everyday local life, the complex also houses a wet market where many residents shop for their groceries.

Chinatown Heritage Centre

An immersive museum recreating 1950 shophouse interiors, the Chinatown Heritage Centre is among the best starting points for exploring Chinatown Singapore culture. It brings the stories of early migrants to life in vivid and immersive ways.

You can walk into the shophouses, the places where they once worked, and even the old quarters of some of the district’s first inhabitants! This can provide you with vital context before you go on to explore the area’s other landmarks.

Experiencing Chinatown Culture Today

Chinatown is a living, evolving space where old and new coexist. In this area, traditional medicine halls and shophouses stand alongside modern cafes, mirroring the coexistence of old and new generations among the descendants of early immigrants.

There is so much to see and do here that you may need multiple visits to experience it all. To better organise your adventure, you may consider taking a guided heritage tour, like those offered by the Chinatown Heritage Centre. 

These tours can show you the best of the area in authentic and educated ways, contextualising what you see or experience. Plan your cultural journey today! Visit the Chinatown Heritage Centre to discover the stories behind the temples, traditions and landmarks that make up this part of Singapore.