GEMS OF CHINATOWN TOUR

WHY VISIT

The Chinatown heritage area is a visitor favourite!

This is where the early Chinese immigrants of the 19th century set up their businesses, homes, temples and clan associations.

Today, Chinatown is a lively mix of the old and new - traditional businesses and markets sit side-by-side with modern cafes and shops.

While it's a vibrant showcase of Singapore Chinese culture, one of Chinatown's most unique features is its multiculturalism – it's here that you will find Taoist, Buddhist and Hindu temples as well as mosques and churches within walking distance of each other.

WHAT YOU'LL SEE ON TOUR

About The Gems Of Chinatown Tour
There's so much to see and do in Chinatown. To ensure you don't miss any of the highlights, join our walking tour and sightsee with us!

Thian Hock Keng
Temple

The "Temple of Heavenly Happiness" is our oldest and most majestic Taoist temple.

It's an architectural masterpiece that's been beautifully restored.

Come listen to the colourful stories behind the temple's sculptures and carvings, which are all rich in symbolism.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum

This ornate temple is a must-see! It houses a sacred tooth relic of the Buddha in a stupa made from 320kg of pure gold that is absolutely stunning.

Its 15 foot statue of the future Buddha, carved from a single 1000-year old tree, is the most photographed statue in Chinatown.

During our walk, we’ll explore the historic streets of Chinatown to admire the conserved shophouses, enjoy the lively atmosphere, and understand more about the lifestyles of the early immigrants. Listen to stories about the Opium Dens, Coolie Houses and Brothels that peppered the streets of Chinatown in the past.

There are 2 ‘bonus’ stops in the tour not mentioned above. We couldn't resist including these because we think you’ll enjoy seeing them. Intrigued? Join us on the tour to find out what these are!

The tour is designed to end at lunch time so it’ll be perfect timing for you to enjoy the specialities of the area – our guide will showcase a local food centre and provide some suggestions.

Please note: Ruby Dot Trails may adjust the above tour itinerary, in response to site conditions or circumstances beyond our control.

GUEST REVIEWS

"The small groups are a selling point - Shal could be easily heard and our questions were answered immediately. The small groups are less intrusive and are easily manoeuvred around the bustling streets of Chinatown...I was impressed by her willingness to learn and ability to adapt to the environment around us. Shal demonstrated excellent communication skills and was capable of interacting on our behalf. She as equally as knowledgeable as she was engaging - the tour flew by within a blink of an eye. The tour itself was well planned out. Rarely did we cross the same route twice....Ruby Dot Trails provided a concise yet detailed walking tour of Chinatown. Our tour guide was competent, captivating and charming. I have every reason to believe that the other tours offered by Ruby Dot Trails are just as fantastic." - EUGENE, AUSTRALIA

"If you want a tour of Singapore, look no further. Shal is the best. She is extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. We did the Chinatown tour, and she walked us through the major temples as well as a lot of other local landmarks. As she took us on our tour, we ran into several of the other tours, which were full of people and crowded to the point people were struggling to hear and move around. Shal limits the size to small groups so that the group can move fast, have all their questions answered, and get a personalized experience." - WILBUR, USA

"I loved learning about the different temples and religions of Chinatown. Having lived here for 4 years, I've visited Chinatown many times, so I thought it wasn't possible to tell me something I haven't already heard about... this tour proved me wrong! As an American it's amazing to learn new things about the culture of Chinatown, and she explained it in a unique and entertaining way. Highly recommend this tour, whether your a tourist or have been living here for awhile!" - SOPHIE, USA/SINGAPORE

YOUR GUIDE

Meet your guide! Ruby Dot Trails' owner, Shal, was featured in an interview with the Singapore Tourism Board, on her passion for what she does.

BOOKING INFO

When?
9.30am on Wednesdays
We recommend booking at least 24 hours before the tour start time so that we can confirm your place.

Duration?
3 - 3¼ hours
We do include time for an air-conditioned break, where you can rest and have a drink, as well as bathroom stops.

How much?
S$65 per person
We need a minimum of 2 people for the tour to go ahead.
(If you're travelling solo, please get in touch by email to find out if the tour is going ahead on the date you're interested in and if so, you'll be able to book a place for one)

What's included?
Small group walking tour (a maximum of 6 guests) for a more personal experience
A great guide - fluent in English, articulate and professionally licensed
The sights, sounds and stories of this multi-cultural heritage area!

What's not included?
Food and drinks, Gratuities (optional), Hotel transfers

Where to meet?
Telok Ayer MRT Station (DT18)

We'll send you a photo of the meeting point and directions in your Tour Confirmation email.

What to bring?
Wear comfortable shoes, and bring an umbrella or poncho, a bottle of water and of course, your camera.

Anything to take note of for the visit to the 3 temples during the tour?
The temple advisories request visitors to observe 'modest' dressing i.e. trousers or skirts should reach the knees and shoulders should be covered. If you prefer to wear shorts or a sleeveless top that day, a shawl or scarf can be used during the temple portion of the tour.

More information?
Do take a look at our FAQ Page - you’ll find it helpful!

Ruby Dot Trails

Ruby Dot Trails

Ruby Dot Trails

Ruby Dot Trails

GEMS OF CHINATOWN TOUR

WHY VISIT

WHAT YOU'LL SEE ON TOUR

GUEST REVIEWS

YOUR GUIDE

BOOKING INFO

Join us on one of our walking tours now!