Travel to Singapore: the wonderful street markets of Singapore’s Chinatown
A trip to Chinatown in Singapore is a unique experience, where the past and the present meet. It was once an important enclave for new Chinese immigrants during colonial times, where it was a center of trade and commerce within the Chinese community. However, as Singapore progressed and modernized, much of Chinatown’s old charm was lost, making way for new shopping malls and tourist attractions. That said, a walk through its narrow streets, there are still corners that remind of its wonderful past.
The markets around Pagoda St
The easiest way to get to Chinatown is to take the MRT subway to the Chinatown station on the Northeast Line (purple line). Once you get off the train at the Chinatown station, head towards exit A, which will take you right into the heart of Chinatown on Pagoda St. This is probably the first place most people explore in Chinatown.
The first thing you’ll see once you exit the Chinatown station is a whole strip of tourist stalls selling souvenirs. These are the street markets that surround Pagoda St. The market is definitely less lively than those seen in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or even Kuala Lumpur.
Souvenir stalls sell your typical “I visited Singapore” wares as well as your “I visited Chinatown” wares like Chinese-style fans, lanterns and shirts, and even iPhone cases.
That said, a walk here will still see a glimpse of the past, as there are many wonderful colonial-style shops that are well preserved and still in use by market vendors.
Chinatown food street
At the intersection of Trengganu St and Smith St, turn left along Smith St, you will see the famous Chinatown Food Street, which turns into a pedestrian street after 6:00pm on weekdays and 12:00pm. pm on weekends and holidays. It is a bustling street food street serving some of Singapore’s most popular local dishes. However, it is quite geared towards the tourist crowd with slightly higher prices. Also one thing to note is that unfortunately over the years there has been a trend where many of the positions have closed due to the operator struggling to keep up with increases in rent. That being said, it’s still a good place to have a beer and just people watch.
As you go along Chinatown Food Street, there are also in-store restaurants serving various Chinese cuisines such as Sichuan hot pot. Also, nearby are the hawker centers where many of the locals frequent, such as the Maxwell Food Center and the Chinatown Complex, which guarantees the most authentic Singaporean dishes. So there are plenty of options when it comes to food in Chinatown!
Exploring the street market and Chinatown Food Street can probably be covered in 1-1.5 hours, depending on how much time you spend shopping in the street market area. So this is quite an easy itinerary for everyone to enjoy!