Private Tour Eat your way through Chinatown
We will not be taking you down "food street" or to any of the tourist places that Chinatown has a lot of. At Singabites we believe that the best way to explore an area like Chinatown is by trying local food, made by local vendors for locals to enjoy. As a private tour we will be experiencing Chinatown at your own pace. On this tour we'll explore the real Chinatown and see how the different Chinese communities have made Singapore their home. We'll see the old opium dens and hear the stories of how life was for the workers who came here from China in the 19th century. We'll try dishes from Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese and Hokkien hawkers. We'll get a chance to learn about hawker life and to get some tricks and tips on how to order the right thing. We'll explore a wet market and learn about the unique way that people live in this part of Singapore. Our guides have mapped out their favourite hawkers and vendors that will tell you the real story of this area.
Options
Eat your way through Chinatown
What's included in Private Tour Eat your way through Chinatown
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Thian Hock Keng Temple
The meeting point of the tour is a stunning historical Chinese temple. This is the oldest temple for the Hokkien population of Singapore. The road that the temple is on was once the shoreline of Singapore. The temple itself worships the goddess Mazu who is a sea goddess. We will take a quick look inside the temple and see how old and new are sat right next to each other in typical Singapore style. This is a food tour so we will also get the chance to try a unique snack in the grounds of the temple itself. A great experience to learn about the Hokkien community in Singapore and to see their way of life.
Telok Ayer Street
At one time this street and the surrounding shophouse streets were the shoreline of Singapore. They were a hive of activity with traders loading and unloading their cargo. The old shophouses, some built in the early 1800's still stand today and have been expertly restored to their former glories. The street used to house Chinese clans who came to Singapore to work on the ships. Many of the shophouses have information plaques telling the stories of their old residents. Opium dens were also found around this area in what was at the time a very rough place to live. Today the street is one of the trendiest places to eat and drink in Singapore. A plethora of hip and happening bars and restaurants line the street and make it a great place to start the food tour.
Ann Siang Hill
An Siang Hill and Club street was where the old Chinese clubs and clan houses used to be. The street is lined with old shophouses that today house design and PR companies. Some of the old charm has remained though and you can sometimes still hear the old folks playing mahjong at one of the remaining Chinese community clubs. This is now a popular place for the after work crowd to gather. We will take a walk down the colourful street and head to a nearby hawker centre.
Inclusions
- We will be trying at least 10 different tastings. We will visit at least 6 different stops along our route. We highly recommend you come hungry.
- Private experience. Just your group.
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Your guide will be waiting for you at the entrance to Thian Hock Keng temple on Telok Ayer Street.
End Points
- We end at a dessert hawker stand in the bustling People's Park food centre. The heart of "real" Chinatown.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
Please show your ticket to the guide upon arrival
