Singapore Urban Trail: Chinatown Less Trodden, Singapore, Singapore

Many tourists associate Chinatown with the crowded maze of Kreta Ayer’s narrow roads flanked by souvenir shops and Chinese restaurants greeting you immediately as soon as you exit the Chinatown MRT.

This guide helps you discover Chinatown from a slightly less conventional trail along Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar, Duxton and Keong Saik where trendy eateries, indie boutiques and beautiful shophouses can be fully appreciated with only a fifth of the usual crowd.

Take Exit E from Chinatown MRT towards Chinatown Point. Take a walk from the shopping mall side to appreciate the glorious outer façades of Chinatown from the other side of road. While this street may see vehicle traffic, we personally find this stretch of four-story shophouses to be one of the most beautiful and unusual compared to the more ubiquitous two- or three-story structures.

Note: The most touristy Kreta Ayer stretch near Exit A does have some interesting stops. If you are into it, you may want to consider Chinatown Heritage Centre which replicates the interior of a traditional Chinese home, Peranakan Tiles Gallery to appreciate the intricate floorworks, or Tintin Shop for a dose of childhood nostalgia before heading to Upper Cross Street. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).