The Chinese Quarter
Three-quarters of Singapore's population are ethnically Chinese. The Chinese quarter is a favourite place to visit with tourists. There are narrow lanes, two- and three-storey buildings, hundreds of small shops and restaurants, traditional shrines, and old Chinese people playing chess or chequers in the street. During the celebrations for the Chinese New Year, the streets are thronging with revelers and street traders.
Near the Chinatown MRT station you can almost always find old men playing checkers.
Thian Hock Keng (the Shrine of Heavenly Bliss) is the oldest of the Chinese shrines in Singapore, founded by emigrants from the Chinese province of Fujian. The main altar is dedicatd to the Taoist patroness of seafarers – Ma Zu.
The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore is the Sri Mariamman Temple, in the centre of the Chinese Quarter. Its unusual architectural style, built in 1827, makes it one of the most remarkable sights on a walk through Singapore.
The ornate and richly-decorated Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is designed in the Chinese Tan style, and opened in 2007.
It’s amazing the things you can find on sale in the Chinese Quarter!
Chili Crab, one of Singapore’s favourite dishes, is served deliciously in a number of different places – one of which is the long established restaurant - Wing Seong Fatty’s.
Pork-Rib Soup has been a speciality of the Song Fa Bak Kut Teh restaurant since 1969.
