One of my favourite places to visit whenever I go back to Singapore is Chinatown. This place is crammed with a varied mix of past and modern sights, from temples, family-run goldsmiths and medicinal halls next to bars, restaurants and shops. It is also a great time and place to visit during Chinese New Year, especially as the dingy alleys will be packed with street hawkers, New Year’s snacks and live Chinese New Year celebration performers.
One of the foodie shops that you must visit is the Lee Chee Guan bak kwa (barbecued meat). I love their tender and delicious bak kwa. It is not very cheap but it is definitely one of Singapore’s delicacies. If you just want to try, you can buy as little as 100g (around 2 pieces). Both of my children love the original bak kwa. There are a range of different flavours of bak kwa to eat.
I also love getting souvenirs from the shops. The prices don’t vary much between each shop. Most of them offer 3 items for $10 or 2 items for $5. It is very affordable and you will be spoilt for choice. Both my children decided to buy mini Merlion statues and ancient coins to keep.
Chinatown is also another place for me to get kitchenware. I typically like to restock up on bowls, steamers, jugs, disposable trays and other household items. The prices are very reasonable and some shops will even give you discount when you buy a lot too. I can easily spend an hour just checking out the items.
I mentioned there are temples in Chinatown. In fact, the place has Hindu temples, mosques and Chinese temples. They are open to visitors as long as you obey their rules.
If you need to change some currency, the currency exchange shops generally offer good rates too.
Chinatown is very easy to access by Chinatown MRT so make sure you pop by next time you are in Singapore.
Going to Singapore, why not check out these activities we did!