Singapore: Chinatown, Little India & Arab Street Small-Group Walk

4.97

(218 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to get lost in the smell of incense so quickly. The moment we stepped into Chinatown Singapore, our guide Mei pointed out the Thian Hock Keng temple — she said it was built without a single nail. I ran my hand along one of the old wooden doors (they felt cool and smooth, almost oily), and for a second I tried to imagine all those early immigrants giving thanks here. Mei laughed when I squinted at the mural outside — apparently there’s a chicken hidden in every scene but I only found two before we moved on.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple was next. It glowed red even under the clouds, and inside it smelled faintly of sandalwood and something sweet I couldn’t place. We climbed up to the rooftop garden where it got quiet except for bells somewhere below. Mei spun the giant prayer wheel while explaining what it meant; I just watched the city from above for a minute, feeling oddly peaceful. There were people lighting candles downstairs — some tourists like us, some locals who looked like they’d done this every week forever.

We hopped on the MRT (which was honestly cleaner than my kitchen) and landed in Little India. The air changed — more spice shops, flower garlands everywhere, music leaking out from somewhere behind a goldsmith’s stall. At Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple I tried to pronounce “gopuram” properly but probably butchered it; an older man smiled at me anyway. Mei pointed out her favorite snack shop but by then my hands smelled like marigold petals and fried dough so I just stood there for a bit soaking it all in.

Arab Street felt totally different again — more textiles, bright blues and yellows everywhere, kids darting between fabric stalls while someone fixed tea nearby. The Sultan Mosque shimmered in the sun (it really does look gold). We ducked down Haji Lane with its wild murals and tiny shops selling things I’d never seen before — one café had a cat sleeping on the counter like he owned the place. My feet were tired by then but honestly? I didn’t want to stop wandering.