Chinatown Shopping

With the Chinese forming over 75% of the population, one can expect Chinatown to be a prominent landmark that evolved from the time of the first immigrants in the 19th century. Today, it is a vivid and energetic gazetted conservation precinct bounded by these major roads - Eu Tong Sen St, New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road. Interspersed with modern tall buildings, the appeal of the old era is still preserved in the charming pre-war shophouses, temples, markets, Chinese medicine halls and tea houses.

The best time to visit Chinatown is during the Lunar New Year, usually in January or February. One month before the New Year, Chinatown goes into a decorative frenzy of stunning lights and ornaments – a photographer’s delight. Streets are filled with stalls touting their wares – foodstuffs, clothes, pottery, plants and other household items. Another brilliant burst of colours and lights occurs during the Mid-Autumn Festival held traditionally in September. This is when the streets become festooned with a myriad of lanterns of all shapes and sizes; and locals go on a buying spree of the seasonal mooncakes.