Travellers choose to visit Singapore for its cutting-edge attractions and modern architecture, but the heart of what makes Singapore unique really lies in its rich cultural melting pot. From its early days as a port city, Singapore has always welcomed people from all around the world, forming the multicultural, multiethnic society that we know today.
Why Go on a Cultural Tour in Singapore?
To better understand what makes Singapore tick, join a heritage and culture tour of Singapore – let our expert local guides give you insights into local traditions, discover hidden stories beyond the tourist hotspots, and experience authentic food and local customs that you won’t be able to do easily on your own. If you’re planning your own cultural tour in Singapore, here are some suggestions of key historical ethnic districts to visit and things to do that will let you dig a little deeper into the local way of life.
Top Cultural Districts to Explore in Singapore
Chinatown
Singapore’s Chinese heritage quarter is lined with rows of heritage shophouses and home to several prominent Chinese temples and other places of worship. As you walk its alleys, look out for traditional medicine halls, long-standing hawker food stalls and souvenir shops showcasing Chinese crafts like calligraphy and Chinese painting.
Best times to visit Chinatown: Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival sees copious street lights and decorations as well as additional pop-up stores selling festive goodies in the neighbourhood.
Best cultural tours in Chinatown:
- Take a local food tour at some of Singapore’s best hawker centres like Chinatown Complex and Maxwell Food Centre.
- Visit the temples for a glimpse of local worship practices – the Sri Mariamman Temple and Thian Hock Keng Temple are some of Singapore’s oldest temples
- Dive deeper into Chinese culture at the Chinatown Heritage Centre with dioramas and exhibits about early Chinatown, or learn more about Buddhism in Singapore at the museum in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple’s upper floors
Little India
While Little India was not the original Indian district in Singapore, today it’s the hub of the South Asian community and where Singapore offers a glimpse of its raw and less polished side. Here you’ll find significant Hindu temples and a whole array of shops and eateries that showcase Indian saris, flower garlands, and a smorgasbord of South Asian cuisine.
Best times to visit Little India: The streets are decorated for Pongal Spring Harvest and Deepavali Festival of Lights and especially beautiful at night, with clusters of festive markets selling food and decorations around the neighbourhood.
Best cultural tours in Little India:
- Pay your respects at the South Indian-style Sri Veeramakaliman Temple or the northern Siddh Peeth Shree Lakshminarayan Temple for a look at how locals pray
- Take a food tour around the district – Tekka Food Centre with its affordable and tasty hawker stalls is a good place to start, and pick up some Indian sweets and savoury snacks at the Little India Shopping Arcade
- The Indian Heritage Centre is a great museum to learn about how the Indians made their way to Singapore and the surrounding region
Kampong Gelam
The early Malay and Arab district remains a key heritage zone today, centered around the stately Sultan Mosque. The conserved shophouses found across the district are where you’ll find heritage businesses selling printed batik clothing, non-alcoholic attar perfumeries and some of the best family-style Nasi Padang restaurants.
Best times to visit Kampong Gelam: Visit during Hari Raya Puasa to celebrate the end of fasting with the Ramadan bazaars in the evenings
Best cultural tours in Kampong Gelam:
- Visit the Sultan Mosque in between prayer times to better admire one of Singapore’s oldest and most significant mosques
- Go mural hunting amidst the alleyways in one of Singapore’s most artsy neighbourhoods and one of the earliest mural hotspots
Joo Chiat and Katong
Joo Chiat Road cuts through the heart of what was once a stronghold for the Peranakans – a mixed culture stemming from the intermarriage between the immigrants and local borns. Their iconic colourful crockery, sarong kebayas and steamed dumplings are just some of the many cultural icons that reflect the unique Peranakan in this district.
Best times to visit Joo Chiat: Weekends bring the brunch crowd and locals looking for a nice neighbourhood to hang out in
Best cultural tours in Joo Chiat:
- Sampling Peranakan cuisine on a guided food tour is a must, from the dumplings and kueh at Kim Choo Kueh Chang to a proper meal at Chili Padi
- Snap a shot at some of Singapore’s most beautiful shophouses at Koon Seng Road and along Joo Chiat Road
- Learn more about Peranakan culture at the exhibition area on the upper level of Kim Choo Kueh Chang or visit the Singapore Peranakan Mansion Museum for more experiences
Tips to Make the Most of Your Cultural Tour in Singapore
Dress modestly if you are planning to enter religious buildings, which means covering your shoulders and knees, and for Muslims that includes your arms, legs and hair. Most places of worship do provide garments you can borrow, or bring along your own scarves and wear long clothing. You will need to remove your shoes to enter Hindu temples.
Have an open mind when it comes to trying new food! It’s best if you join a group tour for a wider variety of foods and flavours. Let your guide know if you have any food restrictions or allergies beforehand to work around. Carry cash especially for visiting smaller shops and hawker centres.
Cultural festivals are the best times to do a cultural tour in these neighbourhoods, but they are also when the districts are at their most crowded. Be prepared for the crowds and heat by dressing light, drinking enough water and not carrying too bulky bags with you so you can walk around easily.
A Singapore cultural tour exploring the traditions, practices and stories of its heritage neighbourhoods is one of the most interesting ways to learn more about Singapore. By supporting these local communities and businesses, you can also help to preserve their heritage and traditions.
While you can walk around on your own, an expert travel and tour agency in singapore is the best way to truly learn about Singaporean culture as the local guide can show and explain the hidden stories and other unseen practices for a truly memorable travel experience. Drop us a note to learn more about our Singapore cultural tours.
