The Chinatown of today is well-loved for its blend of old and new, with historic temples and traditional medicinal halls lying alongside vibrant new bars and fashionable lifestyle businesses.
It was originally an enclave for Singapore’s Chinese immigrant population but is now one of many tourist and local hotspots. Discover more about Chinatown as I’ll be taking you, the reader, on a virtual tour.
Starting off with food, Maxwell Food Centre’s looks can be deceiving but it has many wonderful eats that sees people flocking to it every day. Hidden in the hawker centre contains a Michelin Bib Gourmand hawker store called Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice that spans across the space of 2 stalls due to its popularity. Some even say that the fragrant chicken rice can be eaten on its own so try it for yourself to see if it suits your tastebuds.
Next, pay a visit to The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, located in the heart of Chinatown. Learn more about thousands of years of culture through its artistically constructed interiors and comprehensive exhibitions on Buddhist art and history. The huge prayer hall on the first floor is ringed by countless golden Buddhas and the temple houses the Aranya reference library, a history gallery as well as a culture shop.
In the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the fourth floor is the holiest. Only monks are permitted to access the relic chamber and conduct daily services, which is housed within a great stupa built of 402 kg of gold. The chamber is open to visitors twice a day, however photography is strictly prohibited.
Learn more about the Hindu religion at the Sri Mariamman Temple. The temple, which was originally built by Penang government clerk Naraina Pillai as a haven for South Indian Tamil Hindu migrants, served as a sort of midway house, offering shelter until the migrants found permanent jobs and housing.
Today, the temple serves as a center of worship for the Tamil community and provides services beginning at daybreak every morning. The exquisite ceilings and bright patterns are eye catching and the primary shrine of Mariamman, the Goddess of Rain, may be seen in the main prayer hall.
After all that exploring, take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee paired with Ya Kun Kaya Toast at People’s Park Centre. The kaya jam is smeared on sliced bread with butter slices on top that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. When you bite into one of these, the cold butter contrasts with the sweetness of the kaya jam, making it an excellent pit stop before you continue your journey.
If you find yourself wandering aimlessly through this culturally rich neighborhood, visit the Chinatown Heritage Centre instead! The centre does an excellent job of presenting visitors with detailed information about the city’s history and heritage that will provide you with a far richer and more meaningful experience.
This article was brought to you by Han. I pretend to be broke in order to stay wealthy, yet I’m not wealthy.
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