Chinatown Heritage Center

Occupying three restored shop-houses in Singapore’s thriving Chinatown district is the Chinatown Heritage Centre, a revealing and unrestrained look at Singapore’s Chinese Heritage.

The permanent exhibits include photographs, artifacts and video footage and are an engaging experience for children and adults alike. While the Chinatown Heritage is a popular destination for history buffs it’s an accessible experience that can be enjoyed by all visitors to the area.

The museum is split into three levels and transports you through the migration process and the establishment of Singapore’s Chinatown as it is today. On level one, see what led the immigrants to leave their homeland before making your way to level two to see the harsh conditions endured by the early immigrants. Witness the seedy underbelly that once defined the area as you explore the vices exhibit. 

Make your way to the top floor to see the glory days of the 1950s, a time when Chinatown was a bustling corridor of seamstresses, artists and carpenters. These professions are shown in the replicas of the tiny stores that once inhabited the space.

The Heritage Centre also outlines the traditional customs of the Chinese people in Singapore. Learn about the food that has become popular in Singapore’s Chinatown, and how it differs from Chinese food in other parts of the world. After your tour of the exhibits you can sample these unique dishes in the Centre's restaurant.

The Chinatown Heritage Centre is located on Pagoda Street in Singapore’s Chinatown. There is parking in the nearby streets. Chinatown is well served by public transport and the Chinatown MRT station is just a minute’s walk away. The Chinatown Heritage Centre is open daily and a small admission fee applies.