If your visitors prefer to visit Chinatown first, you should bring them there right away. Chinatown is famous for its zest for life. Your visitors will surely enjoy the sights and the events not to mention shopping and different cuisines. Chinatown became a melting pot for the culinary, commercial and cultural influences of Teochew, Cantonese, Hokkien and Hainanese.
Chinatown has moved with times. Absorbing influences as time goes by but keeping its roots. It is better if you bring your visitors so they can see and feel what you are talking about. Here are some places that you can bring your visitors:
Smith Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street
In the late 19th century, Smith, Temple and Trengganu Streets was well known for Lai Chun Yuen which is the most popular Chinese opera theatre of its time. Opera divas from Hong Kong and China would perform nightly. The architecture is still there with its glamour and exquisiteness.
Chinatown Food Street
In Smith and Tregganu Street, food stalls are abundant. Your visitor will feel being transported to yesteryears as they experience sights, sounds and specialties. Food stalls are open from 6:00pm to 11:00pm on Mondays-Fridays. They are also open from 3:00pm to 11:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Kreta Ayer Square
Kreta Ayer Square is a favourite hangout for the old folks in Chinatown. You can see them engrossed in a game Chinese chess or just sitting on the marble benches chatting.
Chinatown Complex, Market and Food Centre
On one side of the square is the massive Chinatown complex, market and food centre notable for its enormous fresh food market and array of local cuisines.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
This mega temple is dedicated to Maitreya Buddha. The temple shows off Asia’s largest stupa which is made from 420kg of pure gold, decorated with 201 rubies and encircled by 35 statues of Buddha.