Chinatown Street Wall Arts Singapore. Discover how art comes alive in Chinatown—around the corners of lively eateries and quaint boutiques, you’ll find ample opportunities to snap Instagram-worthy shots of gorgeous murals, depicting Singapore’s past and present.
Chinatown MRT Station
Chinatown Visitor Centre Address 2 Banda Street, Singapore 059962 (Behind Buddha Tooth Relic Temple)
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Chinatown's iconic lanterns
Your visual adventure begins outside Chinatown Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station. From Exit A, head to the small lane near the Temple Street taxi stand, and across from Mei Heong Yuen Dessert. You can’t miss this mural—a colorful depiction of how Singapore celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional harvest festival from September to early October. The artist, Yip Yew Chong, is a prominent member of Singapore’s street art scene, whose works focus predominantly on the nostalgia found in our city’s rich cultural heritage.
Continue on to Pagoda Street for a gorgeous photo beneath Chinatown’s iconic lanterns. The distinctive row of heritage shophouses here are hard to miss, with vibrant colours and architecture hearkening back to Singapore’s early days.
While these houses are a blast from the past, they also possess charmingly contemporary design elements—notice the bright yellow flowers painted on the blue shophouse.
Along Mohammed ali lane
Along Mohammed Ali Lane, you’ll spot another snapshot of history—a quirky scene of Singapore’s street vendors from our early years of independence in the 1960s. To gain insights into our city’s yesteryears, observe the detailed renderings of old-school goodies in the Mamak Store (provisions stall). A few steps away, a craftsman presents an amusing assortment of masks and toys. At the same time, Samsui women (female migrant workers from Sansui District, China, known for their iconic red headscarves) watch from the sidewalk.
Back wall of Thian Hock Keng Temple
Along the back wall of this ornate temple, you’ll find another creation by Yip Yew Chong. This sprawling, 40-meter-long mural is a moving testament to the lives of our nation’s early Hokkien (a dialect group from south-eastern Fujian in China) immigrants, whose sacrifices greatly shaped modern Singapore. Before you leave, take some time to deepen your appreciation of Chinese architecture at Thian Hock Keng Temple. This eminent place of worship was built in 1839, and not a single nail was used in its construction. Spend at least half a day exploring this bustling district, and get ready to feast your senses on beautiful art, cultural landmarks, and delicious food.
Chinatown heritage centre #1
My Chinatown Home
Walk over to 30 Smith Street, and you’ll get a glimpse into a humble shophouse. It’s also a fantastic photo opportunity—from the front, you can almost insert yourself into the scene.
This snapshot of Singapore’s earlier days taps on the artist’s memories of his childhood, depicting a familial scene from a traditional Chinese home that exudes warmth and nostalgia.
Chinatown complex #1
Chinatown complex #2
Mural of Bruce Lee by School of Design
Bruce Lee makes an appearance along the walls of Chinatown Complex, holding the iconic durian, no less.
Painted by students from the school of design at Temasek Polytechnic, this cheeky mural enlivens the area with quirky elements that have come to be commonly associated with Singapore’s culture, including the aforementioned fruit. Other local touches include an Oriental dragon, curry puffs, and even an ‘I love Singapore’ singlet.
