Singapore: Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Gelam Walking Tour

Summary

Walk Singapore’s colorful neighborhoods with stories, temples, murals and markets

You’ll join a small group led by a local guide through Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Gelam — hearing real stories behind temples and murals, sampling market snacks if you dare, and soaking up Singapore’s mix of cultures on foot. You’ll leave with new words in your pocket and memories that linger long after.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried durian?” our guide Li grinned at us as we stepped into the edge of Chinatown. I hadn’t — and honestly, the smell hit first. It was humid, that sticky Singapore kind of humid, but the street buzzed with people ducking in and out of shops. Li waved at a woman selling incense sticks by the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and started telling us about her family’s rituals. I liked how he didn’t rush; we just stood there for a bit, letting the noise and smells soak in. The keyword here is city highlights tour — but it didn’t feel like ticking boxes.

Kampong Gelam was next and it surprised me how different it felt — quieter streets painted with bright murals (one had a cat that looked suspiciously like my neighbor’s back home). We wandered past Sultan Mosque while Li explained why people leave their shoes outside. He even showed us how to say “thank you” in Malay — I fumbled it, got a laugh from an old man sitting on a bench. The air smelled faintly of spices drifting from nearby stalls; not overpowering, just enough to make you hungry again even if you’d just eaten.

Little India was pure energy. Tekka Market was chaos in the best way — colors everywhere: saris hanging overhead, buckets of marigolds on the ground. A kid offered me a piece of something sweet (I never caught the name), and his mom smiled when I took it. Our city highlights tour wrapped up here, but honestly, I could’ve stayed longer just watching people haggle over mangoes or listening to the clang from a jewelry shop next door. There’s something about these neighborhoods that sticks with you after — maybe it’s all those little moments piled up together.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kampong Glam, Little India, Chinatown

• Meet the guide
• Visit Kampong Glam murals and temple
• Explore Little India and Tekka market
• Visit Chinatown and Buddha Tooth Relic temple

Top questions

How long does this Singapore city highlights tour take?

The tour is designed for half a day, making it ideal for travelers short on time.

Is this walking tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout the tour.

Are there photo stops during the tour?

Yes, there are plenty of opportunities for photos in each neighborhood visited.

Does this city highlights tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet your licensed English-speaking guide at the starting point.

What neighborhoods are covered on this walking tour?

The route covers Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Gelam in Singapore.

Is lunch or food included on this tour?

No meals are included but you can sample snacks at markets along the way if you wish.

Can infants or small children join this walking tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the walk.

What’s included

Your day includes walking alongside a licensed English-speaking guide through three iconic neighborhoods—Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Gelam—with plenty of stories shared along the way; all routes are wheelchair accessible so everyone can join comfortably.