Singapore Walking Tour History & Culture Merlion to Chinatown
Colonial buildings, a river cruise, the Merlion at sunset, hawker centre dinner, and a tea ceremony in one afternoon
A guided walking and river tour through Singapore's history from the colonial era to today, starting in the Civic District and ending in Chinatown. You visit St. Andrew's Cathedral and the ArtScience Museum, cruise the Singapore River by bumboat, watch Marina Bay from Merlion Park at sunset, eat chicken rice at a hawker centre, and taste imperial tea in a traditional teahouse. The tour runs 4.5 hours and includes all meals, the boat ride, and a professional English-speaking guide.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Singapore's history and culture
- Start tour at Civic District
- Visit St Andrews Cathedral
- See historical colonial building
- Explore National Gallery
- Walk along Singapore River
- Board bumboat for river cruise
- Visit Merlion Park at sunset
- Visit Esplanade Park
- Stroll along Marina Bay waterfront
- See Fullerton Waterboat House
- View Pinnacle@Duxton sky gardens
- Dine at Maxwell Hawker Centre
- Enjoy traditional tea ceremony
- Hello Singapore 45m
- St. Andrew's Cathedral 10m
- National Gallery Singapore 10m
- Clarke Quay Entry included 30m
- Merlion Park 10m
- Esplanade Park 20m
- Marina Bay 20m
- The Fullerton Waterboat House 10m
- The Pinnacle @ Duxton 15m
- Maxwell Food Centre Entry included 30m
- Tea Chapter - Retail Entry included 30m
What’s included
- Professional English-speaking guide.
- bumboat cruise on the Singapore River.
- dinner of chicken rice and sugar cane juice at a hawker centre in Chinatown.
- traditional tea ceremony and imperial tea tasting with a take-home souvenir.
- all taxes, fees and handling charges.
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday 15:30
Information
Walk through colonial Singapore, cruise by bumboat down the river, watch the sunset at Merlion Park.
More experiences you might like
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour starts at 3:30 pm in the Civic District, where your guide walks you through Singapore's founding by Sir Stamford Raffles and the colonial buildings that shaped the city. You'll visit St. Andrew's Cathedral, built in 1836 and the largest Western religious building in Singapore, then move through the ArtScience Museum and the National Gallery, which holds over 8,000 artworks: the world's largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art. The pace is slow and casual as you walk along the Singapore River toward Clarke Quay, learning about the early traders who built their businesses along the water.
At Clarke Quay you board a bumboat for a relaxing cruise down the river, then head to Merlion Park to watch the sunset over Marina Bay. Your guide explains the mega construction project behind the bay's transformation while you stand at one of Singapore's most photographed spots. You'll also visit Esplanade Park, one of the city's oldest, and walk the Marina Bay waterfront to see the Fullerton Waterboat House and The Pinnacle@Duxton with its 500-meter sky gardens (or an alternative HDB building if weather closes the rooftop).
Dinner happens at a hawker centre in Chinatown, where you'll eat chicken rice, Singapore's most iconic dish, and drink freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. Your guide teaches you hawker centre etiquette and points out the must-try foods around you. After dinner, you retreat to a traditional teahouse to learn the tea ceremony and taste the imperial tea that Queen Elizabeth II was served there, with a take-home souvenir to remember it.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.
How far do I walk on this Singapore tour?
The tour covers about 9 kilometers on foot at a slow, casual pace over the 4.5 hours. If you tire easily or prefer less walking, a private version of the tour lets you cut distance by taking occasional taxi rides at your own cost.
What is St. Andrew's Cathedral and why is it on the tour?
St. Andrew's Cathedral is Singapore's largest Western religious building, built in 1836 on the same site where it has stood ever since. It's the oldest building of its kind in the country and marks the start of your walk through colonial Singapore.
Does the bumboat ride cost extra?
No, the Boat Quay River Cruise is included in your tour price and happens after you walk along Clarke Quay, taking you downriver toward Merlion Park.
What if I'm vegetarian?
Your guide will find you something to eat at the hawker centre, though the selection may be basic (rice and vegetables), since the tour centers on chicken rice and the guide cannot guarantee what vegetarian options will be available that day.
What happens if bad weather closes the Pinnacle rooftop?
If the rooftop of The Pinnacle@Duxton is closed due to weather, your guide will take you to a different HDB building instead so you still get the elevated city views.
Operated by The Hello Tourism Company Singapore Pte Ltd. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Singapore Walking Tour History & Culture Merlion to Chinatown
4h 30m · EN
from S$ 156.10 per person
≈ US$ 124 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.