Singapore’s Chinatown is a hub for all things Chinese, and this extends to the shops and malls that you will find in the area. Most things here are made in China, whether you’re looking for traditional items, imported toys, or even rare antiques. Our favourite spot to shop in Singapore Chinatown has to be the colourful markets that line the lanes near Chinatown MRT.

The malls are also fun to explore, shops here tend to offer great value Chinese items. Also, where there’s shopping, there’s food, so you won’t be short of snacks and along with plenty of places to rest if the bags get too heavy. To help you navigate one of the most interesting but sometimes confusing parts of Singapore, get acquainted with the offerings through this shopping in Chinatown Singapore guide.

1. Chinatown Street Market

One of the fastest ways to acquaint yourself with Chinatown is to go on a walking tour of the shops and stalls on these streets – Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Lane, Smith Street and Temple Street. These busy streets encapsulate all the sights and sounds that visitors expect of Chinatown, with hundreds of stalls selling everything from silk robes to lucky cats.

There’s also a fantastic range of street food carts amongst the shopping, with fresh dim sum and crispy duck. Remember to haggle with a smile if you want the best price. The market is open during the day, but it looks its most picturesque at dusk, with the lights shining brightly and the sound of hawkers tempting you to check out their wares.

Location: Pagoda Street and Trengganu Street, Singapore 050005, Singapore

Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 8 pm

2. Ann Siang Road

This lovely street filled with old shop houses is an excellent place to shop in Chinatown, with plenty of standalone boutiques that sell something a little more out of the ordinary compared to the mega malls Singapore is known for.

Ann Siang Hill’s shops include plenty of clothing stores. Umbrella shops sell funky womenswear brands from around the globe, and there are boutiques offering colourful party dresses and independent labels from the Asian region. Check out Aston Blake for men who like smart tailored shirts and suits.

Location: Ann Siang Road and Club Street, Chinatown, Singapore

Open: Most shops open daily from 10 am to 5 pm

3. Tanjong Pagar Plaza

This cream-coloured building doesn’t look like much from the outside, but if you are looking for bargains then Tanjong Pagar Plaza is the place to come. The entrance is mainly taken over by beauty salons, manicurists and hairdressers, but with 130 shops here it’s a good place to bag deals on electronics, stationery and even textiles.

If you fancy a bite to eat head up to the impressive second-floor food court with fish soup being one of the specialities (there are five stalls dedicated to it). Tanjong Plaza is set up for locals and the prices reflect this, so if you’re on a budget but love to shop it’s a great experience.

Location: Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Singapore 081006, Singapore

Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm (closed on Sundays)

4. BooksActually

Good for:

• Shoppers

Easily one of the best independent book stores in the city, BooksActually not only have a wide variety of alternative titles, but they also publish their own books, focussing on up and coming Singaporean writers. There’s the whole gamut here, from fiction to history via poetry, kids books and mathematic tomes.

You could easily spend hours here, not only browsing the shelves but also checking out the collection of knick-knacks and stationery which are sold alongside it. The owner’s hand selects every book and product on sale and it’s not hard to see why it’s such a success.

Location: 9 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru Estate, Singapore 168645, Singapore

Open: Sunday–Monday from 9 am to 6 pm, Tuesday–Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm

Phone: +65 6222 9195

5. Yue Hwa

With its impressive Chinese façade built at the turn of the century, the legendary city landmark offers a wide variety of reasonably- priced, authentic Chinese products – from tea, herbs and medicines to silks, cheongsams, handicrafts and antiques.

The quality of the goods available at Yue Wa is definitely better than what you will find when browsing the markets, and prices will only be slightly higher. You can also find seasonal promotions especially around the Lunar New Year delicacies: moon cakes, specially imported seafood and much more. Yue Hwa has 7 floors, with zones dedicated to each item.

Location: 70 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059805

Open: Monday–Friday from 9 am to 6 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

Phone: +65 6538 4222

6. Chinatown Complex

Chinatown Complex is one of the largest modern shopping spots in Singapore’s Chinatown. The complex houses a market, a food centre, and various small shops.

The wet market is known for its fresh food products and the food centre has gained a reputation for its mindboggling array of street food, often at very affordable prices.

Location: 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335, Singapore

Open: Daily from 8 am to midnight

Phone: +65 6372 0478

7. OG Department Store & People’s Park Centre

Rising just above the Chinatown MRT, OG is a household brand in Singapore known for its fashion, jewellery, cosmetics, watches and toys. It’s modern and distinctly international – with sports brands and a whole host of Korean cosmetics and imported products.

Adjacent to it is the refurbished People’s Park Centre frequented for its textiles, haberdasheries, electrical /electronic goods, streetwear, toiletries and luggage, all priced competitively. It’s a little run down, but great for bargains. The shopping centre is located inside the apartment building so follow the signs and head up the escalator to level 3. There’s also plenty of places to get a massage if you need a break.

Location: OG Building, 100 Upper Cross St, 058360, Singapore

Open: Daily from 11 am to 9.30 pm

Phone: +65 6535 8888

8. Cio Chinatown Point

With over 200 shops spread out on 6 levels, Cio Chinatown Point, which also houses the Handicraft Centre, is a modern building with a jumble of shops and stalls selling souvenirs, shoes, cosmetics, clothes and travel bags at bargain prices as well as restaurants and cafes.

The highlight has to be the arts and crafts – if you are an antique lover you will be impressed with the variety of goods dating from the Ming dynasties, although many of the items come with a hefty price tag. For more affordable souvenirs then Handicraft Centre is your best bet.

Location: 133 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059413, Singapore

Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm

Phone: +65 6535 2846

9. China Square Central Flea Market

During the week China Square doesn’t really stand out but come Sundays, this is the place to be. Stalls and sellers set up early in the morning, and although it’s air-conditioned and inside a mall, the objects for sale match the variety that you’d find in any outdoor market.

China Square is home to a lot of toy and comic book stores, and on Sundays, they have tables and stands outside their shops as well. There are also plenty of antiques, including some great vintage china items, retro clocks and phones, and second-hand books. The market takes up two floors and they really pack the stalls in. It’s a fun and different shopping experience in Chinatown.

Location: 18 Cross St, Singapore 048423, Singapore

Open: Sundays from 10 am to 10 pm

Phone: +65 6327 4473