Four Places in Chinatown You Should Not Miss

Chinatown is one of the main tourist attractions in Singapore. It is full of life with low rise buildings, heritage sites, restaurants, indie boutiques, and trendy wine bars. Chinatown is somehow, like a time capsule in the heart of modern Singapore. If you weren’t able to go to Chinatown, people would say that your visit to Singapore is incomplete!

Here are four places in Chinatown that you shouldn’t miss:

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

It is a Buddhist temple and museum complex located in Chinatown. The temple’s architectural style is from the Tang Dynasty to house the tooth relic of the historical Buddha. Built-in 2008, the building consists of four floors. A 420-kilo golden stupa is housed on the fourth floor. On the third floor is the Buddhist museum, with over 300 Buddhist artifacts brought from different parts of the world. 

It also has a tea house where you can relax and reflect at the same time when you visit. They also serve vegetarian dishes there. Don’t forget to wear clothes that properly cover your body when you visit. Avoid wearing shorts, skirts and sleeveless shirts when you go to this temple.

Chinatown Heritage Center

The Chinatown Heritage Center is a time capsule that holds narratives of Singapore’s past. It has six galleries that showcase the history of the very first Chinese immigrants in Singapore. Visitors will be able to go back over the passage of those who escaped famine, flood and civil unrest in China to find a better life in Singapore. Aside from the galleries, visitors can partake in workshops available in English, Mandarin, French and Japanese.

Various displays of old photographs, and scents of fragrant spices, and opium will flood your senses and bring you back to the 1950s Singapore, where it all started. You may need to stay a little longer in this center to enjoy your visit here!

Thian Hock Keng Temple

The literal translation of the name of this temple is “Palace of Heavenly Happiness.” It is a temple built for the worship of the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu. Also known as the Tianfu Temple, it is the oldest and most important temple of the Hokkien people in Singapore. It was built in 1842 and renovated in 1906 with a bit of western-style features.

This temple has a magnificent courtyard, opulently adorned with black and gold lacquered wood figurines of dragons and phoenix, and colored tiles. Thian Hock Keng was officially declared a national monument on the sixth of July, 1973.

Sri Mariamman Temple

It is the oldest shrine in Singapore. It was built in 1827 by an Indian pioneer, Naraina Pillai, and has been renovated many times over. The Sri Mariamman Temple is one of the important places of worship of the Hindus in Singapore. It was declared as a national monument in 1973. Aside from being a place of worship and center of Hindu activities, this temple also served as a refuge for South Indian Tamil immigrants.

Its majestic grand tower entrance or gopuram is a wonderful landmark in Chinatown. It has sculptures of Hindu deities and mythical figures; a must-visit place for you, even if you’re not a Hindu. The beauty of this place is beyond words.

These are the four places you shouldn’t miss in Chinatown if you’re into heritage sites. If you’re more into the modern conveniences where you get to enjoy wine or cigar bars, or foot spas, Chinatown is still the place to be! If you are planning to pay a visit, start a small business, or enjoy the sweet offerings of these places but is short of funds, do check out the best licensed moneylender near Chinatown. Fortune Credit has got your back. 

Here’s how to get to Fortune Credit from China Town

5 Things That Orchard Road Is Known For

Gone are the days when Orchard Road in Singapore is known only for shopping. Nowadays, it's a vibrant district with a lot of exciting and memorable things to do. If you're new to Orchard Road, be prepared to wear comfortable shoes because you'll be doing a lot of walking here and there.

We recommend the following destinations and places to check out in Orchard Road. If you're with your family, there's plenty of incredible family-friendly destinations to visit as well.

Visit The Singapore Art Museum

The Singapore Art Museum is the home of more than 7,000 Singaporean and Southeast Asian contemporary and modern art pieces. This museum has a vast exhibition area with 14 huge climate-controlled art galleries where various pieces are stored.

This museum will make you interested in the different countries in the region and learn all about their rich cultures. After your tour, be sure to drop by their in-house restaurant and café that serves the best coffee and pastries. 

Head To Fort Canning Park

Orchard Road is not all shopping and dining. A large park known as Fort Canning Park is close to Orchard Road, and this is where locals and tourists enjoy a breath of fresh air. It's the park for some of the most famous landmarks in Singapore too.

You can spend an afternoon here exploring walking trails and the many different species of plants here. Fort Canning Park is also the site of Battle Box, an underground tunnel system that was made in World War II. 

Watch The Latest Flicks At The Cinema At The Cathay 

The Cathay was first known as The Picturehouse, an art-house theatre. This cinema is a classic which brought different genre movies to locals. Today, this is the go-to place for Hollywood movies and family-fun shows. The Cinema at the Cathay is also the host for special events and festivals.

Don’t Forget The Istana

Formerly the Government House, the Istana is a famous landmark found on Orchard Road. This is the office of Singaporean President and was constructed in 1867 by the first governor of the country Sir Harry St. George Ord.

The Istana has a stunning neo-Palladian and Anglo-Indian design with lovely surroundings and gardens. This is the home of e 6-foot marble statue of Queen Victoria as well as a Japanese canon, ponds, and a well. Be sure to visit during Chinese New Year and during Deepavali, where the Istana is decked to the nines.

Shop At Emerald Hill Road

And don't forget that Orchard Road is the ultimate shopper's paradise. Visit Emerald Hill Road, where you will find high-end shops and branded stores. It is also a road that seems to be frozen in time with buildings and structures dating back to 1900 and the 1920s.

Is a limited budget keeping you from discovering the many amazing things in Orchard Road? Fortune Credit is ready to help with reasonable loan terms.

Here’s how to get from Orchard Road to Fortune Credit.

5 Exciting Nightclubs To Check Out At Tanjong Pagar

Once a new home for Chinese and Indian immigrants, Tanjong Pagar is now a multicultural, fashionable district with posh cafes, thriving businesses, and excellent restaurants. It is also the home of popular nightclubs that locals and tourists come to enjoy.

Nightlife in Tanjong Pagar is vibrant and varied. To find happening bars, try Craig Road or visit Duxton Hill. And after the fun, fill your belly with sumptuous food at Maxwell Road Food Center. You’ll surely be ready for more nightlife excitement tomorrow.

Visit Gibson Bar

One of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for four years in a row since 2016, Gibson Bar has a vintage vibe with antiquated interiors and warm décor. At first look, you'd think that this is a sophisticated bar, but once you taste their classic drinks, you'll surely feel right at home. Don't leave without trying "The Gibson," the namesake cocktail that echoes Japanese simplicity. This signature cocktail is dry, rich in umami, and fruity served with pickled onions, nukazuke, and quail eggs smoked to perfection.

Check Out Don’t Tell Mama

One of the jam-packed bars in Tanjong Pagar is Don’t Tell Mama. This is a Korean Bar where you can enjoy a flood of soju, but you can enjoy other types of cocktails as well. DTM has cool interiors, great food, and an incredible crowd. Soju is the drink here, and you can pair this with their Bulgogi Fries, Kimchi Fries, and Bulgogi Pancakes. Soju is served with lime, lychee or mango, a unique twist to an already excellent drink.

The Vibe At Siam Disco

Geylang Road is home to a cozy Siam Disco. This is a wonderful place to party with friends that won't hurt your budget. This bar is open till three AM, and usually, it's packed with locals as well as tourists nightly. People come here for the food, cocktails, and the place's welcoming ambiance. Ask about their karaoke nights because this is the most enjoyable night in Siam Disco.

The Fun At Mel’s Place Bar & Bistro

Enjoy the nightlife at Mel's, which was once an old residential place. It has a luxurious interior that matches its impressive menu. You'll enjoy their Western and local cuisine, especially their flavorful Mel's Chicken Wings and Baked Cheesy Mussels. And Mel's is not just for nightlife. During weekends, kids eat lunch for free from 11 am to 2 pm.

Don’t Forget Jekyll & Hyde

Jekyll & Hyde is not your typical nightclub in Tanjong Pagar. Their drinks are unlike any other with signature blends like "Naked Blood & Sand," "An Unusual Wake-Up Call," and "The Go(o)d Father.” This club has a regular menu and a vegetarian menu, which is why you won't find an empty seat any day of the week.

Don’t let a limited budget stand in the way of enjoying these awesome nightclubs in Tanjong 
Pagar. If you are short of funds while exploring the area, do check out the best licensed moneylender near Tanjong Pagar. Fortune Credit is ready to help you discover the best of Tanjong Pagar and more.

Here’s how to get from Tanjong Pagar to Fortune Credit.