Chinatown & Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Singapore | Travel Guide

#SingaporeItinerary

🌆 Chinatown, as the core area where Chinese people in Singapore gather, is full of rich Nanyang charm and Chinese cultural heritage. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is located in the heart of Chinatown and is a landmark religious building here. Below is a detailed travel guide to help you appreciate their charm!

Chinatown

Historical and Cultural Exploration: It is recommended to first visit the Chinatown Heritage Centre, which presents the historical lifestyle of Chinatown through six interactive exhibition areas. Along South Bridge Road, you can see Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, the Sri Mariamman Temple, with its magnificent five-tiered Indian temple tower. The murals and shrine details inside are worth savoring. There is also the unique octagonal minaret of the Jamae Mosque, which blends neoclassical and South Indian traditional elements.

Shopping Experience: Both sides of Sago Street are lined with traditional Chinese medicine shops, snack stalls, and souvenir booths.

Food Highlights: Smith Street is a famous food street in Singapore, where the aroma of chili crab, char kway teow, and satay skewers fills the air.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

Architectural Appreciation: The temple is built in the Tang Dynasty style, with magnificent flying eaves and bracket sets. The two guardian generals at the mountain gate are solemn and dignified. The first floor’s “Hall of 100 Dragons” houses a 15-foot tall Maitreya Buddha statue. Inside the temple, the “Buddha Tooth Relic Pagoda” is solemn and majestic, with a 320-kilogram gold reliquary enshrining the Buddha’s tooth relic.

Cultural Artifacts: The Buddhist Culture Museum houses precious artifacts from Gandhara and other places, narrating the history of Buddhism.

Photo Spot: Head to the “Magnolia Pavilion” near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple parking lot, take the elevator to the 9th or 10th floor, and walk to the end of the corridor after exiting the elevator. This is the best spot to capture panoramic photos of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum 07:00-17:00; Chinatown is open all day, but shop and food stall hours vary.

• Transportation: Take the MRT to Chinatown Station; exits A, B, C, and D all lead into the Chinatown area.

• Notes: Please keep quiet when visiting the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, respect the religious site and worshippers, and dress appropriately (avoid revealing clothing).