Heritage trail · Singapore
Singapore: from samsui women to the city girl
Start in Katong's pastel shophouses, meet the samsui women who built the city, and end at a hawker table.
The walk through time
How she dressed, past to now
Trail 01
Joo Chiat and Katong: the nyonya trail
Koon Seng Road terrace houses
The most photographed Peranakan homes in Singapore. Look for the ceramic tiles, carved pintu pagar half doors and plaster birds and flowers.
Kim Choo Kueh Chang
A family kueh and rice dumpling shop on Joo Chiat Place, with a small kebaya and beadwork gallery upstairs.
Katong Antique House
A private collection of Peranakan heirlooms on East Coast Road. Visits are by appointment.
Katong laksa on East Coast Road
End with a bowl of Katong laksa, the noodles cut short so you only need a spoon.
- Distance
- About 2.5 km on foot
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours with food stops
- Start
- Eunos MRT, or bus to Joo Chiat Road
- Getting around
- Tap in on MRT and buses with a contactless bank card or phone
Opening hours change, so check each stop before you go.
Next draftMore Singapore trails
Four more neighbourhoods
Chinatown
The samsui women and majie, clan houses and old street markets.
Next draftKampong Glam
Malay and Arab heritage, textile shops and Sultan Mosque.
Next draftLittle India
Garland stalls, spice shops and temples on Serangoon Road.
Next draftTiong Bahru
Pre war public housing and a much loved hawker market.
Next draftCulture and heritage
Heritage sights to add to your list
The culture and heritage places Singapore Tourism Board picks out, with why they matter. Save the ones you want to visit, and share your review after you go.
Chinatown
NeighbourhoodClan houses, temples, shophouse trades and the streets where samsui women and majie lived and worked.
Katong-Joo Chiat
NeighbourhoodPastel Peranakan shophouses, nyonya kitchens and kueh shops. Our Singapore trail starts here.
Peranakan Museum
MuseumKebaya, beadwork, porcelain and family heirlooms that show how Peranakan women kept the culture going.
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque
Woman-foundedBuilt in 1846 with funds from Hajjah Fatimah, a Malacca-born woman trader, it mixes Islamic and European architecture.
Little India
NeighbourhoodGarland stalls, spice shops, temples and the textile and gold trades along Serangoon Road.
Kampong Gelam
NeighbourhoodMalay and Arab heritage around Sultan Mosque, with textile shops, perfumers and old trading streets.
The Istana
LandmarkThe President's official residence. Its grounds and rooms open to the public on selected days and through guided tours.
New Bahru
Heritage reuseThe former Nan Chiau High School in River Valley, now home to over 40 homegrown brands, cafés and makers.
Singapore Sidecar Tour
TourSee the heritage districts from the sidecar of a vintage Vespa, with a guide at the handlebars.
Source: Singapore Tourism Board, VisitSingapore Culture and Heritage. VisitSingapore
Experiences
Go beyond reading
Guided heritage walks
Each trail led by a guide, with tastings at the food stops.
Next draftKueh and beading workshops
Make ondeh ondeh or try Peranakan beadwork.
Next draftPeranakan inspired jewellery
Kerosang brooches and tile motif pieces from the trail.
Next draftTravel and study groups
Heritage days for schools and visiting groups.
Next draft