The History of Singapore's Chinatown
Singapore's Chinatown dates back to 1821. It was designated by Sir Stamford Raffles as a settlement for Chinese immigrants, quickly becoming a bustling enclave of culture, family, and commerce.
Private & personalized tours - just for you!
The best stories aren’t found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of Chinatown with a private, personalized experience led by a local.




Make your stay in Singapore complete with these things to do

Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"Joisse (Joyce) is highly professional, highly knowledgable, friendly and fun! We booked her for two tours ( The 10 Tasting of Singapore: Street Food where we wandered through the regional food scenes in Singapore and Gardens by the Bay). We wish we had more time in Singapore so we'd have had a chance to spend more time with her. She is truly an AMBASSADOR for Singapore. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND her. You will experience the best Singapore can offer with Joisse."
"Great food tour, sampling Malaysian breakfast and Indian and Chinese dishes in Hawker centers. Come hungry. Plenty to eat. William was a very knowledgeable and passionate about Singapore. He provided lots of insight about the evolution of the city. He also accommodated an earlier start time the day of our tour. (Our first day in Singapore.) He also taught us about using the MRT, which helped later! "
"Because I have difficulty in walking distances Grayson managed to tailor his usual tour to my specific needs. Using a personal taxi and a 1 2 1 tour. I experienced many different foods, only difficulty was that it was so much for one person to eat. But I did my best. Four different neighbourhoods. Vastly different cuisines. Grayson was full of knowledge and able to answer any questions I had. A very likeable person. Worth every dollar. Recommend "
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Singapore with locals








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Step into the vibrant heart of Singapore's Chinatown! It’s more than a place; it’s a living storybook of culture and flavor. Let's explore Chinatown together. Your unforgettable private tour awaits!
Singapore's Chinatown dates back to 1821. It was designated by Sir Stamford Raffles as a settlement for Chinese immigrants, quickly becoming a bustling enclave of culture, family, and commerce.
Experience a beautiful fusion in Chinatown. Ancient temples like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple stand beside trendy bars and art galleries. It's a cultural feast for the senses only found in Chinatown.
Taste your way through Chinatown! From Michelin-starred street food to traditional desserts, it's a foodie paradise. Let a local guide you to the best Hainanese chicken rice and satay stalls.
The colorful, ornate shophouses are an icon of Chinatown. These historic buildings, with their unique mix of Baroque and Victorian architecture, tell stories of a bygone era. A must-see on any tour!
Did you know a Hindu temple sits in the heart of Chinatown? The Sri Mariamman Temple, alongside the Thian Hock Keng Temple, showcases the incredible multicultural harmony of Singapore.
Don't just see Chinatown, truly experience it with a local expert by your side. Skip the tourist traps and discover hidden stories, secret food spots, and authentic culture. Your personalized Singapore adventure is just a click away. Book your private Chinatown tour now!
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.




"We had a fabulous time on our culinary tour. Grayson was a very knowledgeable guide…not just about food but everything about Singapore. He looked after us very well. We felt very safe in his hands and he explained about local traditions. The tour covered three different areas and cultures. We feel we know much more about Singapore through its food and traditions. "
"My wife and I had a great experience with Grayson! He gave us lots of good facts and knowledge about Singapore as we explored Arabic, Indian, and Chinese food. The food and drink selection was very good which he chose for us. Our favorite being the Indian cuisine at one of the Hawker centers. China town was also a cool and interesting experience to walk through."
"From the start of the booking, Ron was outstanding with his communication to ensure everything went well - he even rescheduled a conflicting booking to accommodate us as this was our only day in Singapore. Ron was able to meet us at our hotel and then we were away having fun walking the streets and riding the MRT learning about the history and the people and the food. He was very happy to take photos and send to us. Ron ensured that the food we ate met our dietary requirements (we like spice) and that we were able to try local foods we wouldn't normally eat. Overall a great 3 hours spent with Ron. If you do this tour, I cannot recommend Ron highly enough. The only issue we had was the cost - AUD$440 for two people is a lot of money for 10 serves of street food and 3 hours labour. This of course is nothing against Ron - he was outstanding - more aimed at the company. I REALLY hope Ron gets a substantial amount of this money as he is the one doing the work, but somehow I doubt it."
"My family and I had a wonderful tour with Marcus. It was our first day in Singapore after a very long flight. Marcus was incredibly kind and patient with our 11-year-old who alternated between exhausted and asking hundreds of questions. The tour included a great introduction to Singapore history, culture and the food was fantastic. Marcus include helpful tips as well - for example, how to navigate the MRT and reserve your spot at a hawker center. All in all, a fantastic experience and a great intro to this wonderful city. "
"We had a wonderful few hours with Ron as he shared the history of Singapore and present day life, through food. We tasted a huge variety of food in various locations and came away feeling that we'd got under the surface of the country. Ron looked after us so well and made sure that we had everything we needed to enjoy the tour."
"We had 2 fantastic tours with Royston- The first one was the Hawker Center Food Tour and we really enjoyed it. It was a very nice evening. Royston recommended us delicious dishes… Yummy 🤩 On the next day we discovered Singapore. And again…. a fantastic day with Royston. He is very friendly, open-minded, and he took very good care of us. His English is perfect and we could understand him very well. Thank you for two wonderful days in Singapore, which couldn't have been better."


Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.