Chinatown (Singapore) > Reviews > Restoration

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Family Friendly

Advantages:	great variety, great prices, and entertainment, and good scenery of the waterfront
Disadvantages:	crowded, very crowded on friday and saturday nights

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Singapore Chinatown is the heart of old colonial Singapore. When the traders first cam ashore to Singapore, this was where they settled to do business with other traders, on the riverbank. Now you can see the old shophouses as they have stood for almost two centuries. They used to be old and faded, but recently, with the government taking a push for tourism, they have abolished trade from the river and taken the step of cleaning the river up. Now, instead of old polluted and smelly waters, the water is somewhat cleaner. As clean as the murky dirty green colour of the sea water around Singapore gets, anyway. Also, one can see the new restored shophouses along the waterfront, restored to their former beauty. Although sometimes I do wonder if the colours were so bright in their time. Boat Quay has been turned into a trendy nightspot for the young and those looking for great nightlife and great food. Clarke Quay has been turned to something for older family folk. Less chaotic and noisy than Boat Quay, but still entertaining nonetheless. But wherever you go, you'll find great value and entertainment here.