Chinatown

Singapore's Chinatown is a regional hub for Chinese culture and one of the island city's oldest residential districts, as well as one of its most densely populated. Today, a mix of cultures shapes this enclave, and this attraction offers you the chance to see Singapore's true identity beyond tourism. Located in the city center in the Outram district, Chinatown has plenty of paths to explore, showcasing some of the city's most iconic sights. Rivaling any of the Chinatowns in America, Singapore's Chinatown took me by surprise. Once the home of the city's early Chinese community — one particular mural talks about "letter writers" who would pen letters home to China for illiterate immigrants — it's a vibrant place dotted with open-air shopping stalls, ornate temples, and plenty of delicious street food. The best way to experience Singapore's Chinatown is meandering through the rows of pastel buildings with no real plan.