Telok Ayer Street
Telok Ayer Street, Singapore
A historic street in Singapore’s Chinatown, Telok Ayer Street pairs a lively food and drink scene with heritage attractions, including shophouses, clan houses, and places of worship. Highlights include Telok Ayer Green, the Al-Abrar Mosque, the Thian Hock Keng Temple, and the Nagore Durgah Shrine and heritage center.
The basics
Food and drink options on Telok Ayer Street span the gamut from bespoke cocktail bar Bitters & Love to street food stalwart Ocean Curry Fish Head, and you may find yourself visiting on a Singapore food tour. Culture vultures will love the Thian Hock Keng Temple, Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple. Virtually next door is the Al-Abrar Mosque, one of Singapore’s oldest mosques, and the Nagore Durgah Shrine, which houses a fascinating museum of Indian Muslim heritage.
Things to know before you go
Telok Ayer Street is a good choice for foodies and culture vultures.
Downtown Singapore is compact and walkable, and Chinatown is no exception. Wear comfortable shoes.
While Singapore, in general, is wheelchair-friendly, narrow sidewalks and sometimes high curbs make Chinatown more challenging.
How to get there
Telok Ayer Street runs between Cecil Street and Church Street in Singapore’s central Chinatown. It’s easy to walk here from the Civic District (it’s about 15 minutes walk from the National Gallery Singapore), but the best MRT is Telok Ayer (Downtown Line).
When to get there
If you’re visiting Telok Ayer Street for temples, shrines, and shophouse photography, it’s best to come during the day. But, like nearby Amoy Street and Club Street, it also has a lively nightlife scene, especially on Fridays.
The Thian Hock Keng Temple
Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple, built around 1840, the Thian Hock Keng Temple, is dedicated to the sea goddess and, in the days when Telok Ayer Street was on the waterfront, new arrivals came here to give thanks for safe passage. The low-rise structure was built entirely without nails and features striking carvings of dragons and phoenixes and stone lions to ward off evil spirits.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!