Alongside District 01, District 02 further inland, is yet another prime CBD neighbourhood situated right within the mix of bustling business and tourist activities during the busy work week.
Situated in the southern region of Singapore, District 02 includes:
• Chinatown: Singapore’s historical and cultural enclave for the Chinese majority. Now a must-visit tourist destination and national heritage site, full of cultural sites of interest, unique architecture, and amazing eateries galore.
• Tanjong Pagar: An integral part of the bustling part of the CBD, lined with never-ending blocks of high-rise office towers, hotels, and private residential buildings alike.
Nature and Sports Centres
Singapore truly lives up to its reputation as a garden nation – with strategic urban planning allowing for sufficient green spaces even within prime land such as the CBD.
Throughout the neighbourhood, residents will find unexpected nature spots where they can decompress from their daily work. From the extensive Neil Road Park, Tras Link Park, and charming Telok Ayer Park with its swings, to the hilly Ann Siang Hill Park, nature is just around every corner.
Prefer larger parks? There’s Pearl’s Hill City Park located atop a hill in Chinatown is a tranquil spot for relaxation and a hike while you’re at it.
Like to get your adrenaline in the comfort of air-conditioned fitness centres? There’s no lack of it in this district, thanks to the office crowd that they cater to. Whether you’re a fan of cross-fit, indoor cycling, MMA, weightlifting, or traditional gyms, there’s something for everybody.
Heritage Attractions
As one of Singapore’s largest historically significant districts, it’s no wonder that Chinatown has been designated as a national heritage sites for conservation. As such you’ll find that historical Chinese shophouses and predominantly Chinese architecture make up most of the neighbourhood.
And yet, as a multi-cultural nation, some of the major cultural attractions in this vibrant neighbourhood include the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (which hosts daily prayer ceremonies), the Jamae Mosque (one of Singapore’s oldest mosques), the Sri Mariamman Temple (Singapore’s most important Hindu temple) amongst many more.
Other significant heritage sites of note include the former Majestic Theatre (a beautiful Cantonese opera house built in the 1920s), the former Eng Aun Tong (the old factory of the local brand Tiger Balm), and the many clan and trade association buildings along Ann Siang Road.
Schools, Libraries, and Other Public Facilities
Like District 01, public schools are a rarity in this neighbourhood due to the scarcity of real estate. Outram Secondary School is the main school located just at the fringe of the neighbourhood.
However, for working parents with younger kids, there plenty of choices of preschools for you to choose from – from MindChamps, My First Skool, Kinderland Preschool, and more.
Need to visit a library? There’s one located conveniently within the Chinatown Point shopping mall so you can get all your reading and shopping done all in one spot.
Food & Beverages (F&B)
What the neighbourhood lacks in public facilities, it makes up for with a wide variety of F&B options just a stone’s throw away from your doorstep.
Chinatown offers a mind-boggling array of diverse Chinese cuisines (both local and native Chinese) to choose from – from noodle soups, stir-fried meats, dim sum, mala hotpots, and many more.
For affordable local fare, there is Chinatown Complex Food Centre, People’s Park Food Centre, Maxwell Food Centre, and Amoy Street Food Centre (a hotspot for office workers!).
For international cuisine, head over to Tanjong Pagar Road to get your fill of Japanese izakayas and Korean BBQ, while Keong Saik Road and Club Street are perfect for a night out drinking with friends.
Incredible Connectivity
While there is no major interchange located in the district, there are at least 4 nearby stations for easy access to all parts of Singapore. Outram Park and Tanjong Pagar along the East West line, Chinatown and Telok Ayer along the Northeast and Downtown line.