Most Chinatown Walking Tours are done in 2 hours. I am asking you to give me 3. At 2 hours, the tourist can get an informative tour nicely wrapped up. I am asking more. In return, I will give you the ins and the outs of Chinatown, complete with all the glory, and also all the brick-bats. We’ll begin with the arrival of immigrants and all their sad stories.
To add more color, we’ll also include all the cacophony and mayhem – which finally resulted with the arrival of William Pickering (hence Pickering & Upper Pickering Street). To add further spice to the story, we’ll throw in some measures from the British who found it so hard to deal with the Chinese immigrants.
Yes…secret societies were real. Indeed, for many, it was the only way to stay alive. Even the prostitutes needed their protection! Such were the social ills of Chinatown. But it wasn’t always bad. There were happy days. By the late 1900s, life has change much. Things got happier. The Peranakans made sure Life was not just work and slog.
Cabarets, complete with opium, and entertainers in skin tight cheongsams complete the sultry scenes. All you had to do was take the lift to the 4th floor at The Great Southern Hotel, or if you like, a scandalous back-alley walk up the stairway to Lai Chuen Yuen. Looking back the years, by current days’ standard, it would seem Singapore has come a long way.
But if you look harder, the tell-tale signs of the hard times are still present. All you need to do is book this tour with your ole Uncle Chris. Together, we’ll walk down memory lane. We’ll go through some happy sad stories (which are all true and not fiction).
We meet on the 24th August 2025 (SUNDAY), 9am at Chinatown MRT. Go in the direction of Exit A, take the escalator up and meet me between the UOB and POSB teller machines, (next to the restrooms).
Note:
- We do the worldwide practice of tipping at the end of the tour. Tipping guide as follows: $20 for a satisfactory guide, $20+ for a guide who exceeds expectations, and $30 for an outstanding guide.
- We also reserve the right to accept or reject habitual late cancellations and no-shows.
- Call or message Uncle Chris at +65 91814298 for corporate, private, or student bookings.
Do not sign up for this tour if you are not sure of your schedule. Please understand this method of booking platform can only perform its best with your full sincerity. Sign up only when you are sure of your schedule. We look forward to your graciousness and generosity!
