Claire from TheAC took us on a walking tour around Joo Chiat, her neighborhood for the last seven years. There is something for every Joo Chiat tourist or even a local wannabe tourist who just loves exploring.
Be sure and pick up your copy of our map, Exploring Singapore: Joo Chiat, brought to you by Vanilla Beige and TheAC at 420 Joo Chiat Road.
Also see Joo Chiat for the Shopper and Joo Chiat for the Foodie.
Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple
19 Ceylon Road
This temple dates back to the 1850’s though the current building is a recent build to serve the Ceylonese Tamil community. Enjoy a sense of tranquility and the scent of incense as cool breezes flow through the hall filled with statues and artifacts.
All are welcome to visit but please remove your shoes. We were told to walk clockwise for good luck. The cover of our map is one of the gorgeous and colourful light fixtures in this temple. If you look, you’ll see parrots and flowers encircling the lights and decorating the halls.
This beautiful temple is only a short walk from East Coast Road on Ceylon Road.
Offerings of fruit and flower for the Gods at this temple.
Koon Seng Road Shophouses
Koon Seng Road
Perhaps the most famous row of Singapore shophouses! The architecture and colours do not disappoint. Spot your favourite Peranakan tiles.
Ok, so this shophouse isn’t on the famous Koon Seng road but we didn’t want to be like every other Joo Chiat guide that exists. This is a bit more hidden. Can you find it? It’s a gorgeous shophouse on Ceylon Road.
Rumah Kim Choo
109/111 East Coast Road
Preservers of Peranakan culture (even before it was cool), this place is part cafe/deli/museum/ cultural center/shop! It is brimming with antiques, treats and insight into this unique culture.
Head up the stairs of Rumah Kim Choo for their museum on Peranakan culture.
Kuan Im Tng Temple
62 Tembeling Road
Joss sticks and dragon sculptures abound. This vibrant and colourful temple hosts devotees of a fusion between Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
These golden red dragons guard the front of the building.
All are welcome to visit this temple but please remove your shoes before entering. Have your fortune told with these fortune sticks.
Kuan Im Tng Temple is a vibrant oasis along Tembeling Road.
Geylang Serai Market
1 Geylang Serai
One of the best wet markets in Singapore. This market mainly serves a Malay community and has a wide variety of stalls selling spices, ikan bilis (dried fish), pure palm sugar and sambal pastes. Find tropical fruit, vegetables, fresh herbs and snacks at this fantastically colourful place.
Fresh ground spices can be found in the dry section of this popular market.
Fresh banana leaves are readily available here.
Freshly pressed coconut milk made fresh on the day.
Public car park are marked on the map as are bus stops and taxi stands. There is off street parking available on almost every street.
For more information on TheAC, visit theac.net
Pick up your copy of our collaborative map of Joo Chiat at TheAC and find out what the locals eat and drink.
The Attaby Collective is at
420 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427641
Facebook: theattabycollective
Instagram: theattabycollective
This guide was produced by Vanilla Beige in collaboration with TheAC. Photography by Angela Manners, Words by Claire Chahill and captions by Angela Manners.