Local Precinct Tour

Located south of the Singapore River, in the heart of the city’s earliest Chinese settlement, The Clan Hotel is best positioned to offer insider access to a vibrant culture that has flourished since 1820. The entire neighbourhood is home to captivating sights and sounds that are waiting to be unravelled. Uplifting your senses, and elevating your stay into more than just business as usual.

Against this backdrop of an eventful excursion through Singapore’s historic enclaves, read on to discover why we do what we do, and what sets The Clan Hotel apart from the rest.

Uncovering historic treasures 

The activity of a walking tour was inspired by the idea of retracing the footsteps of Singapore’s forefathers. Every stop on the route will introduce you to landmarks, institutions, temples and other heritage buildings overflowing with history.

Our Local Precinct Tour pays homage to the original stomping grounds of the clans. It takes you on a journey that highlights the values treasured by our ancestors: providing kin with strong community ties, support and encouragement. While taking in their stride the trials and tribulations of building modern day Singapore.

You will be guided by our Clan Keepers who will make these locations come alive with stories that charm, entertain and illuminate. We have come a long way since spotting coolies hauling gunny sacks of commodities from sampans in the Singapore River, so you may just have to use your imagination. Categories as distinctive as History & Culture, Worship, Food & Hospitality and Architecture are covered. We recommend you bring comfortable walking shoes and an abundance of curiosity.

History and Culture in the Hood

Follow history as it unfolded in the age of the clans. Get an insight into the trying lives of early Chinese migrants who toiled as rickshaw pullers and congregated around their depot: the magnificent Jinrikisha Station built in 1903. Witness the historic colonial character of Maxwell Road as immortalised by the former traffic police headquarters at Maxwell Chamber Suites. Solve the mystery of what happened to the left canine tooth of Buddha. Flock around a spectacular design installation that symbolises the strength of unity. Spots covered include Detective Conan Street Art, Jinrikisha Station, Maxwell Chamber Suites and The Clan Hotel Lobby.

Worship in the Hood 

The art of worship is timeless. Witness how it has evolved and endured from the days of the early settlers to the present generation. See how various faiths in Singapore, from as far back as 1824, prayed to their deities. Learn how immigrants and seafarers relied on their Gods for protection from raging oceans and unforeseen maladies. From a shrine that displays 80 different varieties of spices to one that is constructed with brick and wood (no nails), to one that is recognised by its intriguing coloured windows, the rich tapestry of Singapore’s multi-cultural religious expression will create a lasting impression. Spots covered include Fuk Tak Chi Museum, Nagoreh Dargah Museum, Thian Hock Keng, Al-Abrar Mosque, Chinese Methodist Church and Sri Mariamman Temple.

Food and Hospitality in the Hood 

Singapore is a melting pot of mouth-watering cuisines, brought here by waves of Chinese immigrants from the 19^th century. Whether their origins were Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka or Hainanese, many of these recipes that were created for an exclusively Chinese audience now enjoy acclaim on the world stage.

Behold the hawker centre where six stalls have made it into the Michelin Guide Singapore 2019. And get ready for numerous other culinary adventures. Spots covered include Amoy Food Centre, Free the Robot, Maxwell Food Centre, My Awesome Café and Amoy Hotel.

Architecture in the Hood 

Check out Singapore’s tallest building, at a height of almost 300 metres. Explore what used to be a sleepy nutmeg plantation and a hub for clan associations – buzzing with immigrants remitting money back home or dictating messages to professional letter writers. These days, however, it functions as a setting for some of the country’s most highly regarded nightlife venues. Finally, witness the amazing transformation of Singapore from a village to a modern metropolis, all captured for posterity via historical photographs, prints and scaled models. Spots covered include Ann Siang Hill, Guoco Tower and Singapore City Gallery.

Book your stay at The Clan Hotel and embark on a complimentary local precinct trail.

For more one-of-a-kind experiences that inspire your own journey of discovery, explore www.theclanhotel.com.sg.