10 best things to do at Chinatown Complex

Let’s be honest — most of us head to Chinatown Complex for one reason and one reason only: food. You would probably go to Chinatown Complex for a plate of char kway teow, a bowl of porridge or some hawker specialty. It’s easy to spend an entire visit at Level 2 and completely forget that the rest of the building exists. I’ve certainly been guilty of that myself. Eat, walk around for maybe 5 minutes, then head home.

But Chinatown Complex is much more than Singapore’s largest hawker centre. Beyond the rows of food stalls lies a collection of hidden finds that some people might overlook. There are vintage bookshops, antique stores packed with decades-old collectables, colourful clothing boutiques, flower shops and even businesses that feel frozen in time.

The best thing about it? You do not need to have a lot of money in your pocket to enjoy the complex, nor do you need a lot of time on your hands as well. All you need is half a day or so to wander around all the other levels of the complex.

This guide would be helpful for those who do not have any idea which stall to visit first at the Chinatown Complex. Here are 10 things to do at Chinatown Complex besides eating.

1. Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane at Hai Yang Departmental Store

Do you remember how it used to be that for you to enjoy some tunes, you needed to select your CD or put a record on your turntable? I’m sure this is more relatable for older generations compared to the younger.

Even though streaming has made accessing music easier than ever, there is a certain charm in owning your own CDs that many of us still miss. That is exactly what makes the Hai Yang Departmental Store so unique. The experience of going through the old CDs that are offered in the store feels like travelling back in time.

It is full of Chinese music CDs and other records, which are gradually becoming hard to find. If you are old enough, you will recognise some old tunes that used to be played in your house. For the young generation, it is a chance to explore music in a whole new way.

Even if they don’t understand Chinese, visitors can always try a new music genre. Many people who are into CDs prefer collecting physical music because it allows them to feel connected to the product in ways that’s not possible with digital playlists, for example, touching the albums and reading the information inside.

335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #01-232, Singapore 050335
Tue to Sun: 2pm – 5pm
Closed on Mon

2. Find a shoe or two at Bi Tian Mei Store

I am sure that we have all been there when your favourite pair of slippers is falling apart on you, or when you realise that you need a new pair of shoes for an upcoming occasion that is just days away. Instead of making a trip to a shopping mall and spending more than you intended, Bi Tian Mei Store offers a simple solution.

It is a store which sells a range of different types of footwear such as slippers, loafers and sandals for a range of occasions. Though they may not look as sophisticated as high-end brand footwear, they are still functional.

And you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a shoe that you probably won’t use that much, or you might, depending on your choice.

This store’s appeal lies in the fact that customers who usually shop from here are in search of cheap yet functional products instead of expensive ones. If you need a new pair of slippers or a comfy pair of shoes for your everyday activities, there is likely going to be something that fits both your requirements and your budget.

Do make sure to take your time to browse through everything here. You will find that there is quite a wide selection to choose from in such a small store.

335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #01-49, Singapore 050335
Daily: 10am – 5pm

3. Brighten someone’s day with flowers from Crystal Flower

Flowers are not necessarily always reserved for specific events. At times, just having flowers can be enough to make the living room look nicer, surprise someone, or even brighten up your own day.

Crystal Flower, which can be found at Chinatown Complex’s basement level, has a large variety of bouquets and plants to offer, with prices that will not drain your budget. Even before you walk into the store, vibrant, colourful flowers and lush greenery already greet your eyes, making it a memorable scene to look at.

For those interested in getting a gift or wishing to introduce plants into their living spaces, there are many options. The popularity of houseplants has risen recently, and Crystal Flower offers an economical means by which one may acquire and maintain their collection.

This business can prove handy when trying to procure a floral arrangement at a moment’s notice. Rather than seeking out flower shops located in commercial shopping malls, you can find an arrangement here at a lower cost.

335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #B1-177/178, Singapore 050335
+65 9649 5544
Tue to Sun: 7am – 4pm
Closed on Mon

4. Go treasure hunting at Liang Hwa Collection

Are you the type of person who loves watching those antiques hunting videos on social media and wishes you could make similar discoveries? And maybe you always thought, “I’d love to stumble upon something like that.” If so, then this place, Liang Hwa Collection, is definitely for you.

Filled with all kinds of wonderful objects from various decades, you can never tell what sort of antiques you will come across and from what period. And the store comes with an added bonus: the inventory changes constantly here, and it might just make your visits very different from any previous ones.

One rack may be filled with beautiful porcelain dolls and figures, while the other with old literary works that you haven’t come across in common bookstores in many years or vintage wall decor that is perfect for your bare walls. For all you know, perhaps, you will be lucky enough to discover some unique decor items that will complement your furniture collection.

With these kinds of stores, searching and digging around is always fun. You really don’t know what you may find, & it’s definitely worth it.

335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex, #01-237, Singapore 050335
+65 9815 8457
Daily: 11am – 7pm
Facebook 

Xiang Xiang Cooked Food: $1 sweet potato balls sold out by 9am in Chinatown Complex

5. Browse jade and handcrafted ornaments at Yali Miandian Yuqi Gongyi Hang

If you have a liking for handmade Asian goods, then another one of the places you should visit is Yali Miandian Yuqi Gongyi Hang. It specialises in selling various ornaments such as jade items, wood-made Buddha statues & more.

While it may not be a store that everyone is attracted to, tourists as well as locals can appreciate these crafted goods and take them home to decorate or perhaps even wear.

For example, those who wish to decorate their homes with various ornaments could buy the products from this particular place to give their abode some additional character. On the other hand, those tourists who are visiting Singapore for the first time can buy these goods as souvenirs for themselves and their family members and friends.

335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #01-219 ,Singapore 050335
Daily: 10am – 6pm

6. Get lost among beautiful picture books at Eliko Picture Books

For starters, if I were to guess where Singapore’s smallest bookshop would be located, I doubt very much that Chinatown Complex would come to mind. However, amidst all the hustle and bustle lies the most miniature bookstore one might ever lay eyes on.

Spanning across 65 square feet, the store known as Eliko Picture Books may be tiny in nature, but when you enter the store, it’s full of life nonetheless. The brainchild of May Lin Au Yong, this quaint little bookstore houses a collection of rare and vintage books.

To begin with, you would be wrong to assume that this book collection is purely intended for children. Sure enough, there are some picture books that will appeal to children; however, there are equally many books that feature pictures which not only delight, but also bewilder the adult reader.

Another pleasant aspect of the visit here is the opportunity to unwind and get involved with some picture books. For only S$8, one can sit down, have a cup of coffee, and spend an hour immersed in reading the books in the store. In today’s busy society, there is little time for indulgence, especially with our phones and work. But this bookstore helps in providing you with a unique opportunity to unwind and enjoy reading a book with artistic illustrations.

Do take note: the bookstore will be closed from 6 Jun to 19 Jun 2026 and open again from 20 Jun 2026.

335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #01-079, Singapore 050335
Thu to Sat: 1.30pm – 8.30pm
Sun: 12.30pm – 4.30pm
Closed from Mon to Wed
Instagram 

7. Add some colour to your wardrobe with Kapaas Culture

Well, let’s admit it! The clothes we buy these days are usually in neutral tones, mine included, as I don’t wear any other colours apart from black or dark tones. With that being said, if you are seeking a change in your wardrobe or simply just adding a pop of colour, then Kapaas Culture will be a great choice for you.

The store offers Nepalese-influenced clothing, featuring patchworks with bright colour contrasts, texture layers, and casual styles. Dresses, tops, trousers, and accessories are among the items available at this shop. Every single piece will have its unique character, allowing you to make your choice based on preferences rather than necessity.

There is definitely an air of practicality involved in the attraction of this place, too. Not all people have enough time or money to go to Nepal, but some wish to get hold of clothes that are influenced by the craft traditions of that country. And this store makes such clothes available without being commercialised. The clothes that you will get here will not only be fashionable but also have cultural influences.

Another advantage is the location itself. Being inside Chinatown Complex means you can easily combine a visit here with food stops or other small retail discoveries. It becomes less of a planned shopping trip and more of an exploratory walk where you end up finding something unexpected.

335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #01-10, Singapore 050335
+65 9025 2917
Daily: 11am – 7pm
Facebook 

8. Prepare for festive occasions at Matsuzaki

There comes a time, right before festive celebrations, when you suddenly become aware that you do not have the perfect outfit. If you need one for Chinese New Year, family events or any other special occasion you did not think about in advance, the rush to get the right clothes would be familiar to many Singaporeans. And that’s when Matsuzaki comes in with products to help you.

The brand sells traditional and festive attire, which would allow you to look your best at such gatherings without making it too hard for yourself. There are outfits that borrow from past styles and yet are wearable in contemporary settings. It is the type of shop that you go to whenever you need an outfit without spending hours going from mall to mall.

Instead of chasing seasonal collections in larger retail stores, you get a more direct selection that is built around occasions people actually plan for. The racks often include outfits that work well for reunion dinners, temple visits, office celebrations or family photos. It takes away the pressure of having to figure out what “appropriate” looks like at the last minute.

Even outside festive periods, the shop remains worth a browse. For visitors who enjoy cultural fashion or simply want to understand how festive dressing varies across communities, it is a straightforward way to explore that without needing a deep background in it.

335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #01-259, Singapore 050335
+65 6372 1105
Daily: 9am – 5.30pm

9. Get some stylish shoes with Peranakan Sandals

Peranakan Sandals is the kind of place which will definitely get your attention when exploring the busy marketplace. The shop’s speciality is its collection of Peranakan-inspired sandals and slippers. They have beautiful embroidered floral patterns on them, beadwork, and the colours, which make them unique and distinctive to the Peranakan style of clothes and accessories.

Traditional beaded shoes, although commonly seen in museums or worn during special occasions, may not be used as everyday wear due to their impractical nature. However, this shop begs to differ with its shoes that are both practical for walking as well as having beautiful heritage designs.

With the shoes being priced between S$24 and S$30, it is quite affordable for many customers. Especially today, when handmade items tend to be expensive, being able to acquire culturally inspired shoes at such an affordable price becomes a pleasant discovery.

The pricing point is perfect for the shop as it offers unique shoes which tourists & locals can use as genuine souvenirs to gift to others without worrying about breaking the bank.

Another highlight of this shop is that CDC vouchers are accepted, which adds more value. This helps support local businesses & purchasing their products; it is important to support our neighbourhood businesses.

355 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #01-241, Singapore 050335
Daily: 10am to 5pm
+65 9146 0911

10. Discover timeless jewellery at Le Sheng Jadeite

When shopping for jewellery in Chinatown, most of the people usually think of gold stores. However, Le Sheng Jadeite differs somewhat in that the store sells jewellery made from jade. The items on offer at this store are not merely decorative; rather, they represent one of the culturally richest stones available.

The store provides jewellery such as bracelets, necklaces, and other ornaments made from jade. It is possible that at first sight the stones may look identical. However, the more one inspects them, the more varied the shades appear to be in terms of colour intensity and finish.

Jade has always been significant in various cultures and has many connotations, such as peace, protection, and luck. Even though you do not find the symbolism aspect alluring, jade can still be an appealing material because of its naturalness. It differs greatly from contemporary jewellery designs in its naturalness.

One of the reasons why visitors end up spending more time than anticipated is that jade jewellery is not an item that people purchase frequently. It requires getting used to the varying tones and qualities, but the process is easy-going and leisurely.

It is not about making an impulse buy; it is more like identifying which items appeal to you. These pieces of jewellery will remain with you for many years, either on an everyday basis or for special occasions.

335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex #01-050, Singapore 050335
Daily: 10am – 3.30pm

How to choose what to do at Chinatown Complex?

Choose based on what you want from your visit rather than trying to see everything. Head to Hai Yang Departmental Store if you enjoy vintage music and physical media, or spend an hour unwinding at Eliko Picture Books if you prefer a slower pace. Liang Hwa Collection suits those who enjoy browsing antiques and unexpected finds, while Crystal Flower is a practical stop for affordable bouquets or houseplants.

For shopping, Kapaas Culture offers colourful Nepalese-inspired clothing, Matsuzaki caters to festive attire, and Peranakan Sandals combines heritage design with everyday wear. Those looking for souvenirs or keepsakes may find Yali Miandian Yuqi Gongyi Hang and Le Sheng Jadeite more suitable. The right choice depends on whether you are browsing, shopping, collecting or simply exploring beyond the hawker centre.

People also read: 

Where can you find antique stores in Singapore?

Which is the best duck rice stall in Chinatown Complex?