Self-guided · 2.8km · 11 stops · Start: Maxwell MRT Exit 1 · End: Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit A
My Tanjong Pagar Walking Trail at a glance:
- Jinrikisha Station
- The Wall, The Staircase & The Bus-Stop
- Kreta Ayer Heritage Shophouses
- The Iconic Tong Ah Building (Keong Saik Road)
- The Provision Shop Mural, Everton Road
- The Peranakan Houses of Blair Road
- Everton Park HDB Estate
- Viewing Deck at The Pinnacle@Duxton
- Duxton Plain Park
- Tanjong Pagar Hawker Centre
- Oasia Hotel Downtown
If you have already visited the major tourist attractions, this self-guided walk offers a more diverse view of Singapore. While most visitors stay within Chinatown or Maxwell Food Centre, the historic district of Tanjong Pagar is less than five minutes away and provides insight into local heritage and modern architecture.
I designed this walking trail for visitors with limited time who want to cover Singapore’s heritage, culture and local lifestyle in a single walk. If you prefer a route that is less touristy and avoids the typical crowds, this trail is for you.
- Stunning Panoramic View: Experience Singapore’s city view at the 50th floor of the world-famous Pinnacle@Duxton public housing.
- Heritage & Culture: See restored pre-war shophouses, Peranakan terraces and conservation buildings that tell the story of old Singapore.
- See how locals live: Walk through HDB estates to have a glimpse of Singapore’s high-quality public housing where over 80% of the local population lives.
- Modern Architecture: View award-winning buildings and modern urban design.
- Back Alleys: Find hidden murals and spiral staircases.
Starting Point: Maxwell MRT Station Exit 1
Arrive via the Thomson-East Coast Line (TE18) and head to Exit 1. This brings you right to the start of our Tanjong Pagar walking route. Alternatively, if you are already at Maxwell Food Centre, you’re perfectly positioned to begin the walk from there.
Stop 1: Jinrikisha Station (65m walk)
Jinrikisha Station
Exit Tanjong Pagar MRT (Exit 1) and you will see the Jinrikisha Station nearby. It is easy to overlook this building as just another commercial space but more than a century ago, it was once the most chaotic spot in Singapore. It managed thousands of rickshaws which was the primary mode of transport then.
The History
Built in 1903, this station was the operational heart of the rickshaw industry.
- The Rickshaw: Rickshaws were first imported into Singapore from Shanghai in 1880. Cheap, nimble and requiring no fuel beyond human effort, they quickly became very popular. The name itself is Japanese — jinrikisha means “man-powered vehicle.”
- The Workforce: At its peak, there were over 8,000 registered rickshaws in Singapore, operated by as many as 20,000 to 30,000 pullers working in shifts. The pullers were mostly young immigrant men from southern China, working backbreaking hours for little pay. Many turned to opium for relief.
- The End of an Era: Rickshaws were eventually banned in Singapore by the British colonial government in 1947 because the work was considered too gruelling and demeaning.
- A Landmark Purchase: In 2007, the building gained local fame when it was bought by Jackie Chan for S$11 million, though it has since changed hands and remains a commercial space.
What to Look For
The building has survived World War II and decades of redevelopment. While it now houses restaurants and offices, you can still see the original Edwardian-style design.
The best view is from across the street, where you can clearly see the curved facade that follows the shape of the road junction. It remains one of the few examples of this architectural style left in the district.
Stop 2: The Wall, The Staircase & The Bus-Stop (140m walk)
Hidden Murals: Tanjong Pagar never cease to surprise me. While heading to a nearby restaurant for lunch, I stumbled upon a hidden mural tucked away in a quiet street corner.
Spiral Staircases: I was also pleasantly surprised to find a row of white spiral staircases climbing the rear facades of the shophouses—a nice contrast of heritage architecture and street art.
The bus stop: When you head back out to Tanjong Pagar Road, look for the bus stop located directly in front of the shophouses. Unlike standard modern bus stops in Singapore, this one was constructed with stone-like pillars and a traditional tiled roof, seemingly designed to match the aesthetic of the nearby conservation shophouses. I can’t help but snap a few shots of it and I think it makes for a good instagram photo if you’re up for a quick pose.
From the bus stop, walk towards Duxton Hill and take two left turns to reach Neil Road.
Stop 3: Kreta Ayer Road — Heritage Shophouses (215m)
At the start of Kreta Ayer Road is a large mural painted on the front side of the corner shophouse.
The name Kreta Ayer translates to “water cart” in Malay. Before piped water was common, bullock carts were used to ferry water through this district, which was then a densely populated Hokkien enclave.
Coincidentally at the time of taking photos, I spotted an entourage of Vespa sidecars giving visitors a tour of the area. How cool is that?
Continue walking along this stretch of two-storey conservation shophouses. At the end of the row, make a left turn into Keong Saik Road for the next stop.
Stop 4: The Iconic Tong Ah Building (Keong Saik Road)
This iconic triangular building is an example of Art Deco shophouse architecture. You can’t miss its vibrant red window frames and the original “1939” inscription still visible at the very top of the facade.
The Chinese characters 東亞 (Tong Ah) refer to the original kopitiam (coffeeshop) that opened here when the building was completed in 1939. For over several decades, it served the locals traditional breakfast: kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and kopi. When the surrounding Keong Saik area was gripped with vice — brothels and gangsters. The kopitiam kept serving breakfast through all of it.
It’s a popular spot for photography because the building’s unique “wedge” shape perfectly “points” toward the modern skyscrapers in the distance—creating a contrast between old and new Singapore.
To get to the next stop on the trail, walk along Teck Lim Road and head back out to Neil Road.
###Photo Opportunities###
This is the longest stretch of the trail but the walk along Neil Road has interesting spots and photo opportunities worth stopping for.
Mural of Lion Dance and Martial Arts Poses at 92 Neil Road
Singapore 新加坡 at 114 Neil Road
The KAWS Sculpture The Mondrian Singapore Duxton (on the opposite side of Neil Rd). A 6-meter-tall bronze sculpture titled “What Party” by the artist KAWS.
The Duxton Plain Park Overpass
Make a quick photo stop on the pedestrian overpass. Later in the trail, we’ll be walking inside Duxton Plain Park on the ground so don’t head down into the park yet. This is a great spot to capture the scale of the greenery from the top.
And if you look around there’s a nice mural against the side of the shophouse.
Everton Park HDB Block 2 Have a quick photo stop here, without heading inside the estate as we will be heading into the heart of this neighbourhood later in the trail, this vantage point along Neil Road to capture the geometric lines of the HDB buildings.
Stop 5: The Provision Shop Mural, Everton Road (890m)
This is the longest stretch between stops but it’s well worth it. As you wander down Everton Road, you’ll encounter The “Provision Shop” mural on the sidewall.
This artwork is by our very own local artist Yip Yew Chong, known for his detailed paintings of Singapore’s heritage. His murals are also cleverly designed to be “walk-in” — you can step into the scene and pose as if you’re part of it, which makes for a great whimsical photo shot.
I love his murals because his works connects people to a shared past and we can identify with them. Take a moment to look at the small details: the sacks of goods, the hanging wares, the old Vespa scooter.
Before modern supermarkets, these old-school sundry stores were the primary source of household goods for every neighborhood. While most have since closed, murals like this serve as a record of a side of Singapore that is disappearing.
Stop 6: The Peranakan Houses of Blair Road (100m)
A short walk brings you to Blair Road, home to one of the most stunning and most photographed stretches of heritage architecture in Singapore. This quiet street is lined with rows of traditional Peranakan terrace houses in jewel-bright colors, featuring ornate floral tiles, classic louvred shutters and intricate plasterwork on every facade. It’s hard to resist taking photos of the intricacy and details.
If you usually associate Peranakan architecture with the busy streets of Katong or Joo Chiat, Blair Road will be a pleasant surprise. It offers the same historic charm and colorful aesthetics but is significantly less crowded, making it much easier to enjoy the details.
Note to Readers: These are private residences, so please be mindful of the residents’ privacy and keep to the pavement. The beautiful exteriors alone are more than enough to justify this detour!
From Blair Road, head back toward Everton Road and walk past the murals you saw earlier. Continue along the shophouses until you reach the main crossing.
Stop 7: Everton Park HDB Estate (250m)
Inside a Local Neighborhood: The HDB Estate
As you walk through Everton Park, you are seeing how the vast majority of Singaporeans actually live. This area is an HDB estate—which stands for Housing & Development Board.
About HDB
HDB stands for the Housing & Development Board. Established in 1960, its mission was to provide affordable, high-quality homes for a growing nation. Today, these aren’t just “apartments”—they are functional, self-contained communities.
Key Facts About HDB Living:
- What it is: High-quality public housing that is government-subsidized. Unlike many other countries, these flats are owned by the residents, not rented. Singapore is a nation of homeowners.
- The Scale: Approximately 80% of Singaporeans live in HDB estates like this one but more densely populated. Everton Park is a very small estate.
- The “Void Deck”: This is the open, sheltered space on the ground floor. It is a functional area used for community gatherings, where neighbors chat, children play, and weddings or traditional ceremonies are held.
- Daily Convenience: HDB estates are designed to be self-sufficient, meaning that hawker centres, grocery stores, schools, playgrounds, parks, clinics and public transport are always within walking distance.
Everton Park is a “matured” estate, meaning it is one of the older, established neighborhoods. It consists of 8 blocks with about 7,330 residents. Its simple, functional design is a direct contrast to the modern, high-rise architecture of The Pinnacle@Duxton that you will see next on this trail.
Why visit an HDB estate?
I included this stop to show you how the majority of Singaporeans live. It provides a look at the country’s social landscape and the functional design of local neighborhoods that most visitors rarely see.
Stop 8: Viewing Deck at The Pinnacle@Duxton (490m)
After crossing the overhead bridge, look for the entrance at Block 1G. This is the centerpiece of the trail—the tallest public housing development in Singapore and an architectural marvel.
- How to Enter: Head to the ground floor level of Block 1G to purchase your access pass.
- Cost & Payment Mode: $6 per adult, payable by NETS, VISA or MASTERCARD).
- Opening Hours: It is open from 9am – 9pm (Mon – Sun). Last entrance @ 830pm. However it’s only limited to 150 visitors per day.
- How to Exit: Once you’ve soaked in the view, head toward Block 1C to take the lift back down to the ground level.
Rising 50 stories high, The Pinnacle@Duxton features two massive sky bridges connecting seven towers. While the 26th storey is for residents only, the Skybridge on the 50th storey is open to public for a small fee of SGD 6. It offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of Singapore.
Completed in 2009, The Pinnacle has garnered numerous local and international accolades for its design and urban innovation one of which is the “World’s Best Housing Development” at the World Architecture Festival 2010. While it looks like a luxury condominium, it is actually a subsidized public housing (HDB) and was allocated by ballot to Singaporean families. It remains a powerful symbol of how Singapore combines high-density urban living with world-class design. Here are some photos of the viewing deck itself.
Stop 9: Duxton Plain Park (50m)
Right at the foot of The Pinnacle, Duxton Plain Park offers a peaceful, shaded escape. This narrow green corridor is flanked by rows of mature trees and has a genuinely calm, “secret garden” quality and also an exercise area for anyone to use. A great place to decompress!
The highlight of this park is the majestic Heritage Tree (a massive Bodhi tree). It is protected by Singapore’s National Parks under the Heritage Tree Scheme, meaning it’s recognized as a vital part of Singapore’s living natural history.
Why Stop Here? Remember the bird’s-eye view you saw earlier from the overpass? This is your chance to experience that same greenery from the ground.
Stop 10: Tanjong Pagar Hawker Centre (100m)
A short walk towards Yan Kit Road brings you to the Tanjong Pagar Hawker Centre. This is a well-loved neighbourhood hawker centre with an older, loyal crowd of regulars. It’s not as touristy as Maxwell or Chinatown Complex.
A Local Must-Try: Fried Carrot Cake
I treated myself to a plate of Fried Carrot Cake here, and you should too. In Singapore, this isn’t a sweet baked dessert—it’s a savory dish called Chai Tow Kway. It is made from steamed radish and rice flour cakes which are cubed and pan-fried with eggs, garlic and preserved radish (cai po).
How to Order:
- “White” (Savoury): Fried with eggs to create a crispy, golden crust.
- “Black” (Sweet & Savoury): Fried with a thick, sweet dark soy sauce that caramelizes beautifully.
- “Black & White”: If you can’t decide which to try, I recommend ordering a mix of both black and white. Most stalls offer a “half-and-half” plate so you can enjoy the best of both worlds!
If you are new to the hawker centre scene, I’ve written a separate guide on how to navigate Singapore hawker centres that covers things like ‘chope-ing’ seats and more. Otherwise, it’s time to tuck in and enjoy the local dish!
Stop 11: Oasia Hotel Downtown (190m)
Our final stop is the Oasia Hotel Downtown, a striking “vertical garden” that stands out against the city skyline. Awarded as the World’s Best Tall Building, it is recognized globally for its innovative design and has set a new standard for urban skyscrapers.
What Makes It Unique:
- Living Facade: The building is famous for its red aluminum mesh exterior, which is covered in 21 species of climbing plants. This creates a “vertical garden” effect.
- Communal Spaces: Unlike typical skyscrapers, 40% of the building’s volume is dedicated to open-air sky terraces.
- Green Commitment: The exterior features the equivalent of 60 storeys of green walls, helping the building “breathe” and providing a natural contrast to the surrounding concrete city.
Tip: Walk over to the front of Oasia Hotel which is along Peck Seah St to have full vantage point for a good photo shot.
It serves as a perfect visual “full stop” to our journey. After seeing the heritage shophouses and the retro HDB blocks, the Oasia Hotel Downtown shows us the future of Singapore’s “City in Nature” vision. It is a landmark that is hard to miss and even harder to stop looking at.
Getting to the MRT: Your walking trail concludes here. Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit A (East-West Line, EW15) is just 60m away, making it easy to head to your next destination or back to your hotel.
Trail Duration & Best Times
You may need to set aside about 3 hours completing this trail depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop. The best time to embark on this trail will depend on when you want to visit the skybridge at The Pinnacle@Duxton.
- The Early Morning Option: This is the best time to avoid the heat and the crowds. It’s also the safest bet if you want to go up to The Pinnacle@Duxton, as tickets are strictly limited to 150 visitors per day. Starting early ensures you don’t miss out on a slot.
- The Evening Option: If you go at this time, you can catch the “blue hour”—allowing you to see both the daytime skyline and the city lights as they come on, sunset is around 7pm depending on the time of the year but aim to get in by 620pm to catch the evening hues. However, keep in mind there is no guarantee that tickets for the skybridge will still be available at that time.
I hope this trail helps you see a different side of the city. To make sure the rest of your trip is just as smooth, I’ve put together a guide on the essential dos and don’ts before visiting Singapore to help you prepare for the rest of your stay!
