Self-guided · 2.8km · 12 stops · Start: Maxwell MRT Exit 1 · End: Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit A
Why Tanjong Pagar is Singapore’s Most Underrated Walking Trail.
If you have already ticked off the major tourist attractions and you are looking for a unique side of the city, this self-guided walk is a must. While most people flock to the crowded streets of Chinatown or the famous Maxwell Food Centre, the best hidden gems in Singapore are actually less than five minutes away in the historic district of Tanjong Pagar.
I’ve spent time exploring these backstreets and I believe this area offers the most diverse range of things to do in Singapore within a short time. Whether you want to photograph beautifully restored Singapore shophouses, discover street art or find the best views in Singapore, this trail has it all.
To help you navigate, I’ve curated this Tanjong Pagar walking trail to showcase the area’s unique blend of old-world heritage and modern architectural icons. It’s the perfect way to experience an authentic side of the city that most visitors—and even many locals—overlook.
My Tanjong Pagar Walking Trail at a glance:
- Historical Landmarks: Iconic sites like the old Jinrikisha Station and the Art Deco Tong Ah building.
- Heritage & Culture: Perfectly preserved pre-war shophouses, Peranakan terraces and conservation shophouses that tell the story of old Singapore.
- Street Art: Street murals tucked into back and side alleys.
- HDB estate: Have a glimpse of Singapore’s high-quality public housing where over 80% of the local population lives.
- Stunning Panoramic View: Experience Singapore’s Cityview at the 50th floor of the world-famous Pinnacle@Duxton public housing.
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 the heritage area. 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)
From Exit 1, a short 74m walk north along Tanjong Pagar Road brings you to Jinrikisha Station. It’s a beautifully restored colonial building that many people walk right past— but once you know its history, you’ll truly appreciate why it’s still standing.
A Little Backstory: Built in 1903, this was once the headquarters for Singapore’s rickshaw industry. At its peak, thousands of rickshaws were the lifeblood of the city’s transport, and every single one of them had to be registered and licensed right here.
The building has survived the war and decades of urban redevelopment. While it is being used for commercial purposes today, the Edwardian-style architecture and the curved facade are well worth a look from across the street.
Stop 2: The Wall, The Staircase & The Bus-Stop (140m walk)
Hidden Murals: Tanjong Pagar never cease to surprise me. As I 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 perfect contrast of heritage architecture and street art.
The bus stop: When you head back out to Tanjong Pagar Road, you’ll see one of the city’s most unique bus stops, seemingly designed to match the aesthetic of the nearby conservation shophouses. This quaint little bus-stop features stone-like pillars and a traditional roof. I can’t help but snap a few shots of it and I think it makes for a good instagram photo if you pose in front of it.
Stop 3: Kreta Ayer Road — Heritage Shophouses (215m)
Head towards the junction of Neil Road and Duxton Road and you’ll reach Kreta Ayer Road. From Neil Road, you’ll be able to see the mural painted on the wall. Walk along this stretch of two-storey conservation shophouses and then make a left turn into Keong Saik Road to the next stop.
A little backstory: Kreta Ayer literally means “water cart” in Malay — a reference to the bullock carts that once ferried water through this neighbourhood when it was a dense Hokkien enclave.
Stop 5: The Iconic Tong Ah Building (Keong Saik Road)
This is what I would consider a true, classic retro building. Constructed in 1939, this iconic triangular building is a prime 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.
It sits at the prominent junction where Keong Saik Road meets Teck Lim Road. It’s an incredibly popular spot for photography because the building’s unique “wedge” shape perfectly “points” toward the modern skyscrapers in the distance—creating a stunning contrast between old and new Singapore.
Photography Tip:
For the best shot, stand across the street at the junction. If you time it right, you can capture the heritage building in the foreground with the towering Pinnacle@Duxton or the CBD skyline framed behind it.
To get to the next stop on the trail, walk along Teck Lim Road and head back out to Neil Road.
###Photo Opportunities:
While this is the longest walk of the trail, the route along Neil Road is a gallery in itself. Keep your eyes peeled for these photo opportunities along the way.
Mural of Lion Dance and Martial Arts Poses at 92 Neil Road
Singapore 新加坡 at 114 Neil Road
The Mondrian Singapore Duxton (on the opposite side of Neil Rd)
6-meter-tall, bronze sculpture named “What Party” by famous contemporary artist KAWS.
The Duxton Plain Park Overpass
Location: Stop on the pedestrian overpass. Later in the trail, we’ll be walking inside Duxton Plain Park on the ground but 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 (Location: Along the Neil Road sidewalk, just before the next stop. As we will actually be heading into the heart of this neighbourhood later in the trail, just take a photo from this vantage point along Neil Road to capture the geometric lines of the HDB buildings)
Stop 6: The Provision Shop Mural, Everton Road (890m)
This is the longest stretch between stops, but trust me—it’s worth every step. As you wander down Everton Road, you’ll encounter a series of heritage murals painted directly onto the walls of the conservation shophouses. The “Provision Shop” mural is the standout here: a detailed, affectionate portrait of exactly what this neighbourhood used to look like.
This mural by local artist Yip Yew Chong is incredibly immersive. If you look closely, you’ll see tiny details like the classic “Good Morning” towels and vintage biscuit tins. It’s the perfect spot for a photo that feels like you’ve stepped back into the 1960s.
A Little Backstory: Provision shops (or mama shops) were once the heartbeat of every Singaporean neighborhood. These old-school sundry stores sold everything from preserved vegetables and Tiger Balm to loose sweets sold by the piece. While most have since closed, the few that survive—and the murals that honor them—are part of a broader effort to hold onto a side of Singapore that is quietly disappearing.
Stop 7: 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 8: Everton Park HDB Neighbourhood (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.
What does HDB stand for?
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: A “Matured” Estate
Everton Park is what locals call a matured estate. Built in the 1980s, these 8 blocks are home to roughly 7,330 residents. Notice the humble, functional architecture; these geometric lines offer a striking contrast to the futuristic heights of The Pinnacle@Duxton which you’ll see next.
Walking through here gives you a rare glimpse into the daily rhythm of the “real” Singapore.
Stop 9: 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.
Rising 50 stories high, The Pinnacle@Duxton features two massive sky bridges connecting seven towers. While Level 26 is for residents only, the Level 50 Skybridge is open to the public. It offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the island: you can spot the Marina Bay skyline to the south, the red roofs of Chinatown to the north, and the distant shores of Sentosa.
Visitor Logistics:
- 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. Last entrance @ 830pm.
- How to Exit: Once you’ve soaked in the view, head toward Block 1C to take the lift back down to the ground level.
A Little Backstory: 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.
Stop 10: 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. To be listed, a tree must have a significant girth and historical value—and standing beneath its wide, ancient canopy, you can really feel its age and presence.
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 11: Tanjong Pagar Hawker Centre (100m)
A short walk toward 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!
Stop 12: Oasia Hotel Tanjong Pagar (190m)
Our final stop is the Oasia Hotel Tanjong Pagar, a striking “vertical garden” that stands out against the city skyline. Wrapped in a vibrant red aluminum mesh and covered in 21 different species of climbing plants, this building is a masterpiece of sustainable modern architecture.
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 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.
