Free tour

Pinch of Singapore - Pay as you wish Walk & Tour

4.68

Acceptable (479 ratings)

Singapore

Duration: 3 hours

Languages: English

Guru: Jan

PRO

Verified quality

Registered on 10 October 2022

Jan has spent time living in Thailand and Japan and is now back in Singapore with fresh eyes (and ears) for anything pertaining to Singapore's history, culture and the arts. As someone who’s travelled extensively, his cultural sensibilities extend beyond the shores of this little red dot. He enjoys answering questions and sharing his honest perspectives of Singapore. Now and today, Jan runs these walking tours with a bunch of his loveliest mates, Roy, Adam, Edwina and Jamie. Say hi and give us a hug when we see you!

Free booking and cancellation

Pay-what-you-wish tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

*Should a certain date be “full”, please feel free to send us a text here to enquire or at [email protected] or dm us at @offbeatsingapore on Instagram/Facebook*

Multi-ethnicity, multiculturalism, multiracial and interracial.
Singapore celebrates it all.

This offbeat walking tour (IN ENGLISH) in turn pays tribute to this exceptionally unnatural occurrence; from hearing the good, not so good; to tasting ethnic bites & smelling the roses of flowers knotted into garlands. And here are the highlights!

Top tips for how to enjoy Singapore within your short stay
In not 1 or 2, but at all 3 ethnic quarters as our backdrop
Engages your 5 senses all within one tour
Ask away any question about anything of this melting pot
We also hop onto public transport too!**

Background Story (to date):
With colossal buildings, hurried development, and incredible economic growth that thrives as much as its greenery, this bustling cosmopolitan Singapore overflows with opportunities, businesses, and trade. But what's pulsating within the city is beyond what most eyes see. Made up of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and various other ethnicities, cultural heritage is what makes Singapore, Singapore — a gathering of different cultures coexisting in one agreeable space.

Against this backdrop, we take you on a walk into 3 unique neighbourhoods in order to share with you our favourite tips. Got a preferred ethnic quarter that interests you more; tips on what to do for the rest of your remaining hours; food suggestions to tickle your palate, WE GOT YOU!

IMPORTANT notes.

i. We reserve ALL rights to our tours and will not stand for abusive language and/or unreasonable requests. We ask for your kind understanding pertaining to this basic right we have as the tour operator

ii. Please reply our messages otherwise we ignore your reservation and cancel them wherever we see fit

iii. There’s a minimum of 8 participants (keeping our groups small under 15p) in order for this tour to start. We do our best to combine groups, and/or start as many tours as possible

iv. Suggested tip amount: S$30 ~ $50 per person (most of us are not crazy rich Asians, and life here is Expensive, we really do appreciate your love)

v. This tour is designed to hit all the 3 ethnic quarters in a short & sweet manner providing you a clearer idea of what we are about. We are hopeful it'll give you a better idea where to spend more time in

vi. We're taking public transport for short rides. Participants need their own Visa/Mastercard. YES! Your own card allows you to travel with ease (costs about S$2.50 per ride) on this island's public transport system

vii. Photo of Meeting Point can be found in the photo slide show for reference

viii. Unfortunately, this tour is not designed for families with children below 12 years old; neither is it for folks with moving difficulty. The pace is medium to fast covering 3-4km; taking the train twice

ix. Last but not the least, we do not accept large group (> 6 persons) booking. The main reasons are, keeping our experience tight and intimate and we want to be fair to smaller group reservations. Thank you for your kind understanding.

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

72 Pagoda St, Singapore 059231

Start point: Chinatown MRT station exit A - above ground https://g.page/SiChuanRestaurantSg?share

Outside visit

Chinatown

Once an enclave for Singapore’s Chinese immigrant population, the Chinatown of today is a beloved blend of old and new, with historic temples and medicinal halls sitting alongside award-winning bars and restaurants. You’ll be able to spend an entire day exploring this vibrant district, which encompasses 4 neighbourhoods; whether you’re exploring century-old temples or soaking in the vibes at hip watering holes, there’s always a new experience to be had here.

Outside visit

Little India

Little India is truly one of Singapore’s most colourful historical districts. Lime pits, brick kilns and a race track once dotted the neighbourhood, and its streets thronged with herdsmen, merchants and garland makers plying their trade. To this day, this enclave of Indian culture retains its unique heritage. The district is a tantalising blend of new and old, with contemporary street art and hip eateries sitting alongside age-old temples and vendors selling a tantalising mix of spices, silk and flowers.

Outside visit

Kampong Glam

One of Singapore’s oldest urban quarters, Kampong Glam is a neighbourhood where age-old traditions and trendy lifestyle come together in a heady blend. A history that dates back to Singapore’s colonial era, when Sir Stamford Raffles allocated the area to the Malay, Arab and Bugis communities. Since then, the area has evolved into a haunt for hip travellers and connoisseurs of culture alike.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours don't have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).