Chinatown is a representation of Singapore's past, polished to a high sheen compared to its rather grimy past. The district's current look is a shiny, antiseptic version of the historic Chinatown in colonial times.
Renovated shophouses sell traditional crafts, Chinese medicine, jewelry, and cheap souvenirs, while nearby hawker centers and fruit stands tempt passersby with their wares.
The Chinese New Year is when Singapore's Chinatown really comes alive - transforming the island-state's traditional Chinese enclave into a riot of lanterns, street stalls, and performing arts.