Chinatown MRT Station
Chinatown MRT station is an interchange station serving both the Downtown Line (station code DT19) and the North East Line (station code NE4). It sits beneath one of Singapore's most distinctive urban neighbourhoods, a historic area that blends a busy commercial district with shophouse-lined streets and a strong cultural identity. The station provides good access to the southern part of the city centre, connecting residents, workers, and visitors moving through this part of Singapore.
Chinatown on the Downtown Line map
Chinatown station at a glance
| Station codes | DT19NE4 |
|---|---|
| Lines | Downtown Line North East Line |
| Interchange | Yes, change between 2 lines here |
| Chinese name | 牛车水 |
| Tamil name | சைனாடவுன் |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | Downtown Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM North East Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:42 AM, last train 11:55 PM Full first and last train guide |
See Chinatown on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
Passengers can change between the Downtown Line and the North East Line here without leaving the paid zone. On the Downtown Line, neighbouring stations are Telok Ayer to the east and Fort Canning to the west. On the North East Line, the station sits between Clarke Quay to the north and HarbourFront to the south, making it straightforward to travel towards the waterfront, the city centre, or further along both lines without needing to exit.
The station gives direct walking access to Chinatown itself, where the wet market, food centre, and rows of shophouses along Pagoda Street and Trengganu Street are all close by. Sri Mariamman Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore, stands a short walk from the station entrance. The surrounding streets also contain a range of restaurants, medicinal halls, and small retail shops that together give the neighbourhood its distinctive character.
Around Chinatown station
Chinatown station sits at the heart of one of Singapore's most culturally rich heritage districts, surrounded by shophouses, temples, and cultural attractions. The area blends history and commerce, with landmarks such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum and the broader Chinatown precinct drawing visitors from across the city. It is also home to community spaces like Speakers' Corner, making it a lively mixed-use neighbourhood.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| library@chinatown | Library | About 80 m (~1 min walk) | Visit for borrowing books, reading, or quiet study in a public library. |
| Smith Street | Attraction | About 240 m (~4 min walk) | Explore a street known for its food stalls and traditional shophouse atmosphere. |
| Speakers' Corner | Attraction | About 270 m (~4 min walk) | A designated public space where Singaporeans can gather for talks and events. |
| Buddha Tooth Relic Museum | Museum | About 330 m (~5 min walk) | Discover Buddhist artefacts, relics, and cultural exhibits across the museum. |
| Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre | Museum | About 440 m (~7 min walk) | Learn about the heritage and history of the Indian Muslim community in Singapore. |
| Chinatown | Attraction | About 500 m (~8 min walk) | Wander through the historic district known for temples, souvenirs, and street food. |
| Singapore City Gallery | Museum | About 530 m (~9 min walk) | Explore interactive exhibitions about Singapore's urban planning and city development. |
| Clarke Quay Central | Shopping mall | About 560 m (~9 min walk) | Browse shops, dine, and enjoy retail options at this riverside shopping mall. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Chinatown by MRT
Worked out from the network map. Stop counts are station to station and do not include walking or waiting time.
| From Changi Airport | Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Bugis (10 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Bugis to Chinatown (5 stops). About 15 stops with 1 change. |
|---|---|
| From Orchard | Take the North South Line from Orchard to Dhoby Ghaut (2 stops), then change to the North East Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Chinatown (2 stops). About 4 stops with 1 change. |
| From City Hall | Take the North South Line from City Hall to Dhoby Ghaut (1 stop), then change to the North East Line from Dhoby Ghaut to Chinatown (2 stops). About 3 stops with 1 change. |
| From Jurong East | Take the East West Line from Jurong East to Buona Vista (3 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Buona Vista to HarbourFront (7 stops), then change to the North East Line from HarbourFront to Chinatown (1 stop). About 11 stops with 2 changes. |
| From Woodlands | Take the Thomson East Coast Line from Woodlands to Stevens (8 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Stevens to Little India (2 stops), then change to the North East Line from Little India to Chinatown (3 stops). About 13 stops with 2 changes. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Chinatown (1 stop). About 1 stops, no changes. |
Tips for using Chinatown station
- Chinatown station serves both the Downtown Line and North East Line, so plan your onward journey using whichever line best connects to your destination.
- The library@chinatown is the closest verified place at roughly one minute on foot, making it an easy first stop near the station.
- Buddha Tooth Relic Museum, Nagore Durgha Indian Muslim Heritage Centre, and Singapore City Gallery are all within roughly a ten-minute walk, but allow extra time during weekends when the Chinatown streets can be crowded.
- Clarke Quay Central is the furthest verified destination on this list at approximately 560 metres, so factor in around nine minutes of walking and consider the North East Line for a quicker connection if you are short on time.
All stations on the Downtown Line
In order along the line, with Chinatown marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| DT1 | Bukit Panjang | DT / BP |
| DT2 | Cashew | – |
| DT3 | Hillview | – |
| DT5 | Beauty World | – |
| DT6 | King Albert Park | – |
| DT7 | Sixth Avenue | – |
| DT8 | Tan Kah Kee | – |
| DT9 | Botanic Gardens | DT / CC |
| DT10 | Stevens | DT / TE |
| DT11 | Newton | NS / DT |
| DT12 | Little India | DT / NE |
| DT13 | Rochor | – |
| DT14 | Bugis | DT / EW |
| DT15 | Promenade | CC / DT |
| DT16 | Bayfront | CE / DT |
| DT17 | Downtown | – |
| DT18 | Telok Ayer | – |
| DT19 | Chinatown (you are here) | DT / NE |
| DT20 | Fort Canning | – |
| DT21 | Bencoolen | – |
| DT22 | Jalan Besar | – |
| DT23 | Bendemeer | – |
| DT24 | Geylang Bahru | – |
| DT25 | Mattar | – |
| DT26 | MacPherson | CC / DT |
| DT27 | Ubi | – |
| DT28 | Kaki Bukit | – |
| DT29 | Bedok North | – |
| DT30 | Bedok Reservoir | – |
| DT31 | Tampines West | – |
| DT32 | Tampines | EW / DT |
| DT33 | Tampines East | – |
| DT34 | Upper Changi | – |
| DT35 | Expo | DT / CG |
Read the full Downtown Line guide.
All stations on the North East Line
In order along the line, with Chinatown marked. Stations with their own guide are linked.
| Code | Station | Interchange |
|---|---|---|
| NE1 | HarbourFront | CC / NE |
| NE4 | Chinatown (you are here) | DT / NE |
| NE5 | Clarke Quay | – |
| NE6 | Dhoby Ghaut | NS / NE |
| NE7 | Little India | DT / NE |
| NE8 | Farrer Park | – |
| NE9 | Boon Keng | – |
| NE10 | Potong Pasir | – |
| NE12 | Serangoon | CC / NE |
| NE13 | Woodleigh | – |
| NE14 | Hougang | – |
| NE15 | Buangkok | – |
| NE16 | Sengkang | NE / STC |
| NE17 | Punggol | NE / PTC |
Read the full North East Line guide.
Chinatown station: common questions
Which line is Chinatown MRT station on?
Chinatown is on the Downtown Line and the North East Line. Its station codes are DT19 and NE4.
Is Chinatown an interchange station?
Yes. You can change between the Downtown Line and the North East Line inside the station without leaving the paid area.
What time is the first and last train at Chinatown?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Chinatown a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. Downtown Line first train 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM. North East Line first train 5:42 AM, last train 11:55 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Chinatown MRT station?
Several attractions and amenities are within walking distance, including the library@chinatown at roughly 80 metres, Smith Street and Speakers' Corner at approximately 240 to 270 metres, and the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum at around 330 metres. Further afield, the Chinatown precinct itself, Singapore City Gallery, and Clarke Quay Central are all within approximately 560 metres.
Which shopping mall is closest to Chinatown station?
Clarke Quay Central is the closest verified shopping mall, located approximately 560 metres from the station, which is roughly a nine-minute walk.
How far is the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum from Chinatown station?
The Buddha Tooth Relic Museum is approximately 330 metres from Chinatown station in a straight line, which works out to roughly a five-minute walk.
How do I get to Chinatown from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Bugis (10 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from Bugis to Chinatown (5 stops). About 15 stops with 1 change.
Sources: station codes, line colours and interchanges from the LTA rail system map; operating hours from SMRT and SBS Transit. Last reviewed September 2026.
News and guides mentioning Chinatown
- Most Instagram-Worthy MRT Stations in Singapore 28 Sep 2026
- MRT Reliability Hits Record High in August 2026 12 Sep 2026
- Humanoid Robot Trial at Little India MRT Station 21 Aug 2026
- Singapore MRT Art in Transit Programme Explained 13 Aug 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the Downtown Line and the North East Line is listed on its line guide, with the full route and interchanges. For times, see the first and last train guide, and for the whole network in one view use the interactive Singapore MRT map or the PDF map.