Jalan Besar MRT Station
Jalan Besar MRT station (DT22) is on the Downtown Line, one of Singapore's fully underground rapid transit lines. It sits in a mixed residential and commercial area, serving a neighbourhood of shophouses, small businesses, and local amenities in the central part of the island. The station gives residents and visitors a straightforward underground connection into the broader MRT network without requiring a change of line at this stop.
Jalan Besar on the Downtown Line map
Jalan Besar station at a glance
| Station codes | DT22 |
|---|---|
| Lines | Downtown Line |
| Interchange | No, single line station |
| Chinese name | 惹兰勿刹 |
| Tamil name | ஜாலான் புசார் |
| Next stations | |
| Train times | Downtown Line: first train leaves the terminus at 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM Full first and last train guide |
See Jalan Besar on the map. The interactive map opens with this station highlighted, so you can trace the route from where you are.
From Jalan Besar, the Downtown Line runs directly to Bencoolen station in one direction and Bendemeer station in the other. Bencoolen connects with the Circle Line, giving you access to a wide range of destinations across the city. Bendemeer sits on the way toward the north-eastern stretches of the Downtown Line. Travelling further along the line in either direction opens up connections to major interchanges, including Bugis, Promenade, and Bayfront.
The station is within walking distance of Jalan Besar Plaza, a neighbourhood shopping centre, and the surrounding streets are lined with traditional shophouses that reflect the area's older character. The Jalan Besar neighbourhood more broadly is known for its mix of local eateries, small independent shops, and low-rise buildings, making it a practical stop for those exploring this quieter part of central Singapore on foot.
Around Jalan Besar station
Jalan Besar station sits in a mixed neighbourhood that combines heritage shophouses, residential blocks and retail activity. The area is well known for its multicultural character, with attractions such as the Indian Heritage Centre and Malay Heritage Centre reflecting the district's layered history. Shopping options including Sim Lim Square and Tekka Centre are also within easy walking distance.
| Place | Type | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithe House | Attraction | About 320 m (~5 min walk) | Visit Lithe House for a unique cultural or creative experience in a heritage setting. |
| Indian Heritage Centre | Museum | About 370 m (~6 min walk) | Explore the Indian Heritage Centre to learn about the history and culture of Indian communities in Singapore. |
| Tekka Place | Shopping mall | About 370 m (~6 min walk) | Head to Tekka Place for a modern retail and dining experience in the Little India area. |
| Sim Lim Square | Shopping mall | About 380 m (~6 min walk) | Browse Sim Lim Square for electronics, gadgets and related accessories. |
| House of Tan Teng Niah | Attraction | About 550 m (~9 min walk) | See the House of Tan Teng Niah, a colourful heritage villa that is a popular sight in Little India. |
| Malay Heritage Centre | Museum | About 550 m (~9 min walk) | Visit the Malay Heritage Centre to discover the history and traditions of the Malay community in Singapore. |
| Tekka Centre | Shopping mall | About 570 m (~9 min walk) | Go to Tekka Centre for a lively wet market and a wide variety of local hawker food. |
| Objectifs - Centre for Photography and Film | Museum | About 730 m (~12 min walk) | Visit Objectifs - Centre for Photography and Film for exhibitions and programmes focused on visual arts. |
Places and straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Actual walking routes may be longer.
How to get to Jalan Besar 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 Paya Lebar (6 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Paya Lebar to MacPherson (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from MacPherson to Jalan Besar (4 stops). About 11 stops with 2 changes. |
|---|---|
| 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), then change to the Downtown Line from Chinatown to Jalan Besar (3 stops). About 7 stops with 2 changes. |
| 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), then change to the Downtown Line from Chinatown to Jalan Besar (3 stops). About 6 stops with 2 changes. |
| 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), then change to the Downtown Line from Chinatown to Jalan Besar (3 stops). About 14 stops with 3 changes. |
| From Woodlands | Take the North South Line from Woodlands to Bishan (8 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Bishan to MacPherson (5 stops), then change to the Downtown Line from MacPherson to Jalan Besar (4 stops). About 17 stops with 2 changes. |
| From HarbourFront | Take the North East Line from HarbourFront to Chinatown (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from Chinatown to Jalan Besar (3 stops). About 4 stops with 1 change. |
Tips for using Jalan Besar station
- Lithe House, the Indian Heritage Centre and Tekka Place are all roughly 5 to 6 minutes away on foot, making them convenient first stops after exiting the station.
- Sim Lim Square is also around 6 minutes away on foot and is best reached by walking directly from the station rather than taking public transport.
- The Malay Heritage Centre, House of Tan Teng Niah and Tekka Centre are around 9 minutes away on foot; allow a little extra time if you plan to visit all of them in one trip.
- Objectifs - Centre for Photography and Film is the furthest verified destination at roughly 12 minutes on foot, so consider whether you have enough time before heading there, especially during peak hours when the surrounding streets can be busy.
All stations on the Downtown Line
In order along the line, with Jalan Besar 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 | DT / NE |
| DT20 | Fort Canning | – |
| DT21 | Bencoolen | – |
| DT22 | Jalan Besar (you are here) | – |
| 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.
Jalan Besar station: common questions
Which line is Jalan Besar MRT station on?
Jalan Besar is on the Downtown Line. Its station code is DT22.
Is Jalan Besar an interchange station?
No. Jalan Besar is served by the Downtown Line only. The nearest interchange is shown in the next stations row above.
What time is the first and last train at Jalan Besar?
Times below are for the first and last train leaving the line terminus; trains reach Jalan Besar a few minutes later depending on its position on the line. Downtown Line first train 5:30 AM, last train 11:35 PM. Check the operator for holiday changes.
What is near Jalan Besar MRT station?
Several attractions and shopping options are within walking distance, including the Indian Heritage Centre, Sim Lim Square, Tekka Place and the Malay Heritage Centre. Distances are approximate, but most of these are within a 6 to 9 minute walk of the station.
Which mall is closest to Jalan Besar MRT station?
Tekka Place and Sim Lim Square are among the closest shopping malls, both approximately 370 to 380 metres from the station, or roughly a 6 minute walk.
How far is the Malay Heritage Centre from Jalan Besar station?
The Malay Heritage Centre is approximately 550 metres from Jalan Besar station, which is roughly a 9 minute walk. Please note this is a straight-line distance and the actual walking route may be a little longer.
How do I get to Jalan Besar from Changi Airport by MRT?
Take the East West Line from Changi Airport to Paya Lebar (6 stops), then change to the Circle Line from Paya Lebar to MacPherson (1 stop), then change to the Downtown Line from MacPherson to Jalan Besar (4 stops). About 11 stops with 2 changes.
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 Jalan Besar
- Singapore MRT Art in Transit Programme Explained 13 Aug 2026
Plan the rest of the trip
Every station on the Downtown 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.