Keong Saik Road

Keong Saik Road is a conserved heritage street in Chinatown within Singapore's Outram planning area. Lined with restored late 19th and early 20th-century shophouses, it is known for its distinctive architecture, boutique hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants. Once a former red-light district, the street was gazetted for conservation in 1989 and has become a popular lifestyle and dining destination near Outram Park MRT, reflecting Chinatown's evolving urban heritage.

Visitors can expect a short, walkable street lined with two- and three-storey conserved shophouses featuring ornate facades, timber shutters and five-foot ways. The ground floors house cafes, restaurants, bars and boutique hotels, while the street connects Neil Road to Kreta Ayer Road. The area is pedestrian-friendly with a mix of heritage architecture and contemporary lifestyle offerings, suitable for sightseeing, photography and dining within Chinatown.

Keong Saik Road is named after Tan Keong Saik (1850-1909), a prominent businessman and community leader. Developed in the early 20th century, the street was lined with shophouses housing Chinese families and businesses. From the 1960s to the 1980s it was known as a red-light district. In 1989, the street was gazetted for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, preserving its distinctive shophouse architecture.

The street is part of the Chinatown Historic District and showcases Singapore's shophouse heritage with a blend of Chinese, Malay and European architectural elements. Its adaptive reuse from residential and commercial shophouses to boutique hotels and dining establishments reflects Chinatown's cultural evolution and conservation efforts, making it a notable example of heritage preservation within a contemporary lifestyle precinct.