Waterloo Street

Waterloo Street is a historic pedestrian-oriented street in the Rochor planning area of central Singapore, within the Victoria sub-zone. Named after the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, it is notable for its concentration of religious, cultural and arts landmarks. The street is best known for the adjacent Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple and Sri Krishnan Temple, heritage shophouses, and its role as part of the Bras Basah.Bugis arts precinct near Bugis and Bras Basah MRT stations.

Visitors can expect a largely pedestrianized street lined with heritage shophouses, religious sites and arts venues in central Singapore. The northern section is a pedestrian mall with paved walkways, benches and public art. Key structures include the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple and Sri Krishnan Temple standing side by side, Waterloo Centre, and arts spaces. The surroundings are urban with easy access to Bugis and Bras Basah, offering temple visits, street photography, casual shopping and food stalls.

Waterloo Street was laid out in the 1830s and named after the 1815 Battle of Waterloo. It developed as part of the colonial town plan with shophouses, schools and religious institutions. The Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple was founded in 1884 and Sri Krishnan Temple in 1870, reflecting early Chinese and Indian communities in the area. The street was later pedestrianized in part and incorporated into the Bras Basah.Bugis arts precinct.

The street is noted for religious harmony with a major Buddhist temple and Hindu temple located side by side, both active places of worship. It is also a centre for traditional arts, crafts and religious goods, and forms part of Singapore's civic and cultural district with proximity to museums, schools and arts institutions.