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Discover Hidden Taoist Street Shrines Along Nameless Backalleys
Discover Hidden Taoist Street Shrines Along Nameless Backalleys
[SG Culture Pass] Discover Hidden Taoist Street Shrines Along Nameless Backalleys
For KrisFlyer members only
Discover Hidden Taoist Street Shrines Along Nameless Backalleys
For KrisFlyer members only
Highlights
Step into a lesser-seen side of Singapore on a twilight walking tour through the back alleys of the Central Business District. As the city shifts from day into night, and symbolically from Yang into Yin, hear legends from Chinese mythology while discovering humble Daoist street shrines tucked beside dumpsters, beneath air-conditioning compressors, and among everyday urban spaces. Along the way, learn about the hidden communities of devotees who continue to care for these shrines, from cardboard collectors and office secretaries to local hawkers.
Discover how street shrines evolve as devotees navigate regulations and, in some cases, attract wealthy patrons who help transform them into temples. Learn about rituals that give supernatural meaning to familiar objects such as umbrellas, abacuses, opium pipes, and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, and spot a Goddess of Mercy statue perched above the lively streets below. Developed by Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop, established in 1840, and Offbeat Tours, this non-religious programme offers a fascinating alternative perspective on Singapore's nation-building story.
- Hidden Daoist Shrines: Discover street shrines tucked into the back alleys of Singapore's Central Business District.
- Chinese Mythology & Legends: Hear traditional stories as the city transitions from daylight into night, symbolically moving from Yang into Yin.
- Local Devotee Communities: Learn about the cardboard collectors, office secretaries, hawkers, and other devotees who maintain these shrines.
- Rituals & Everyday Objects: Uncover the supernatural meanings attached to objects such as umbrellas, abacuses, opium pipes, and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.
- Guided Twilight Walk: Explore for about two hours with a Singapore Tourism Board licensed guide trained by Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop.
Itinerary
Duration: About 2 hours
Central Business District Back Alleys
About 2 hoursWalk through the back alleys of Singapore's Central Business District at twilight while hearing legends from Chinese mythology and exploring the symbolic transition from Yang into Yin.Daoist Street Shrines
Visit humble street shrines assembled from everyday materials and discover the communities of devotees who continue to maintain them.Shrine Traditions and Rituals
Learn how street shrines evolve, how devotees navigate regulations, and how everyday objects can take on supernatural meanings in ritual practices.Goddess of Mercy
Spot a Goddess of Mercy statue resting on a roof ledge above the lively city streets and party-goers below.- NoteItinerary is subject to minor changes.
What's included
INCLUDED
Customer reviews
Additional information
Event Rescheduling
The organiser reserves the right to reschedule the event if the minimum number of participants (2 pax) required is not met or due to inclement weather. In such circumstances, registered participants will be notified at least 7 days prior to the originally scheduled event date. Participants will be contacted via the email address or contact details provided during registration with information regarding the rescheduled date and any alternative arrangements.
Refunds
If the event is rescheduled, participants may choose to either:
Transfer their registration to the rescheduled event date at no additional cost, or
Request a full refund of their ticket price.
Refund requests must be submitted within 3 working days of the rescheduling notification. Refunds will be processed within 15 working days of receiving the request
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM.
- Look for the docent at the entrance of Jumbo Seafood Restaurant.
- The tour is conducted in English.
- The programme is non-religious in nature and suitable for guests of all religions and races.
- The itinerary is subject to minor changes.
- The tour involves about two hours of walking at a comfortable pace, with stops approximately every 10 minutes.
- Please wear comfortable shoes.
- Photos of the workshop may be taken and used for publicity purposes.
- Wet Weather: You will be contacted by phone one hour beforehand if the tour is going to be cancelled due to wet weather.
- Event Rescheduling: The organiser reserves the right to reschedule the event if the minimum number of participants (2 pax) required is not met or due to inclement weather.
- If the event is rescheduled, registered participants will be notified at least 7 days prior to the originally scheduled event date via the email address or contact details provided during registration, together with information regarding the rescheduled date and any alternative arrangements.
- Minimum age to participate is 7 years.
- Minimum age: 7 years.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- Booking voucher or confirmation for check-in.
- Manual confirmation applies.
- Please allow up to 24 hours for booking confirmation.
- Bookings are non-refundable and cancellations are not permitted after booking.
- If the organiser reschedules the event, participants may transfer their registration to the rescheduled event date at no additional cost or request a full refund of the ticket price.
- Refund requests following an organiser-initiated rescheduling must be submitted within 3 working days of the rescheduling notification.
- Refunds will be processed within 15 working days of receiving the request.
- Present your booking voucher or confirmation when checking in for the experience.
Location
Provider
Say Tian Hng
AUD 57.17
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We really enjoyed this tour hosted by May and Say Tiang Hng. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to explore the Singapore River and learn about Taoism.
An insightful story about the two Deities in Chinese folk religion in charge of escorting the spirits of the dead to the underworld. We enjoyed how the story is juxtaposed against the setting of the Singapore River which transforms beautifully from day to night. Highly recommended for anyone who just wants to explore Singapore downtown and learn more.
May’s tour has filled me with fascination and awe of taoism and the origins/stories behind them.Finally Learning about the meaning behind Taoist rituals gives a different perspective to relatives’ beliefs and habits and festivals like Hungry Ghost.
Very informative and interesting tour. Thoroughly enjoyed!
Very informative. Best if the tour could include a trip to a Taoist temple.