Little India, Singapore, is a walkable neighbourhood where you can connect the Indian Heritage Centre, Tekka Centre and the former House of Tan Teng Niah. Start around Little India MRT, then choose a two-hour route through the area or a longer itinerary beginning at the heritage centre.
- Nearest station to the Indian Heritage Centre and House of Tan Teng Niah: Little India MRT Station (DT12/NE7).
- House of Tan Teng Niah: free admission, open daily, 24 hours.
- Indian Heritage Centre: five permanent galleries tracing Indian and South Asian communities in Southeast Asia and Singapore.
- The two-hour walking route includes Tekka Centre and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, and ends at House of Tan Teng Niah.
Start near Little India MRT
Little India MRT is the nearest train station to both the Indian Heritage Centre and House of Tan Teng Niah. It is also about an 8-minute walk from a two-star hotel in Little India, making it a natural starting point for this neighbourhood walk.
Visit Singapore describes a two-hour route that takes in Tekka Centre and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple before ending at House of Tan Teng Niah. If you want to include a food and market stop, Tekka Centre fits into that route.
A longer option takes four hours, starting at the Indian Heritage Centre and continuing to Mustafa Centre and Race Course Road. You can also extend the outing with a walk at Mount Emily Park.
House of Tan Teng Niah
House of Tan Teng Niah is a two-storey villa built in 1900 and described as Little India’s last surviving Chinese villa. The conserved building stands at 37 Kerbau Road, within the Little India Conservation Area.
The colourful exterior makes the villa an easy landmark to include at the end of the two-hour walking route. It is open daily, around the clock, and admission is free.
Serangoon Road appeared as “The Road Leading Across the Island” on Lieutenant Jackson’s 1828 Plan of Singapore. Little India was gazetted as a conservation area on 7 July 1989.
Indian Heritage Centre: what can you see?
The Indian Heritage Centre traces the history of Indian and South Asian communities in Southeast Asia and Singapore through five permanent galleries. Its facade takes inspiration from a baoli, or Indian stepwell, and brings together traditional Indian and modern architectural elements.
The National Heritage Board institution opened on 7 May 2015. You’ll find it at 5 Campbell Lane, near Little India MRT.
For a focused visit, the free English docent tour of the permanent galleries takes about 60 minutes; it welcomes groups of up to 20, and you should check tour capacity with the front desk before arriving. The Indian Heritage Centre visitor guide covers hours, admission and visit planning.
The centre is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm and closed on Mondays. Admission is free for Singapore citizens and permanent residents. For foreign residents and tourists, adult admission is S$10; concessionary admission is S$8 for seniors aged 60 and above, students and persons with disabilities.
Children under 6 enter free, as does one caregiver accompanying a person with disabilities. Groups of 5 or more receive a 20% discount, and visitors may be asked to show valid identification for concessionary admission.
Ramps are provided at the Campbell Lane entrance and beside Clive Street, and an elevator from Level 1 serves all galleries. Wheelchairs are available free at the Visitor Services counter on Level 1 on a first-come, first-served basis, but staff do not provide assistance around the galleries. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms with baby-changing stations are on Levels 2, 3 and 4.
Walking the neighbourhood respectfully
Little India is a conservation area with historic streets, shophouses and places of worship. Serangoon Road’s appearance on the 1828 plan and the conservation status granted in 1989 offer context for the area as you walk between its landmarks.
Follow the route at a comfortable pace, leaving time for its stops rather than treating the neighbourhood as a direct walk between two sights. A two-hour itinerary combines Tekka Centre’s food and market and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple with House of Tan Teng Niah.
The four-hour itinerary begins at the Indian Heritage Centre and adds Mustafa Centre and Race Course Road.
You can extend the outing with a walk at Mount Emily Park near Little India.
Before you go: opening hours, admission details and tour capacity can change, so check the official site before you go.
FAQs
Is House of Tan Teng Niah free to visit?
Yes. Admission is free, and the former villa is open daily, 24 hours.
How long is the Little India walking route?
One described route takes two hours and includes Tekka Centre and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, ending at House of Tan Teng Niah. A four-hour route starts at the Indian Heritage Centre and continues to Mustafa Centre and Race Course Road.
What is the Indian Heritage Centre about?
Its five permanent galleries trace the history of Indian and South Asian communities in Southeast Asia and Singapore.
Is the Indian Heritage Centre accessible by wheelchair?
Ramps and an elevator serve the galleries, and wheelchairs are available free on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff do not provide assistance around the galleries.