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Review Author: Kim Ping Seah
Review Date: 20 Nov 2020
Review Body: This review is for the Outdoor Escape Room Game - Chinatown Street Murder. I am a local tourist guide in Singapore and if I give it 5 stars for this experience, you can imagine how much I must have enjoyed it! Our tourist guide was Mr Tan Boon Yick. He brought along Henry, Aunty Geok, Raj and many character and they altogether told many stories about Chinatown. He is engaging and a great game master! I was greatly entertained and not to mention I was at the same time challenged by the puzzles. I didn't have time to solve the murder due to other business commitments. But I managed to do 4 of the 6 checkpoints and they are not easy yet fun! The word fun cannot sum it all, you just have to experience it. I am surprised and I bet you will too by the exceptional execution of this experience. You will not see Chinatown in the same way anymore after this. A great example of local tours for locals!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Irene Tan
Review Date: 27 Aug 2020
Review Body: I signed up for the Instawalk Tour and had a wonderful time. I also picked up useful skills to take IG worthy photos! I’m very touched by the dedication of Tribe Tours. There were only 3 people in the tour during this super off-peak low season, but they sent 3 guides for the tour! Boon the “talking” guide did a great job telling us about the history of Bugis and sharing fascinating stories about the bygone days. Jess the “Instagram” guide taught us how to take better photos and pose ourselves. YS the “nanny” guide was there to look after everybody, he looked out for traffic and made sure our audio headsets were working properly. Everyone had a great time and came away with awesome photos for memories. It was such a fun tour and although I’m a local who grew up in Bugis area and already knows it pretty well, I still learnt something new and thoroughly enjoyed myself with Tribe Tours.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Mikk Tamme
Review Date: 28 Nov 2017
Review Body: I took a group of 25 corporate executives to a study visit to Singapore. Before the official visits we had a day hosted by The Tribe and it was really great way to learn about Singapore. We spent two hours discussing about the development of Singapore over last 50 years at the Singapore City Gallery. We visited a wet market and rolled some spring rolls. We then went and visited two Singaporean homes in the Northern part of the island. The HDB blocks developed by the state and housing 80% of Singaporean population. All of it gave us a possibility to see different sides of Singaporean life and ask many questions from our hosts. Was really great and I really found it very easy and productive to work together with the people at the Tribe. Would suggest them anytime for groups big or small.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Jane Bill Salter
Review Date: 03 Dec 2017
Review Body: My wife Jane and I found the tour to be excellent. We have stayed in Singapore many times over the years, either as a stopover or with work, and have always marvelled at how Singapore has developed into a model city in such a short period. We have read about Lee Kuan Yew and his vision and influence on Singapore's development but had limited knowledge of the broader Singapore story. The tour gave us many interesting insights into this man who was the major influence on Singapore and the region including his humble background, the importance of his home and family and his commitment over 60 years to his constituency. The tour guide, Iris, was very knowledgeable and she and the coach driver made for a memorable and enjoyable tour.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Stefan Culibrk
Review Date: 14 Aug 2018
Review Body: I've visited Singapore in August 2018. Purpose of the visit was to learn more about LKY and see results of decades of hard work first-hand. Iris and Jason are as passionate about Mr. Lee as they come. I've enjoyed the tour. I learned key details about Mr. Lee's HDB and CPF reforms, greening of Singapore and electoral procedures. Jason and Iris knew tiny details that help see these seemingly boring topics as real-life works of art. I've also discovered emotional side of Mr. Lee's persona from stories and anecdotes collected by Iris and Jason, including several places that were dear to his heart (including his favorite restaurant). Warm recommendations for the tour.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Jeffrey_Wu
Review Date: 07 Apr 2018
Review Body: Elaine was our tour guide from Tribe Tour, she took both my wife and I to our next level of understanding both ethnic and traditional food in Singapore. Elaine took us to know both the ingredients and spices used in Malay and Singapore cooking, we got to try several popular food and drink, we even got to make our own food wrap (Po-Piah) and ate them. Elaine was knowledgeable and use Ipad to show us pictures of plants/vegetable that were not available in the market that day. Elaine is a people person, she tried to know us first and tailored her food introduction to what we liked to know, a very pleasant person to spend couple of hours (or longer) with.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Sophia Lin
Review Date: 31 Oct 2020
Review Body: Our guide Helen was very knowledgeable and made the tour fun by adding in quizzes then following up with in-depth information. I felt like we learnt a lot during the tour. What I also liked about the tour is that they started the trip with a local breakfast with coffee and bread from the places we were about to visit. Helen was considerate and offered my daughter Milo instead so that she feels included even though she cannot have coffee because of the caffeine content. The length of the tour was just right and I highly recommend the tour as a fun thing to do.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: dandetsen
Review Date: 20 May 2018
Review Body: Elisa is an amazing guide. She makes good repoire with all and she remembers us from her previous tour on food. She filled us in with interesting facts in between travel times and was hands on when the main contact at these establishments were busy working at their trade. She was very hands on and we enjoyed every business we visited, tasting coffee and bread and also talking to the owners. Definitely a must not miss tour for we know not how long before they vanish totally from our lives as some of them are dying trades
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Diana & Yves
Review Date: 13 Sep 2020
Review Body: This was our 3rd tour with Tribe - others being Hawker’s Day Out and Disappearing Trades. Once more, my husband and I enjoyed ourselves very much. We were happy to discover the Bugis-Waterloo-Kampung Glam area, its history and unusual spots. Yock Song was an excellent guide whose interesting narratives added to the fun of our experience. In addition, he was accompanied by two IG Influencers who gave us fresh perspectives to picture taking - which we found useful even tho we do not have Instagram accounts!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: PalmSpringsTraveler
Review Date: 14 Jun 2017
Review Body: Jason and Tribe tours bring Singapore to life through unique small group adventures. We arranged a custom tour covering both the history of Singapore right on through to modern day planning of the city state. Jason and his teams enthusiasm makes you want to learn all about this multicultural country. Choose the unique perspective of Tribe tours the next tine you are in Singapore to see a different and vibrant side of this special tropical paradise.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Sabrina
Review Date: 05 Nov 2020
Review Body: Came as a group of 4 long-time friends to attempt the Chinatown Murder Game Tour with our awesome guide Desmond. We had a really good time! The murder game was well-designed and we also learnt lots of local trivia along the way. One of us was pregnant (6-months along) and we all managed just fine - so it should be suitable for most people. Desmond was really considerate the whole way too. Would highly recommend for a solid 1-2 hours of fun!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Christopher R
Review Date: 13 Aug 2019
Review Body: This tour was amazing. Our group toured three trade workshops. The shops were very authentic. Not like a commercial tour. The business owners seemed excited to have us tour their facility. The tour guide was also very friendly, well-spoken, and knowledgeable. Even with complex questions, the guide answered our questions with ease. If you’re looking for a culturally immersive experience this is a great choice!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Germaine Heng
Review Date: 22 Sep 2017
Review Body: I took the disappearing trades tour with 2 friends from Scotland. It was extremely educational. Ignatius was a very good guide. He bought us Kopi before we set out and duly educated us on local kopi in Singapore. I strongly recommend this tour for those who are seeking something different. The bakery we went to was so good. Am still thinking of the Milk bread that we ate there. Well worth your time and money.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Maree Eastley
Review Date: 29 Aug 2017
Review Body: We had a fantastic morning with Eliza showing us around Geylang Serai market, we were a extended family group with ages from 70's to teenagers and there was something for everyone. Eliza's knowledge and friendliness were outstanding.i would highly recommend this food tour for any one wanting to experience the Malay food culture of Singapore.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Jan H
Review Date: 14 Oct 2020
Review Body: The Niu Che Shui Murders game was a fun and intriguing way to discover more about Chinatown. Our guide Elaine was excellent as the colourful "Happy Lee", who regaled us with tales of the past, while also being a great game master. The puzzles are very accessible for beginners, but even experienced escape room fans should find this fun.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Augustin Chiam
Review Date: 14 Nov 2018
Review Body: Iris was a wonderful guide who helped to engage with my foreign guests despite their limited spoken english. In particular, they enjoyed the tour of the Singapore city gallery, where Iris was able to provide interesting anecdotes and simple explanations about our urban development. Would recommend to other groups with foreign guests.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Lomcevako
Review Date: 13 Nov 2020
Review Body: Just had a very enjoyable Sunday morning stroll with Boon taking my pre teens and I through a walk around Chinatown, solving a fun set of puzzles at each checkpoint. Accessible yet still educational for kids 9-99 in my opinion. While we’re a local family we still learned so much along the way so absolutely recommended!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Sharlin Mattar
Review Date: 16 Oct 2018
Review Body: Fantastic experience for me and my colleagues as we visited traditional kopi roasting and baking. The tour guide Iggy was very engaging and patient in answering all our questions and allowing us to take time to explore further at certain area. Best way to see and learn about the hidden gems within Singapore!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Eliza
Review Date: 20 Jul 2025
Review Body: The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. Boon shared lots of interesting heritage and historical stories about the different areas, and both he and Ronald gave lots of photo-taking tips. The locations were very Insta-worthy too. My niece and I enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Thank you Tribe Tours!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Christina Chow
Review Date: 28 Oct 2020
Review Body: Me and my friends had a tremendously great time on the murder mystery tour! The puzzles were really well thought out and there was a great story line that tied the game to our surroundings really well. I am really glad we chanced upon the tour and the tribe people were so friendly and enthusiastic!!
Review rating: 5

Itinerary

Itinerary Day 1
Itinerary Summary: Coffee, snacks, bakeries & paper houses
Itinerary Description: Start off with a visit to a coffee roasting factory, where you will learn about the local kopi industry, the tricks of the trade, roasting techniques, and have a sampling of kopi 'O' or black coffee. Then, meet the craftsman of a snack many locals don't even know about — sachima, and the makers of the beloved pig ear's biscuit and cuttlefish snack! Next up: one of the oldest remaining traditional bakeries left in Singapore. Hear from the baker himself why this once thriving business is now a disappearing trade. Lastly, meet the masters of paper houses making and learn how the Chinese pray and pay their respects to their ancestors by burning paper objects as a form of offering to the afterlife.
Singapore hawker kitchen: a vendor works over trays while a visitor in the foreground films the food being prepared
Stacked shelves of salted fish on racks in a Singapore shop room, showing a disappearing seafood trade
Craftsperson in a yellow T-shirt weaving a thin-stick frame in a traditional trade workshop in Singapore, Singapore hidden gems
Market hawker backroom in Singapore: vendor pulls and arranges long yellow noodle strands on a rack to dry
Vendor leaning into a steaming pot and pouring food onto a tray during a Singapore hawker centre trade walk, Singapore hidden gems
Back-of-house kitchen at a Singapore hawker stall in black and white: two cooks prep dishes at stainless counters
Hands lifting grains from a large sack in a traditional Singapore trade workshop, Singapore hidden gems
Singapore hawker kitchen: a vendor works over trays while a visitor in the foreground films the food being prepared
Stacked shelves of salted fish on racks in a Singapore shop room, showing a disappearing seafood trade
Craftsperson in a yellow T-shirt weaving a thin-stick frame in a traditional trade workshop in Singapore, Singapore hidden gems
Market hawker backroom in Singapore: vendor pulls and arranges long yellow noodle strands on a rack to dry
Vendor leaning into a steaming pot and pouring food onto a tray during a Singapore hawker centre trade walk, Singapore hidden gems
Back-of-house kitchen at a Singapore hawker stall in black and white: two cooks prep dishes at stainless counters
Hands lifting grains from a large sack in a traditional Singapore trade workshop, Singapore hidden gems
Workers in hairnets inspecting a large tray of tiny grains in a traditional Singapore trade workshop, Singapore hidden gems

Get Up Close with Singapore's Disappearing Trades

Immerse in Singapore's vanishing trades in an exclusive 3-hour journey.
4.8
|63 Reviews
Group size
Up to 15 guests
DURATION
3 hours
Booking type
Join-in trip
MEET UP
At location
Group size
Up to 15 guests
Discover the vanishing trades of Singapore.
This is a 3-hour exclusive access to some of the people behind Singapore's disappearing trades. Visit a coffee roasting factory, an old-school bread maker and even an obscure ancestral paper money shop. This may be the last generation of such tradespeople in Singapore, so you'll be experiencing living history. Option DetailsToday, Singapore is recognised on the global stage as a modern metropolis. But what was life like in the 1950s to 1980s? Travel back in time with Tribe Tours on this nostalgic journey to learn about the rich heritage of some of Singapore's dying trades.On this 3-hour guided trip, you will get special access to factories and shops, where you can meet the expert craftsmen of some of the nation's favourite comfort foods and watch them in action!Pick up tricks of the trade and sample the Singaporean staple Kopi 'O' (black coffee) at a coffee roasting factory. Hear a baker share about how old-school bread is being replaced by mass-produced bread and see if you can taste the difference at one of Singapore's oldest traditional bakeries. Meet the highly skilled makers of the intricate paper offerings that the Chinese use to pay respects to ancestors...and much more!This journey into history is a great experience for adults to reminisce their childhoods and for children to witness a slice of Singapore's disappearing trades before they fade.Time SlotsThis experience takes place every Tuesday and Friday between 9am and 12pm.

What You’ll be Doing

Coffee, snacks, bakeries & paper houses
Show Details

What’s Included

Experienced Guide
See first-hand our natives at work and hear their stories
Coach comfort to shorten travelling time

Not included

Other expenses

Available Add-ons:

Show Details

Next Available Dates

Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 26 Sep 2026
Additional Information

Where we'll meet

Start Point

Meet-up at Chinatown MRT Exit A (outside Bee Cheng Hiang)(Bee Cheng Hiang 美珍香 (69 Pagoda Street), Pagoda Street, Singapore)
  • 15 mins before selected timeslot

End Point

  • End at Start Point(s)

Start & Ends

  • Every Tuesday
    09:00AM - 01:00PM
  • Every Friday
    09:00AM - 01:00PM

Suitability / Accessibility

  • Child Friendly (No Minimum Age)

Cancellation & other policies

  • Cancellation

    Cancel 3 days before activity for a full refund
  • Minimum Participants

    If there are fewer than 4 participants, the host may reschedule or refund your booking.
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What to Pack

  • Comfortable Walking Footwear
  • Hat or Cap
  • Sunscreen
  • Umbrella
  • Water
From
$144.07 SGD
/person
4.8(63)
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Date & Time
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Meet your host

Jason and his team are passionate about sharing the Singapore they know and love – the hidden flavous, the vibrant street life, the genuine warmth of its people. Imagine cooking authentic dishes, uncovering secret street art, and ordering at hawker centers like a pro. Fun fact: Even famous visitors (like Premier League teams!) will tap them up when they're in town to uncover the real, unseen Singapore.
Speaks: Fluent English, Chinese
Acceptance rate: 97%
Top Rated Host
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