Discover Keong Saik Road, Singapore
RICKY GUI . 3 TO 4 MINUTES READING TIME
Previously I wrote about “Exploring Chinatown Through My 70-200mm Lens”. If you noticed all the images are in vertical format! For this post will be in landscape format.
If you are into a brief history, check out this site.
Keong Saik Street is definitely part of our Chinatown private tour route, and it’s a spot I love sharing with my registered guests. In this post, I’ll walk you through four images — the scenes I observed, and the thoughts behind how I chose to frame them.
Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple
I was standing at the entrance of the temple, listening to the bell rhythm of the rituals. Instead of stepping straight in, I stayed outside for a while to observe. From where I stood, I noticed this striking symmetrical design — the lines of the hall stretching all the way to the front door. Just as I was soaking it in, an Indian lady who just put on her footwear, came up to me with a big grin. She introduced herself as Luthar — the first time I’d ever heard such a unique name.
She warmly invited me in to check out the temple, probably assuming I was a tourist exploring Singapore’s cultural side. While we chatted, my eyes kept drifting back to the ongoing scene inside. Devotees were walking in a slow, circular motion. Then, suddenly, a ray of light pierced through the window. I told her how beautiful it looked, and she smiled, saying I was lucky — that kind of light doesn’t happen every day, especially with Singapore’s often cloudy skies.
Instinct kicked in. I lifted my camera and snapped a few shots. Only later did I realize my shutter speed was just 1/40 seconds. The devotee in green turned out a little blurry, but honestly, I didn’t mind — the slight motion blur captured him in walking motion, his hand gesture showing respect to the deity, in a way that felt alive and authentic.
For me, it was a beautiful moment — not just the photograph, but the conversation too. Luthar and I shared a few words about our individual religion and faith. I told her that regardless of religion, at the end of the day, when we die, everyone will walks through the same door (my opinion). She agreed wholeheartedly. That brief exchange left me with a sense of warmth, connection, and gratitude.
I hope I bump into her again on my next visit, though chances are I might not even recognize her! That’s the magic of photography tours in Singapore — you never quite know what moments or people you’ll encounter, but when they happen, they stay with you.
Exposure Time: 1/40, FNumber: 5.6, Focal Length: 91, Exposure Program: Aperture priority, ISO: 400
Well conserved shophouses
Even though I pass by Keong Saik Road very often, I rarely have the need to walk through the entire stretch as it is not really my direction to go. This visit, however, I made it a point to slow down. Part of my private photography tours in Singapore is not just sharing with you familiar touristy spots, but also discovering new photo opportunities for my guests. I put in the time and effort so that you’ll always enjoy the best possible experience — no holding back.
What struck me most this time were the beautifully maintained heritage shophouses. Their clean, polished look really stood out, yet they still carried the charm of old Chinatown. From a distance, I noticed clusters of tourists posing for photos. To my surprise, Keong Saik seems to be buzzing again, especially among young Instagrammers chasing the next popular architectural backdrop to flex.
I find that fascinating — how a street can quietly exist for past few years, then suddenly resurface as a “must-visit” photography spot, trend is contagious isn’t it. For this one-on-one tour, we not only here to guide you, but also to be your eyes. I’ll point out those interesting angles, hidden details, and fleeting moments you might otherwise miss. For me, that’s what makes my specially design private tour special — slowing down, looking deeper, and finding stories in places you thought you already knew.
Exposure Time: 1/640, FNumber: 5.6, Focal Length: 200, Exposure Program: Aperture priority, ISO: 400
Heart shaped surprise
While wandering, I spotted something unusual — a bright red heart-shaped mural painted across the side of a building, probably three storeys tall. What caught my attention was the freshness of the paint. When I cross-checked on Google Maps later, the same building looked dirty and worn in its 2024 images. Clearly, this was a recent addition, though I still have no idea who the artist was. That mystery only adds to the charm, don’t you think?
I decided to frame it with a minimalist architectural approach, I divided the scene using light and shadow, the heart sitting in the shadow become the anchor of the composition. While the light, showing everyday window, the kind that belongs to someone’s home or office. The result is simple, yet powerful — probably a symbol of love towering over the street, perhaps a reminder that we need more love, rather than increase conflict, negativity and hate.
For this shot, I used my 70–200mm lens, which I highly recommend bringing along for my private photography tours in Singapore. A telephoto lens lets you isolate details like this from a distance, compress layers, and play with angles that a wide lens simply can’t achieve. In this case, it allowed me to frame the mural without distraction, turning an ordinary street corner into a striking, almost abstract image.
That’s the beauty of photography you never quite know what you’ll find. There are so many murals in Chinatown that are well-documented, some become tourist hotspots, and others — like this heart — just appear quietly, waiting for someone to notice. For me, this discovery became more than just a photo; it was a reminder that love, art, and imagination can show up in the most unexpected corners of Singapore’s urban landscape.
Exposure Time: 1/2500, FNumber: 6.3, Exposure Program: Aperture priority, Focal Length: 200, ISO: 320
Looking into Google map 2024, this was the previous facade color.
Tour Info
Do register for my Chinatown Photography Private Tour, we’ll meet at Outram Park MRT Station, Exit 4. On selected days, there are two sessions to choose from:
Morning: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Evening: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
These timings are carefully chosen. The morning session offers a calm, unhurried start to the day, while the evening walk allows photographers to witness and capture the transition from day to night—a unique experience depending on your schedule in Singapore.
I usually suggest meeting 5–10 minutes earlier. This gives us time to chat and for me to understand your photography interests: What do you enjoy shooting? What do you hope to improve? By knowing your needs, I can adjust the walk and guidance accordingly. With me leading the way, there’s no need to worry about navigating unfamiliar streets—you can focus fully on your photography.
The art of seeing: Juxtaposition
I took a close-up shot of the beautifully detailed shophouses, and in the background stood Guoco Tower — the tallest skyscraper in Singapore. The juxtaposition of heritage shophouses with a modern skyscraper speaks volumes about Singapore’s story: a city where tradition and progress stand side by side.
For me, that’s the beauty of walking slowly, looking carefully, and letting these contrasts reveal themselves. It’s what makes every photo unique, and every tour a new discovery.
The art of seeing isn’t just about pointing your camera at famous landmarks like many tourists do, but about noticing how different elements of the city interact. On my private photography tour in Singapore, I’ll guide you through this process. Singapore is not just a cosmopolitan city; it’s a rich mix of modern architecture and heritage, infused into one truly unique nation.
Exposure Time: 1/1250, FNumber: 8, Focal Length: 70, Exposure Program: Aperture priority ISO: 400
Beauty of private tour
Get engaged with the local people, listen a bit to their story, learn a bit of local culture, when you’re joining my Chinatown private tour, keep your eyes open and your lens ready. The streets always full of surprises in store — it’s just a matter of how you choose to see and frame them. Our friendly professional photographer is here to guide you through, you don’t even need to do navigation at all.
