Temples & religious sites
Masjid Jamae
Masjid Jamae Chulia, alternatively simply known as Masjid Jamae, or the Periya Palli is a mosque located in Chinatown, Singapore. Built in the 19th century by Indian Muslim immigrants from South India, the mosque is one of the earliest to be built in the country. Along with its neighbour, the Sri Mariamman Temple, both of them stand out in the predominately Chinese district and have been gazetted as national monuments.
What it is
Masjid Jamae is a mosque built in the early-to-mid 19th century by Tamil Muslim (South Indian) traders who settled in this part of town. It's one of the oldest mosques in Singapore and sits right in the middle of Chinatown, which makes for an unusual streetscape: its twin-turreted, South Indian-influenced facade facing shophouses and, a few steps away, a Hindu temple and Buddhist temple. Travellers usually come to see the exterior and courtyard and to get a sense of how mixed this district's religious history is, rather than for any single standout feature inside.
Getting there
It's in the heart of Chinatown, an easy walk from Chinatown MRT station (a few minutes on foot). From the Downtown Core / Raffles Place area it's roughly a 10–15 minute walk, or a couple of stops on the MRT.
Time to allow
Most visitors spend 15–30 minutes here, mainly looking at the facade and courtyard from outside or just inside the entrance.
When to go
Remember it is an active place of worship, so visiting hours for non-worshippers can be restricted around prayer times, and dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Mornings tend to be quieter and cooler for walking around Chinatown generally. As with the rest of Chinatown, weekends and evenings around the food and market streets get busy, though the mosque itself is rarely crowded with tourists.
What to combine it with
- Sri Mariamman Temple (0.1km) – right next door, and the clearest example of Chinatown's religious mix.
- Thian Hock Keng (0.3km) – a short walk away, one of Singapore's oldest Hokkien temples.
- Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka (0.5km) – another historic mosque worth pairing with Masjid Jamae if you're interested in the area's Muslim heritage.
- Republic Plaza (0.6km) – if you want to follow the walk with the modern skyline of the CBD.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
