It was originally named People's Park during the construction.
In 1999 the name was changed to Chinatown to reflect the heritage of the station.
The North East line was opened on 20 June 2003.
Before the North East line part of this station opened, the Singapore Civil Defence Force conducted the second ever Shelter Open House on 15–16 February 2003, together with Farrer Park, Serangoon and Hougang stations.

This station is said to be the most challenging station to build on the North East line, due to the large number of buildings above ground, most with reinforced concrete or timber piles and all in marine clay.
Another feat was that they had to preserve Garden Bridge, a large overhead bridge on bore piles, while building the station below.
The tidal Eu Tong Sen Canal was also diverted into four two-meter diameter steel pipes slung under the temporary traffic decks (two on each side).
Part of the New Bridge Road was often closed between 12 January 1998 and 20 October 2001 for the construction of Chinatown MRT station.
Traffic along Eu Tong Sen Street was diverted until January 2000.

The Downtown Line was planned since the late 1990s from Tampines to Bukit Panjang and in order to duplicate the East West Line.
The Contract 909 for the construction of Chinatown DTL station and associated tunnels were awarded to Gammon Construction at a contract sum of S$160.3 million.
Works commenced on 12 February 2008.

This DTL station was opened on 22 December 2013, for those travelling from Bugis to Chinatown, it is preferable to take a bus 2, 12 or 33 from Victoria Street and limited bus services from Eu Tong Sen Street (People's Park Centre).
Since 21 October 2017, with the opening of DTL from Chinatown to Expo, Tampines and Bedok North residents also have enhanced connectivity to Chinatown area which is more convenient.
It was originally named People's Park during the construction. In 1999 the name was changed to Chinatown to reflect the heritage of the station. The North East line was opened on 20 June 2003. Before the North East line part of this station opened, the Singapore Civil Defence Force conducted the second ever Shelter Open House on 15–16 February 2003, together with Farrer Park, Serangoon and Hougang stations.
This station is said to be the most challenging station to build on the North East line, due to the large number of buildings above ground, most with reinforced concrete or timber piles and all in marine clay. Another feat was that they had to preserve Garden Bridge, a large overhead bridge on bore piles, while building the station below. The tidal Eu Tong Sen Canal was also diverted into four two-meter diameter steel pipes slung under the temporary traffic decks (two on each side). Part of the New Bridge Road was often closed between 12 January 1998 and 20 October 2001 for the construction of Chinatown MRT station. Traffic along Eu Tong Sen Street was diverted until January 2000.
The Downtown Line was planned since the late 1990s from Tampines to Bukit Panjang and in order to duplicate the East West Line. The Contract 909 for the construction of Chinatown DTL station and associated tunnels were awarded to Gammon Construction at a contract sum of S$160.3 million. Works commenced on 12 February 2008.
This DTL station was opened on 22 December 2013, for those travelling from Bugis to Chinatown, it is preferable to take a bus 2, 12 or 33 from Victoria Street and limited bus services from Eu Tong Sen Street (People's Park Centre). Since 21 October 2017, with the opening of DTL from Chinatown to Expo, Tampines and Bedok North residents also have enhanced connectivity to Chinatown area which is more convenient.
Chinatown MRT station