Bugis And Kampong Glam

Things to see and do

Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan)

The Sultan Mosque is the heart and soul of Kampong Glam, the area of Singapore designated for Muslims when the British took over in the early 1880s. The original mosque was part of the Sultan's palace complex, hence the name, but the current building with its iconic golden dome was built in 1924 by ... read more
Sri Krishnan Temple

Slip off your shoes if you want to enter this testament to Singapore's religious harmony, set near a turn on Waterloo St. Though it's definitely a Hindu temple dedicated to Krishna — an important god identifiable by his blue skin — worshippers from the neighbouring Buddhist temple also stop by ... read more
Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

Visit this bustling temple to see the role that religion plays in the daily lives of Singapore's Chinese Buddhists. The temple is dedicated to Kwan Im (the Goddess of Mercy) and people pray for good luck. Don't leave without getting your fortune told — shake the canister of divining sticks until ... read more
Walking street: Haji Lane

Nestled between busy North Bridge and Ophir Roads you'll find Haji Lane, Singapore's fashionista haven. Also Singapore's narrowest street (well lane) Haji has a distinctively bohemian feel with street art, tattoo parlours and independent shops selling jewellery, books and clothes from local ... read more
Walking street: Waterloo Street

Running through downtown Singapore, part of Waterloo Street was converted to a pedestrian mall after the crowds at two popular temples grew so big they caused traffic jams. Now the devotees and incense sellers at the Chinese Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple and the Hindu Sri Krishnan Temple spill onto ... read more
Walking street: Kampong Glam

Also known as Arab Street for the main road running through it, Kampong Glam is historically Singapore's Malay-Muslim neighbourhood. The streets are lined with palm trees and two-storey shophouses selling Middle Eastern carpets, traditional clothing and various knick-knacks. The call to prayer ... read more
Bugis Street

Bugis Street is Singapore's largest street market and its narrow passages are crammed full of 600 shops selling everything from knock-off handbags to durians. The second-level is designated for local designers and a good place to shop for unique jewellery and clothing at reasonable prices. Of ... read more
Sungei Road Thieves Market

If you have the patience to wade through the junk there's definitely some gems at this outdoor flea market. You don't need a license to sell and many vendors don't bother with folding tables and dump their wares — dial telephones, used sports equipment, yellowed paperbacks, broken computer ... read more
Sim Lim Square

It may be Singapore's largest IT mall, but Sim Lim Square has earned a bad rap for fleecing tourists who assume they're getting a great deal without checking prices. Good deals are possible — especially if you're looking for camera parts or discontinued models — but you may be surprised to ... read more
Bugis Junction & Iluma Mall

Proof that Singaporeans truly can't get enough shopping, these two large malls are opposite each other. Bugis Junction and Iluma are geared toward younger shoppers with music stores, cosmetic shops and affordable, everyday fashion from brands like Giordiano, Levi's and Billabong. Each mall has ... read more
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque

This mosque in the heart of Kampong Glam is unique for its architecture, which blends Middle Eastern and European styles. Though it has the typical onion-shaped dome and prayer hall, it also has a very distinctive minaret near the Imam's quarters. Also notable is that the mosque was named for a ... read more
National Library

Singapore's national library is also its largest: a 16-storey complex with a theatre, restaurant, sky-garden and massive multi-lingual collection of books. You'll need to be a member of the library to be able to sign anything out, but visitors are welcome to explore the building, use the free ... read more
Bras Basah Complex

One of the rare things that isn't more expensive in Singapore is used books and you won't have to look hard to find them — they're all in the Bras Basah Complex. Of the 20-some bookstores most sell a variety of new and used reading material, and you can pick up a paperback in gently used ... read more
Malay Heritage Centre

Also known as Istana Kampong Glam, this elegant building was once the palace of Malaysian royalty. Of course the Malaysian royalty have long left Singapore's shores (though some probably own luxurious residences in Singapore) and the city-state hasn't had a Sultan since the 1800s. The building ... read more
St Joseph's Church

This Catholic Church was built from 1906 to 1912 by architectural firm Swan and MacLaren, whose other projects included the Raffles Hotel. In homage to the church's original Portuguese founders, the church was built in the shape of a Latin cross and has beautiful stained glass windows. St ... read more