Beneath the modern exterior of Singapore’s skyscrapers and its busy shopping malls is the city-state’s historic districts. And it's not inaccessible at all! Singapore is proud of its unique multiracial heritage which you’ll see from the well-preserved old school neighbourhoods. Here are some of the most iconic districts in Singapore that should be on your itinerary.
Kampong Glam
Trendy bars, Middle Eastern restaurants, perfume shops, these are some things that you can expect for your Kampong Glam visit. You’ll want to make Haji Lane a priority; it’s where you’ll find colourful street art and hip cafes. Haji Lane also takes a complete 180 at night where the bars in the district start to open up; bar-hoppers will love Blu Jaz Cafe and Piedra Negra. Fun fact: Haji Lane gets its name from Arab pilgrim brokers who helped Singaporean Muslims with their Hajj (the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca) - ironic given the present nightlife scene.
You’ll love Kampong Glam if you’re a history buff. Stamford Raffles allocated the Malay, Arab, and Bugis community to this area in 1822 where it quickly became the seat of Malay royalty. If you enjoy seeing historic landmarks, some of the must-sees include the Malay Heritage Centre which showcases Singaporean Malay culture and heritage, and the iconic Sultan Mosque which was commissioned by Sultan Hussain Shah of Johor.
Chinatown
Foodies, history buffs, street photographers, Chinatown appeals to every kind of traveller. What began as an enclave for the Chinese community cultivating gambier and pepper is now one of the busiest districts in Singapore. Chinatown is also referred to as “牛车水” in Mandarin which translates to “bullock cart water”, a reference to when ox carts transported the precinct’s water supply.
What can you expect in Chinatown? Traditional medicine halls, historic temples, food stalls in every corner, and so much more. Head over to Chinatown Food Centre, where the humble Michelin-Awarded Hawker Chanserves up a delectable Hong Kong roast at only SGD3! You’ll also want to visit the enchanting Buddha Tooth Relic Temple which houses bone and tongue relics from the Buddha. Also nearby is Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.
Book an informative tour of Chinatown (SGD41) down below.
Little India
It’s hard not to love Little India. Whether it’s the rainbow-coloured streets or the beautiful textile shops, you’ll want to spend a couple of hours strolling through this historic neighbourhood. We recommend a casual stroll through the streets to admire the unique industries and architecture. One landmark you’ll likely stumble upon is the House of Tan Teng Niah, the last surviving Chinese villa that showcases a kaleidoscopic fusion of Chinese and Indian architecture.
Other interesting activities include parrot astrology where trained parrots pick up Tarot-like fortune cards and shopping for perfumes and electronics at Mustafa Centre.
Book an authentic experience of Little India (SGD38) down below.
Civic District
No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to the Civic District, the heart of the island. The Civic District is Singapore’s art and cultural precinct. Visit the nation's most iconic performance art centres like the Victoria Concert Hall for a string of Symphony Orchestra performances or the Esplanade for musicals. Fun fact: the latter is affectionately referred to as the "durian" for its architectural resemblance to the king of fruits.
History buffs will also enjoy the museums at the Civic District. Visit the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) to get a deep dive into Asian history; a notable exhibition from the ACM is the Tang Shipwreck collection which features artifacts from 9th-century China. This is also where you’ll see the Merlion statue, the national symbol of Singapore.
Get the full experience of the Civic District (SGD38) with a guided tour. Book your tickets down below.
Katong-Joo Chiat District
So you’ve read a brochure about Singapore and now you know about the Peranakans. At the Katong and Joo Chiat district, you’ll get an authentic glimpse into Peranakan life and the intricate architectural design of the traditional houses. For the uninitiated, Peranakans are a sub-ethnic group of people with Chinese and Malay or Indonesian descent. The intermarriage between Chinese immigrants and locals resulted in a unique syncretism of culture, cuisine, and beliefs.
Katong and Joo Chiat were home to an English-educated class of Peranakans and Eurasians. You could say that Singapore’s “Old Money” resided in this historic neighbourhood. These houses are well-preserved and feature colourful walls and intricate motifs that are representative of the Peranakan design. While you’re admiring the architecture, dig into the famous Katong laksa (a spicy coconut-based noodle soup) and other Peranakan dishes and desserts. Don’t forget to bring a camera and an empty stomach!
Geylang
Geylang is sometimes seen as Singapore’s “backstage”; it owes its sleazy reputation to the red-light district. Geylang also has some of the oldest shophouses that are still occupied; if you look for an old school picture of ‘60s Singapore, it doesn’t look too far off from Geylang today!
That’s not all Geylang has to offer, though. At Geylang Serai, you’ll get to sample the best of Malay cuisine in Singapore as well as experience an authentic local wet market. Foodies will also enjoy the frog porridge and the famous Hokkien mee (an aromatic plate of noodles seeped in rich prawn broth and wok-fried with seafood and pork) in Geylang.
Kampong Buangkok
This is the last surviving kampung (Malay for village) in mainland Singapore. The houses in the village that are built in close proximity to one another give it a tight-knit communal vibe. Low-lying single-storey houses tucked under the shades of lush trees, these are not common sights in the neighbourhoods of the little Red Dot.
If you’re interested in seeing a living image of Singapore’s past, there’s no other place in Singapore like Kampong Buangkok.
