Shophouses are everywhere in Chinatown. These shophouses brings back memories of the past. Most of the old shophouses are specialized in age old trades such as calligraphy and clog making, paper effigies of cars as well as tea houses.

Want to taste the authentic Singapore food at very reasonable prices; if so then don’t forget to stop by at Maxwell Market. Located at the heart of Chinatown this food market houses about a 100 food stalls, offering the widest range of local Singapore food at once place. Foods are absolutely luscious and inexpensive.

Getting There
Take the MRT to City Hall Station (EW13/NS25) and then move to Chinatown Station (NE4) exit A. Bus service 2, 12, 33, 51, 61, 62, 63, 81, 84, 103, 124,143,145,147,166, 174,190, 197, 520 or 851 also passes by the area.

Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam is a Muslim and Arab quarter in Singapore. The name was derived from the Malay word “Kampung” meaning village and “gelam” a type of eucalyptus tree which grew in the area and was used for boat-building by the villagers. Kampong Glam can be translated as “Village of Gelam Trees”.

Kampong Glam was used to be fishing village situated at the mouth of Rochor River. In 1819 Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in Singapore and negotiated with Sultan Hussein to use the island as a trading post for British East India Company. In 1822, Raffles allocated Kampong Glam as the settlement area for Malay, Bugis and Arab. Sultan Hussein built a large attap habitation and brought the hundreds of family members to settle in the area.

Kampong Glam reveals the rich heritage of the Malay people. Situated here is the Istana Kampong Glam. Built in 1840 by Tengku Ali son of Sultan Hussein .A typical Palladian architecture, the Istana is a well-designed structured yet understated. The Istana was converted into a Malaya Heritage Centre, showcasing the roots, history and material culture of the Malays in Singapore.

Sultan Mosque is the main attraction of the place. It is the largest mosque in Singapore located at Bussorah St, adjacent to Arab St and Haji Lane. Completed in 1928, the Arabesque style mosque with balustrades, domes and minarets was designed by Denis Santry. One interesting fact about the mosque; its main dome which sits on a black rimmed structure, this rim is made of hundreds of glass bottles.

The Arab Street, this is one ethnic neighborhood in Singapore that surely exemplify the Arabian way of life. The street offers various shophouses selling wide range of authentic Arab goods and food shops where you can savour exotic Middle East cuisines thus gives a Middle East feel. It is the best place to go if you want to buy fabric/ silk. There are also a number of interesting shops that sell baskets, malay clothing as well as country- style furniture.

Other attractions in the area are the Malabar Muslim Jama-ath Mosque, located at the corner of Victoria Street and Jalan Sultan. This mosque was built in a traditional Islamic mosque architectural style and is also known as the Golden Dome Mosque. There is also the Hajjah Fatimah Mosque, a mix Islamic and European architecture mosque. This mosque was named after a woman who donated the land for building this mosque.

Getting There
Take the MRT train to Bugis Station and walk along Victoria Street towards Arab Street.