Arab St & Bugis

Arab St and Sultan Mosque

Once the home of the Sultan of Singapore, the area around Arab Street is dominated by the huge golden dome of the Sultan Mosque. When Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore, he divided the city up into different areas for each race. The area today around the Sultan Mosque and Arab St was where he placed the Malay population and today it still exists as the centre of Islamic life in the city-state. The area’s charm lies in the friendliness of the people and the old-world style of the buildings. Today most of the buildings around the mosque have been restored but you can still get a feel for what once was. The Mosque, built in 1825, is the largest in Singapore and was built with the help of Sir Stamford Raffles originally, although it has had alterations since then. The locals encourage tourists to go inside and witness the Muslim culture at prayer and it is definitely worth the trip. Just remember to dress for the occasion – keep covered up. The area is also a great place to try the Malay food in one of the nearby kopitiam, or coffee shops. The area is also nearby Bugis so it is easy to take in the two areas at the same time. Getting there: MRT: Bugis, exit B. Bus: 2, 7, 12, 32, 33, 51, 61, 62, 63, 80, 130, 133, 145, 197, 520, 851, 961. SULTAN MOSQUE: Opening Hours: 11am-7pm daily. Prices: free of charge Tel: +65 6293 4405 (back to top)

Bugis Village

Bugis, situated near the City Hall area, gives the visitor a taste of street market life found in many other South East Asian cities. Its bustling lanes are crammed today with a market that stays open well into the night where you can find all sorts of cheap souvenirs and knick-knacks to take home. Food stalls and hawker centres are also crammed in, making it an exciting place to take a meal and relax after a day on your feet. In the old days the Bugis Street area was well known as a red-light district, but those days are long gone and today it is an area where tourists go to get a feel for the bustle of Asia. Also at Bugis is a shopping mall, Bugis Junction, that is served by an MRT station and has been beautifully built to bring back some of the old atmosphere of the area, but covered with glass and air conditioning to make the whole experience more comfortable. On a hot day check out the fountain in the courtyard where children run under the water and loving parents take one of the most popular family photographs in Singapore. A tip for those in need of food – try the food centre in the basement for a tasty and cheap Asian experience Getting there: MRT: Bugis, exit C. Bus: 2, 7, 12, 32, 51, 61, 62, 63, 80, 81, 107, 130, 133, 145, 147, 190, 197, 520, 851, 960, 980 (back to top)

Malay Heritage Centre

Housed in the former palace of Singapore’s Malay rulers, the Malay Heritage Centre is a fascinating place to visit to learn about the long history of the Malay people in the Lion City. Address: Istana Kampong Gelam, 85 Sultan Gate. Tel: +65 6391 0450. Web: www.malayheritage.org.sg. Getting there: Bugis MRT, exit B. Prices: $3.