HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO LITTLE INDIA

Open 24 hours, this one-stop mega shopping mall sells everything—a paradise for bargain hunters. Mustafa Centre is housed on six floors over a 37,161 sqm area. The sheer variety of items on sale is dizzying—from perfumes to wheelchairs to leather jackets, food items, sports shoes and everything else in between. There are six entrances: visitors are recommended to enter through Entrance 1 (on Syed Alwi Road), so they only have one direction to go.

Deepavali Light up at Mustafa Centre with crowd and cars parking alongside of the road

Address: 145 Syed Alwi Road
Tel: +65 6295 5855
Website: www.mustafa.com.sg
Email: mms786@mustafa.com.sg

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO LITTLE INDIA

At its two-story building dating back to the 1920s, shoppers will find handicrafts, costume jewelry, souvenirs, Indian clothing, silks and so much more. If visitors get hungry while shopping, they can head over to the sweet shops along the area to sample a selection of Indian sweets and pastries. Travelers can also opt to get a henna tattoo done in one of the many shops within the building.

locals shopping for Saris at Little India Arcade.

Address: 48 Serangoon Road
Tel: +65 6295 5998
Website: www.littleindiaarcade.com.sg
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 9am–10pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO LITTLE INDIA

Little India has many cultural sights to behold but it is also peppered with stunning art murals that bring an artistic flair to the district. Many of the murals depict cultural symbolism specific to Little India. Some of them tell tales of the social and economic landscapes of the past and present as well.

Singaporean artists like Eunice Lim, SONG, Shah Rizal, TraseOne, street artist ZERO, Yip Yew Chong and well-known visual artist Speak Cryptic has also had a hand in adorning the neighbourhood’s facades with their work. Look out for ‘Kathaka’—the work of acclaimed Colombian graffiti artist, Didier Jaba Mathieu.

Travellers meandering through the streets of Little India will be able to uncover these picture-perfect gems. Visitors seeking out these murals can download a walking trail guide from www.artwalklittleindia.sg/walking-trail- guide

Mural Entitled "Layers" by Shah Rizzal .

“There is a story to every wall that is built. My job as a street artist is to uncover those stories.” -TraseOne,Street artist

TraseOne is highly regarded as one of the leading pioneers who is always pushing boundaries in the scene since 1999. What started as an adolescent hobby of just scrawling his name on the streets, Trase has evolved his approach in making art to create a more intellectual dialog of his work–most of which contain cleverly embedded subliminal messages. His work has won many awards in projects and exhibitions on the local and global platform.

Address: Various locations around Little India

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO LITTLE INDIA

The Abdul Gafoor Mosque was built in 1910 to serve the religious needs of South-Indian Muslim merchants and syces who were settling down in Little India at that time. Its unusual symmetry and incorporation of Indian, Arabian and European influences in its architecture sets it apart from other mosques and it was gazetted as a National Monument in 1979.

Inside, visitors will find stained glass and Arabic calligraphy adorning its walls. In 2000, the mosque underwent various reconstructions to strengthen its foundations and converted its basement to support an air-conditioned prayer hall. It has since reopened and now accommodates up to 3,000 worshippers

Frontal shot of Masjid Abdul Gaffoor Mosque

Address: 41 Dunlop Street
Tel: +65 6295 4209 Fax: +65 6293 3486
Website: www.abdulgafoormosque.sg
Email: info@abdgafoor.mosque.org.sg
Opening Hours: Mon–Thu & Sat–Sun 10am–noon, 2–5.30pm; Fri 10am–noon, 3–5.30pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO KAMPONG GLAM

The iconic Sultan Mosque, built-in 1824, is a landmark of the Kampong Glam district which attracts many who are keen to discover the culture and history of Malays, one of Singapore’s main ethnic groups. Also known as Masjid Sultan, the mosque’s name pays homage to Sultan Hussein Mohamed Shah, the first Sultan of Singapore and 18th ruler of Johor. In 1975, it was gazetted as a national monument.

The mosque’s mass prayer hall can host up to 5,000 visitors. While its two giant golden domes make for an impressive sight, their bases are adorned with glass bottle ends, which were donated by poor Muslims during its construction, so that all Muslims, not just the rich, could contribute.

Guided tours are given by multilingual docents in English, Malay, Japanese and Chinese, among other languages. Visitors can write in two months in advance to arrange for a more specific and detailed tour than a walk-in visit. Tours are subject to the availability of the presenter on the group’s chosen day and will range from 30 minutes to an hour.

Address: 3 Muscat Street
Tel: +65 6293 4405 / +65 6293 4043 Fax: +65 6293 2463
Website: www.sultanmosque.sg
Email: info@sultan.mosque.org.sg
Opening Hours: Mon–Thu, Sat & Sun 10am– noon, 2–4pm; Fri 2.30–4pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO KAMPONG GLAM

Along this stretch are some of the most beautifully-restored shophouses. The street is also known for restaurants serving nasi padang (steamed rice served with various pre-cooked dishes) and the Rich and Good Cake Shop, an old-school bakery famous for its Swiss rolls that come in local flavors like kaya (a traditional jam made from coconut and eggs), durian (a spiky tropical fruit that is unique to Southeast Asia) and mango.

Kandajar street

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO KAMPONG GLAM

A short ten-minute walk from Bugis MRT station will bring visitors to the vibrant streets of Haji Lane. The area is lined with multi-label stores, quirky boutiques as well as hip bars and cafes. Another draw to Haji Lane is the collection of street art murals in vibrant hues of blues, yellows, greens, and reds that adorn the facades of bars and stores along the street. These works were created by local and international names such as Didier Jaba Mathieu, Sheryo x The Yok and Oak.

Back alley of Haji Lane

Visitors will be able to admire these artworks as they explore Haji Lane and use them as a backdrop for Instagram- worthy photographs. Haji Lane is also home to an exciting bar scene. Visit Going Om to enjoy live music and a variety of drinks including vodka, gin, wine and beer as well as mains, bar grubs, and even desserts.

Address: Various locations within Kampong Glam

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO KAMPONG GLAM

Flanked by Victoria Street and Beach Road, Arab Street is home to trendy hangouts and shops selling brightly coloured fabrics and textiles, basketry, hand-knotted Persian rugs, aromatic Arab teas, as well as other traditional wares such as Persian carpets, kebaya dresses (a traditional blouse-dress incorporating Malay and Chinese motifs) and handmade perfumes.

A night view of crowd outside the shophouses in Arab street

The area also has many halal eateries featuring Malay and Middle Eastern cuisines. Visitors can also stop by Bajupura to rent kebayas and walk around the area to take Instagrammable photos in front of art murals and colourful architecture.

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

Tucked between Ann Siang Road and Erskine Road is one of Singapore’s most famous handmade Chinese pastry shops, Tong Heng. Besides their signature melt-in-your-mouth diamond-shaped egg tarts, other must-tries include traditional pastries such as their Baked Pork Bun and Wife Pastry.

*Being young at heart is the key to keeping traditions alive and meaningful, so that younger people can relate to Tong Heng and desire to experience what we have to offer.” - ANA FONG General Manager, Tong Heng

As the 4th generation of the family, Ana Fong has been running Tong Heng with her aunts over the past eight years. She understands the importance of upholding brand heritage and values even as she strives to sustain the pioneer Cantonese bakery that dates back to 1935. The answer thus far is to keep to the roots of Tong Heng–to create pastries that bring happiness to customers–but to speak fluently in today’s language of social and visual engagement.

Foodies can enjoy the signature diamond egg tarts from Tong Heng Confectionary in Chinatown.

Visitors can also drop by Tong Heng for their refreshing Chinese desserts like Chilled Rose Peach Gum, Warm Almond Soup, and many others. Visitors can also shop a selection of souvenirs in the form of delicious cookies in beautifully designed tins or jars of fragrant kaya (a traditional jam made from coconut and eggs)

Address: 285 South Bridge Road
Tel: +65 6223 0398 / +65 9008 0260 (Trade Contact: Ana Fong)
Website: www.tongheng.com.sg
Email: info@tongheng.sg / anafong@tongheng.sg (Trade Contact: Ana Fong)
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 9am–9pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO CHINATOWN

Built-in 1840 with the support of prominent members of the Hokkien (Chinese dialect group) community, such as philanthropist Tan Tock Seng, Thian Hock Keng Temple is one of Singapore’s oldest Chinese temples. Dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, devotees came here to give thanks and pray for safe passage across the sea.

At the temple, visitors can keep an eye out for the detailed carvings and sculptures of dragons, phoenixes, and deities, as well as the colourful porcelain on the roof ridges–a Fujianese decorating technique. Amazingly, not a single nail was used in the original construction of the temple, which is now a gazetted national monument and managed by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan.

Bookings for free guided tours covering the temple’s history, architecture, customs and faith can be made three weeks in advance. Content and duration vary depending on the season and requirements

Address: 158 Telok Ayer Street
Tel: +65 6423 4616 Fax: +65 6423 4626
Website: www.thianhockkeng.com.sg
Email: admin@shhk.com.sg
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 7.30am–5.30pm