After the original chapel on the site of the present building was destroyed by two lightning strikes in 1852, it was torn down. In its place, a cathedral with early English Gothic influences was built. Designed by Colonel Ronald MacPherson in 1856, St Andrew’s Cathedral is Singapore’s largest cathedral and the most established Anglican place of worship. Located in the bustling Civic District, where modern Singapore began, its design pays fitting tribute to key historical figures. Stained glass windows on the apse honour Singapore’s founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, and other British officials.

In 1942 during World War II, there were frequent Japanese air raids and the cathedral was used as an emergency hospital. It was gazetted as a national monument in 1973. Free guided tours are available for advance booking on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.30 am to 3 pm and on Thursday at 3 pm. Its Cathedral Café, which also acts as a welcome centre, is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

Address: 11 St Andrew’s Road
Tel: +65 6337 6104 Fax: +65 6337 6107
Website: www.cathedral.org.sg
Email: info@cathedral.org.sg
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 9am–4.30pm; Weekend opening hours are subject to service and event timings; Closed on Public Holidays

This 19th-century complex, gazetted as a National Monument in 1990, began life in Caldwell House as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, from which it derived its name. It then became a Catholic girls’ school, adding a magnificent Gothic chapel featuring intricate plasterwork, stunning archways and Belgian stained glass windows.

In 1996, after extensive restoration work, the CHIJMES complex was reopened as a converted enclave of restaurants, wine bars, and sports pubs. The chapel, now named CHIJMES Hall, is a popular venue for weddings and events.

Address: 30 Victoria Street
Tel: +65 6337 7810
Website: www.chijmes.com.sg
Email: chijmes@perennialrealestate.com.sg

Located in central downtown of Singapore, this Roman Catholic Church is the oldest in Singapore and is the seat of the current archbishop. Built in 1847, it was closed in 2013 to undergo a major restoration and reopened in November 2016. Architecture buffs will love its neo-classical look, complete with matching wooden pews, stained glass panels and 14 paintings of the Stations of the Cross. It also houses Singapore’s oldest working pipe organ, a restored Bevington and Sons organ from 1912. Interred in the church are the remains of Singapore’s first two archbishops, Michel Olçomendy and Gregory Yong, and a crypt located in the cathedral’s basement will house the remains of other bishops.

The cathedral was gazetted as a national monument in 1973. There are free heritage tours of the Cathedral on the fourth Sunday of every month at 10.30am and 7.30pm. Visit www.bit.ly/cgstour for more details.

Address: ‘A’ Queen Street
Tel: +65 6337 2036 Fax: +65 6337 6870
Website: cathedral.catholic.sg
Email: cathedral@catholic.org.sg
Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–10pm; Sat & Sun 7am–10pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO BUGIS DISTRICT

Built in 1835, the Armenian Church is Singapore’s oldest Christian church and is dedicated to St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian monk. In 1973, the building was gazetted as a national monument and restored two decades later. Renowned Irish architect George D. Coleman included a dome roof and bell turret in its original design, but these were subsequently removed for safety reasons.

Today, the building has a pitched roof and spire. Still, visitors may recognize the church’s traditional interior—its vaulted ceiling, cupola, and porticoes—as features central to what is regarded as a Coleman masterpiece. Visitors should leave time for a stroll through the serene Memorial Garden, where a commemorative tombstone of Agnes Joaquim stands. She crossbred the iconic Vanda ‘Miss Joaq Singapore’s national flower.

Address: 60 Hill Street Tel: +65 6334 0141
Website: www.armeniansinasia.org
Email: singapore@armeniansinasia.org
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 10am–6pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO BUGIS DISTRICT

Said to contain more than 600 shops and stalls across three levels peddling clothes, local street food, and beauty services, this vibrant shopping destination immerses visitors in the lively atmosphere of a bustling Pasar Malam (night market) within a covered marketplace.

The street itself was once a hotbed for transvestites and gawking sailors, but it is now teeming with local youths and bargain-hunters shopping for affordable fashion, accessories, and trinkets.

Shot features the exterior of Bugis Street Market, along Bugis Street

The two upper stories are fully air-conditioned. Tourists who are referred to Bugis Street by officially appointed tour operators will receive a free tourist goodie bag from the Bugis Street Management.

Address: 3 New Bugis Street
Tel: +65 6338 9513 Fax: +65 6339 3776
Website: www.bugisstreet.com.sg
Email: enquiries@bugisstreet.com.sg

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO LITTLE INDIA

Located at the junction of Serangoon Road and Bukit Timah Road, this is a multi-use building complex where visitors can find a wet market, food centre and shopping complex all rolled into one. Built on the site of the old Tekka Market, Tekka Centre is a good place to try out some great Indian food, such as briyani (an Indian spiced rice dish with meat or vegetables), piping-hot naans (an oven-baked flatbread), and Indian rojak (a sweet and savoury salad of vegetables, fruits and dough fritters). Shoppers can also head to Little India Arcade in the vicinity.

Address: 665 Buffalo Road

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO LITTLE INDIA

Towards the middle of Serangoon Road stands this imposing temple dedicated to Kali, Hindu goddess and destroyer of evil. The temple was established in 1855, making it one of Singapore’s oldest houses of worship. Built by the Indian pioneers who came to live and work here, this Hindu temple was the first in the Serangoon area. Visitors are welcome to witness the pooja (daily prayer ceremony). Photography is allowed, though visitors must bear in mind that this is a place of worship, so basic respect and care is necessary so as not to disturb worshippers.

A close up view of the centre upper section of the temple

Address: 141 Serangoon Road
Tel: +65 6293 4634 / +65 6295 4538
Website: www.srivkt.org
Email: admin@srivkt.org
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun 5.30am–noon, 4–9pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO LITTLE INDIA

Parallel to Serangoon Road, Jalan Besar is one of the oldest roads in Singapore. In recent years, Jalan Besar and the streets around it have become a hip enclave with a growing number of trendy boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Coffee lovers can check out Chye Seng Huat Hardware, while foodies will love the baked goodies at The Butter Studio Crafters and hobbyists will find much to occupy them at The Refinery, which houses a yakitori (grilled meat on skewers) restaurant on the first floor, a bespoke cocktail bar on the second floor and a craft workshop on the third floor.

Jalan Besar - Shophouses

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO LITTLE INDIA

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple is one of Singapore’s oldest temples, dedicated to the Hindu deity, Sri Perumal, otherwise known as Lord Vishnu. While the structure of the temple standing today was built in the 1960s, the temple’s history dates back to the 1800s. The temple constructed in 1885 was called the Narasinga Perumal Temple but was later rebuilt and reinstated as the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. Since then, it has been declared a National Monument and has undergone various redevelopments and improvements.

Façade of Sri Srinavasa Perumal Temple in Little India

Today, visitors will see various brightly coloured carvings and statues of Lord Vishnu along with other Hindu gods and goddesses adorning the temple’s façade. Inside they will find well laid out sanctums and a pillared pavilion built for the worship of processional deities

Address: 397 Serangoon Road
Tel: +65 6298 5771
Website: sspt.org.sg
Email: sspt@heb.org.sg
Opening Hours: Mon– Sun 6.15am–noon, 6–9pm

HELLO! SINGAPORE TOURS GUIDE TO LITTLE INDIA

Dating from 1822, this is the backbone of Little India and is one of Singapore’s oldest roads. The road is packed with restaurants and shops selling everything from gold jewelry and trinkets to traditional Indian clothing, incense, and spices. Visitors who want affordable, but good Indian curry should try vegetarian restaurant Komala Vilas

View of the front facade of a row of colourful shophouses along Serangoon Road