Bugis Street

Bugis Street in Singapore - once a world famous nightlife location (because of the abundance of prostitutes & gatherings of transvestites), is now Singapore’s largest shopping street, home to some 600 shops of funky fashion and lifestyle products.

The unusual name of the street comes from the bloodthirsty group of pirates that terrorized the "Straits of Singapore" before the arrival of the British .

The area around Bugis St. was the home of Singapore's Japanese community from the early 1900's right up until just after World War II, when they were "repatriated" by the British, not being allowed to return for several years later.

For many years after WW2 the area around Bugis Street was Singapore's answer to "Patpong" the notorious red light district in the heart of Bangkok ,Thailand filled with go-go bars, massage parlors, transvestites & prostitutes!.

Then, in a sweeping move started in 1985, the whole area was re-developed completely turning into a highly sanitized shopping experience for the whole family!.

Here, it is best visited in the evenings when the alleyways come alive. Feel the heat of Asian street shopping as you walk along the busy streets & view Singoporean consumerism at it's finest!..

Right across Bugis Street is Parco Bugis Junction, Singapore’s first glass-covered, air-conditioned shopping street. Here, you can find little shops selling everything from electronics to clothes, to accessories in this modern complex.

You can often see kids play with the fountain in the middle of Bugis Square.

Do drop by OG Albert. OG is a household name and an "institution" in Singapore where it’s a family one-stop store. From clothes, to cosmetics, to toys, watches and home ware, you’re bound to get what you’re looking for here.

If you need to find some electronic gadgets, do drop by Sim Lim Square,one of Singapore’s biggest shopping mall for electronics.

And while you're here, do visit Kwan Yin Thong Temple. One of the more popular temple among Chinese in Singapore, "may your wishes come true when you make a prayer here"!.

Have you visited the Bugis Street area of Singapore before, got any great shopping or sight-seeing memories to share with us?, we would love to hear from you.

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