Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam was a fishing village situated at the mouth of Rochor River. In the nineteenth century, it was an ethnic district with strong Malay-Arab influence. Such influence remains strong till today and it has been termed as “Muslim Quarter” due to its history.

Like "Little India" and Chinatown, Kampong Glam was restored, refurbished and now houses rows of conservation houses redeveloped as art galleries, curios shops and food eateries and restaurants.

The Malay Heritage Centre showcases the heritage, culture and history of Malay Singaporeans and their contributions towards nation-building. It is located at Sultan Gate and was once the Istana Kampong Glam, a palace built when Sir Stamford Raffles negotiated with a Sultan Hussein to set up a trading post for the British East India Company.

Arab Street is dominated by the presence of Sultan Mosque, the focal point of Islamic Singapore. Built in 1928, this is the largest mosque in Singapore and it features a good mix of architectural influences from Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle-East. The mosque has a capacity of up to 5000 Muslims.

If you wish to enter the mosque, please note that both men and women are required to be fully clothed and covered, including the arms and legs.

You may borrow a robe at the entrance of the mosque. Please be sensitive to the worshipers when taking photographs in the mosque. Best time to visit the mosque are 9am to 12noon and 2pm to 4pm.

Fronting the mosque is Bussorah Mall, where the beautifully restored shop houses sell traditional clothes, artifacts, handicraft, furniture and jewelry.

For shopping, expect to find ethnic Malay fashion wear and rattan baskets, together with a wide selection of carpets and textile and for dining, try the Malay Nasi Padang in any of the Middle-Eastern restaurants in this area.

Arab Street

You may also find more it more interesting to source for clothes and accessories behind the main streets back along Haji Lane. Check around for something unique to bring home, and see if you can bring home to some value-for-money bargains.

Haji Lane

Don’t forget to stop by and order a cup of Teh Tarik, meaning “pulled tea”. Sweetened with evaporated milk and “pulled” back and forth between a container and a glass, the process helps give the tea a rich consistency fragrance.

Have you visited Kampong Glam before, we would love to hear your great memories, would you share them with us here?.

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Other ethnic places in Singapore

Chinatown - After the founding of colonial Singapore, Chinatown flourished as the residential area for Chinese immigrants. Coolies, rickshaw pullers and samsui women were a common sight on the streets.

Little India - The moment you enter Little India, you cannot help but notice the ‘indian-ness’ of this place. The scent of spices and jasmine garlands, the shine of silverware and...

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