Where to go in Singapore

The heart of Singapore’s high-end shopping scene, Orchard Road is 2.5km of malls, department stores, cafes and eateries. It’s a busy place day and night but especially so on weekend’s, when the shopping-mad city descends to flash the cash or just hang out. ‘Orchard’ refers to the road itself and surrounding district, which runs from Scotts Road all the way down to Dhoby Ghaut at the mouth of the historic downtown core.

Just north of Bugis is Kampong Glam, Singapore’s Islamic centre. It’s Arab influences are clear to see with the impressive Sultan Mosque sitting adjacent to carpet shops, spice traders, and shisha bars. Recent gentrification has seen a spray of funky new restaurants and boutique cocktail bars opening in recent years, but you’ll still find great bargain shopping and street art along the highly photogenic Haji Lane. The Malay Heritage Centre is also an interesting visit for those keen to learn more about regional culture.

As you’d expect, Little India is colourful, vibrantly commercial, and a little bit chaotic. Situated to the west of Kampong Glam and north of Bugis, it’s a centre for jewellery, fabrics, and Indian snacks and sweets. You’ll also find colourful Hindu and Buddhist temples, banana leaf meals, and fortune-telling parakeets. Typically for Singapore there’s a notable mix of both Indian and Chinese communities living and trading within the historic neighourhood.

Moving up the Singapore River from Marina Bay, you’ll come across historic Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. Once the epicentre of Singapore’s trading and commerce, the two Quay’s have now long lost working status – superceded by super ports in Jurong and Pasir Panjang – but have transformed themselves into nightlife hubs, housing upmarket restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Both have a full range of international dining options which evolve into rowdy drinking dens as the night progresses.