KAMPONG GLAM, SINGAPORE
On your trip to Singapore you will likely find it hard to choose the top places to visit in Kampong Glam (Singapore). There are so many great options Singapore has to offer. In our opinion, an absolute must, is a visit to the different neighborhoods of Singapore. This is a fantastic way to get introduced to the many ethnicities that have settled down and made Singapore their home, adding to the colorful diversity of this amazing country.
To help you out, we have made a list of all the best places to go in every neighborhood of Singapore. Starting with our personal favorite; here are the Top 5 Places to Visit in Kampong Glam (Singapore).
Marked by long traditions, colorful streets, cool shops and hip cafes, Kampong Glam is a multi-cultural neighborhood bustling with activity and options to eat, drink, shop and enjoy.
1) Must See in Kampong Glam; Sultan Mosque
Towering above the shops and buildings and welcoming you into the Kampong Glam neighborhood is the beautiful Sultan Mosque. It was built in 1824 by Sultan Hussein Shah, the first Sultan of Singapore. The distinctive and iconic golden domes of the Masjid Sultan earned it the Architectural Award of 2016. This working mosque welcomes visitors and tourists of all faiths to explore the compound on their own or as part of a guided tour. Just make sure to wear appropriate clothing respectful to the community and the house of worship. We put more information in the description below, check it out.
Visiting Information:
Admission: Free
Address: 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833
Operating Hours: Saturday to Thursday, 10:00am – 12:00pm & 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Official Site: https://www.sultanmosque.sg|
Etiquette: Wear appropriate attire to show respect. No bare backs, off-shoulders, shorts or mini-skirts. Cover-ups are provided at the entrance of the mosque. Footwear must be removed before entering the mosque.
2) Must See in Kampong Glam; Haji Lane
Could this be the narrowest street in Singapore? Maybe it is. What we know for sure is that it is a very hip and cool street. This 19th century back alley is filled with small boutiques, hip cafes, cool bars and indie shops. Thousands of visitors come to enjoy the vibe of the colorful historical buildings and quaint little shops. Most fascinating may be the impressive murals adorning the facades of this must see street in Kampong Glam, more on that later in this article. We bought some super cool souvenirs from Hygge and ate amazing ice cream around the corner at Birds Of Paradise, but if you’d like more options of great places to shop, eat or stop for a drink in Haji Lane, check out these links below.
Neighborhood guide to Haji Lane Kampong Glam: https://visitkamponggelam.com.sg/street/haji-lane/
Hygge for best souvenirs : https://shophygge.sg
Birds Of Paradise ice cream at Beach Street https://birdsofparadise.sg
3) Must See in Kampong Glam; Bussorah Street
This historical street, beautifully framed by palm trees, leads up to the famous Sultan Mosque. Take in the impressive sight of the Masjid Sultan with its golden roof as you walk through the hustle and bustle of this pedestrian street right in the center of Kampong Glam. No wonder Bussorah Street is also called Sultan Street.
Although now it is adorned with restaurants and shops on either side, once it was known for its coppersmiths. The area closest to the Sultan Mosque used to be called Kampong Kaji, or Pilgrim Village, after the pilgrims who would stop here before continuing their Haj to Mecca. Now it is a place to enjoy the Middle Eastern cuisine or shop for souvenirs like Persian rugs, hanging lamps, handicrafts or other knickknacks.
4) Must See in Kampong Glam; Murals
We are not sure if the Piedra Negra, the Mexican restaurant who commissioned this wall art, knew it was starting a whole mural art scene in Kampong Glam, but we do know that this work is impressive! This depiction of Aztecs is probably the most famous wall art mural in the neighborhood and can be found at the beginning of Haji Lane.
Artist Yin Yew Chong is the creator of this next mural. He has many mural artworks on his name in many different districts like Kampong Glam, Little India and Civic District. We came across this mural in Smith Street. But If you want to know where you can admire his newest creations, check out his website we will leave a link below. We loved this mural a lot, because, as you can see, many people pretended to be part of the familial household scene of this Chinatown family, sitting down at their table or relaxing in their chair. There are plenty more fantastic murals and wall art to be enjoyed in Kampong Glam. For a more complete list check out the links below.
Artist Yin Yew Chong: https://yipyc.com/ycs-bypictures/
Complete list of mural art work: https://visitkamponggelam.com.sg/article/wall-murals/
5) Must See in Kampong Glam; Istana Malay Heritage Center
Lastly, the Istana Kampong Glam, which translates to Palace of Kampong Glam in Malay, and was built in 1819 and was claimed for the British Crown in 1891. Although this heritage building used to be a Sultans – and later a Colonial Governor’s – House, it is was transformed into the Malay Heritage Center in 2004. Now it is a symbol of Singapore’s independence and sovereignty.
The Istana Gallery showcases the history and heritage of the Republic of Singapore with a permanent exhibition of artifacts, stories from and about the many islands that make up Singapore as well as the famous Wayang Kulit or Shadow Puppetry.
Although currently closed until 2025, we think it is absolutely a must visit place to keep in mind when traveling to Kampong Glam.
Istana Kamping Glam, heritage building and museum
Address: 85 Sultan Gate
Website: https://www.malayheritage.gov.sg/en
More Information: https://www.visitsingapore.com/neighbourhood/featured-neighbourhood/kampong-gelam/
There you have it; The Top Places to visit in Kampong Glam (Singapore)
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— Happy Wandering! Your WanderlustVana Team