Named after the Gelam tree which used to grow in the area, Kampong Glam was the historic seat of Malay royalty in Singapore. Kampong Glam is derived from two Malay words, Kampong, meaning "village" or "settlement", and Glam (or Gelam) referring to the variety of Gelam tree growing in that area. It is a centre for Muslim activities and the Sultan Mosque remains a major landmark and congregation point for Singapore Muslims.
To this day, Kampong Glam still retains strong ties to the ethnic-Malay and Muslim community, and has sometimes been termed the "Muslim Quarter" due to its history. The Muslim population still remains a significant presence in Kampong Glam, especially in Bussorah Street.
Kids like us are always curious and ready for new experience! So off we go, set off for our first rich and educational experience of the Malay culture! Like all adventurers, we did our homework and some research! We found out that if we are hungry halfway through the walk, there is always Restoran Tepak Sireh, a restaurant in a restored bungalow which offers halal food and cultural performances available in a charming historical district. Sometimes if you’re lucky, you may even dine with guests at a royal-style Malay wedding!
Opposite the Malay Heritage Centre’s side gate, there is a well-known eatery known as Rumah Makan Minang that is popular among the locals. They serve authentic Indonesian Cuisine and many others.
There are also other restaurants around the area such as Wisury that serves Padang Cuisine and Zam Zam Restaurant.
After you’re done with your rest and satisfying meal at these popular eateries, one can also head down to the majestic Sultan Mosque, a national monument with a distinct and historically rich architecture that is also famous for its beauty.
Because we were not in proper attire that day, we decided not to visit the Sultan Mosque. So please note that if you’re going to enter any religious centers, dress appropriately to show respect for others’ religions!
Having done admiring the beauty of the mosque (from the outside, sadly), we walked over to Bussorah Pedestrian Mall in Kampong Glam, where many of the old shophouses had been refurbished, bringing back the vibrancy and beauty of the area. No worries of getting lost because they are always signboards around to facilitate our tour!
Many of these shophouses sold items such as traditional clothes, artefacts, handicrafts, furniture and jewellry. Needless to say, along the mall there are also exclusive restaurants and established eating outlets offering a range of favourite local fares to international cuisines.
Being the crazy shopaholics that we were, the group of us went crazy when we saw many good deals and attractive products such as their hand-made handbags. The handbags were not only pretty but also unique in its own way as they are made by weaving canes together. It was nice to know that such traditional art appreciation is still known and appreciated to this day where everyone seeks for only material goods.
Walking on, we saw a very cute shop that displayed many traditional toys like Chapteh, Sepak Takraw Crane Ball, Five Stones, and many more.
Curiousity got the better of us and we decided to go in to explore around the shop. We were so fascinated by the antiques in the shop such as the gramophone, jukebox and the jackpot machine that can be found in the olden days and many more.
The last shop that we went was one that sold puppets, masks, Malay knife (keris), Malay traditional games, colourful batik cloths, and not forgetting their traditional music instruments such as drums and many others.
It was interesting to see the different types of cultural arts that the Malays have, such as the puppets and their traditional musical instruments and also their unique and exciting games, and how these arts play such an important role in their life.
With that, we ended our tour around Bussorah Street and headed over to the next highlight of Kampong Glam: Arab Street, a place where every tourist must go when they come to visit Kampong Glam!
Arab Street today is a key Muslim centre in Singapore. It used to be main selling place of Muslim men’s headgear (or songkok), the holy Quran, prayer mats and textiles. Rows of conserved shophouses can be found in Arab Street, Baghdad Street.
Spices, textiles, basketry items and lavish fashion items such as lace, precious stones and diamantes are sold along this row of shophouses with five-foot way at Arab Street. Because we rarely see these items, we tried out some of the items and took pictures!
Arab Street is now more known for the fabrics the vendors sell out of the old shophouses. A great place to go if you want or need fabric/silk! And be overwhelmed by the stunning variety of glorious fabrics in every imaginable texture and colour!
"As Kampong Glam is a large area comprising of many buildings, shop houses and food eateries, I found plenty of things to see and explore. There is lots of Malay food available there as well as many shops selling a wide variety of interesting and uniquely Malay souvenirs. The Sultan’s palace is also located within Kampong Glam and is a must see as it represents the authority and royalty of Singapore’s sultan in the past before the government became the main ruling power. Overall, Kampong Glam is a good place to enjoy original Malay food as well as bring home lots of uniquely Malay souvenirs like a toy croaking frog that does not need batteries to croak." Weiminh
“This trip was a very fun-filled and memorable experience for me, and definitely an eye-opener as I learned a lot about the Malay’s unique culture. Definitely a must- go place for tourists who wants to be immersed in the rich Malay cultural experience and also to get their shopping done!” Weiling
“Kampong Glam is a place filled with rich cultural atmosphere and I really enjoyed my trip there! Basically I learnt a lot more about the Malay race, and I think it’s a whole new experience which made a lot of difference to my initial knowledge of the Malays. I’ll definitely view things in a different perspective now.” Sindy
As many people know, Singapore has a diverse multi-racial population, with each of its unique races. Throughout the years, Malays have always held on to their immensely rich cultural legacy. In order to venture and find out more about their culture and heritage, our group organized an educational field trip, with intentions of widening our cultural knowledge of Singapore!
For a kick start, we headed off to Malay Heritage Centre for a fun-filled and enriching cultural experience! Malay Heritage Centre wasn’t all that hard to locate unlike what we expected! Tourists can come up from Exit 5 of Bugis Mrt Station and walk all the way towards Arab Street. You should walk pass Jalan Pinang and finally reaching Jalan Kledek. Thereafter, cross over to the other side of the road and you’ll find Malay Heritage Centre, also known as Istana Kampong Glam.
At the side entrance of the Malay Heritage Centre, video of Malay Culture is being played to attract visitors to drop by the place for a tour.
Upon entering the Centre, tourists will come in view with the various Malay structures such as the Bugis Sailing Crafts and Traditional Indonesian’s Minangkabau Palace. No fear from the scorching sun because trees like Pokok Gelam can provide shade as they are grown everywhere in the area.
What’s best is, the admission price is cheap! $3 for adults and off we go, ready to immerse into the Malay Heritage and Culture @ the Malay Heritage Centre! Stepping into the Malay Heritage Museum, we were totally awed by the showcases of the history of Malays in the region, social and economic development, as well as their contribution and aspiration towards nation-building.
Walking into the Gallery foyer, we saw many Malay historical artefacts as well as the material culture of the Malays as a Maritime society. At the centre of the gallery, video about the History of the Malays in Singapore was being screened. Watching the video reminds us of Asian ancestors’ past, as the commentator vividly explain the history in both Malay and English languages. Exhibit of the Malay boats Perahu Melayu made us realized that boats were really critical to the maritime people in the past.
Proceeding to the next room in anticipation, we were soon thrilled over the fascinating aspects of Singapore in the olden days and also the showcase of the colonial policies! Definitely not to be missed is the unique 3D model of the Malay settlement in Singapore in 1819 at the centre of the room. I’m sure tourists will definitely not miss the unique piece!
Don't worry if you’re exhausted by all the walking because school furniture was provided for us to rest. And if you think it’s just normal furniture… You are so wrong! Such furniture was commonly found in the Madrasahs and Malay Schools in the early 1960s to late 1970s, and it is preserved in such mint condition that it does not look like a 30 years old piece!
Having done resting, we took off to the next room where there were several paintings of the Malays and also a computer set that allows access to the history, life and events of Kampong Glam in the past. A huge mural painting on the wall depicts the tragic fire which razed Kampong Glam on the fateful day of Feb 12 1847. Melancholy music was playing in the background, blending with the poem of Munsyi Abdullah capturing in amazing details the events on that day, to depict a mournful mood.
Continuing our journey, we headed to the 2nd floor galleries whereby there was a showcase of the potteries as well as the traditional Malay costume. We entered the era of Malay Cultural Expressions in 1964 where movie and film making was in rage. We came in view with the director set next room and videos showing productions of P.Ramlee, the iconic character of Malay entertainment. It was an interesting sight to witness the various equipments used for film making. What fascinates us more was the progression of such cultural arts throughout the years.
Gallery 7 shows us the independence and the road to nationhood whereby living conditions was improved, advancing to the modern society. This brought along the creation of the Singapore National Anthem by Mr. Zubir Said and the improvements to the high-rise flats in Singapore. Walking into the last section of the gallery, we were amazed by the interior of the revamped high-rise flats of the past. The internal furniture and structure give a sense of optimism, bringing about a cozy and heartwarming atmosphere as we sat in the “living room”, picturing ourselves living in the house.
It was definitely a great eye-opener for all of us as we indulge in the rich cultural heritage of the Malay people in Singapore. For one, we had a wonderful time walking through the kampong setting and reliving the old living conditions of the Malay community and its transformation to modern Singapore today.
Walking around the compound, you get to see a nicely preserved carriage and also the scent garden found at the backyard of the Istana grounds. The Scent Garden houses plants such as the banana plant, pandan plant and other varieties.
Malay Heritage Centre also has Batik-Painting Workshops and Pottery workshops where you can learn pottery from Singapore’s most renowned potter Mr Iskandar Jalil, where it is available on every Monday and Tuesday. There are also regular cultural shows that allow visitors to have a chance to play the various traditional magical instruments and to learn some Malay dance moves.
Some Details of the Malay Heritage Centre Opening hours
Museum: Mondays: 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm, Tuesdays to Sundays: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm (Last entrance at 5.30 pm)
Group, corporate and special discounts are available, please call 6391 0467 for details.
“Malay Heritage Centre is the perfect place to learn about the life, development and contribution of the Malay population! I felt like I’ve understood a lot more about the culture, heritage and definitely the various forms of arts of the Malays! It’s a total new experience!” Sindy
"I feel that the Malay Heritage Centre is a very interesting and great way to learn more about the past history of Malays living in Singapore. There are lots of guides in the form of audio recording along the way to help you understand and provide you with more interesting tidbits on the Malay heritage in Singapore. There are also lots of ancient Malay artifacts that are very well preserved located and displayed inside the Malay heritage centre, one of my personal favorite being a gigantic map of the world with miniature life-like sizes of boats and ships encased inside a large glass cabinet. Overall, this is definitely the place to visit if you want to unravel the mysteries and stories behind the history of the Malay heritage in Singapore." Weiminh
“Overall, the trip to the Malay Heritage Centre really left a very deep impression on me. Not only did I learn about the history of Malays in Singapore in the past, but also their unique culture and their way of life. The thing that left the greatest impression was the mural painting of the tragic fire that razed through kampong glam in the late 1840s. Furthermore, the affordable price for the admission ticket was very worth it as I really learn a lot during the walk throughout the museum. Therefore, I think the Malay Heritage Centre is a must place to go for people who wants to know more about the Malay heritage in Singapore as well as their history.” Weiling
Named after the Gelam tree which used to grow in the area, Kampong Glam was the historic seat of Malay royalty in Singapore. Kampong Glam is derived from two Malay words, Kampong, meaning "village" or "settlement", and Glam (or Gelam) referring to the variety of Gelam tree growing in that area. It is a centre for Muslim activities and the Sultan Mosque remains a major landmark and congregation point for Singapore Muslims.
To this day, Kampong Glam still retains strong ties to the ethnic-Malay and Muslim community, and has sometimes been termed the "Muslim Quarter" due to its history. The Muslim population still remains a significant presence in Kampong Glam, especially in Bussorah Street.
Kids like us are always curious and ready for new experience! So off we go, set off for our first rich and educational experience of the Malay culture! Like all adventurers, we did our homework and some research! We found out that if we are hungry halfway through the walk, there is always Restoran Tepak Sireh, a restaurant in a restored bungalow which offers halal food and cultural performances available in a charming historical district. Sometimes if you’re lucky, you may even dine with guests at a royal-style Malay wedding!
Opposite the Malay Heritage Centre’s side gate, there is a well-known eatery known as Rumah Makan Minang that is popular among the locals. They serve authentic Indonesian Cuisine and many others.
There are also other restaurants around the area such as Wisury that serves Padang Cuisine and Zam Zam Restaurant.
After you’re done with your rest and satisfying meal at these popular eateries, one can also head down to the majestic Sultan Mosque, a national monument with a distinct and historically rich architecture that is also famous for its beauty.
Because we were not in proper attire that day, we decided not to visit the Sultan Mosque. So please note that if you’re going to enter any religious centers, dress appropriately to show respect for others’ religions!
Having done admiring the beauty of the mosque (from the outside, sadly), we walked over to Bussorah Pedestrian Mall in Kampong Glam, where many of the old shophouses had been refurbished, bringing back the vibrancy and beauty of the area. No worries of getting lost because they are always signboards around to facilitate our tour!
Many of these shophouses sold items such as traditional clothes, artefacts, handicrafts, furniture and jewellry. Needless to say, along the mall there are also exclusive restaurants and established eating outlets offering a range of favourite local fares to international cuisines.
Being the crazy shopaholics that we were, the group of us went crazy when we saw many good deals and attractive products such as their hand-made handbags. The handbags were not only pretty but also unique in its own way as they are made by weaving canes together. It was nice to know that such traditional art appreciation is still known and appreciated to this day where everyone seeks for only material goods.
Walking on, we saw a very cute shop that displayed many traditional toys like Chapteh, Sepak Takraw Crane Ball, Five Stones, and many more.
Curiousity got the better of us and we decided to go in to explore around the shop. We were so fascinated by the antiques in the shop such as the gramophone, jukebox and the jackpot machine that can be found in the olden days and many more.
The last shop that we went was one that sold puppets, masks, Malay knife (keris), Malay traditional games, colourful batik cloths, and not forgetting their traditional music instruments such as drums and many others.
It was interesting to see the different types of cultural arts that the Malays have, such as the puppets and their traditional musical instruments and also their unique and exciting games, and how these arts play such an important role in their life.
With that, we ended our tour around Bussorah Street and headed over to the next highlight of Kampong Glam: Arab Street, a place where every tourist must go when they come to visit Kampong Glam!
Arab Street today is a key Muslim centre in Singapore. It used to be main selling place of Muslim men’s headgear (or songkok), the holy Quran, prayer mats and textiles. Rows of conserved shophouses can be found in Arab Street, Baghdad Street.
Spices, textiles, basketry items and lavish fashion items such as lace, precious stones and diamantes are sold along this row of shophouses with five-foot way at Arab Street. Because we rarely see these items, we tried out some of the items and took pictures!
Arab Street is now more known for the fabrics the vendors sell out of the old shophouses. A great place to go if you want or need fabric/silk! And be overwhelmed by the stunning variety of glorious fabrics in every imaginable texture and colour!
"As Kampong Glam is a large area comprising of many buildings, shop houses and food eateries, I found plenty of things to see and explore. There is lots of Malay food available there as well as many shops selling a wide variety of interesting and uniquely Malay souvenirs. The Sultan’s palace is also located within Kampong Glam and is a must see as it represents the authority and royalty of Singapore’s sultan in the past before the government became the main ruling power. Overall, Kampong Glam is a good place to enjoy original Malay food as well as bring home lots of uniquely Malay souvenirs like a toy croaking frog that does not need batteries to croak." Weiminh
“This trip was a very fun-filled and memorable experience for me, and definitely an eye-opener as I learned a lot about the Malay’s unique culture. Definitely a must- go place for tourists who wants to be immersed in the rich Malay cultural experience and also to get their shopping done!” Weiling
“Kampong Glam is a place filled with rich cultural atmosphere and I really enjoyed my trip there! Basically I learnt a lot more about the Malay race, and I think it’s a whole new experience which made a lot of difference to my initial knowledge of the Malays. I’ll definitely view things in a different perspective now.” Sindy
As many people know, Singapore has a diverse multi-racial population, with each of its unique races. Throughout the years, Malays have always held on to their immensely rich cultural legacy. In order to venture and find out more about their culture and heritage, our group organized an educational field trip, with intentions of widening our cultural knowledge of Singapore!
For a kick start, we headed off to Malay Heritage Centre for a fun-filled and enriching cultural experience! Malay Heritage Centre wasn’t all that hard to locate unlike what we expected! Tourists can come up from Exit 5 of Bugis Mrt Station and walk all the way towards Arab Street. You should walk pass Jalan Pinang and finally reaching Jalan Kledek. Thereafter, cross over to the other side of the road and you’ll find Malay Heritage Centre, also known as Istana Kampong Glam.
At the side entrance of the Malay Heritage Centre, video of Malay Culture is being played to attract visitors to drop by the place for a tour.
Upon entering the Centre, tourists will come in view with the various Malay structures such as the Bugis Sailing Crafts and Traditional Indonesian’s Minangkabau Palace. No fear from the scorching sun because trees like Pokok Gelam can provide shade as they are grown everywhere in the area.
What’s best is, the admission price is cheap! $3 for adults and off we go, ready to immerse into the Malay Heritage and Culture @ the Malay Heritage Centre! Stepping into the Malay Heritage Museum, we were totally awed by the showcases of the history of Malays in the region, social and economic development, as well as their contribution and aspiration towards nation-building.
Walking into the Gallery foyer, we saw many Malay historical artefacts as well as the material culture of the Malays as a Maritime society. At the centre of the gallery, video about the History of the Malays in Singapore was being screened. Watching the video reminds us of Asian ancestors’ past, as the commentator vividly explain the history in both Malay and English languages. Exhibit of the Malay boats Perahu Melayu made us realized that boats were really critical to the maritime people in the past.
Proceeding to the next room in anticipation, we were soon thrilled over the fascinating aspects of Singapore in the olden days and also the showcase of the colonial policies! Definitely not to be missed is the unique 3D model of the Malay settlement in Singapore in 1819 at the centre of the room. I’m sure tourists will definitely not miss the unique piece!
Don't worry if you’re exhausted by all the walking because school furniture was provided for us to rest. And if you think it’s just normal furniture… You are so wrong! Such furniture was commonly found in the Madrasahs and Malay Schools in the early 1960s to late 1970s, and it is preserved in such mint condition that it does not look like a 30 years old piece!
Having done resting, we took off to the next room where there were several paintings of the Malays and also a computer set that allows access to the history, life and events of Kampong Glam in the past. A huge mural painting on the wall depicts the tragic fire which razed Kampong Glam on the fateful day of Feb 12 1847. Melancholy music was playing in the background, blending with the poem of Munsyi Abdullah capturing in amazing details the events on that day, to depict a mournful mood.
Continuing our journey, we headed to the 2nd floor galleries whereby there was a showcase of the potteries as well as the traditional Malay costume. We entered the era of Malay Cultural Expressions in 1964 where movie and film making was in rage. We came in view with the director set next room and videos showing productions of P.Ramlee, the iconic character of Malay entertainment. It was an interesting sight to witness the various equipments used for film making. What fascinates us more was the progression of such cultural arts throughout the years.
Gallery 7 shows us the independence and the road to nationhood whereby living conditions was improved, advancing to the modern society. This brought along the creation of the Singapore National Anthem by Mr. Zubir Said and the improvements to the high-rise flats in Singapore. Walking into the last section of the gallery, we were amazed by the interior of the revamped high-rise flats of the past. The internal furniture and structure give a sense of optimism, bringing about a cozy and heartwarming atmosphere as we sat in the “living room”, picturing ourselves living in the house.
It was definitely a great eye-opener for all of us as we indulge in the rich cultural heritage of the Malay people in Singapore. For one, we had a wonderful time walking through the kampong setting and reliving the old living conditions of the Malay community and its transformation to modern Singapore today.
Walking around the compound, you get to see a nicely preserved carriage and also the scent garden found at the backyard of the Istana grounds. The Scent Garden houses plants such as the banana plant, pandan plant and other varieties.
Malay Heritage Centre also has Batik-Painting Workshops and Pottery workshops where you can learn pottery from Singapore’s most renowned potter Mr Iskandar Jalil, where it is available on every Monday and Tuesday. There are also regular cultural shows that allow visitors to have a chance to play the various traditional magical instruments and to learn some Malay dance moves.
Some Details of the Malay Heritage Centre Opening hours
Museum: Mondays: 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm, Tuesdays to Sundays: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm (Last entrance at 5.30 pm)
Group, corporate and special discounts are available, please call 6391 0467 for details.
“Malay Heritage Centre is the perfect place to learn about the life, development and contribution of the Malay population! I felt like I’ve understood a lot more about the culture, heritage and definitely the various forms of arts of the Malays! It’s a total new experience!” Sindy
"I feel that the Malay Heritage Centre is a very interesting and great way to learn more about the past history of Malays living in Singapore. There are lots of guides in the form of audio recording along the way to help you understand and provide you with more interesting tidbits on the Malay heritage in Singapore. There are also lots of ancient Malay artifacts that are very well preserved located and displayed inside the Malay heritage centre, one of my personal favorite being a gigantic map of the world with miniature life-like sizes of boats and ships encased inside a large glass cabinet. Overall, this is definitely the place to visit if you want to unravel the mysteries and stories behind the history of the Malay heritage in Singapore." Weiminh
“Overall, the trip to the Malay Heritage Centre really left a very deep impression on me. Not only did I learn about the history of Malays in Singapore in the past, but also their unique culture and their way of life. The thing that left the greatest impression was the mural painting of the tragic fire that razed through kampong glam in the late 1840s. Furthermore, the affordable price for the admission ticket was very worth it as I really learn a lot during the walk throughout the museum. Therefore, I think the Malay Heritage Centre is a must place to go for people who wants to know more about the Malay heritage in Singapore as well as their history.” Weiling
CHINATOWN HERITAGE CENTRE This was a fascinating museum. More than simply galleries of objects on display, this museum recreates what life was like for Chinese inhabitants of Singapore at the turn of the century. I learned more here about the real history of Singapore than anywhere else. It was one of the most worthwhile things to do in the country. It is very easy to find in Chinatown, affordable, and takes only 45 mins to an hour to visit the entire museum.
- kellyfromcanada, Canada
CHINATOWN China town's a cool place to walk along if you are free. The structure of the buildings is incredibly astonishing... Not to mention the food centre is really good and serves varieties of food... You guys must give the claypot a try. Can’t exactly remember which one, there are around 3 or so there, but all are really good. Also, not to mention, there are stalls that sells really cheap CDs jumping off from $6. Originals!
- Giselle, New York
The colorfully painted shophouses and covered sidewalks (called 5-foot ways) are lovely, and you can catch glimpses of the men's social groups and kitchens behind the scenes. Also, don't miss going into a Chinese herbalist shop or two - they're astounding. I was there the weekend after Chinese New Year's, and it was really quiet. If you are in Singapore mid-Jan, though, leading up to New Year's, it's incredibly lively and mad with people.
- Laetitia, France
ASIAN CIVILISATION MUSEUM I especially loved the stuff on the history of Singapore. Fascinating conglomeration of cultures there. There are tidbits of many different asian cultures here - not a whole lot of depth in any one of them. But the interpretive material is engaging and some of the artifacts are jaw-dropping. This was the only museum I went to while I was in Singapore, and it was definitely worth it.
- A TripAdvisor Member
I found this place without much problem as it’s located near the Raffles Place MRT. The exhibits were interesting as I found that some of the cultures have stronger influences than the rest. There are well-placed self-help guides and detailed information for each exhibit. Walking around is a breeze and there are benches available for those who are tired.
I like the fact that the place is wheelchair friendly. However, some of the exhibits for interaction aren’t that friendly for wheelchairs which is a pity.You can even place your bags in the lockers provided so you can roam around with less things to carry.
- Wishbone, England
ARAB STREET
Arab Street is a street not to be missed in Kampong Glam. The shopkeepers of Molkan Fabrics (72 Arab Street) are friendly and helpful. Also worth getting on Arab Street are the rattan knick-knacks - baskets, hand-bags
- Saleh, Malaysia
● he-artsculturesg.blogspot.com ●
About Singapore
Being the smallest nation in the Southeast Asia, Singapore is an acclaimed tourist hub of the world. She provides an extensive and vast array of options for sightseeing. Rich ethnic and religious diversity of this place ensures that wide range of places and activities are available to cater to the tourists visiting Singapore.
The population of Singapore comprises mostly of Chinese, followed by Malay and Indians. Four official languages that are widely spoken are Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English.
What is so unique about Singapore? (Read on to find out what others think.)
Top row (from left to right): Yiping, Huimin, Sindy, Weiminh
Bottom row (from left to right): Weiling, Grace
Behind the scenes: We're your dedicated bloggers bringing your way an enriching and fun-filled arts, heritage and cultural journey! Currently Year 1 students from the Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management in Temasek Polytechnic.
Kids like us are always curious and ready for new experience! So off we go, set off for our first rich and educational experience of the Malay culture! Like all adventurers, we did our homework and some research! We found out that if we are hungry halfway through the walk, there is always 
There are also other restaurants around the area such as 
Because we were not in proper attire that day, we decided not to visit the Sultan Mosque. So 
Many of these shophouses sold items such as traditional clothes, artefacts, handicrafts, furniture and jewellry. Needless to say, along the mall there are also exclusive restaurants and established eating outlets offering a range of favourite local fares to international cuisines.
Being the crazy shopaholics that we were, the group of us went crazy when we saw many good deals and attractive products such as their hand-made handbags. The handbags were not only pretty but also unique in its own way as they are made by weaving canes together. It was nice to know that such traditional art appreciation is still known and appreciated to this day where everyone seeks for only material goods.
Walking on, we saw a very cute shop that displayed many traditional toys like Chapteh, Sepak Takraw Crane Ball, Five Stones, and many more.
It was interesting to see the different types of cultural arts that the Malays have, such as the puppets and their traditional musical instruments and also their unique and exciting games, and how these arts play such an important role in their life.
With that, we ended our tour around Bussorah Street and headed over to the next highlight of Kampong Glam: 
Arab Street today is a key Muslim centre in Singapore. It used to be main selling place of Muslim men’s headgear (or songkok), the holy Quran, prayer mats and textiles. Rows of conserved shophouses can be found in Arab Street, Baghdad Street.
Spices, textiles, basketry items and lavish fashion items such as lace, precious stones and diamantes are sold along this row of shophouses with five-foot way at Arab Street. Because we rarely see these items, we tried out some of the items and took pictures!
Arab Street is now more known for the fabrics the vendors sell out of the old shophouses. A great place to go if you want or need fabric/silk! And be overwhelmed by the stunning variety of glorious fabrics in every imaginable texture and colour!
For a kick start, we headed off to Malay Heritage Centre for a fun-filled and enriching cultural experience! Malay Heritage Centre wasn’t all that hard to locate unlike what we expected! Tourists can come up from Exit 5 of Bugis Mrt Station and walk all the way towards Arab Street. You should walk pass Jalan Pinang and finally reaching Jalan Kledek. Thereafter, cross over to the other side of the road and you’ll find Malay Heritage Centre, also known as Istana Kampong Glam. 
Upon entering the Centre, tourists will come in view with the various Malay structures such as the Bugis Sailing Crafts and Traditional Indonesian’s Minangkabau Palace. No fear from the scorching sun because trees like Pokok Gelam can provide shade as they are grown everywhere in the area. 
Walking into the Gallery foyer, we saw many Malay historical artefacts as well as the material culture of the Malays as a Maritime society. At the centre of the gallery, video about the History of the Malays in Singapore was being screened. Watching the video reminds us of Asian ancestors’ past, as the commentator vividly explain the history in both Malay and English languages. Exhibit of the Malay boats Perahu Melayu made us realized that boats were really critical to the maritime people in the past.
Proceeding to the next room in anticipation, we were soon thrilled over the fascinating aspects of Singapore in the olden days and also the showcase of the colonial policies! Definitely not to be missed is the unique 3D model of the Malay settlement in Singapore in 1819 at the centre of the room. I’m sure tourists will definitely not miss the unique piece!
Don't worry if you’re exhausted by all the walking because school furniture was provided for us to rest. And if you think it’s just normal furniture… You are so wrong! Such furniture was commonly found in the Madrasahs and Malay Schools in the early 1960s to late 1970s, and it is preserved in such mint condition that it does not look like a 30 years old piece!
Gallery 7 shows us the independence and the road to nationhood whereby living conditions was improved, advancing to the modern society. This brought along the creation of the Singapore National Anthem by Mr. Zubir Said and the improvements to the high-rise flats in Singapore. Walking into the last section of the gallery, we were amazed by the interior of the revamped high-rise flats of the past. The internal furniture and structure give a sense of optimism, bringing about a cozy and heartwarming atmosphere as we sat in the “living room”, picturing ourselves living in the house.
It was definitely a great eye-opener for all of us as we indulge in the rich cultural heritage of the Malay people in Singapore. For one, we had a wonderful time walking through the kampong setting and reliving the old living conditions of the Malay community and its transformation to modern Singapore today.
Walking around the compound, you get to see a nicely preserved carriage and also the scent garden found at the backyard of the Istana grounds. 
Malay Heritage Centre also has 
