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
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
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!
