Bugis and Kampong Glam, are a district of the city of Singapore, east of the city center.
To know
The name Bugis derives from the name of the pirates who infested the strait before the arrival of the British. The Hainanese community, famous for contributing to local cuisine, lived in the area of today's Bugis Junction before it moved to Beach Road in the early twentieth century. The area itself was inhabited by the Japanese before the Second World War, especially girls from poor areas who worked as prostitutes. This community grew until just before the war. Then when the conflict ended, the British repatriated the Japanese from Singapore and denied them access for several years to follow. Today the Japanese community is more concentrated in the area of Robertson Quay).
For a long time after the war this area was a red light district and it was not until 1985 that an extensive restoration work was carried out which transformed it into a shopping center for families.
The neighbor Kampong Glam, also known as Arab Street, was the area where Arab merchants settled at the beginning of the colonial history of the city. The original inhabitants abandoned it in the 1920s and today the Muslim community of Singapore finds itself in Geylang Serai in the East coast of Singapore.
Today there are hundreds of shops and restaurants, promenades and a bazaar that sells the cheapest t-shirts in the city. take a weekend tour to experience Singapore's consumerism at its peak.
How to orient yourself
Bugis: full screen map.
How to get
The stations Bugis is Lavender MRT stations on the East-West line are the main access points to the district. If arriving by bus from Malaysia, you will probably get off at Queen Street bus terminal or Golden Mile Complex.
The best ways to get out of Bugis are Rochor Rd is Victoria St. Walk north on Victoria Street until you see the golden domes of the Sultan's Mosque turn left on Arab St, or continue north to Lavender MRT. Alternatively go west on Rochor Road to reach Little India, very close, or go south on Victoria Street to get back to Orchard Road.
Walking east you will arrive in the areas of Kallang and Paya Lebar.
How to get around
the pedestrian areas of Albert Street and Waterloo Street make it pleasant to discover the area on foot. Getting to Kampong Glam from Bugis however is slightly longer, take any northbound bus to Victoria Road to shorten the journey.
=== By bicycle === * Wan Sports Services, Bussorah Street, 55 (Behind Sultan Mosque). It is a very popular service in Singapore. It offers mountain bikes, folding bikes and city bikes for hire. Every time you rent a bike you will be given a very useful map with routes, interesting places and much more information about Singapore. Arab Street is a very popular spot among tourists and locals and is very close to Chinatown, Little India, Orchard Road, Clark Quay, East Coast Park, Marina Barrage, Gardens by the Bay, Labrador Park, Sentosa Island and many other places that deserve to be visited.[1][2]
What see
Apart from the mosque and the temple there are few attractions in Bugis. Do as the locals do: stroll around the shop windows and stop for a snack every now and then.
- Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho, 178 Waterloo Street.
Free, but donations are accepted. Dedicated to Kuan Yin, the goddess of Mercy. According to legend, the wishes expressed here are fulfilled and that is why it is always crowded. Go inside, light some incense sticks, pray, shake a box of bamboo sticks until one comes out. Take a piece of paper with the explanation of your destiny (also written in English) and maybe take it to some other faithful for a further explanation. - Malay Heritage Center, 85 Sultan Gate. Free admission, but $ 3 for the museum.
Mon-Sat 10 am-6pm. From the outside it is beautiful but the museum inside, despite the use of some multimedia effects, is rather disappointing .. - Sultan Mosque, 3 Muscat Street (Near North Bridge Road). Free entry. Mon-Sun 9: 00-13: 00, 14: 00-16: 00. Also known as Masjid Sultan and Singapore's largest mosque, the building is easily recognized by the golden domes but there isn't much inside. Shorts, skirts, sleeveless shirts are not allowed but you can always borrow a tunic if you need it.
- Hajjah Fatimah Mosque, 4001 Beach Road. Free. Known as Masjid Hajjah Fatimah, is the second largest mosque in Singapore. It owes its name to a Malay aristocratic woman who donated the money to build it. Its design is a mix of Muslim Malaysian elements and British colonial architecture. The minaret deserves to be admired and leans slightly towards the main hall. Be careful to wear appropriate clothing for the place.
- Sri Krishnan Temple, 152 Waterloo Street. Free. Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu.
Free, but donations are accepted. Dedicated to Kuan Yin, the goddess of Mercy. According to legend, the wishes expressed here are fulfilled and that is why it is always crowded. Go inside, light some incense sticks, pray, shake a box of bamboo sticks until one comes out. Take a piece of paper with the explanation of your destiny (also written in English) and maybe take it to some other faithful for a further explanation.
Mon-Sat 10 am-6pm. From the outside it is beautiful but the museum inside, despite the use of some multimedia effects, is rather disappointing ..What to do
Shopping
Bugis is a famous place for shopping!
- Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria Street (MRT Bugis). Singapore's teen paradise. On the ground floor there are cheap and mid-range restaurants, while the Food Junction foodcourt on the third floor is above average.
- Bugis , 201 Victoria Street (Opposite side of Bugis Junction). The most recent shopping center in Bugis is also suitable for younger people as it houses more or less the same shops plus a 9-screen cinema Garde film. Worth a visit in the evening when the outside panels light up. It hosts a particular foodcourt, Ramen Champion.
TO Bugis Street there are no more bars and transvestites but there is a bazaar (Bugis Village) which really sells everything and is the cheapest place in Singapore to buy t-shirts even if for $ 2 a t-shirt and clearly the quality is in line with the price. If you haven't tried tropical fruits, check out the stands at the other end.
- ButtOn Trendy Undies, bazaar, second floor. Crazy underwear with brands like Hello Kitty and others.
Crossing Bugis Street you will arrive at the pedestrian areas of Albert Street is Waterloo StreetL. Pass along the shops that offer Buddhist paraphernalia and take a look at the two temples on Waterloo Street. Continue on to electronics paradise Sim Lim Square and beyond to Little India.
- Sin Chew Chinese Cultural Products Supermart, 192 Waterloo Street. Shop full of Buddhas and Confucian gods, very kitschy. Look at the statue of Hotei the "Laughing Buddha"; you will see a lot of people scratching his big belly to get some luck.
How Little India is Chinatown, Kampong Glam it has been renovated and restored to bring it back to life and to restore the liveliness of the past. Rows of shops on Arab Street, Baghdad Street and Bussorah Street, many of which are famous design and computer brands, art and craft galleries, food and restaurants. Traditional shops such as carpet weavers and dealers, antique dealers and artisans join together including those selling traditional games, farriers and shops selling religious items used by Muslims. TO Haji Lane, there are small local designer shops and in recent years it has become the ideal place to find second hand stuff imported from Japan and the United States.
Kampong Glam is full of restaurants, from Malaysian coffee shops and bakeries to fine European cuisine such as Le Pont De Vie. Many shops of Arab Street are specialized in batik is silk. Be ready to bargain.
- Army Market, Beach Road (Golden Mile Hawker Center). Sells extra equipment from the Singapore Armed Forces. Popular with local soldiers looking for spares or with camping and disguising enthusiasts.
- Sungei Road Thieves Market, Sungei Road (Bugis MRT). Flea market open every day but very lively on weekend afternoons. While it doesn't look as good as other Singapore markets you can find great deals.
How to have fun
Modern Bugis doesn't have many places to stop for a drink, although you can always grab a beer in the hawker center. An alternative (non-alcoholic) is to go to 'Arab Street ' and stop in an Arab cafe with a pipe shisha and a glass of mint tea.
- Blue Jaz Cafe, 11 Bali Lane, ☎ 65 62923800. $ 12 / $ 15 per course. Mon-Thu 12: 00-01: 00, Fri 12: 00-02: 00, Sat 16: 00-02: 00, Sun closed. One of the few places in Kampong Glam where alcohol is served. The biggest draw here is the relaxed atmosphere and live music, from gamut to rock to jazz. DJ and dance floor on the second floor. Popular on weekends while on Thursday nights there is Comedy Night ($ 10 admission.)
- Cafe Le Caire, 39 Arab Street, ☎ 65 62920979. Mon-Sun 10 am-5pm. Generous portions of Middle Eastern cuisine; 15 $ for the half it's enough for two, but the best is the shisha ($ 12) and the extensive tea menu. No alcohol.
- Divine, 600 North Bridge Road (Parkview Square), ☎ 65 63964466. Inside Parkview Square a collection of 3,000 bottles of wine 12 meters high. Open to all, but an elegant dress is better. Live jazz most nights, $ 80 bottles.
- Next Door Cafe, 34 Arab Street (off Beach Road), ☎ 65 6291 1351. Tue-Sun 12: 00-24: 00. 40 types of beer and thin pizzas, no air conditioning.
- Hood Bar and Cafe, Bugis # 05-07, ☎ 65 6221 8846. Mon-Mar 17: 00-01: 00, Wed-Fri 17: 00-03: 00, Sat 12: 00-03: 00, Sun 12: 00-01: 00. Great place to relax and listen to live performances from the local music scene. There are regular shows every day, and the bar food like tapas are not bad. Often frequented for a stop before or after a movie in the nearby cinema.
Where to eat
Bugis has a large variety of restaurants. Close to Arab Street you eat food halal and other Middle Eastern specialties. Golden Mile Complex, on Beach Rd, is popular with the Thai community and consequently offers the most original and affordable Thai food in town.
Moderate prices
There is a large hawker center at the intersection of Albert and Waterloo Sts, and many others around.
- Deli Moroccan, 30 Bussorah Street, ☎ 65 91215121. 5$. Singapore's best couscous and tagines at bargain prices, the most expensive dish is $ 6.50. Come early as the service is slow and they tend to finish better things right away. Avoid it on rainy days as there are few seats.
- Golden Mile Claypot Rice, Golden Mile Food Center # 01-65 (Beach Road). 5$.
- Sajis Indian Food, Blk 261 Waterloo Street # 01-29, Stall 12. About $ 3 per dish. Mon-Sun morning-19: 00, closed on the last Monday of the month. famous for the rojak Indian. Halal.
- Zam Zam, 699 North Bridge Road, ☎ 65 62987011. 5$. One of the best known in Singapore for Muslim-Malay cuisine celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008. Try the murtabak, a pancake filled with curry, or spiced rice nasi briyani.
Average prices
- Ajisen, 200 Victoria Street, Bugis Junction Park 01-01. $ 10 within reach. Mon-Sun 12: 00-22: 00. Pretty good Japanese restaurant.
- Sofra Turkish Café & Restaurant, 100 Beach Road # 02-42 / 44 (Shaw Tower), ☎ 65 6291-1433. 10/20$. Very tasty Turkish cuisine ..
- Diandin Leluk, 5001 Beach Road # 01-67 / 68 (Golden Mile Complex). 5/10$. Authentic Thai cinìbo for Thai, turn away if you can't stand spicy cuisine. The phad thai here is probably the best and cheapest in town.
- Sufi Turkish Restaurant, 48 Arab Street. Authentic Turkish cuisine in the heart of Arab Street, Sufi prepares the best kebabs in the city. Get away from the crowds and ask to sit in the back garden. Shisha for $ 12.
High prices
- The Pont de Vie, 26 Kandahar Street (near the Sultan Mosque), ☎ 65 62388682. 29$. 12:00-14:00, 18:30-22:00. Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, excellent wines at the right price.
- Olive Tree, 80 Middle Road Level 1 (InterContinental Singapore), ☎ 65 63387600. Starting at $ 30. Mediterranean cuisine, great ambiance but a little overpriced.
Where stay
There are a few hotels in Bugis and Kampong Glam, but backpackers will prefer to go to Little India.
Moderate prices
- Bugis Backpackers, 162B Rochor Road (Inside the Bugis Village). $ 25 dorm room. Great location but a little overpriced for what it offers and the staff can be a bit rude ..
- Pillow.talk Backpacker's hostel, 5 Hamilton Road (7 minutes walk from Lavender Mrt), ☎ 65 62925611. Dorms from $ 24 per single bed per night. Small, cozy and clean, a hostel with a rustic and exotic look in Moroccan style. The price includes wifi, internet, sheets, breakfast and locker.
- [link previously not working]Cozy Corner Guesthouse, 490 North Bridge Road, ☎ 65 63388826. Dorms 12/17 $, rooms 36/60 $. B.C. Internet.
- [link not working]Royal Backpackers, 67 Jalan Besar Singapore 208814, ☎ 65 6299 1912, @[email protected]. Clean and friendly, free Internet, wifi, air conditioning. Free for children under 6 and over 65.
- Sleepy Sam's, 55 Bussorah Street (near the Sultan Mosque). Bed in dormitory $ 28. Great location and very friendly staff.
Average prices
- Beach Hotel Singapore, 95 Beach Road, ☎ 65 63367712. Starting at $ 130. 5 minutes walk from Bugis MRT.
- [link not working]Golden Landmark Hotel, 390 Victoria Street, ☎ 65 62972828. 120$. Check in: 18-06-2008, check-out: 28-06-2008. Comfortable 3-star hotel within walking distance of Raffles Hospital.
- Harbor Ville Hotel, 512 Kampong Bahru Road, ☎ 65 62712771. From SGD 125.00. 100 rooms with air conditioning and hot water and telephone. It also has a gym, concierge and parking.
- Ibis Singapore, 170 Bencoolen Street, ☎ 65 65932888. From 121 $. Opened in 2008, it is the first in Singapore of this French chain.
- [link not working]Park View Hotel, 81 Beach Road, ☎ 65 63388558. 110$. Normal hotel. The cheaper rooms have no windows.
- South East Asia Hotel, 190 Waterloo Street, ☎ 65 63382394. Double: $ 100, Triple: $ 118. Affordable and comfortable hotel in the pedestrian shopping area of Waterloo Street, 5 minutes from Bugis MRT and on the corner of Sim Lim Square.
High prices
- InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road (MRT Bugis), ☎ 65 63387600. 380$. A Bugis Junction itself modern hotel in a colonial style building.
How to keep in touch
Internet
- Sun Byrd, # 01-21 The Bencoolen, 180 Bencoolen Street (Opposite side of Sim Lim). Broadband Internet for $ 1.20 every 30 minutes.
Around
For more cultural aspects, head to Chinatown or Little India. More exclusive shops are available at Orchard Road is Marina Bay. You can also visit the Singapore Nature Reserve or Zoo at the Singapore area Northwest Singapore. Also, you can visit Johor Bahru by bus 170 or Causeway link to Queen Street Terminal.
