East coast of Singapore is a district of the city of Singapore.
To know
The East Coast of Singapore is essentially residential and has few attractions, many tourists pass through it on their way out and going to Changi Airport. But for the inhabitants the main attraction are the 20 kilometers of white beach and the cuisine: in fact, here are some of the symbols of local cuisine. The Malaysian community is based in Geylang Serai, traces of the Peranakan culture can still be found in Katong, and on the East Coast is also the last memory of Singapore's past, the small island of Pulau Ubin.
Here it is also found Tampines, an essentially residential area with areas such as Bedok, Simei, Changi, Pasir Ris and the Eastern Islands. Tampines until 1979 was a sandy area and was part of the military training area. Construction began in 1978, Simei in 1985, Pasir Ris in 1989 while the oldest, Bedok, began in 1973. The construction of New Tampines City and the Tampines Gateway will finish in 2016. This will renovate the area, connecting to the Downtown Line of the MRT.
While the northeastern part of Singapore is made up of the neighborhoods of Serangoon, Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol, and the private areas of Serangoon Gardens and Montfort School.
How to orient yourself
East coast of Singapore: full screen map.
How to get
There East West Line it runs along the north slope, stopping in Kallang on the way to Kembangan.
There North East Line towards Sengkang and Punggol on the north coast of the island, but there are no particularly interesting places.
To go south there is Circle Line, stops at Dakota, Mountbatten and Stadiu stations and passes only parts of Bartley, Serangoon and Lorong Chuan.
The Sengkang LRT and Punggol LRT (east only) are a branch of the North East Line.
- For Tampines
The East West Line passes through Pasir Ris with interchange stations at Tanah Merah, towards Expo and Changi Airport.
The Downtown Line will open in 2017, towards Tampines West (Huang Wen Station), Tampines, Tampines East (Emily Sng Station), Upper Changi (Somapah) and Expo.
By car you can arrive via the Pan Island Expressway (towards Changi Airport), East Coast Parkway (towards Changi Airport) eTampines Expressway (towards Punggol). The buses running here are 10, 27, 28, 34 and 67.
How to get around
What see
Tour guides recommend Arab Street nearby Bugis, but Geylang Serai it is the real home of the Malaysian community. In particular, during the Islamic month of Ramadan to Hari Raya Puasa (Eid ul-Fitr), the whole area lights up as people eat and shop after sunset.
- Malay Village, 39 Geylang Serai.
10$. 
10:00-22:00. Reconstruction of a Malaysian village in the heart of Geylang. The village was then replaced by a civic center at the behest of the Government, with the intention of renovating the area while maintaining local traditions.
10$. 
10:00-22:00. Reconstruction of a Malaysian village in the heart of Geylang. The village was then replaced by a civic center at the behest of the Government, with the intention of renovating the area while maintaining local traditions.
The other historical area of the East Coast is that of Katong is Joo Chiat, where you will find shops specializing in Peranakan cuisine and crafts. Quite far from Eunos MRT station, but can be reached by bus 12 from Bugis.
- Kim Choo, 109/111 East Coast Road, ☎ 65 67412125. Old Peranakan shop, famous for dumplings kueh chang, have opened the second floor for tourists, with an adjoining restaurant and souvenir shop. Even though a lot of what you see comes from China, some things are still done in Singapore.
- Koon Seng Road. Between Joo Chiat and Still Rds are some of Singapore's most beautiful and distinctive shops.
- In Tampines
- Changi Chapel and Museum, 1000 Upper Changi Road North (Bus 29 from Tampines MRT or bus 2 from Tanah Merah). Free entry. Mon-Fri 9: 30-16: 30. The memorial of the Japanese prison camp during the Second World War. It is a reconstruction and serves as a reminder of the terrible conditions in which prisoners of war were held.
- In Punggol
- My Waterway @ Punggol (Punggol MRT (North East Line)). My Waterway @ Punggol a park and waterway from Punggol West to East where Serangoon Reservoir is located.
- Punggol Point (Bus 84 from Punggol MRT / LRT). Punggol Point is the place to admire the greenery and ecosystem of the coast. To the south, towards Punggol East, you can see Sungei Serangoon.
What to do
The best parts are the beaches. In addition to those listed below try to go to Pasir Ris or Punggol to get away from the tourist circuit. Permits for camping and barbecues can be found at AXS.
East Coast Park
- East Coast Park. The largest park in Singapore. The water is murky but the white sand, palm trees and the ability to rollerblade make it a pleasant spot. Mana Mana[link previously not working] is Water-Venture[link not working] they rent equipment (kayaks $ 5 / hour, windsurfing, etc), whileSki 360 offers the possibility of wakeboarding (from 32 $ / hour). Bike rental available.
East Coast Park is a great place to spend hours, adults can learn to rollerblade thanks to instructors Inline Fitness. For children there are summer camps like Skate With Us.
More interesting things at Carpark C3 near Burger King. Take a trip to Bedok Jetty or grab a beer with friends at Harrys. Extreme sports lovers should try the skatepark at F1 carpark. Walk up to East Coast Food Lagoon Center for a good plate of satay.
Changi
- Pulau Ubin. A blast from Singapore's past, a small island to the north where people live by fishing in small villages. There are many cycling routes and the chance to see the jungle. Bike rental for only $ 2 a day, on Ketam Mountain Bike Park it has a nice route of 10 km. In the eastern part it is located Chek Jawa Wetlands, with mangroves, observation tower and visitor center. Getting to the island requires a little effort: take the MRT to Tanah Merah, then bus 2 to the terminal at Changi Village (alternatively MRT to Simei, then bus 9 through Changi Village), hop on a bumboat ($ 2.50) for the 10-minute trip to the island.
- Changi Beach, near Changi Village. Close to Changi Airport, you can watch and hear the incessant passage of the planes. Many come for a picnic, fewer for sunbathing and swimming. Walking along the beach to the southeast you will pass Bedok Jetty and arrive at East Coast Park.
Other
- Gallop Stable, 61 Pasir Ris Green (10 minutes walk from MRT Pasir Ris), ☎ 65 65839665. Tue-Sun 8: 00-12: 00, 14: 00-19: 00. The first public riding school in Singapore. Pony only, maximum weight to climb 70kg, $ 10 per ride.
- Forest Adventure, 825 Bedok Reservoir Road, ☎ 65 81007420. Adult course $ 34, child course $ 22. An obstacle course in the jungle, to feel like Tarzan. The Kids Course is for a minimum age of 5 years and 1.1 meters high, Grand Course 10 years / 1.4m (under-18s must be accompanied by an adult). Reservation required.
- Mangrove Boardwalk at Pasir Ris Park. One of the last places to see mangroves in Singapore.
Shopping
- Geylang Serai Market, Jln Turi (5 minutes from MRT Paya Lebar). Heart of the Islamic community and one of the most interesting markets in Singapore, reopened in 2009, it is on two floors in a vaguely Malaysian style, with a vast assortment of Malaysian and Middle Eastern products and very popular during Ramadan.
- Also nearby are 112 Katong (Katong) Kallang Leisure Park.
- Tampines area
- Tampines Mall (Tampines MRT). Shopping center.
- Century Square (Tampines MRT). Owned by AsiaMalls Limited, it is another shopping mall.
- Tampines 1 (Tampines MRT). Tampines 1 has been undergoing renovations since September 28, 2012.
- Changi City Point, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1 (MRT Expo). Changi City Point built in 2011, the newest, known for the Mmmm meat supermarket! (Meats, Marinates and Much More)
- Bedok Point, 799 New Upper Changi Road (Bedok MRT). Bedok Point was built in 2010.
- Northeast area
- NEX, 23 Serangoon Central (Serangoon MRT (North East and Circle lines)). Nex is a shopping mall with Isetan, FairPrice Xtra, Shaw Cineplexes, Food Junction, Food Republic, ESPRIT, Cotton On, Charles & Keith, Design & Comfort, Cold Storage, Courts, Challenger, G2000 and STUDIOTANGS.
- Hougang 1, 1 Hougang Street 91 (Bus 116 from Hougang MRT). Hougang 1 is another shopping mall.
- Greenwich V, 1 Seletar Road (Bus 103 from Serangoon MRT). Greenwich V is a new shopping mall that opened in 2012.
- [link not working]Rivervale Mall, 11 Riverval Crescent (Rumbia LRT). Rivervale Mall has Daiso, EC House, Bata, Cheers, McDonald's, NTUC FairPrice, Guardian, Long John Silvers and many other stores.
- [link previously not working]Compass Point, 1 Sengkang Square (Sengkang MRT / LRT). Compass Point has Popular, Cold Storage, Kiddy Palace, Best Denki, 7-Eleven, McDonald's, Guardian, Watsons, and many other stores.
- My Village @ Serangoon, 1 Maju Avenue (Bus 41 from Serangoon MRT). My Village @ Serangoon, hosts FairPrice Finest, Bakerzin, DBS Bank, Watson's, DBS Treasures and Shin Kushiya.
How to have fun
Apart from a few places in East Coast Park, there are few places to have a drink. The exception is Geylang (close but separate from Geylang Serai), the red light area. The rule is: those with odd numbers (“Iorong”) are legal, those with even numbers are brothels.
Joo Chiat Road has many bars. East Coast Road has over 30 excellent bars and restaurants.
- Georges Mad Bar and Cafe, 693 East Coast Road (Siglap), ☎ 65 6441 9122. Relaxed and welcoming environment with a good range of beers and spirits. Pub food is average.
- Next Door Cafe, 699 East Coast Road (Bus 40 from the Bedok Bus Interchange stops in front of the cafe (opposite side of the road)). 11/18$. Mon 18: 00-24: 00; Tue-Sun 12: 00-14: 30, 18: 00-24: 00. A European-style venue perfect for pizzas, sandwiches and salads. It also offers a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Books, magazines and board games are also available. Perfect place to relax for lunch and dinner.
- Vic's Wine Bar, Joo Chiat Road. 18:00-02:00. A great place to relax, meet friends and enjoy fine wines from Vic's Australian vineyards.
- [link not working]Vie Bar (Vie cafe), 914 East Coast Road (Bus 40 from Kembangan MRT). On the corner of Siglap & East Coast Road, Vie Bar has over 60 wines, a wide choice of whiskeys, cognacs and spirits as well as house cocktails.
- In Tampines
- Blk 161 Xchange (Wenhui Sam Eco), Blk 161 Tampines Street 12 (Tampines MRT). 19:00-3:00.
- Blk 123 Xchange (Timothy Mok's house), Blk 123 Tampines Street 11 (Ashford Overground). 19:00-2:00.
- TPS E-Hub, 860 New Upper Changi Road (Tampines Primary School Overground, 31 from Bedok and Tanah Merah MRT).
Where to eat
On the East Coast of Singapore you can eat some traditional Singaporean dishes such as chilli crab, Katong laksa is roti prata. The part of Geylang Road between the MRT stations of Paya Lebar is Kallang it is the liveliest area of Singapore. Despite being famous for being a red light district and seedy karaoke, you can eat the best of local cuisine here. Don't expect air conditioning, but tablecloths and sommeliers, most of the budget and mid-range restaurants are located in decadent but quaint nineteenth-century buildings.
Moderate prices
Katong is the home of the laksa, coconut noodle soup which is one of Singapore's national dishes.
- 328 Katong Laksa, 51 East Coast Road. Across the street from # 49, it now has franchises all over Singapore, but this is the original, still under owner supervision.
- Famous 49 Katong Laksa, 49 East Coast Road (Hong Tock Hin, off Ceylon Road). Here it all started, no longer run by the creators but still one of the best.
- Marine Parade Laksa, 59 East Coast Road # 01-57 / 59. Run by the old owners of # 49.
There are many other famous and cheap places on the East Coast.
- International Muslim Food, Blk 2 Changi Village Road # 01-57. $ 2.50 per course. Endless queue waiting for the nasi lemak, coconut rice with fried chicken, chili, eggs and more. Not that different from what you find in other places, but the queue is a guarantee that the food is of good quality and flavorful.
Average prices
The Geylang Red Light District is also famous for its cuisine.
- Sin Huat Seafood, 659-661 Geylang Road (Near Lorong 35). $ 60 / $ 80 per crab (enough for 2/3 people). Looks very shabby but the crab bee hoon it's legendary. Cooked to order expect a wait of an hour in addition to the "legendary" service: you will not be served if you are eating duck rice from the nearby shop. Prices have gone up since he appeared on Anthony Bourdain's TV show.
- Turtle House, 403 Guillemard Road (Geylang Lorong Corner 36), ☎ 65 67451248. 30$. Mon-Sun 11: 30-24: 00. Turtle soup is the house specialty ($ 14 and up), but there are other amphibian dishes on the menu, from exotic (frog legs) to bizarre (crocodile, turtle skin and intestines). Air conditioning and outdoor terrace.
High prices
East Coast is especially associated with fresh seafood which can be very expensive, always check prices before ordering. The best places are in or nearMarina Cove on East Coast Parkway, further away, andKallang Oasis closer to the city. Here are some of the most popular restaurants:
- Jumbo Seafood, 1206 and 1208 East Coast Parkway, ☎ 65 64423435. Known for the chilli crabs. Other locations at Riverside Point (across from Clarke Quay), Serangoon Gardens, Changi and Riverwalk, but this is the original. Not everyone appreciates it.
- Little Red House, East Coast Parkway. Another place to eat chili crab.
- No Signboard Seafood, outlets at ECP and Kallang Oasis. Known for butter crabs.
- Long Beach Seafood Restaurant, 1018 East Coast Parkway, ☎ 65 64458833. One of the busiest on the East Coast, others can be found in Jurong East and Marina South.
- The Mango Tree, 1000 East Coast Parkway, Blk B, Unit 23, ☎ 65 64428655. 40$. Indian-cooked fish in a nice setting on the beach, and with several choices for vegetarians too.
Where stay
Most of the accommodations are located in budget hotels inGeylang is Joo Chiat, many of whom rent rooms by the hour. The chain Hotel 81 has 11 hotels in the area. However, if you are traveling on a budget and don't mind the nightlife, Geylang / Joo Chiat are worth considering: the rates are among the lowest in the city, the options for late night dining are unmatched, the area is safe and both the airport and the city center are not far away.
Moderate prices
Camping in designated areas is possible at Changi Beach Park, East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park, and Pulau Ubin. All have showers, toilets and are free for up to 5 days even if you still have to register with the park officials or online at AXS.
- 98SG Hostel, 96A Lor 27 Geylang, Singapore (1 minute from Aljunied MRT Station), ☎ 65 62261221, @[email protected]. dorm room $ 12 / $ 26, room $ 45. Clean, good beds, AC, free wifi, free breakfast, free security lockers. Laundry and dryer available with extra charge. Very close to the MRT, library, lap pool.
- Private Room (can accommodate upto 4). 50 USD. Check in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Room in a private apartment, with bathroom. Just 5 minutes walk from the MRT station. Shared kitchen and very close to several restaurants.
- Betel Box Hostel Singapore, 200 Joo Chiat Rd, Katong District (Paya Lebar MRT), ☎ 65 62477340. $ 20 including breakfast. Check in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Free linen, locker, free internet access for 30 minutes, free unlimited wifi, free fitness center. All rooms have air conditioning and shower.
- [link previously not working]Ideal Backpackers Hostel, 89 Geylang Road (Kallang MRT), ☎ 65 6846 4741. Bed $ 20, rooms $ 45. Clean and cheap.
- [link not working]Urban Hostel (Backpackers), 67A Lor27 Geylang, Singapore (1 minute walk from Aljunied MRT station), ☎ 65 81868336. New budget hostel. 2 bed rooms, 4 bed female dorm, 6 and 8 bed mixed dorm. 24 hour check-in, free wifi, free coffee and tea, LCD TV and a large choice of movies.
- WOW Hostel, 67B Lor 27 Geylang, Singapore (1 minute from Aljunied MRT Station), ☎ 65 91009123, @[email protected]. Beds 16/26 $, rooms from 45 $. Brand new hostel. Very secure, with electronic card access. Universal power sockets, USB and reading lamp for each bed. Clean, safe, great beds, AC, free wifi, free internet, free breakfast, free security locker. Excellent water pressure for hot or cold showers. Close to the MRT, the library, Olympic swimming pool.
Average prices
- [link not working]Gateway Hotel, 60 Joo Chiat Road # 01-06 (100 meters from Paya Lebar MRT), ☎ 65 63420988. Single 98 $, double 148 $. One of the few hotels with its own personality: 82 rooms in various styles such as "Safari", "Paradiso", "Tatami" and "Da Bronx". Internet and self-service laundry available.
- Private Apartment Rental (2 Bedroom Homestay), Near East Coast Park. 127 USD. Check in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Two bedroom apartment in private property. Balcon and kitchen. Wifi. Central location and a 15 minute walk to East Coast Park.
- [link not working]Goldkist Beach Resort, 1110 East Coast Parkway, ☎ 65 64484747. From 118 $. Historic place with many memories for many Singaporeans, it is also one of the few to be on the beach. Large rooms and proximity to the airport make it great for families.
- [link not working]Changi Village Hotel, 1 Netheravon Road, ☎ 65 63797111. 180$. It has changed management and has been renovated. It is located in Changi Village, quiet but full of good restaurants and pubs just 15 minutes by taxi from the airport. The hotel provides shuttle service for guests.
High prices
- Dunman High Hotel, 61 Kampong Arang Road (0.6 miles from Stadium MRT Station). Part of Dunman High School. From the sixth to the twentieth floor.
- Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, 75 Airport Blvd # 01-01, ☎ 65 68235300. 240$. 4-star hotel directly connected to Terminal 3 of the airport and easily accessible from the other terminals, but you have to pass the immigration check first. Swimming pool, gym, spa, bar, two restaurants, pay-per-minute Internet.
- Capri by Fraser, Changi City / Singapore, 3 Changi Business Park Central 1, ☎ 65 63380800. From 220 $. 5 minutes from Changi Airport, partly to ONE @ Changi City shopping mall and close to Singapore Expo. Free Wifi, swimming pool, gym, spa, laundry with Wii / Kinect, iPads, etc. Airport shuttle service.
How to keep in touch
Internet
East Coast Road has a slew of low-cost Internet cafes. To try Red Hot Internet Café at 63 East Coast Road or CyberWorld Communications at 67 East Coast Road, charged at $ 1 per hour.
Useful information
- Mrs Laundry, 298A Bedok Road (Bedok Shopping Complex), ☎ 65 9228 8444. 09: 00-late evening. $ 6 for 4kg of laundry, returned in 2 business days according to midweek or weekend deliveries. Free delivery on expenses over $ 30.
- Systematic Laundromat, 80 Marine Parade Road # 04-K1 / K2 (Parkway Parade, 15 minutes from Eunos MRT), ☎ 65 64401554. Self-service laundry, washing 30 minutes up to 6 kg for $ 6, then $ 1/8 minutes for the dryer.
- Wonder Wash, 1 Lorong 23 Geylang, High Point (5 minutes from Aljunied MRT), ☎ 65 9786 0239. Self-service laundry 24 hours, 32 minutes washing up to 8 kg for $ 4, like $ 1/10 minutes for the dryer.
Other projects
Commons contains images or other files on East coast of Singapore
