Singapore Shopping - 2

Bargain Shopping

The antithesis of all that mall shopping is bargain hunting in the Singapore bazaars of the Arab Quarter, Bugis Village and Little India.

Arab Quarter

This neighborhood, known as Kampong Glam, is the epicenter of Singapore’s Muslim community, with shops crammed down narrow alleys selling textiles, hand-woven baskets, traditional clothing and jewelry. It’s the best place in town to buy a carpet (or prayer mat)—just turn down Arab Street to find sellers offering deals better than Ikea. The area is also a known hub for Indonesian and Malay batik—dyed wax-resistant fabric that can be fashioned as a sarong, tablecloth or window hanging (the colors truly pop when the sun filters through). [Read more in our Arab Quarter feature.]

Bugis Street

Think it’s impossible to air-condition the Great Outdoors? Just check out Bugis Street at Bugis Junction, which features a glass-covered pedestrian walkway with more than 600 open-air stalls, chilled to perfection, selling everything ranging from streetwear to noodles. Nowadays, local teenagers flock here for the fast food, but from the 1950s to ‘80s, expatriate soldiers and seafaring Bugis from Indonesia came here for the fast women and transvestites.

 

• Cool off in the air-conditioning while shopping for Singaporean souvenirs at Bugis Street.

alex.ch

Little India

Your nose doesn’t stand a chance in Little India—sensory overload is guaranteed with all the curries, colognes and jasmine garlands for sale. Aside from being fragrant and vibrant, Little India is also one of the best places to buy gifts in Singapore. Trawl the stalls on Serangoon Road for silver amulets, silk saris, packets of spices and discounted perfume, or venture into Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour department store that sells everything, from Rolexes to toilet paper, for ridiculously discounted prices. Just beware the crowds on Sundays, when migrant workers have their day off and come out to play.

Next: Boutiques and Shopping Events