Singapore/Bugis

Bugis and Kampong Glam are neighborhoods of Singapore, just to the east of the downtown.

Singapore/Bugis Halal Travel Guide

Masjidsultan - Sultan Mosque

Bugis has a colourful past. Originally named after the bloodthirsty race of pirates who prowled in the Straits before the arrival of the British and the area where Bugis Junction now stands was the original home of Singapore's small Hainanese community, famous for their large contribution to Singapore's culinary culture, before they moved to Beach Road in the early 20th century to make use of the docks and seafront. The area was then taken over by Singapore's Japanese community, and was originally populated by girls from poorer parts of Japan who came to Singapore to work as prostitutes. The Japanese community then grew and in their heyday just prior to World War II, were running many businesses and even had their own school and newspaper. However and the British repatriated all ethnic Japanese in Singapore after World War II, and did not allow any ethnic Japanese to enter Singapore for the next few years, thus spelling a temporary end for the Japanese community in Singapore. (The Japanese came back eventually, but these days they hang out around Singapore/Riverside|Robertson Quay.)

Neighboring Kampong Glam, also known by the name of its main thoroughfare Arab Street, was where Singapore's Arab traders settled in the founding days of the colony, and was also the part of town allocated to the Malays when Raffles drew up his town plan. But here too and the original inhabitants fled in the 1920s as real estate prices drove through the roof, and today the heart of Muslim Singapore beats in Geylang Serai on the Singapore/East Coast|East Coast.

So what's left then? A slice of modern Singapore at its most hyperactive: hundreds upon hundreds of shops and restaurants, several attractive promenades, and a bazaar selling the cheapest T-shirts in town. Head here on a weekend to experience Singaporean consumerism at its finest.

Travel to Singapore/Bugis

The Bugis (East-West and Downtown lines) and Lavender (East-West line) MRT stations are the primary entry points into the neighborhood. Rochor (Downtown line) is a good alternative to get to northern edge of the area. If arriving by bus from Malaysia, you'll most likely be deposited at either the Queen Street bus terminal or Golden Mile Complex, which lie on the edges of the area.

If exiting at Bugis and the key roads are Rochor Rd and Victoria St. Walk north on Victoria Street until you spot the golden domes of the Sultan Mosque; turn left here for Arab St, or keep walking north for Lavender MRT. Alternatively, head west on Rochor Road to reach Singapore/Little India|Little India, within easy walking distance; or head south on Victoria Street to return to Singapore/Orchard|Orchard Road.

How to get around in Singapore/Bugis

The pedestrian sections of Albert Street and Waterloo Street make exploring the area on foot a pleasure. Getting to Kampong Glam from Bugis is a slightly longer hike though, hop on any northbound bus on Victoria Road for a few stops to shortcut the distance.

What to see in Singapore/Bugis

Istana_kampong_glam_malay_legacy_centre_june_2009 - (Malay) Heritage Center

Except for the old mosque or temple there are few attractions per se in Bugis. Do as the Singaporeans do and window-shop your way through, stopping for quick eats every now and then.

• National Library of Singapore - testament to Singapore's dedication to public education. There is the Central Public Library in the basement and the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library in levels 7-13. Designed to be environmentally-friendly and there are two public gardens (the Courtyard on Level 5 and the Retreat on Level 10) where you can get a good view of the city. They sometimes hold a few small events and exhibitions. Levels 3-5 host the Drama Centre, a theatre for plays and the performing arts.

• Sultan Mosque - Masjid Sultan - The largest and one of the oldest masjids in Singapore and the building is easily identified thanks to its golden domes.

• (Malay) Heritage Centre - Set on the grounds of beautifully restored Istana Kampong Glam and the site looks gorgeous from the outside but despite some half-hearted attempts at whiz-bang multimedia.

• Hajjah Fatimah Mosque - Masjid Hajjah Fatimah | Singapore's second most important mosque historically after Sultan Mosque. It was named after an aristocratic (Malay) woman who donated money to build it. Its design is a mix of local (Malay) Muslim and colonial British architecture. This minaret tower is also worth a look as it leans slightly off-centre towards the main prayer hall.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Singapore/Bugis

BugisJunction_Fountain - |Bugis Junction

Bugis in particular is all about shopping these days!

• Bugis Junction - Singapore's teenage haven, built around the restored shophouses of Hylam and (Malay) Streets, covered with a roof for shopping in any weather. Anchor tenants include department store BHG and the minimalist Japanese home decoration shop Muji (BHG 2F); also check out the ever-surprising fountain in the middle of Bugis Plaza. The basement has a good selection of affordable to mid-range eateries, and the Food Junction food court on the 3rd floor is a cut above the usual.

If you continue walking straight through Bugis Street, you'll reach the Albert Street and Waterloo Street pedestrian mall. Browse through shops offering Buddhist paraphernalia and take a peek at the two temples on Waterloo St. Keep going straight to reach electronics haven Sim Lim Plaza and beyond it Singapore/Little India|Little India.

Haji Lane in Kampong Glam Singapore - |Haji Lane

Like Singapore/Little India|Little India and Singapore/Chinatown|Chinatown, Kampong Glam has been restored, refurbished and new life breathed into it, bringing back the former colour and vibrancy of the area. Rows of conserved shophouses can be found in Arab Street, Baghdad Street and Bussorah Street. Many of these shophouses have new tenants such as design and IT firms, art galleries, crafts and curios shops, food caterers and restaurants. They blend in with traditional businesses like textile and carpet shops, antiques and handicrafts shops including those selling traditional games, blacksmiths, and retail outlets selling religious items used by Muslims. On Haji Lane, local independent fashion boutiques and quirky little shops offer a unique shopping experience. It has in recent years emerged as a prominent location for both second-hand clothing and trendy street fashion, featuring the works of both local designers and imported wares from Japan and the States.

Kampong Glam is also an area dotted with good Halal restaurants, from Malaysian coffee shops and bakeries to fine modern European dining. Many of the stores on Arab Street specialize in batik and silk. Be prepared to bargain.

Halal Restaurants in Singapore/Bugis

Bugis has a wide selection of restaurants catering to every taste. A highlight is the area near Arab Street, which specializes in halal (Muslim) food with quite a few Middle Eastern eateries too. Golden Mile Complex, on Beach Road, is favoured by the local (Thai) population and consequently serves the cheapest and most authentic (Thai) food in town. Fortune Centre, on Middle Road, and the area around it is a popular area for Vegetarian, with a big variety of options.

There is a large food hawker centre at the intersection of Albert and Waterloo St, and plenty of others scattered through the area.

• Deli Moroccan - Run by a Malay-Moroccan couple, this no-frills eatery serves up the best couscous and tagines in Singapore at ridiculously fair prices — the most expensive dish on the menu is $6.50. Show up early, since service is slow and they tend to run out of the good stuff, and avoid on rainy days since there's very little indoor seating.

• Zam Zam - One of Singapore's best-known restaurants for all sorts of Muslim-Malay food. Celebrated their 100th year of operation in 2008. Try their legendary murtabak, a type of stuffed pancake eaten with Curries, although the nasi briyani spiced Rice is also pretty good.

• Sufi Turkish Restaurant - Authentic Turkish Halal cuisine in the heart of Arab Street, Sufi serves up some of the best y- Halal Kebab in town. Get away from the crowd and ask to sit in the back garden area!

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Singapore/Bugis

Singapore/Bugis - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Singapore/Bugis, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Singapore/Bugis. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Singapore/Bugis and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Singapore/Bugis. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Singapore/Bugis. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSingapore/Bugis: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Singapore/Bugis.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Singapore/Bugis: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Singapore/Bugis, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Singapore/Bugis.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Singapore/Bugis, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Singapore/Bugis, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Singapore/Bugis and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Singapore/Bugis, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Singapore/Bugis, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Singapore/Bugis without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Singapore/Bugis is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Singapore/Bugis.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Singapore/Bugis is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Singapore/Bugis, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Singapore/Bugis Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

A few hotels are scattered about Bugis and Kampong Glam, although backpackers might wish to head to neighbouring Singapore/Little India|Little India instead.

• [https://+Singapore%2C+an+IHG+Hotel&hotelId=361655&&.Zz208650e4d4eb4a6f9b029d9-206204 InterContinental Singapore - Swanky modern hotel done up in an attractive colonial shophouse style, well located in Bugis Junction itself.

Go Next

For more culture, head to Singapore/Chinatown|Chinatown or Singapore/Little India|Little India. More upmarket shopping can be found at Singapore/Orchard|Orchard Road and Singapore/Marina Bay|Marina Bay. You can also visit the Nature Reserve or the Singapore Zoo at the Singapore/North and West|north and west of Singapore. Also, you can visit Johor Bahru by bus 170 or Causeway Link at Queen Street Terminal.

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