Cultural leanings

leanings

A contemporary culture that combines Asian and European tradition, Singapore’s national identity is both familiar and unique.

For a nation that is only just over 50 years old, Singapore’s mélange of Malay, Chinese, South Asian, Southeast Asian, European and Peranakan traditions and religious ideals have all played an important part in shaping its culture. Despite this melting pot, the country has an identity of its own, driven by an enviable ideology of racial and religious harmony. English is the most widely spoken language, but keep an ear out for Singlish, a charming jumble of words drawn from English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, Malay and Tamil languages that are frequently injected into casual conversation.

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Chinatown, Singapore 2

1 Katong Joo-Chiat

2 Haji Lane, Kampong Gelam, Singapore

Singapore is known for its impeccable cleanliness and low crime rate. Unfailingly polite, friendly and courteous, Singaporean culture is based around respect, particularly when dealing with older and more senior people. Ethnic communities maintain their unique ways of life while living in multicultural harmony with their fellow Singaporean citizens. To fully immerse yourself into the traditions and influences of Singapore’s cornucopia of cultures, explore the cultural quarters of Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Gelam and Geylang Serai.

Dragon lantern, Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Singapore

Chinatown

The former enclave of Singapore's Chinese immigrant population is a buzzing maze of narrow roads lined with historic temples, street markets, hawker stalls and hip bars hidden in old Peranakan shophouses.

Baba House showcases the city’s Peranakan history, architecture and heritage. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum offers visitors an introduction to Buddhist culture and art and houses The Buddha Tooth Relic in a giant stupa made from 320 kilograms of gold. Visitors will also find the historic Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple sitting in harmony alongside mosques, churches, synagogues and Buddhist temples.

Packed with some of the city’s best hawker markets, including the Chinatown Complex, Maxwell Food Centre and Amoy Street Food Centre, you won’t go hungry. Just save room for dessert at Tong Heng in South Bridge Road, for tasty traditional egg tarts and mooncakes.

Little India, Singapore

Little India

The hub of Singapore’s Indian community, Little India’s historic tangle of incense-scented streets are peppered with temples and market stalls heaving with saris, spices and sunshine-hued flower-garlands.

Learn about the history and traditions of Indian Singaporeans at the Indian Heritage Centre and deepen your understanding of Hinduism at the spectacular Sri Veeramakaliamman Hindu Temple, an elaborate shrine dedicated to the fearsome goddess Kali. And pack your Prada sunglasses for a visit to the wildly colourful House of Tan Teng Niah, a centuries-old home steeped in more than a hundred years of history.

Come with an appetite so you can fill up on South Indian vegetarian delights, tandoor-cooked North Indian fare and local favourites such as roti prata (buttery flatbread) at the Tekka centre, an Indian-infused Hawker market. Then pop into Serangoon Road’s Moghul Sweets for a box of luscious laddoos.

The Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan), Singapore

Kampong Gelam

Centred on busy Arab Street, culturally vibrant Kampong Gelam is Singapore's oldest urban quarter. Now one of Singapore’s coolest neighbourhoods, the Muslim Quarter as it is known, it’s packed with dynamic street art, knick-knack-filled shophouses and the quirky boutiques of graffiti-tagged Haji Lane.

Dating back to 1824, Sultan Mosque, with its glowing golden dome, is Singapore’s biggest mosque and a must visit. For more cultural connections, head to the

Malay Heritage Centre, housed in an old colonial-style building, where 10 galleries trace the rich history of Singapore’s Malay community.

Hungry after all your exploring? You’ll find delicious Halal Middle Eastern and Malaysian cuisine on offer alongside cool cocktail bars and fashionable cafes. For a taste of tradition head to Zam Zam, who have been serving up Singapore’s best biryani and murtabak (stuffed fried bread) for more than a century.

Geylang Serai

One of the oldest Malay settlements in Singapore, Geylang Serai is undergoing a thoroughly modern transformation. But its restored shophouses, religious establishments and traditional eateries, help preserve the area’s heritage.

The Kampong Ubi Community Centre showcases rich Malay culture with its gallery and traditional activities, while The Intan, a post-war terrace residence, has been converted into a museum to share the area’s stories, traditions and history. Geylang Serai Market is one of the busiest wet markets in Singapore. The two-storey centre is a great spot to watch traditional Singaporean life in action, and to expand your experience of traditional Malay cuisine on its second floor. If you haven’t already filled up on satay, head to Joo Chiat gem, Indian Muslim Bakery and Confectionery, the oldest Muslim bakery in Singapore, for curry puffs and buns.

Little India, Singapore

Geylang Serai, Singapore