You will hear a lot when researching a
visit to Singapore that there’s more to do than just shop. That is of course
true but Singapore earned its reputation as a shopper’s paradise for a reason. Not
just a city of malls, Singapore offers a vast variety of shopping experiences
both traditional and modern.
If anywhere gave birth to the idea that
Singapore was just a city of malls then it was probably Orchard Road. Mall
after mall line the street, mostly connected by underground walkway, meaning
you can visit most malls on Orchard Road without being exposed to the elements.
This of course is one of the main reasons malls are so popular here, apart from
Singaporeans love of shopping. For people that think mall shopping is sterile,
one day of shopping in the Singaporean heat and you’ll soon realise why they
work so well here. And with so many malls, developers have strived to make them
exciting places to be. You’ll find amazing food from high-end gourmet to cheap
food court style local flavours and shops ranging from Louis Vuitton and Gucci to
Top Shop and Zara. Each mall has its own distinct vibe so check out as many as
you can if on a shopping trip or simply looking for something to eat on Orchard
Road. If time is limited then your top priorities should be Tangs; established
in 1932, this department store was the one that started it all. Ion; this
ultra-modern mall is the newest addition to Orchard Road. Ngee Ann City; known
to locals as “Taka” because of the Takashimaya department store housed within.
If entering from outside (as opposed to any of the underground walkways the
join Taka below street level) you’ll be immediately struck by the grandiose
forecourt. This area has become a popular meet-up and/or hangout spot. Paragon;
across the road from Taka, come here for the very high-end fashion and stay for
the Din Tai Fung restaurant on the bottom floor. If you haven’t tried
xiaolongbao (dumplings filled with soup) then this should be your first top. Din
Tai Fung is open in many countries now but keeping up with the Singaporean
passion for food, there’s something extra nice about them here. Getting to
Orchard Road is really easy. Just take the MRT to Orchard and you will arrive
underneath Ion, which is pretty much the middle of Orchard Road. Or jump in a
cab and give them the name of a mall, as they’re the easiest places to be
dropped off.
If you want to try something different then
the Bugis area is a good starting point. The train will drop you at a mall
called Bugis Junction but if you cross the street you will find Bugis Street. Bugis
Street has one of the most amazing and wicked histories of anywhere in
Singapore. After its redevelopment the government decided it needed some
reminders of the past. Now it is home to a busy bazaar with over 600 stalls
selling anything you can think of. It’s still a hidden treasure with not many
tourists braving the heat to check it out. So if you want to experience some
shopping the old fashioned way then it’s a must. If you keep walking after you
make it through you’ll soon come across Sim Lim Square. If you’ve never been to
Asia, this is what you’ve been picturing a mall here to look like. Floors and
floors of electronics including but not limited to: Computers and peripherals,
cameras, surveillance cameras, mobile
phones, video games and consoles and spare parts, lots and lots of spare parts.
Sim Lim is also the place to go for repairs. Dropped your camera or phone while
taking a tourist snap? Take it to Sim Lim to get it fixed. Sim Lim is not for
everyone. The amount of people and the technological overload of the senses can
turn people off. Also, although not encouraged, some vendors may try and charge
you a highly inflated price and you’ll have to bargain. Be wary that sometimes
the price might not be inflated and trying to bargain will cause offence. If
this doesn’t sound like your thing then jump in a cab and head to Funan
DigitaLife Mall. Although you might not be able to scrape as big of a bargain
here, the atmosphere is significantly more relaxed. You should be able to find
most things here that you would find at Sim Lim. Apart from maybe spare
computer parts. Also with less aggressive competition the price might be a bit
higher. If you like a peaceful shopping experience then it’s Funan. If you like
a challenge, then it’s definitely Sim Lim Square.
In the opposite direction of Bugis Street,
only a few blocks from Bugis MRT station lays Kampong Glam. Known as the “Arab
Quarter”, the centrepiece of the area is the Sultan Mosque. Around here you
will find Middle Eastern goods like carpets and perfumes. But venture just off
Arab Street to the adjacent Haji Lane to find an abundance of stores where
street wear, high-end and artistic fashion abounds, sometimes even in the same
shop. With smaller and independent fashion labels being sourced from all over
the world, Haji Lane is perfect for people trying for their own look and not necessarily
wanting to get caught up too much in trends. Haji Lane is also home to stores
selling elegant-but-cool homewares, just in case you don’t have a restricted
luggage allowance.
If the heat of bazaar and boutique shopping
sends you running back to the air-conditioned malls, make sure you try and
visit VivoCity; Singapore’s largest mall and the gateway to the island of
Sentosa. And you also have visit The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands; with a
museum, ice skating rink, indoor canal, theatre and casino, The Shoppes has
plenty to lure along any non-shoppers you may be travelling with.
For a truly unique experience, shopping or
otherwise, you can’t leave Singapore without visiting the Mustafa Centre in
Little India. This 24-hour mall is truly an onslaught on the senses. Crowds are
something you will get used to in Singapore, especially around Orchard on a
Saturday night, but Little India is something else, and sometimes it feels like
everyone is there to shop at Mustafa. If you can brave the crowds then you will
definitely find a bargain amongst the more than 150,000 types of merchandise.
Whatever you’re looking for, you will find
it in Singapore. With shops suited for every budget, department stores or
boutiques, malls or markets, Singapore has something to suit any shopping
style. And don’t forget to get your tax back at the airport when you leave.
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