Arab Street is famous for textiles material like silk, Indian fabric and Indonesian batik but I wouldn’t know much about fabric but my partner does. You can haggle here till you are satisfied with the price.
For me walking in Arab Street is pleasurable, smelling the aroma from many of the halal restaurants. For lunch we ate and experience in one of the authentic Malay cuisine.
Around these areas is where the Malay ethnicity reside and most of them are Muslim. It is the center of the Islamic community. Many of the shops are influence by Muslim culture selling prayer rugs, jilbab, Muslim caps.
The Sultan Mosque with its golden dome and minarets is also located in the area also in the area there are other interesting to see like the Malay heritage. I think it was worth visiting Arab Street.
Included in our holiday 'package' was a half day city tour which really orientated us and presented us with photo opportunities that we would not have had time for otherwise.
A tour bus picked us up at our hotel and dropped us in Little China at our request, at the end of the tour.
We saw among other things the Waterfront with the famous Merlion, Singapore's National Symbol; an old Budhist Temple; the Botanical Garden; a Gemstone factory.
First thing I checked off my list was a trip to Arab street or what they call Haji lane. It is a little bit like the Philippines' Cubao X with a twist!! This street houses quirky shops and restaurants. Although a bit pricey, you will definitely see a lot of foreigners and locals walking along this street.
Arab street is in the Muslim community area.....
What a busy, bustling street this was with trafffic and pedestrians!
Old shop houses, bazaar style shopping, heaps and heaps of beautiful fabrics for sale, a great place to buy from if you are a Dress maker.
This area is also renowned for batiks from Indonesia and Malaysia, which have been hand-made and sold in sarong lengths. Machine-printed batik with traditional designs is also available by the metre or in ready-made clothing including shorts, sundresses, ties, etc and much more.
There is quite a bit of caneware, rattan and straw products, trinkets, just a fun place to explore, and don't forget to haggle if you want to buy!
Arab Street or Kampong Glam area is a very interesting area of Singapore. Just a few blocks from the hustle bustle of Bugis Junction. This area has beautiful old shophouses that line the streets. The highlight of the area is the grand Sultan Mosque, which you can enter as a visitor if you are properly dressed. The mosque may be closed to visitors on certain days. This area is important in Singapore history, since the Sultan had his Istana (palace) here.
Arab Street is now more known for the fabrics the vendors sell out of the old shophouses. A great place to go if you want or need fabric/silk. On Baghdad street-there are a lot of new restaurants/cafe houses opening up. Many of the restaurants have sheeshas or water pipes, which you can smoke. Across from the Sultan Mosque-is Zam Zam's, which makes great murtobaks and chicken curry.
Recently they have created a wonderful pedestrian area on Bussorah street located right behind the Sultan Mosque. There are shops and cafes here. I highly recommend Alaturk for great turkish food. Ladies, if you need a spa treatment, i recommend wayan spa on bussorah street for Balinese treatments.
Arab Street and Little India is a Great little area to walk around in the afternoon (it doesn't get moving till after 11am) Where you can buy fabric, have clothing made (for women mostly), buy carpets, Swarovski Crystals, Embellishments, baskets, Silk - plus it is a great stop to just walk around and see the ShopHouse architecture of Singapore!
Arab Street has many muslim shops, from clothing to accessories, to food and yes, lets not forget, you can come here to smoke some sheesha....
There also some Chinese decor shops and a Russian restaurant in of the corners...
Nice place to buy trinkets...
On a recent trip, I rediscovered the charm of Arab Street. Here you can find materials of every imaginable colour, lace, buttons...anything related to sewing. There are also a few shops that sell rattan products.
When the seemingly endless number of fabric shops starts to make your head spin, take a break in one of the many cafes that have popped up in this area. One that I've been to and like is Ambrosia Cafe (19 Baghdad Street, just off Arab Street). This Mediterranean cafe envelopes you with its coziness the moment you enter. Great place to take a breather and enjoy a nice cold drink.
A little further down Baghdad Street is Busorrah Street. This street is closed off to traffic and is lined with restored shophoses that sell ethnic jewellery, clothes and handicraft. Some of the items are not from Singapore, but still makes pretty good souvenirs.
Don't forget to check out the Sultan Mosque at the end of Bussorah Street (well, it's kinda hard to miss it :).
Dont miss visiting the Sultan Mosque when you are touring Arab Street.
This beautiful architecture was built in 1928, which allows the Muslim community to worhship here especially on Friday noon.
Some shops and restaurants are close on Friday noon as the Muslims Men will have to head to a nearby mosque to worship.
Zam Zam Restaurant is located just oppsite the Sultan Mosque and they serve very delicious food.
There are many shops along Arab Street selling handicraft and traditional costumes.
Besides Little India, there is Arab Street. Its another area where you can find a difference in religion and architecture of buildings. Its a small community within this small sized country. Here you will also find a few mosques around.
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