Shopping in Singapore
Singapore loves its air-conditioned shopping malls, especially international fashions along Orchard Road. The gentrified streets around the Arab Quarter have shophouses selling textiles and souvenirs. Little India is a slice of the subcontinent with vegetables and Bollywood DVDs for sale, and electronics at the 24-hour Mustafa Centre. Chinatown's Pagoda Street market comes alive at night. Tanglin is best for antiques. Shopping hours vary. Most shops open from around 11am to 9pm.
Benno La Mode
Innovative local fashion
One of many funky, affordable boutiques in the top two floors of The Heeren
on Orchard Road, Benno La Mode showcases the sometimes-bizarre creations of
local designer Benno Asmoro. Styles range from Victorian-inspirations to
flouncy skirts in bright colour combinations.
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Opening Hours
Daily 10am-11pm
Address
#04-07/06A The Heeren, 260 Orchard Road, Singapore 238866
Telephone
+65 6732 2886
Transport
MRT to Somerset or Orchard
Yue Hwa
Chinese clothes and food
In busy Chinatown, Yue Hwa is good for stocking up on Chinese teas, silk
clothes and scarves, plus robust carvings. The top floor has all things
culinary including woks and pots, and specialist Chinese foods.
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Opening Hours
Sun-Fri 11am-9pm; Sat 11am-10pm
Address
70, Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059805
Telephone
+65 6538 4222
VivoCity
Seafront spending
VivoCity is a huge, wave-shaped shopping complex perched on Singapore's
harbour front. The four levels are filled with popular fashion outlets,
restaurants, multi-screen cinema and even an open-air amphitheatre. Refresh
your feet in the rooftop paddling pools.
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Opening Hours
Daily 10am-10pm
Address
West Coast Highway, Singapore 098585
Telephone
+65 6377 6860
Mustafa Centre
No-nonsense electricals
A much-loved institution, Mustafa Centre in Little India is perpetually
packed, even though it never closes. Over 75,000 items are crammed over its
six floors, ranging from electrical, jewellery and luggage, plus a cheap
hotel. Weekends see around 15,000 shoppers.
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Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
145, Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207704
Telephone
+65 629 55855
Sungei Road
Haggling with the locals
The antithesis of Singapore's air-conditioned malls, Sungei Road's
fleamarket, near Little India, has pavements piled high with goods. Locals
haggle for dusty chandeliers, second-hand clothes and kitsch ornaments. Dry
Sundays are busiest.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-6pm
Address
Sungei Road, Singapore 208787
Transport
MRT to Little India
Pagoda Street
Chinatown stalls
Evenings see lantern-lit streetmarkets around Pagoda Street (and Sago Street)
with tiny stalls and shops. Chinese cheungsam dresses, fridge
magnets, sequinned bags and snacks are all on sale at this Chinatown
institution. Most prices are fixed, but haggling is acceptable.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-10pm (depending on weather and crowds)
Address
Pagoda Street, Singapore 058793
Transport
MRT to Chinatown
Bugis Street
Modernised market experience
Bugis Street in the Central Business District enjoys a colourful history of
wicked nocturnal activities. Today, revamped with air-conditioned walkways,
it houses 600 stalls offering fun fashion, exotic fruits, pedicures and
tattoos.
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Opening Hours
Daily 11am-10pm
Address
Bugis Street, Singapore 188868
The Time for Tea
Tea-making as artform
The Time for Tea in Chinatown sells top Chinese teas, tiny porcelain teapots
and pretty cups. The tea-enthused staff also offer lessons on its health
benefits, plus tea ceremony demonstrations. It's a far cry from a teabag in
a mug.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 11am-7pm
Address
38, Mosque Street, Singapore 059516
Telephone
+65 6220 5620
Transport
MRT to Chinatown
The Heritage Shop
Tiffin tins and teapots
The Heritage Shop in the Arab Quarter crams in thousands of collectibles,
from 1930s to 1960s Singapore. The mammoth collection includes tiffin tins,
1950s advertising posters, and delicately-painted teapots. Owner Patrick
Phoa also supplies props to the local theatres.
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Opening Hours
Daily 1pm-8pm
Address
#01-01, 93 Jalan Sultan, Singapore 198997
Telephone
+65 6223 7982
Transport
MTR to Bugis or Lavender
