Why you should visit Kampong Glam in Singapore.
Kampong Glam is where heritage doesn’t whisper — it belts. The golden dome of Sultan Mosque gleams like a beacon, pulling you down streets strung with textiles, perfumes, and beats that refuse to die out. Here, the old and the electric collide, and somehow it feels like the only way the city could ever make sense.
By day, you wander through rows of shophouses painted loud and proud, each one hawking color in a different form. By night, the neighborhood shifts — restaurants spill into the streets, music slips out of bars, and the whole place feels like it’s cracking a grin just for you.
What you didn’t know about Kampong Glam.
It wasn’t always cafés and boutiques. This district was once home to Malay royalty, who chose the area for its commanding presence. That’s why the mosque sits at the heart — not just for worship, but as a statement of permanence. The spirit of legacy is woven into the sidewalks, even if today’s shops sling bubble tea instead of palace scrolls.
Dig deeper, and you’ll find threads of immigrant histories tangled with artistry — calligraphy, batik, oud fragrances that still curl through the air. This isn’t gentrification erasing the past; it’s the past holding court while the future keeps DJ-ing in the back room.
How to fold Kampong Glam into your Singapore trip.
Hit Haji Lane first, where murals scream louder than any postcard. Grab coffee, maybe a plate of nasi padang, and lose yourself in shops that feel less like businesses and more like invitations. Then wander toward the mosque as the sun drops, when the dome glows against the purple sky.
Stay long enough for dinner on Arab Street, where tables are tight, flavors are bold, and strangers become accomplices to the night. Kampong Glam isn’t a “check the box” stop — it’s the part of your trip where you let time dissolve.
Hear it from the Foresyte community.
“Golden dome looks like it could beam signals to Mars. Rest of the street’s just vibing with murals, shops and food that slaps hard. Solid combo of heritage and late-night noodles.”
Where meaningful travel begins.
Start your journey with Foresyte, where the planning is part of the magic.
Discover the experiences that matter most.
