Arab Street / Kampong Glam

North Bridge Road.
Buses: SBS 2, 7, 12, 32, 33, 51, 61, 62, 63, 80, 130, 133, 145, 197. Tibs 851, 961
Nearest MRT station: Bugis

Whatever you need - embroidered materials, semi-precious stones, basket ware, accessories for a pilgrimage, nature oils and perfumes - you'll find it here, in abundance. Back in the days when Gelam trees grew here (hence the name), medicinal oil was extracted from the trees and the bark used by the Buginese and Malays to caulk their boats.

A visit to the Sultan Mosque, the most prominent mosue in the city, is a must. Built in 1928, the mosque is one of the best ezmaples of Muslim architecture on the island. It was built with the contributions of many in the Muslim community. If you look carefully, you'll notice an interesting detail a rim of donated glass bottle bases that form the edge of the dome. Feeling peckish after you visit? Then tuck into murtabak - Singapore's version of pizza - at one of the resturants facing the mosque, along North Bridge Road.Middle - eastern fare is also available along Arab Street.

Or if you fancy something a little spicier, try nasi padang - rice with an assortment of Malay dishes like rendang (spicy mutton or beef), sayor lodeh (an assortment of vegetables cooked in a light coconut gravy) or ikan bakar (barbequed fish served with a dark soya sauce gravy, diced onions and green chili) - at Kandahar Street or at jalan Pisang.

Best time to visit: 10.30am to 05.30pmMonday to Saturday.
Shops close on Sunday. On friday at midday, some shops and resturants close as Muslims worship at the nearby mosque.