Singapore's status as an Asian Tiger is reflected in its architecture, with a futuristic and sustainable skyline that amazes everyone who sees it. Nonetheless, between skyscrapers and structures that look like they were taken out of a sci-fi movie, there are certain parts of the city-State that showcase Singapore’s diversity and that can take anyone on a journey to the past, remembering how the astonishing development of the country was possible. Precisely, that’s what makes Singapore so charming, because no matter what part of the city you visit, you’ll be constantly reminded of its rich history.
Today, we wanted to dive deeper into the melting pot that is Singapore, because it is clear that its diversity is one of the main reasons why the country was transformed into an Asian Tiger. To understand it all, it is necessary to take into account that while the country was a colony during the 19th and 20th centuries, it became the home of migrants from India, China and the Malay Archipelago, and they all tried to make themselves at home, by bringing their own customs and even architecture. Fortunately, nowadays we all can experience the impact of these migration flows in different communities scattered throughout the city. Once you understand how everything began, discovering what Singapore has become is even more amazing… So, let’s do just that!
Little India:
There are three main historic neighborhoods in Singapore, but we’re going to begin with Little India. Today, it is a place that blends perfectly age-old traditions and new trends, but it actually has its origins in the 19th century, when cattle herders and lime kilns slowly started to appear and take over the district. Nowadays, Little India is known as the perfect place to visit if you want to have fun exploring different flavors and scents while trying some of the boldest dishes of Singapore’s cuisine. It can also be your go-to destination to discover how some of the first migrants during colonial times brought a small portion of home with them, and built a district that transports you back to India. For example, the neighborhood is filled with different types of worship places, such as the Abdul Gafoor Mosque with its Corinthian pillars, or the Temple of a Thousand Lights with its 15-meter tall statue of Buddha. One of the most important temples there is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, a spectacular temple built by Indian immigrants in the 19th century, dedicated to the goddess Kali.
As we’ve said before, while visiting Little India you must try its delicious food. You can let your senses guide you all the way to Bismillah Biryani, the ideal place to try the very special dish of biryani. This Indian delight is made with long-grained rice such as basmati, fragrant spices like saffron and complete with proteins such as lamb or chicken, as well as accompanied with a thick gravy. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a place to rest for a bit and grab a small bite, you could head to the Old Hen Coffee Bar, which serves one of the most delicious coffees in the area and is always equipped with fresh and ethically-sourced ingredients. After spending most of your time exploring every last detail of Little India, taking a break in one of the neighborhood’s restaurants will certainly help you regain all the energy you need.
Little India is a colorful and vibrant district of Singapore that will awaken all of your senses.
Katong-Joo Chiat:
This next district that we’re going to go through is Katong-Joo Chiat, which is described as the home of Peranakans. If you’re confused by this term, let us enlighten you: it is an Indonesia/Malay word which means “local born”, and in this context, it refers to people of Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage. Thus, you can guess that as Little India was the neighborhood where most Indian immigrants built their homes, Katong-Joo Chiat is the district in Singapore where most Peranakans settled since at least the 19th century. Something that really stands out from the neighborhood, is the fact that the pre-war architecture is immaculately preserved, with two-story shophouses and terrace houses with colorful facades becoming the protagonists. If you look closely, you’ll notice that there are intricate motifs and ceramic tiles all over the constructions, creating delicate details that make the area even more beautiful.
We already mentioned that Little India is renowned for its delicious restaurants, but Katong-Joo Chiat isn’t far behind, because it has one of the best culinary scenes in Singapore, becoming one of local’s favorite spots to enjoy a great meal. The district is filled with cool cafés with a more modern vibe, while just on the other corner you’ll find very old coffee shops which sell Katong laksa, a noodle-soup made with spicy coconut milk, and other dishes that reflect the neighborhood’s heritage. As you can see, wandering around these districts and learning more about the diversity of Singapore is best done with some of the best food as a reward.
Katong-Joo Chiat is another district with an explosion of colors and intricate designs that make it one of the most charming places in all of Singapore.
Kampong Gelam:
We’ve arrived at our last stop wandering the streets of Singapore. We’ve already talked about Little India and Katong-Joo Chiat, where Indians, Malays and Indonesians created their new homes in Singapore. But now, we head over to Kampong Gelam, a miniature of the country’s diversity, because during the colonial era, the Malay, Arab and Bugis communities learned how to live together peacefully and ended up creating a trendy, vibrant and exciting space that welcomes everyone. If you want to dive deeper into the neighborhood’s history, art and culture, there are several places that you must visit. Firstly, you cannot miss the grandiose Sultan Mosque and its golden dome, which was built in 1824 by Sultan Hussein Shah, and that nowadays is one of the most important of Singapore’s religious buildings. You don’t even need directions to get there, because just by seeing its golden dome, you’ll know in which direction you need to walk. Then, you also have the Malay Heritage Center, where you’ll be able to learn about how the district was created, as well as enjoy six permanent galleries and multiple cultural activities. And for a more modern twist, you have the Gelam Gallery, the first outdoor gallery of Singapore, dedicated to street art and wall murals, made by local and international artists.
Kampong Gelam is the perfect example of the melting pot that Singapore is.
Of course, there’s much more than meets the eye in these districts of Singapore, but what we’ve tried to show you is how such an incredible country as Singapore came to be thanks to its diversity. Clearly, there’s a futuristic side of the country that we didn’t show today, with massive and breathtaking gardens and huge skyscrapers, but getting to know these intricate parts of Singapore are the ideal way to truly capture what the country is, its history and where it is headed.
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