If you fancy a spot of retail therapy and find yourself in Singapore, you couldn’t be better placed. With everything from world class malls to outlet stores, tourists can even claim tax back on what they spend!
However, with so much to choose from it can be difficult to know where to look. Everyone has heard of the famous Chinatown complex but where else is worth a visit? We take a look at some of the lesser known shopping delights.
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Holland Village
If you want to visit a place that encapsulates the heart and soul of Singapore in one tiny corner, Holland Village should be your first stop-off. Just a short taxi ride away from Orchard Road, it has everything from eateries to vintage clothes stores.
Not a typical mall where you will recognise every storefront name, the Village offers an eclectic blend of local crafts, homewares and antiques. And if you fancy getting some of the local fish, you can find freshly caught specimens on sale too.
But it’s not just ethnic-inspired treasures that you will find here; opposite the entrance to the main shopping centre is the enticingly named Chip Bee Gardens. This quarter offers gourmet restaurants, chic Italian emporiums plus expansive art galleries.
Tekka Centre
But if you are really seeking the flavour of Singapore, the Tekka Centre will provide everything you want and more. Neither one thing nor the other, the centre which was previously known as Kandang Kerbau is an epicentre for local food, as well as being a wet market plus it has some shops too.
With Chinese, Malay and Indian stallholders, the wares on offer are a whirl of cultures leaving you with the best of all worlds to pick from.
Dempsey Road
Something rather different, Dempsey Road is a great place to visit if you are hankering for a touch of Britain while away from home.
A converted former British Army barracks, ex-pats flood here along with the more affluent Singaporeans to browse the warehouses which boast armfuls of Asian antiques. Some of the best finds worth keeping an eye out for are the magnificent Kashmiri carpets.
And if you were wondering whether to bring your American Express Singapore delights such as this will provide you with the answer: a resounding yes! Just don’t expect to go home without making a big dent in it!
It’s impossible to cover everything you should see and do in Singapore in this article but if it has whetted your appetite, you can find out a lot more at Lonely Planet, which has some great travel advice and recommendations.
Whether you opt to spend your holiday in Singapore or simply stop off en route to somewhere else, you will find a little bit of your heart falling in love with the country and its friendly folk.
Image attributed to FreeDigitalPhotos.net David Castillo Dominici