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Chic . Explore . ThinkerTen

My Style ~ My Journey ~ My Inspiration

SingaporeTravel

A Sunday morning stroll in “Little India” Singapore!

by kumamonjeng May 24, 2017
written by kumamonjeng May 24, 2017
A Sunday morning stroll in “Little India” Singapore!

One of the most vibrant district in Singapore, the Little India.  It is located east of the Singapore River—across from Chinatown, located west of the river—and north of Kampong Glam.

There is a huge beautiful peacock sit at the intersection before entering Little India District.  Peacocks are often used in Indian folks stories.  It symbolize grace, pride and beauty and also sign of joy for all who see them. It is there to welcome visitors who entering Little India District.  There are two and you can spot them easily as they are quite huge.

Little India Singapore

Little India Arcade

Little India Arcade is a collection of conserved shop houses dating from 1913, selling a variety of souvenirs, Indian handicrafts, sarees and goldsmith shops. If you are interested to get some temporary tattoo, the henna tattoo, this is a good place.

Little India Singapore

The Banana Leaf Apol

The Banana Leaf Apol restaurant is one of the famous around here because even Mel Gibson, the Australian born Hollywood Star has been here for his meal!

Little India Singapore

Buffalo Road

You can find variety of fresh Indian ingredients at the Buffalo Road, even the mangoes sold here are coming from India.

Little India Singapore

Little India was gazetted as a conservation area on 7 July 1989, most of the shop houses still remain as it is but was painted with bright colors.  First floor normally open for traditional businesses like goldsmiths, Indian restaurants and coffee shops,saree shops & souvenirs shops.  Second floor is more for office and few for residential.

Little India Singapore

Colorful Cattle Herders

One of my favorite graffiti artwork in alley of Little India.  You may not know that Little India once had a racecourse, cattle herders and brick kilns.

Little India Singapore

Hostels & Backpack in Little India

There is round-the-clock activity from the clusters of night-time hangouts, backpacker hostels and late night eateries in the area.

Little India Singapore

Little girls with colorful Saree

Little India is also the focal point of Singapore’s Indian community. This is the place for them to get their fresh Indian ingredients, shopping and catch up and exchange news.  Look, I was joining them in the line to march into Little India!

Little India Singapore

House of Tan Teng Niah

House of Tan Teng Niah was built in 1900, and also the last surviving Chinese mansion in Little India. The original mansion was in white but the colors were added recently. The colorful house is located along Kerbau Road.

House of Tan Teng Niah

Who is Tan Teng Niah? He is a successful businessman who owned a confectionery business, he built this mansion for his wife.  It is now used as a training office.

House of Tan Teng Niah

Not only in Kampong Glam, you can find many beautiful graffiti arts in Little India too.

Little India Singapore

Little India Singapore

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

This temple is one of the oldest temple and built by the pioneers who first came to work in Singapore.  The temple is located at the Serangoon Road No 141.

Little India Singapore

You can pay a visit inside the temple but shoes needed to remove before entering the temple.  It was full house when I was there on a hot Sunday morning.

Little India Singapore

The red and white wall is belong to the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.

Little India Singapore
Kampong Kapor Methodist Church

Not only Indian temple, you do find the first Peranakan Church here in Little India.  Kampong Kapor Methodist Church is a Methodist church in Singapore. Formed in 1894, it was one of the first Peranakan churches and the fourth Methodist church in Singapore.  Located at 1 Kampong Kapor Road.

Kampong Kapor Methodist Church

Abdul Gaffoor Mosque

Not only Indian temple and a Methodist Church can be found in Little India, you also find a mosque here 🙂  This old mosque was first build in 1907, a long time ago.  On top of the mosque you can see many minarets crowned with onion-shaped domes with a crescent moon and a star at the pinnacle.  Really beautiful and colorful mosque.  Don’t miss this beautiful mosque if you happen to drop by in Little India.  Located at 41 Dunlop Street.

Abdul Gaffoor Mosque

Antique shops

Little India Singapore

Umbrella Trees in Little India

These installations are based on the designs by Ms Marthalia Budiman. The colorful installation, which takes the form of a superlative tree with umbrellas as branches and leaves which make the neighborhood quite artistic.

Little India Singapore

Little India is rich in architecture, culture and history. It is also known as “Tekka” in Hokkien, literally meaning “foot of the small bamboos” because bamboo plants once grew on the banks at Rochor Canal nearby.

Little India Singapore

Little India Singapore

Mustafa Centre

This 24 hours shopping arcade is so popular among tourists.  In fact many of my friends from overseas asked to shop at Mustafa.  It has stuff for everyone and few floors under one roof.  Mustafa started out as a family’s stall at first and then turn into huge departmental store now.  The guy behind the multi million business is Mustaq Ahmad, Forbes ranked him Number 37 in their list of Singapore’s 40 Richest People.

Mustafa Centre Little India Singapore

The Mustafa Centre is famous for its electronic goods and household appliances, it also has huge range of jewelry shops.  If you want some cheap travel package,  compare and explore here!  If you are tired and get hungry of all the shopping, try out nice Indian food located on the rooftop.  If you want to avoid the crowd, you can also plan to come here after midnight 🙂

Mustafa Centre Little India Singapore

Desker Road

My advise to ladies is don’t walk alone in Desker Road as it is the red light district.

Little India Singapore

What to eat in Little India?

If you are too tired and thirsty after all the walk under the hot sun, why not get a fresh coconut which cost around SGD$ 2.2, it really quenches my thirst though.

Little India Singapore

Roti Prata vs Roti Canai

Singaporean called it Roti Prata or Malaysian called it Roti Canai.  I find the only difference is Roti Prata is smaller than the Malaysia Roti Canai.  May be flour is more expensive in Singapore?  It goes very well with the curry but very high calories, about 497 calories (one egg and one plain).  Little India is the place to have your cheat meal, Roti Prata.

Roti Prata Little India Singapore

Respect the Cow in Hindu Tradition

Colorful cows everywhere in one of the park, Indian men sitting under the tree playing with their hand phone or chatting with each other.  In the Hindu tradition, the cow is honored so you could see cow graffiti and now colorful cow statues at the park in Little India.  This is another piece of work of  Ms Marthalia Budiman.

Little India Singapore

More of colorful architecture and buildings in little India, Workhouse at one of the corner of Little India, Workhouse is share office building.  You can even rent the office space for as low as SGD$40 per day.

Little India Singapore

ACE Crew KTV

Little India Singapore

Dim Sum Haus

If you want some Chinese or Hong Kong Dim Sum instead, you can always walk to Jalan Besar, no 57.  Dim Sum Haus serves one of the best dim sum in town.

Dim Sum Haus Little India Singapore

Takeaway the pastries and it tasted so yummy!  Will I go back?  Definitely yes! For more of the steam dim sum such as har gao & siew mai & their mouth watering carrot cake!!

Dim Sum Haus

How to get there?

The North-East MRT line’s Little India and Farrer Park stations, near Serangoon Road, are convenient entry points into the area.

Little India Singapore MRT

A Sunday morning stroll in “Little India” Singapore – Summary

  • Little India Arcade
  • The Banana Leaf Apol
  • Buffalo Road 
  • Hostels & Backpack in Little India
  • Colorful House of Tan Teng Niah in Little India
  • Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
  • Kampong Kapor Methodist Church
  • Abdul Gaffoor Mosque
  • Antique shops in Little India
  • Umbrella Trees in Little India
  • 24 hours Mustafa Centre
  • Desker Road 
  • What to eat in Little India?
  • Roti Prata vs Roti Canai
  • Respect the Cow in Hindu Tradition
  • ACE Crew KTV
  • Dim Sum Haus at 57 Jalan Besar

Click on other places of interest in Singapore

  • National Art Gallery Singapore
  • Asian Civilization Museum 
  • Fort Canning
  • Bra Basah 
  • Esplanade
  • Kampong Glam
  • Garden By The Bay
  • Haw Par Villa

Click here to purchase the walking tour of Gem of Little India

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24 hours Mustafa CentreAbdul Gaffoor MosqueACE Crew KTVAntique shops in Little IndiaBuffalo RoadColorful House of Tan Teng Niah in Little IndiaDesker RoadDim Sum Haus at 57 Jalan BesarHostels & Backpack in Little IndiaKampong Kapor Methodist ChurchLittle India ArcadeLittle India SingaporeRespect the Cow in Hindu TraditionRoti Prata vs Roti CanaiSri Veeramakaliamman TempleThe Banana Leaf ApolUmbrella Trees in Little IndiaWhat to eat in Little India?
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25 comments

Doreen May 15, 2018 - 6:40 am

Such a great detailed post! I will surely book mark it for future reference. I hope to visit Singapore and its on my travel list.

Reply
Andrea August 5, 2018 - 1:27 pm

between all the colors popping out everywhere and the gorgeous food. i also love that you were able to have coconut water from a fresh young coconut. looks like you had a beautiful and great time!

Reply
kumamonjeng August 5, 2018 - 11:10 pm

Dear Andrea,

Me too, love coconut water so much. As you know Singapore is hot and humid all year world. It is really nice to have a fresh coconut juice after some exploring in this area! And the coconut water is selling cheap too.

Reply
Nina August 5, 2018 - 5:51 pm

Little India would definitely be on my list if I visited! I love Indian food! I love all the colorful buildings that are here and the little girls dressed in traditional clothing.

Reply
kumamonjeng August 5, 2018 - 11:08 pm

Dear Nina,

Singapore is a multi racial country which consist of Chinese, Indian and Malay making up the big majority of the population. It is quite fun to see many of the Indian wearing their traditional sari/saree in this district. Beautiful.
It is also the best place to taste Indian food, try out their curry fish head as it is one of the must try!

Reply
Shabby Chic Boho (@terrishutterbug) August 5, 2018 - 6:52 pm

That enormous peacock is really amazing. And I do love all of the colorful buildings as well. I really enjoyed all of your photos.

Reply
kumamonjeng August 5, 2018 - 11:03 pm

Dear Shabby,

Peacocks symbolize grace, pride, and beauty. They are a sign of joy for all who see them. Indian often used in their mythology and folk stories 🙂 The peacocks are there to welcome visitor entering Little India District.

Reply
Patricia-Ann Que August 5, 2018 - 10:28 pm

Little India has always been a favorite area of Singapore! The colors and the food are the main reason I would go there!

Reply
kumamonjeng August 5, 2018 - 11:00 pm

Dear Patricia,

Little India today is one of Singapore’s most vibrant districts. You also got to see the mix of Hindu and Chinese temples, mosques and churches in the neighbouring streets.

Reply
Kaylyn - Life on the Rocks August 6, 2018 - 6:44 pm

Ugh, Little India looks so beautiful! I’ve never been to Singapore, but everybody always tells me I should get there.

Reply
kumamonjeng August 7, 2018 - 12:09 am

Dear Kaylyn,

You can visit Singapore all year roud as the weather is perfect to travel anytime. The verdant park, world class zoos, luxurious hotels and deliciously cheap food everywhere.

Reply
Stephanie Jnote August 6, 2018 - 6:50 pm

The art and design and all the colors are just so beautiful. I would love seeing this place in person.

Reply
Sweet Southern Savings August 6, 2018 - 9:15 pm

WOW! This destination is new to me. The vibrant colors and landscape are amazing. Your pictures are beautiful and capture your adventure perfectly.

Reply
kumamonjeng August 6, 2018 - 11:53 pm

Dear Sweet Southern,

Thanks for your lovely comment. Blending the old and new, Little India is a vibrant neighbourhood in multi-cultural Singapore. You got see the spice shops, jewellery stores, flower stalls and saree specialists in this Indian’s district!

Reply
Fatima D Torres August 7, 2018 - 11:39 am

Although I’ve never been to Singapore, I have to say this would be a great area to explore. I’ve always been fascinated by the Hindu culture.

Reply
kumamonjeng August 7, 2018 - 12:59 pm

Dear Fatima,

You are right, you get to see Hindu culture at this lively district, especially during some Indian festival such as Deepavali.

Reply
Melissa Major (@_moonlightmel_) August 7, 2018 - 11:50 am

Looks like a really lovely place to vist. Your photos are brilliant. I want to go one day for sure

Reply
Sayanti | bingeonbasics.com August 7, 2018 - 6:10 pm

Being an Indian, it’s so good to see that you have a little India in Singapore too. Looks much like India. Would love to visit

Reply
Princess Quinn August 7, 2018 - 6:37 pm

I love the places you visited! The colors and culture speaks a lot. I would love to explore it too!

Reply
alainamonster August 8, 2018 - 12:33 am

I love all the vibrant colour of Little India. The Colorful Cattle Herders would be amazing to see in person!

Reply
liveloveandadventure August 8, 2018 - 4:19 am

What a gorgeous and colorful city to visit. It looks amazing and such a great backdrop for photos. There is so much of the world I’d like to visit!

Reply
Sandra Crespo August 8, 2018 - 5:26 am

Wow looks fabulous and you do too! I love all the details ty for sharing! I cant wait to travel internationally with the kiddos when they are old enough to enjoy it more!

Reply
Gideon Akachukwu Okorie August 8, 2018 - 11:38 pm

Can see some lovely pictures of little India and you look pretty in that white dress as well.

Reply
Lakatwoman August 9, 2018 - 9:16 pm

I am in love with all the colors and the richness in culture!! Thanka for sharing. It is def a must see

Reply
ohmummymia August 10, 2018 - 9:41 pm

Those pictures are so colorful! Singapore is on my bucket list. If one day I will be able to visit this place I will go straight away to see little India

Reply

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I am the travel writer for Thinkerten. I lived in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and now based in Singapore. Speak 4 languages, Japanese, English, Malay, and Chinese. There are the many types of travels one can experience and mine are mostly focus on self-driving/road trip to explore the places I wanted to see and learn about. Only if you get out of your country, you will see the real you and understand more about yourself, to realize of your own identity, your own culture, and your root.

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