Singapore's largest shopping district is the perfect place to flash the plastic, day or night.
Bugis Street has come a long way in recent years – once something of a red light district, the area was also known for its night market or pasar malam where cheap goods and hawker food was readily available. The seediness is long gone however – in the 1980s Bugis Street was redeveloped and is now is best known for its massive variety of retail outlets with more than 800 shops to choose from. Tourists of all ages can pick up a great bargain here and rub shoulders with the locals.
Anyone looking to spend some money should set aside a few hours here to browse the cobbled streets and alleys that make up Bugis Street. There is plenty to see, from the ground floor stores that cater mainly to tourists and sell souvenirs, to the stores on the upper floors which offer more variety, selling everything from clothes to DVDs and traditional art, pedicures and even tattoos. Prices up here tend to be more competitive than on the lower tier. And the place is air-conditioned which comes as a relief in Singapore's humidity.
When darkness falls, the lively night market comes into its own, and the streets become crowded with hawker traders selling local Singaporean dishes such as big bowls of spicy laksa or char kway teow noodles and freshly squeezed juices, while market stalls offering handmade souvenirs line the street.
The Bugis Street Shopping District is located downtown and can be easily reached on foot from many downtown hotels. It's easiest to arrive by taxi or by the MRT and alight at Bugis Station. Bugis Street is open daily although there are no uniform times for stores.
