The Landmark Village Hotel enjoys a strategic downtown location adjacent to the Islamic enclave of Kampong Glam. The Central Business District, Raffles Hospital and the Suntec and Raffles City international convention and exhibition centres are just a short MRT ride or drive away.

Kampong Glam and its labyrinth of quiet and quaint streets are perfect for the curious explorer. Although the gold-domed Sultan Mosque dominates the district, several other mosques have their own charm and claim to fame. Restored shophouses here sport motifs that conform to Islamic norms. And it is in these that one finds some of the most surprising little shops, eateries and entertainment outlets.

Food is never far from the heart of every Singaporean and many flock to this precinct to savour their favourite indulgences. Street level shopping adds another dimension to the vicinity and could yield anything from perfumes, scented oils, carpets, art supplies and even costumes for fancy dress parties.

You can also unearth unexpected treasures from the second-hand goods and junk at the Thieves Market in Sungei Road. Or, head to a wholesale market for dried scallops and other seafood.

This walk promises a contrasting experience and a change of tempo when you move from one precinct to the next.

• Sultan Mosque – with its gilded dome sitting on a “bed” of glass bottles – dominates Kampong Glam and its labyrinth of quaint streets
• Visit the palace that was home to descendents of the Sultan of Johore that was transformed into the Malay Heritage Centre
• Tuck into a generous portion of Hainanese chicken rice and other Hainanese dishes at Chin Chin Restaurant
• Shop for canned abalone, sea cucumber, dried scallops, mushrooms and other traditional dried goods at the Victoria Street Wholesale Market.

Sultan Mosque
3 Muscat Street
Opening hours: 0900 – 1200hrs and 1400 – 1600 hrs (avoid visiting at midday on Friday)

The Sultan Mosque today was completed in 1928, having replaced the original mosque built in 1826. Conforming to Indo-Saracenic architectural style that marries Islamic forms with balustrades and columns, the gilded dome sits on a bed formed by glass bottles. In the main prayer hall, a massive carpet donated by the royal family of Saudi Arabia dominates. (Strict dress code applies) Is it Singapore’s biggest mosque?

Malay Heritage Centre
85 Sultan Gate
Opening hours (museum): 1300 – 1800 hrs (Mondays), 1000 – 1800 hrs (Tuesdays – Sundays)
Entry: S$4 (adults), S$3 (children below 12 and seniors above 60)

In exchange for ceding Singapore to the British in 1819, Sultan Hussain Shah of Johore received a grant and land around Kampong Glam. On the latter, he built a palace – Istana Kampong Glam – which today is a museum showcasing the lives and achievements of Singapore’s malay community. The understated Palladian structure of the building belies its rich royal heritage.

Kampong Glam
Arab Street, Baghdad Street, Kandahar Street, Bussorah Street, Muscat Street and North Bridge Road

This enclave is rich in dining and entertainment options beneath its quiet and quaint façade. Food-loving Singaporeans flock for their regular dose of murtabak, roti prata and nasi padang. Shoppers will delight in the choice of shops selling perfumes and scented oils, carpets from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, handicrafts and fabric.

Purvis Street, Seah Street, Tan Quee Lan Street, Liang Seah Street

These streets have acquired a reputation for dining and a variety of Asian restaurants have sprung up in recent years. Hot favourites among locals are those serving Thai cuisine and Chinese hot-pots. Chin Chin Restaurant on Purvis Street is one of Singapore’s most beloved Hainanese chicken rice restaurants. Its owner’s family have conducted business since 1935. Flavourful and tender, this is probably the one dish Singaporeans cannot live without. And probably many of our repeat foreign visitors too.

Bali Lane and Haji Lane

Quaint and truly quirky, these two lanes used to house cloth merchants but today are dotted with interesting food and entertainment outlets. Brilliantly coloured artwork and graffiti on the walls are a contrast to elsewhere in Singapore and among the more interesting joints are the costume rental shops, Turkish and Egyptian restaurants. There is even a Swedish café for contrast.

Bras Basah Complex
Corner of North Bridge Road and Bain Street

A popular destination for Singaporeans looking for arts and handicraft materials, books (including second-hand ones) and stationery, Bras Basah Complex is fondly referred to locals as “BBC”. There are also art galleries, frame-makers and a shop selling Chinese rice paper, brushes and ink-stones.

Hajjah Fatimah Mosque
4001 Beach Road

The Hajjah Fatimah Mosque was built in 1826 by Hajjah Fatimah, a wealthy trader who married a Bugis prince from Celebes (today’s Sulawesi). Its architecture incorporated elements of Moorish, Chinese and European designs but its claim to fame lies in its leaning minaret.

Malabar Mosque
471 Victoria Street
Opening hours: 0900 – 1130 hrs (Dress code applies)

This beautiful mosque features a gilded dome and intricate blue mosaic walls, and caters to the needs of the Malabar Muslim community (originally from Kerala in India). Although the foundation stone was laid in 1956, Malabar Mosque was opened in 1963.

Victoria Street Wholesale Market
Corner of Victoria Street and Ophir Road
471 Victoria Street
Opening hours: 0900 – 1130 hrs (Dress code applies)

Most of the 41 retail outlets here sell dried products used in traditional Chinese cooking such as sea cucumber, scallops, prawns and sausages and a few offer products such as party good, household furnishings and rattan baskets. Many locals also shop for canned abalone here as prices here are more competitive.

Thieves Market
Sungei Road
Mornings until evenings (daily) but best on weekend afternoons

This is alternative shopping at its best and the place to find treasures among the junk.. Anything from out-of-circulation music records, glassware and porcelain figurines to bakelite radios and rotary telephones. In the past, it is popularly known that if one is robbed clean, chances are that the stolen goods could be found and purchased here. High Street shopping this is not but it can be great fun.

Saint Joseph’s Church
143 Victoria Street
Opening hours: 0730 – 1845 hrs

The church was completed in 1853 using land and money bequeathed by Father Francisco da Silva Pinto e Maia from Macau. In 1912, the present church building was built to cater to the growing congregation but retained the original church bell. The church’s interior is decorated with stunning stained glass and statues of various saints. It was gazetted a national monument in 2005.