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Even with the two-month long Great Sale, there is literally a sale in every shopping mall and stores the whole year in Singapore. Whatever your shopping fix is, you are sure to find it in the different shopping precincts in the city. Aside from Kampong Glam, there are other four main shopping districts in Singapore.
Holland Village
If Singapore is the microcosm of Asia, Holland Village is the microcosm of Singapore. It is the favorite haunt of expatriates and tourists alike. If you don't have much time to go around Singapore, this is a good place to start as it gives you a wide array of shopping and entertainment options. Its laid back charm is also a perfect place to relax and enjoy the day with your friends.
Sip a cup of coffee or enjoy a bottle of wine with your friends in one of the eclectic mix of music bars and ritzy restaurants along Lorong Mambong. If you want to have a taste of the traditional, you can also find traditional tea and coffee houses offering teh tarik or "pulled tea" in the midst of these modern bars and restaurants.
When it comes to shopping, you can find a wide array of ethnic-themed arts and accessories along with antiques and exotic dinnerware from different parts of the world in the famed Holland Road Shopping Center. Besides these, you can also find sisha pipes, vintage clothing, quirky fashion stores, and gourmet emporium.
Little India
For a taste of the Indian culture, Little India will surely transport you to the sound, smell, and taste of everything Indian. Have your fortune told as you take in the smell of roasted nuts and jasmine sold in the
streets. Be transported to another time and place as your senses get enthralled by the smell of spices and fragrances in Serangoon Road and Campbell Lane. Have your fill of various fabrics, incense, oils, and Ayurvedic medicine in stalls that dot along Little India.
You can also indulge in a 24-hour shopping spree at the Mustafa Center and fill your shopping bags with various knick-knacks, decorative items, or souvenirs.
Chinatown
This is Singapore's largest historic district right next to the city's business hub. Comparing its history with its present situation, you will find out that nothing has changed much in this bustling community - merchants are still selling the same wares since it the city has become a trading post. Find the most exquisite handicrafts, gold and jade jewelry, and the finest of silk. You can also find a wide array of Chinese products from medicinal herbs to traditional Chinese clothing and cheongsams.
If you want to witness more of its vibrancy, visit Chinatown during the Chinese New Year where an array of activities, festivals, and food can be seen. During this time, paper lanterns adorn the stalls as
well as Chinese opera masks, and calligraphy.
Orchard Road
You can find some of the most modern malls and shopping centers in the world along Orchard Road. It is a far cry from the nineteenth century plantation filled with wet markets and hawker centers. Development began in 1958 giving way to high rise buildings and retail complexes.
