A Guide On Where To Shop In Singapore's Little India

Singapore is home to an incredibly rich, diverse, cultural population, marked by neighbourhoods that celebrate these cultures. Alongside Chinatown and Arab Street, the city-state boasts a vibrant Little India located conveniently at the junction of the Downtown Line and North East Line, just outside the busy Central Business District. This colourful neighbourhood is best visited during Diwali, the festival of lights that takes place in late October or early November or Pongal, a South Indian harvest festival celebrated in mid-January. During these holiday events, Little India comes alive like no other – but be forewarned, the neighbourhood can get very crowded! However, at any time of the year Little India is known for two main things: shopping and food.
A walk around Little India is an assault on the senses, in the best possible way. Prepare for Hindi and Punjabi music to be blaring from each storefront as you stumble through an aromatic melange of spices, incense and flower garlands. Perhaps the most striking thing is the fashion on display in the neighbourhood. Although India itself has seen the emergence of Western fashion, here in Little India you will see women walking arm-in-arm, decked out in beautiful saris and ornate, gold jewellery.

http://instagram.com/p/BDsTJXDGvt1

If you’re looking to start your own collection of Indian fashion, the first place to visit, the landmark of Little India, Tekka Market, right above the MRT station facing onto Bukit Timah Road. Tekka Market is the behemoth of shopping offerings in Little India, famous for its giant wet market that sells all kinds of fresh and live seafood as well as an array of fresh produce. It is also known for its equally large hawker centre, that although specializing in Indian and Muslim food also has its share of cuisine from the rest of the world, and finally, an enormous collection of Indian fashion as colourful or subtle as any buyer could want. Tekka Market is an excellent place to start your Indian fashion journey due to its excellent selection and low prices.

http://instagram.com/p/BGhTgzSGV60

http://instagram.com/p/9ktnyKDpi5/

On the other hand, if you’re feeling more up-market and want to venture into the world of gold jewellery, Serangoon will prove to be a veritable gold mine. This street is lined with stores that offer an array of 18k and 22k gold jewellery that range from very traditional designs to something more modern. The famous Indian brand, Joy Alukka from Kerala, has an outlet about one kilometre further down Serangoon near Lavender Street, or if you don’t feel like walking in the scorching heat, jump on the North East Line and travel one stop over to Farrer Park.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.