SINGAPORE

Iconic Bugis Street

Once a hangout for prostitutes and flamboyantly-dressed transvestites, Bugis Street is now a prime destination for tourists and locals alike, thanks to its textured history and shopping spots. 

Bugis Street came to notoriety from the 1950s to the early 1980s mainly due to its prevalent outdoor eateries, marketplace ambience and colourful characters.

The street underwent major urban redevelopment during the mid-1980s, developing into a retail complex of modern malls, restaurants and nightspots alongside regulated roadside vendors. However this also stopped the nightly transgender bazaar culture – the end of a fascinating and unique era in Singapore’s history.

Bugis Street now has a metro station and more than 800 shops in a three-storey building. It is popular with both locals and tourists as it is one of the cheapest places in Singapore for souvenirs, accessories, clothes, electronics, and cosmetics. There are also plenty of eating options in the small alleys to keep hungry shoppers satisfied.

Besides shopping, there is also a beautiful attraction hidden in the back alleys – rows of spiral staircases painted in colourful colours – perfect for Instagram lovers!