Singapore Shopping: The Complete Guide

Singapore is a shopping paradise, the most-distinct in Southeast Asia, the most-photographed. The malls, the markets, the boutiques, the 24-hour shopping, the duty-free zones — the city has it all. This is the guide to shopping in Singapore.

The 10 must-visit shopping areas

Orchard Road (the most-photographed)

The 2-km shopping belt, the most-photographed in Southeast Asia. The ION Orchard, the Ngee Ann City (the Takashimaya, the most-photographed), the Paragon, the Wisma Atria, the Plaza Singapura. The most-photographed 2-3 hours for the families.

Chinatown (the most-distinct)

The Chinatown Street Market, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Smith Street, the Pagoda Street, the Temple Street, the Trengganu Street. The souvenirs, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the city.

Little India (the most-distinct)

The 24-hour Mustafa Centre, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Tekka Centre, the Little India Arcade, the Serangoon Road. The gold, the flowers, the spices, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the area.

Kampong Glam (the most-distinct)

The Haji Lane, the most-photographed in the area. The boutique shops, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the area. The Arab Street, the Bussorah Street, the most-distinct.

Bugis Village (the most-distinct)

The Bugis Street Market, the most-photographed in Singapore. The 800+ stalls, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the area. The most-photographed for the cheap souvenirs.

VivoCity (the most-distinct)

The largest mall in Singapore, the most-photographed. The Sentosa connection, the most-distinct. The shopping, the dining, the cinema, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the city.

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (the most-photographed)

The luxury mall, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Louis Vuitton, the Chanel, the Prada, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the city. The most-distinct for the high-end shopping.

Raffles City (the most-distinct)

The 1970s-era mall, the most-photographed in the CBD. The most-distinct for the local brands, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the city.

ION Orchard (the most-photographed)

The 8-story mall, the most-photographed in Orchard Road. The 300+ stores, the most-distinct. The most-photographed 2-3 hours in the city.

Mustafa Centre (the 24-hour)

The 24-hour department store, the most-photographed in Singapore. The gold, the electronics, the most-distinct. The most-photographed 2-3 hours in Little India.

The 20 must-buy items

1. Electronics: The smartphones, the laptops, the cameras, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Funan (the most-distinct for the IT), the Sim Lim Square (the most-photographed for the electronics).
2. Gold: The 22K and 24K gold, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Little India, the most-distinct.
3. Peranakan items: The Nyonya-Baba ceramics, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Peranakan Museum, the most-distinct.
4. Local brands: The Charles & Keith, the Pedro, the Love, Bonito, the most-photographed in Singapore.
5. Singapore Sling mix: The cocktail mix, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Raffles Hotel, the most-distinct.
6. Bak kwa: The Chinese BBQ pork, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Bee Cheng Hiang, the Lim Chee Guan, the most-distinct.
7. Kaya jam: The coconut jam, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Ya Kun, the most-distinct.
8. Durian products: The durian candy, the durian cake, the most-photographed in Singapore. The most-distinct for the souvenir.
9. Traditional Chinese medicine: The herbs, the tea, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Eu Yan Sang, the most-distinct.
10. Singapore-made chocolate: The chocolate, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Awfully Chocolate, the Chocolate Origin, the most-distinct.
11. Coffee beans: The kopi beans, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Common Man Coffee Roasters, the most-distinct.
12. Spectra (light show) tickets: The most-photographed in Singapore. The Marina Bay Sands, the most-distinct.
13. Bird's nest: The bird's nest soup, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Eu Yan Sang, the most-distinct.
14. Tiger balm: The herbal ointment, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Tiger Balm Garden, the most-distinct.
15. Singapore-designed fashion:
16. Local art: The most-photographed in Singapore. The ArtScience Museum, the National Gallery, the most-distinct.
17. Antiques: The most-photographed in Singapore. The Chinatown, the most-distinct.
18. Spices: The most-photographed in Singapore. The Little India, the most-distinct.
19. Orchids: The most-photographed in Singapore. The National Orchid Garden, the most-distinct.
20. Vintage cameras: The most-photographed in Singapore. The Thieves' Market (the Sungei Road, the most-distinct).

The local markets

The Thieves' Market (Sungei Road)

The most-photographed flea market in Singapore, the most-distinct. The vintage items, the antiques, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the city. Open weekends, the most-distinct for the bargaining.

Chinatown Street Market

The most-photographed street market in Singapore. The souvenirs, the cheap items, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in Chinatown.

Bugis Street Market

The most-photographed in Singapore, the 800+ stalls. The cheap souvenirs, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the city.

Tekka Centre (Little India)

The most-photographed market in Little India. The gold, the flowers, the spices, the most-photographed 2-3 hours in the area.

Wet markets

The wet markets, the most-photographed for the local life. The Tiong Bahru Market, the Tekka Centre, the Chinatown Complex, the most-distinct.

The duty-free zones

Singapore is a free port (no GST on most goods, no import duty on most goods). The most-photographed duty-free zones: the Changi Airport (the most-distinct for the electronics, the alcohol, the perfume), the Mustafa Centre (the 24-hour, the most-distinct for the gold).

The mall culture

Singapore's mall culture is the most-distinct in Southeast Asia. The most-photographed: the ION Orchard, the VivoCity, the Marina Bay Sands, the Ngee Ann City. The malls are the air-conditioned escape, the most-distinct for the families, the most-photographed for the dates.

What to know

• The bargaining is acceptable at the local markets (the Thieves' Market, the Chinatown Street Market). The malls and the chain stores don't bargain.
• The credit cards are universally accepted. The cash is still useful for the local markets.
• The shopping hours are typically 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the malls, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the local markets.
• The sales tax (the GST) is 8%. The prices are displayed tax-inclusive (the most-distinct).

What to skip

• The "Singapore Sling" at the Raffles Hotel: The most-photographed cocktail, the most-overpriced (S$30+). The cocktail is fine, the experience is the point.
• The "I want to buy electronics at the Changi Airport": The airport prices are the same as the city prices. The Funan and the Sim Lim Square are the most-distinct for the electronics.

Cost (1 day, per person, mid-range)

• Orchard Road shopping: S$100-500
• Hawker center food: S$30-50
• Transport: S$10-20
• Total: S$140-570 (US$100-420)