Kampong Glam Walking Tour

(30 reviews)

Singapore audio tour: Kampong Glam Walking Tour

This is a 0.8mi walking tour.

It takes an average of 40 mins to complete.

Singapore

$6.99

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About the Tour

Singapore's Kampong Glam wears its colonial-era ethnic zoning on its sleeve, still shaped by Malay, Arab, and Bugis communities. On this walking tour, you'll find out how a 1822 colonial land plan created a district built on maritime trade and pilgrimage. You'll also hear how Arab, Bugis, and Indian influences layered onto Malay royal history.

The tour starts on Victoria Street near the Rochor Centre, then heads into Kampong Glam through Arab Street, once envisioned as the Muslim Quarter's commercial hub for textiles and carpets. You'll pass Haji Lane, once central to the regional Haj pilgrimage trade, and Beach Road, formerly Singapore's shoreline, where Malay prao, Chinese junks, and European ships once loaded spices, tea, and opium.

You'll learn how wealthy Arab trading families like the Al-Junayds built fortunes from Haj logistics and left their names on mansions and districts still standing today. Along Kandahar Street, you'll spot traditional shophouses with narrow frontages and swinging 'pintu pagar' doors, then walk through Sultan Gate into the grounds of Istana Kampong Glam, the former royal palace. The tour ends near Sultan Mosque's Omani-inspired arch, back on Arab Street.

On this 40-minute tour, you'll have a chance to:

Spot the golden dome of Sultan Mosque, its black band studded with donated glass bottles from local worshippers
Sip traditionally pulled tea at the unnamed 'No Name Serabat Stall,' a decades-old neighbourhood institution
Explore Istana Kampong Glam's spice garden, home to a labelled Gelam tree, the neighbourhood's namesake plant
Admire mosaics honouring the Jewel of Muscat, a replica ninth century Omani dhow sailed to Singapore in 2010
Visit Gedung Kuning, the 'Yellow Mansion,' once home to a Haj pilgrim belt merchant
Retrace the Sultan's Friday prayer route from his palace gates to the mosque entrance

By the end of this walk, you'll understand exactly how trade, pilgrimage, and colonial planning shaped Kampong Glam's identity, and where to find its best biryani afterward.

Tour Producer

Imran Ahmed

2 tours

I moved to Singapore in 1997 and quickly started to call the city home. It’s not hard to understand why: Singapore is a fantastic blend of east and west, old and new, edgy and traditional. But even after many years here, I realized I knew little about the city’s rich history and diverse people – other than the some typical ‘expat’ experiences. Sure, I could tell you about Singapore’s economy and markets, but could I give you an idea of what makes it tick?

So I challenged myself to unravel the mystery of the city and understand its secrets. This quest to understand Singapore led me to transition into guiding from my twenty five-year long career in finance!

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Preview Location

Location 15

Sultan Mosque

Stop here for a minute, in front of Singapore’s unofficial national mosque, the Sultan Mosque or Masjid Sultan.

It's one of the few places in the city where the Muslim Azan or call to prayer rings out across a wide area. Other mosques have to maintain a much lower volume f...

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Major Landmarks

Sultan Mosque
Istana Kampong Glam
Sultan Gate
Arab Street
Haji Lane
Kampong Glam
Gedung Kuning
Spice Garden

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
261 Victoria St, Singapore 189876
Total distance

1km
Final location
695-707 N Bridge Rd, Singapore
Distance back to start location

307.97m

Directions to Starting Point

The route starts on Victoria Street, Bugis, near one of Singapore's most centrally located shopping malls, Bugis Junction.

Bugis is well connected to all parts of Singapore through the city's MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) subway system as well as by many public buses.

MRT: Bugis station along the East-West (Green) Line.

Bus: The bus stop at Victoria Street, near the starting point, is served by bus numbers 2, 12, 33, 130, 133, 960. Additionally, Bugis Junction is also served by the following buses: 32, 51, 63, 80, 124, 142, 145, 166, 174, 174E, 197, 61, 851 and 980.

Car: Ample car parking facilities are available in the Bugis Junction car park and other nearby car parks.

Taxis: Available at the Bugis Junction taxi stand.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

No Name Serabat Stall, Mamanda, Malay Heritage Centre, Zam Zam Restaurant, Victory Restaurant

Best time of day

Early morning before the afternoon sun heats up the city. Alternately, late afternoon or early evening, particularly if one wishes to end the tour with dinner at a traditional restaurant in the Kampong Glam district.

The Istana Kampong Glam grounds – featured in the tour – are accessible from 8 am to 8 pm Tuesday to Sunday, and between 8 am and 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.

The Malay Heritage Centre is closed on Monday but otherwise open from 10 am until 6 pm (last entry 5.30 pm) Tuesday to Sunday. On Monday, the Istana Kampong Glam gardens can only be entered through the courtyard of the Yellow Mansion.

Precautions

Singapore typically has a hot and humid climate, with rain sometimes appearing quite unexpectedly. It is advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes, carry some water and pack an umbrella, just in case.

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App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”