Street Art Hunting in Kampong Gelam

Long before street art was hip in the rest of Singapore, Kampong Gelam was one of the few spots where the local public art scene flourished. Murals tell stories about their surroundings beyond just what is painted. This walking tour takes you through the Malay Quarter’s heritage and unravels its history along its narrow streets while revealing the area’s trendy hidden murals.

The tour starts from North Bridge Road outside the Golden Landmark Shopping Centre. You'll explore the famous hipster stretch, Haji Lane, and wind your way through the alleyways until you stand before the iconic Sultan Mosque and its golden domes.

You'll wander away from the tourist stretch towards the artsier Sultan Arts Village, where at the Gelam Gallery I’ll tell you how murals in Singapore have to be government-approved due to the strict vandalism laws. The tour ends at the Aliwal Arts Centre, in front of a mural that pays homage to the neighborhood’s history as a boating district.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Learn about some of Singapore's top street artists and where their works are in this neighbourhood
• Immerse yourself in Arab Street’s fantastic café culture or purchase a Persian carpet from one of its many textile stores
• Have a drink at the bustling Blu Jaz, a bar with brilliant futuristic murals
• Find out the reasons behind how many of these streets here were named like Muscat Street and Haji Lane
• Discover the secret material used in the building of the famous Sultan Mosque

By the end of this 30-minute tour, you'll have a deeper insight into Singapore’s street art culture and hopefully be inspired to explore more neighbourhoods through their urban art scene.