Experience centuries of living Malay heritage in just one afternoon. Kampong Glam (historically written as “Gelam”) is steeped in the rich history of Singapore’s Malay traditions. Once the official seat of Malay royalty, it became an important trading community at the crossroads of Southeast Asia. The area, bounded by roads like Muscat Street and Arab Street, was a magnet for the orang laut (sea people) and traders from across the region, fusing Malay culture, heritage, and global influences.
Kampong Glam was designated as the Malay cultural district by the British government becoming one of Singapore’s most culturally unique neighbourhoods. The district’s significance transcends its past: today, striking architecture, famous street art, and textile shops alongside bustling cafes showcase the blend of old traditions and dynamic life.
Kampong Glam isn’t a mere relic—it’s a showcase for Singapore’s Muslim community and a place where Malay culture is lived, performed, and promoted, fueling awareness and pride across various communities and generations.
Historical Significance of Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam symbolizes Singapore’s role as a crossroads of culture, trade, and art form. The area thrived under the leadership of the first sultan, Sultan Hussein Shah, making it synonymous with Malay royalty, heritage, and the rise of a cosmopolitan Malay community.
Home to leaders and the orang laut, Kampong Glam has always been linked to the Malay community’s spiritual and social identity. Its streets—alive with music, festivals, and performing arts—highlight traditions rooted in the past but celebrated enthusiastically by Singapore’s next generation. Street art on Muscat Street and Arab Street amplifies these stories, while the neighbourhood’s striking architecture stands as a testament to the harmony of heritage and innovation.Must-Visit Cultural Landmarks
Quick Read: Explore local landmarks that capture the rich history and enduring traditions of Kampong Gelam—Sultan Mosque with its golden domes, the royal legacy of the Istana (now the Malay Heritage Centre), Bussorah Street’s timeless shophouses, and more. Refer to our illustrated map to plan your journey.
Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan)
A focal point and gathering space for Singapore’s Muslim community, the Sultan Mosque was originally built in 1824 by Sultan Hussein Shah with support from the British.
Its striking architecture—golden domes rimmed with glass bottle ends at the golden dome’s base—serves as a symbol of inclusiveness, community participation, and hope. Managed in cooperation with the National Heritage Board, the mosque welcomes visitors, but appropriate attire (no bare backs or shorts) and cover ups are required when entering.
The mosque’s history reflects the Malay community’s journey and service, and it has become a symbol of Malay culture’s endurance. The mosque’s performance spaces and courtyards often host music and performing arts, making it a centre for tradition and contemporary celebration.
Malay Heritage Centre
The Malay Heritage Centre stands as a living centre of knowledge, built upon the royal palace gifted to Sultan Hussein Shah. Operated by the Malay Heritage Foundation alongside the National Heritage Board, it serves not just as a museum but as a space for education, community events, and arts.
Exhibitions spotlight the orang laut, family life, textiles, maritime history, and Singapore’s broader Southeast Asian connections. Performances, artist workshops, and cultural lectures inspire awareness and preserve Malay identity.
Bussorah Street
Bussorah Street links Kampong Glam’s major landmarks, welcoming friends, families, and visitors to discover traditional architecture and modern vibrance. The shophouses, (home to textile shops and eateries serving nasi lemak and other Malay specialties), are a testament to the neighborhood’s famous hospitality. Bussorah Street is also a regular venue for pop-up music events, food stalls, and street art displays that serve the local and tourist community alike.
Arab Street
Arab Street is a legendary artery in the heart of Kampong Gelam—buzzing with textile shops, carpet sellers, food stalls, and the enticing aromas of Malay and Middle Eastern cuisine. Once a gathering point for Malay, Arab, and Indian merchants and the orang laut, today, Arab Street blends heritage with hip, making it a vibrant showcase for Malay culture, street art, and community spirit.
Here you’ll find songket and batik, contemporary and traditional arts, and food ranging from nasi padang to sweet kueh. The area’s perfume shops invite you to blend your own scents—links to centuries-old traditions promoted by the Malay community and celebrated at neighborhood festivals. Arab Street is also renowned for its vibrant street art, quirky boutiques, and lively cafes, echoing Kampong Glam’s dynamic approach to Malay traditions in Singapore.Living Traditions You Can Experience
Quick Read: Kampong Gelam is alive with Malay traditions for every visitor—take part in craft workshops, savor dishes like nasi lemak, and experience performances and art forms handed down through generations.
Traditional Craft Workshops
Immerse yourself in the art of batik painting (offered in studios on Arab Street and within the Malay Heritage Centre), or watch songket weaving and textile making—a showcase of skill, patience, and Malay heritage. Many local artists, supported by the Malay Heritage Foundation, offer lessons that enable hands-on learning and cultural preservation.
Culinary Experiences
Sink your teeth into nasi padang, nasi lemak, beef rendang, or kueh at cafes and hawker stalls along Muscat Street, Arab Street, or near Haji Lane. These dishes fuse local ingredients, history, and inspiration from various communities. You can also discover how Peranakan cuisine blends similar traditions in other parts of Singapore. The area’s food stalls and restaurants, operated by generations of Malay families, enliven city nights with flavours that celebrate the Malay community’s diversity and warmth.
Cultural Performances
From music in open courtyards to kompang drummers at the Malay Heritage Centre, Malay traditions in Singapore come alive through performing arts and community events. The Foundation and Centre, as key promoters, host regular sessions—check for listings on official platforms, especially during festivals and Hari Warisan.
Hands-On Experiences:
- Batik Workshop on Arab Street—make your own textile art form.
- Malay Cooking Class—learn nasi lemak recipes on Muscat Street.
- Perfume Blending Session—create scents at Arab Street boutiques.
Malay Heritage Foundation
The foundation is at the forefront of safeguarding and promoting Kampong Gelam’s intangible heritage and education—working with the National Heritage Board and local government. The foundation’s work spans archiving, research, and youth engagement, focusing on the preservation of knowledge, Malay heritage, and the passing of traditions and language to the next generation. Their support ensures that Kampong Gelam remains the city’s beacon of Malay identity, thought leadership, and inspiration.
Education and Research in Malay Heritage
The Malay Heritage Centre is a place for research and inspiration as well as cultural celebration. Its collaboration with the Malay Heritage Foundation and National Heritage Board produces workshops, museums, and lectures, helping visitors discover the roots of Malay traditions, arts, and language. These partnerships help preserve Malay heritage and stimulate curiosity among youth, scholars, and visitors from Singapore and beyond.
Calendar of Malay Cultural Events
Quick Read: Kampong Gelam’s streets play host to some of the city’s best-loved celebrations. Check event calendars for key festivals and cultural showcases.
Hari Warisan
The highlight of the cultural season, Hari Warisan, is celebrated with food, crafts, performances, and showcases of Malay art form along Arab Street and at the Malay Heritage Centre. Organized by the Malay Heritage Foundation, it’s a celebration for the city’s Malay and Muslim community, and invites participation from friends, tourists, and neighbours.
Hari Raya Celebrations
Hari Raya transforms Kampong Gelam into a hub of lights and music, with Muscat Street and surrounding lanes as focal points. Night bazaars, family gatherings, and street art installations adorn the area, unifying Singapore’s Muslim community through food, music, and community.
Malay CultureFest & Regular Weekend Activities
During Malay CultureFest, Kampong Gelam becomes a showcase for heritage crafts, storytelling, performing arts, and outreach by the Malay Heritage Foundation and National Heritage Board. Regular weekends bring pop-up arts, music, and street performances—ensuring a living tradition in every corner of Kampong Gelam.
Kampong Gelam
Kampong Gelam represents the celebration of traditions and the ongoing story of Malay culture in Singapore. Every street—Muscat Street, Arab Street, Haji Lane, and beyond—reflects the neighborhood’s commitment to cultural preservation and contemporary relevance. The area continues to serve as a focal point for various communities, including the orang laut and performing artists, forging a living link between the past, present, and hope for the future.
Street Art
Brilliant street art adds vibrancy to Kampong Gelam. Murals on Haji Lane, Muscat Street, and Arab Street depict historical scenes, Malay legends, and everyday life, drawing inspiration from the city’s heritage and local youth. The area’s art form helps foster awareness, youth engagement, and pride, ensuring that Malay traditions are celebrated and communicated in bold, new ways.
Striking Architecture
The striking architecture of Kampong Glam—colonial facades, the elegant mosque, Art Deco shophouses, and the restored Malay Heritage Centre—represents centuries of design genius and cultural syncretism. Many restoration and revamp works are led by the National Heritage Board and Malay Heritage Foundation, supported by government leadership, to preserve the built heritage while making it accessible to future generations and visitors.
Muscat Street
A central spine of Kampong Gelam, Muscat Street is renowned for its festivals, culinary adventures, music pop-ups, and cultural knowledge. Named to recognize the friendship between Singapore and Oman, it serves as a vibrant axis linking Sultan Mosque and the Malay Heritage Centre. Annual light-ups and holiday bazaars reinforce Muscat Street’s standing as a gathering space for the local community and city’s visitors alike.
Haji Lane
The famous Haji Lane is a fusion of old and new—lined with independent boutiques, renowned for food and performing arts, and adorned with eye-catching street art. Once a resting place for pilgrims en route to Mecca, Haji Lane exemplifies the evolving traditions and multicultural awareness of Kampong Gelam’s core. Weekends bring music, youthful crowds, and an unmistakable neighborhood vibe.
Revamp Works
Recent revamp works in Kampong Gelam—driven by the National Heritage Board, the Malay Heritage Foundation, and city authorities—have restored mosque courtyards, shophouse exteriors, and gathering spaces. These efforts reflect the city’s commitment to preservation, inclusivity, and thoughtful innovation, ensuring Malay heritage continues to inspire new generations.
Modern Malay Culture in Kampong Gelam
Singapore’s next generation is taking the lead in heritage preservation and creative renewal. Through food, contemporary arts, local fashion, and music at performance venues along Arab Street and Haji Lane, the traditions of the Malay community serve as both legacy and source of daily inspiration. The Centre and Foundation provide thought leadership in nurturing these evolving art forms, celebrating the continuity and dynamism of the community’s story.
Practical Tips for Visitors
For a meaningful visit to Kampong Gelam:
Best times: Late afternoon or early evening, avoiding city heat
Etiquette: Wear appropriate attire at mosques (shoulders/knees covered, no bare backs)
Transport: MRT to Bugis or Jalan Besar, then walk; local bus lines available
Photos: Ask for permission, especially during rituals
Support: Shop at local textile shops and buy crafts from community artisans
Carry the Story Forward
Kampong Gelam invites you to reflect on the rich history, living traditions, and visionary future of Malay heritage in Singapore. Bring home a textile, a batik pouch, or a crafted perfume as a reminder, or keep learning through the resources at the Malay Heritage Centre and Malay Heritage Foundation.
Above all, recognize the significance of community, youth participation, and heritage preservation in sustaining vibrant cultures.
Share your inspiration, discoveries, and friends-made-along-the-way with #KampongGlam #VisitSingapore #MalayCultureSG, and become a part of Kampong Gelam’s ever-unfolding, colorful story.
