Kampong Glam Ethnic Quarter
along Victoria Street towards Arab Street
and Sultan Gate Street
Singapore

Kampong Glam was named after the Glam tree (Melaleuca leucadendron), which used to grow in the area, the tree has a long flexible trunk with irregular ascending branches, covered with a pale thick, lamellate bark it is soft and spongy and from time to time throws off its outer layer in flakes; the leaves have a very aromatic odor and the oil is distilled from the fresh leaves and twigs, the common name in Malay is Kayu Puteh.

Kampong Glam was the historic seat of Malay royalty in Singapore. Sir Stamford Raffles allotted the area as an ethnic enclave to the Muslim population and it became the focal point for Arab trade and traditional Malay culture. Baghdad, Muscat Street and Haji Lane resonate with tradition as cane, straw rattan and pandan leaf goods spill out onto the streets.

Today, the former Istana Kampong Glam (Sultan's palace) has been converted into a heritage museum, the Malay heritage Centre, to showcase the rich history and culture of Singapore's Malay community. The building and architecture has been meticulously restored to retain its flavour and authenticity.

Istana Kampong Glam is located between Kandahar and Aliwal Street and about 200 metres from the Sutan Gate in Beach Road, this is a 2-storey building, enclosed by strong walls. Over the years, the cement on the walls has fallen off, exposing the red bricks inside. Sultan Hussein lived here between 1819-1835 and about 50-60 acres of land around also belong to him and his descendants lived here too.

According to another record, the Istana was built between 1836 and 1943 by order of Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah (1835-1877) who was the son of Sultan Hussein. There is no record whether it has been rebuilt, but the Istana is at least more than 150 years old.

Next to the Istana is Tepak Sireh, a restaurant in a restored bungalow, which offers halal food, and cultural performances in a charming historical district. If you're lucky, you may even dine with guests at a royal-style Malay wedding!

A key building in Kampong Glam is Sultan Mosque (or Masjid Sultan) at Bussorah Street, the largest mosque in Singapore with the capacity to accommodate up to 5,000 Muslims in congregational prayers. Built in 1928, the mosque features a massive golden dome and is one of Singapore's most imposing religious institutions.

Another historic mosque around the area is Masjid Hajah Fatimah . This mosque was built around 1844-1846 with donation from a rich and generous Malacca Malay woman. She built mosques and many houses for the poor. Until today, the Masjid Fatimah mosque in Jawa Road, Singapore still standing firmly in place and she was buried in a private mosque behind the Masjid.

Fronting the Sultan mosque is Bussorah Mall, where the beautifully restored shop houses sell traditional clothes, artifacts, handicraft, furniture and jewelry. Or head on down to Kandahar Street to try some traditional Malay cuisine.

Arab Street is the centre of the Muslim community where it used to be the main selling place of Muslim men's headgear (or songkok), the holy Quran, prayer mats and textiles. Today, Arab Street is a designer's dream locale! Glittery and lavish fashion items abound, like the finest lace, sparkling semi-precious stones, ostrich feathers, iron-on diamantes, gold thread, and wholesale bales of silk, organza and lame, which dazzle in rainbow hues and intensities.

Situated at the junction of Victoria Street and Jalan Sultan, founded between 1819-1820, it is the earliest Malay cemetery in Singapore. When Sultan Hussein and his followers settled in the area between Arab Street and Jalan Sultan, there was already a sea gypsy's village occupied by the Glam tribe. The Cemetery had probably been used prior to this period. The Sultan himself died in Malacca on 5th September 1835, but some of his relatives were buried in Kampong Glam. Mr. Tassim labeled this place 'Tombs of the Malayan Princes' in a map he drew in 1936.

Getting There
Take the MRT to Bugis Station (EW12) and walk along Victoria Street towards Arab Street and Sultan Gate Street towards the Malay Heritage Centre.

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