Bugis Singapore

Shopping in Bugis Singapore…a Modern-Day Rejuvenation

24 July 2009 No Comment

I bought some T-shirts while shopping in Bugis Singapore.

It was Chinese New Year time, and traditionally, I got to get some new cloths for the occasion.

I bought it from a shop owned by John, a talented local designer. John was a fashion designer for a famous boutique in Paris, has since decided to run his own store, selling his own design garments and accessories 1 year ago after returning to Singapore. He told me Bugis Street is an ideal place for designer-entrepreneur wannabe like him.

Bugis Street Market

In fact, there are more than 600 shops in this 70,000 square feet shopping arcade. Claimed to be the largest and cheapest street market in Singapore, it was recognized as the fashion capital for the young and hip. You can find shops selling in-fashion clothing, accessories, leather, trinkets, watches, mobile phones; beauty salons, hair salons, tattoo parlors, manicure, pedicure and many other specialty shops.

I’m not a shopping guy, but when I strolled through lane after lane of uptrend goods Bugis Singapore, I suddenly felt the long gone young and energetic adrenaline powered up in me (although I’m not that old either…).

Bugis Street Market

The young may not know that Bugis Singapore has a garish history. Named after one uncivilized pirate race from Macassar who came here before the British, Bugis was a red-light district famous for its transvestite and prostitutes. Bars and “Ah-Gua show”; (local name for transvestite show) were favored by the American and British sailors that docked here.

This ‘dirty’ place was redeveloped by the Singapore Government since 1985. It has transformed to a sanitizing shopping area since then. Today, it is an urbanized and sophisticated shopping place.

Sophisticated it had transformed, but I guess the heat and humidity didn’t change much.

Parco Bugis Junction

I decided to walk across the road, to soak into a fully air-conditioned shopping experience. It is the Parco Bugis Junction that is just opposite Bugis Street. Being the first glass-covered air-conditioned shopping mall, Bugis Junction is connected to the Bugis MRT on one end, and InterContinental Hotel on the other end.

Hunting for a 15th birthday gift for my niece in Bugis Singapore, I reckoned that this is the right place to go for. Popular being the haven for teens, this place sells almost everything, from electronic items, fashions, knick-knacks, to toys and gifts.

The shopping mall is mainly divided into 2 parts. The indoor and the outdoor, all air-conditioned.

Parco Bugis Shopping Mall

Well, the outdoor area is rows of shops converted from clusters of 2-storeys pre-war shophouses. They were wrapped around by huge glass panels, which created an outdoor shopping atmosphere, while enjoying the cool breeze from the air-conditioners.

In fact, this is my favorite shopping area among the entire mall. I can enjoy the sun and the cool breeze at the same time, keeps me dry on a rainy day while shopping “outdoor”. Besides, the push carts laid along the lane, selling mostly handicrafts normally attract the most crowds.

I walked into a small gadget shop; an attractive young lady approaches me, and asked “Can I help you, Uncle?”

I looked at her, and replied “I am not that old…”

Anyway, I bought a set of earphones as a gift for my niece. Hope she will like it…