Geylang, Singapore - Market & Food Centres in Geylang

When I think of Singapore, I think of the Central Business District and the main tourist destinations such as the the shopping street of Orchard Road and nightlife along the Riverside. The first thing that comes into mind about Geylang is the red-light district, but it's a small enclave that gets unnoticed unless you search for it. Geylang is far away from being a tourist attraction.

However, the Haig Market & Food Centre (Haig Road) and the Geylang Serai Market (Changi Road) caught my attention. It's old world shopping here with their small shops and stalls selling fresh produce, spices, dried foodstuff and the everyday items. Furthermore, some of the best eats I've had for Malay and Indian Muslims foods in Singapore are from the food stalls here. 

Haig Road and the Haig Market & Food Centre (right)

A sundry shop

Shop selling dried foodstuff

Malay food stalls

Geylang, Singapore - The Malay Cultural Village

The Malay Village in Geylang was a showcase of Malay culture and history in Singapore during the 1950s and 1960s. The Village is now closed to make way for commercial development housing a civic centre and expected to open in 2016. Fortunately, I had a chance to visit the Malay Village before it closed but personally didn't find the place impressive.

Whatever my opinion, the Malay Village did give me a tiny glimpse of old Singapore. There were a few display of traditional Malay costumes and musical instruments. There was a picture gallery of well-known Malays but several were Malays from Malaysia and not Singapore. There were also a few small shops selling handicraft and herbs but most were empty.

Entrance to the Malay Cultural Village

Inside the Village

A former Malay house

Entrance to the Gallery

Food stall at the Village

Geylang, Singapore - Where's the Red Light?

Mention Geylang to any Singaporean or resident and the first thing that comes into mind is the neighborhood's red-light district. However, you find hookers roaming the streets of Geylang but just ordinary people carrying on with their everyday lives. So where are the often mentioned ladies of the night in Geylang? They are tucked away along the lanes off the main streets, only coming to nest in the evenings. There seem two be different worlds in Geylang!

Cheap eats at the Paya Lebar MRT Station

Tanjong Katong Shopping Complex

Junction of Geylang and Tanjong Katong Roads

Haig Road

Fruit stalls along the road

Geylang, Singapore - The Geylang Neighborhood

Geylang is a neighborhood in Singapore situated east of the Central Business District. Geylang Road passes through the centre of the neighborhood, which can also be reached via the Paya Lebar, Aljunied and Kallang MRT Stations. Geylang is often promoted as the heartland of Singapore's Malay community but having been here, doesn't catch my attention.

However, it's no secret to anyone living in Singapore that Geylang is famous for its red-light district. The old houses along the even numbered lanes off Geylang Road are well-known for its ladies of the night. Prostitution is legal in the area with most of the prostitutes coming from China, Vietnam and Indonesia but you won't find any Singaporean girls here.

Modern apartment blocks in Geylang

Post Office near Paya Lebar MRT Station

Old quarter of Geylang by Calvin Teo

The Haig Market

A mosque