The Best Things to Do in Tiong Bahru, Singapore

If you want to get to know a different side of Singapore, then I can highly recommend a walk through Tiong Bahru. I had already chosen accommodation in Tiong Bahru in advance for part of my trip to Singapore and didn’t regret spending two days a little off the beaten track.

Tiong Bahru in Singapore: An Insider Tip

Singapore is a melting pot of diverse cultures. A bit like Hong Kong, only Singapore seemed to me even more diverse, even more crowded in the smallest space. Indians, Chinese, Malays, British, every culture has left something here and created this multicultural place that I still find difficult to categorize.
The few days I spent in Singapore were probably not enough, I didn’t just visit the usual sights such as Chinatown and Marina Bay with its Gardens by the Bay, but also more unusual corners such as Tiong Bahru.

Welcome to my travel blog

Hey, I’m Tatiana and I’m the blogger behind The Happy Jetlagger. Since 2014, I’ve been sharing my personal travel stories on this blog. I don’t have a big team behind me, so I’m pretty much a one-person show: I’ve researched and tested all recommendations myself.

Tiong Bahru: A Residential District in Singapore with History

Strictly speaking, there aren’t many real sights in Tiong Bahru, as it is simply too residential. Tiong Bahru is the first social housing project in Singapore and was built back in the 1930s. As buildings are often demolished in Singapore due to a lack of space to make way for new, better and taller skyscrapers, Tiong Bahru is now the oldest residential area in the city.

Formerly a cemetery, then a purely residential area and now one of the trendiest districts in Singapore. Surprisingly, social housing has a long tradition in Singapore. Thinking of Singapore, you might expect big banks in tall skyscrapers and spectacular architecture such as the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the Gardens by the Bay.

Without social housing, many Singaporeans would not be able to afford a home: Singapore has been very far-sighted in the past. The entire Tiong Bahru district with its residential buildings is now under protection. Rightly so, because the Art Deco-style houses are truly special: the buildings’ rounded shapes are reminiscent of Bauhaus or Miami South Beach.

More info & tips about Singapore

The Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail also leads through Tiong Bahru and tells a little about the history of this special district with display boards. Here you also pass the Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter , the last remaining bunker in Singapore from World War II. However, you can only get in as part of a guided tour.

The new hipster district in Singapore

In recent years, hipsters have conquered the previously sleepy Tiong Bahru and breathed new life into the district. In any case, I was very surprised at the contrast to the other parts of Singapore that I had visited up to that point.

The atmosphere in Tiong Bahru is simply special. In the evening, for example, you can sit in one of the cozy bars or restaurants in sultry temperatures, half outside under arcades, with the ceiling fan humming peacefully above you. There is also good food or the best cocktails, all in a tropical ambience with lots of green plants and the bright houses all around: Tiong Bahru is a real insider tip.

By the way, during the day it is recommended to go to Tiong Bahru Market. Recently renovated, it is one of the most popular hawker centers in Singapore. And as we all know, you can never go wrong in Singapore if you’re looking for good, reasonably priced food.

Hawker centers are food courts in indoor shopping malls. You can find real culinary highlights there. There is even a stall in Singapore that is so good that it even has a Michelin star.

The Best Spots in Tiong Bahru: Shopping, Cafés and Restaurants

Tiong Bahru Bakery One of THE institutions in Tiong Bahru. Bakery with kitchen, for coffee or a snack in between.

Plain Vanilla Bakery Famous for its fantastic cupcakes, located in a small street with some other lovely cafés and stores such as Books Actually.

Books Actually – A neighborhood bookstore with lots of literature about Singapore and a strong focus on art and design. Also, a very cute children’s book corner.

Café Pandan – Simple ambience, but very neat and cheap. The Char Siew Rice (Cantonese-style barbecue marinated pork on rice) is divine. A specialty that you absolutely have to try in Singapore!

Where to Stay in Tiong Bahru

I stayed at the COO Boutique Hostel* for two nights. Pretty hip, clean rooms, but unfortunately small and cramped – but that’s Singapore. However, I can still highly recommend it, especially if you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation. The price level in Singapore is very high, especially for accommodation.

➜ Prices & availability COO Boutique Hostel*