As one of Singapore’s busiest shopping district, Bugis Street is a hive of activity. It’s home to the largest market in Singapore, crammed full of everything from cheap clothes and bargain beauty products to electronics and souvenir stalls and of course, plenty of street food vendors thrown into the mix.

Beyond bargains, Bugis also boasts one of Singapore’s best alternative shopping streets. Lined with independent boutiques run by local designers, Haji Lane is a fantastic place to pick up souvenirs. For those who prefer something a little more established, Bugis is home to a handful of air-conditioned malls.

Singapore is serviced by a fantastic MRT system, which makes accessing Bugis easy. The district is anchored by the Bugis MRT station, which offers connections to the downtown core, Clarke Quay, Gardens by the Bay and more. From Changi Airport, the drive to Bugis takes around 25 minutes.

While today Bugis is straight edge, it wasn’t always so polished. From the 50s to the 80s it was a notorious nightlife district, frequented by sailors and military personnel on R&R. Its streets were lined with gambling dens, adult stores and everything in-between. Today, it has shunned its former reputation in favour of bustling markets that attract hordes of teens, tourists and twenty-somethings.