Kampong Glam: A street full of culture

The word ‘kampong’ means “compound in Malay, while “gelam” refers to the long-leaved paperbark tree. The area is well known for two major landmarks: Sultan Mosque, Singapore’s most important mosque, and the Istana Kampung Gelam, the former Sultan’s palace. The Palace is now the Malay Heritage Centre. Kampong Glam was gazetted as a conservation area on 7 July 1989. Kampong Glam today and the Sultan Mosque is still the spiritual centre for Singapore’s Muslim community. Kampong Glam is an arty place in Singapore now with an explosion of colourful shophouses with a mix of muslim and middle eastern stores. From cruises, textile stores, lighting features to souvenir. I really like walking there as it feels like I am overseas and not in Singapore.
 #culturewalk