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| City Guide - Singapore - Shopping | ||
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Shopping Shopping in Singapore can be a serious undertaking. Orchard Road is lined on both sides with one shopping mall after another, ranging from Lucky Plaza at the lower end of the market to high-end shopping at the Palais Renaissance and the Hilton. With its towers looming above the rest, Ngee Ann City is the largest mall of all, with over 100 speciality stores in addition to its flagship Japanese superstore, Takashimaya. Orchard Road, however, does not have the monopoly on great shopping. Bugis Junction, once Singapore's transvestite locale, has had its shophouses renovated and integrated into a gleaming, air-conditioned complex known as Parco. Raffles City, at City Hall, is another popular mall, with the exclusive boutiques at Raffles Hotel just across the road. The Great Singapore Sale comes around every year in July, when items can be discounted by up to 70%. Chinatown (Outram) is a colourful web of streets and alleys with a wealth of artefacts, jewellery, clothes, food and medicines for sale behind traditional Chinese shophouse fronts. Gold, priced according to weight, is heaped up in the stores crowding the People's Park Complex while hawkers offer durian or grilled pork to passers-by. Arab Street (Bugis) is lined with shops selling high-quality cottons, silks, velvets and batiks. While the major department stores and chains operate fixed prices, bargaining is de rigeur here. Little India, on and around Serangoon Road, is another treasure trove of sumptuous textiles, as well as spices, jewellery and brassware. At the far end of Serangoon Road is Mustafa's emporium of electrical and electronic goods. There are some good bargain prices here, but buyers should be aware that there is a dual pricing structure: goods are available with or without an international warranty, and are cheaper without. Singaporeans go to Sim Lim Square (Bugis) for discount electronic goods. Four levels are stacked with cameras, computer equipment, pirate CDs, hi-fi and video equipment. Again, goods can be purchased with or without an international warranty. The Funan Centre (City Hall) is a less frenetic environment in which to buy computer equipment. Across the road, the Adelphi is the place to spend thousands of dollars on top-of-the-range audio equipment, while nearby Peninsula Plaza is a favourite stop for camera gear. Some of the most exquisite homes of wealthy Singaporeans are adorned with art and antiques from all over Asia - much of which can be purchased in Singapore. The warehouses on Dempsey Road sell Chinese antiques, original and reproduction furniture, while the cool, dimly lit units at Tanglin Shopping Centre (Orchard Road) horde some of Asia's finest statues, carpets, textiles and antique furniture. For a taste of contemporary Asian art, Art2, at the Substation, Armenian Street, sells works by established as well as up-and-coming local artists. Most stores are open daily about 1000-2100/2200, although boutiques close earlier. All prices include a 3% Goods and Services Tax (GST), refundable (upon departure) on purchases of over S$300. |
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