When I have someone visiting Singapore for the first time, I tell them to put Haji Lane on their list of places to visit. When my friend asks for recommendations, I tell them Haji Lane. When someone e-mails me to ask about essential places to visit, I tell them – Haji Lane.
So what makes Haji Lane so different that you have to add it to your list to visit in Singapore?
Street Art on Haji Lane
Let’s see. Singapore is already a well-known tourist destination. In fact, a lot of activities here are pretty much geared and targeted towards being tourist friendly. Shopping? There’s plenty of malls around Singapore for that.
Do you know how many times I’ve visited the city centre at Orchard Road this year for shopping? None!! I can do my shopping closer to home in any of the malls around my neighbourhood.
So hopping down to Haji Lane when I can very well shop elsewhere says one thing. It’s different.
Quaint shophouses on Haji Lane
If you have an impression that this area is a one long corridor full of the usual shops, I’ve got to tell you that you are wrong, there is so much more than that.
For just one lane, it’s chock full of quaint cafes, quirky shops selling memorabilia, local designer boutiques and funky street art blended amongst all the nostalgic architectural buildings.
I love that some shops still maintain features of the old shophouses such as the metal gates, window shutters and more.
At night, shop decorations brighten up their spots, making for a colorful atmosphere in some areas. You have to really be there to experience it as it is.
It took me two hours to walk from one end to the other. I still gave some of the shops a miss, at that.
With the positives, there are downsides to this though. As Haji Lane’s popularity increases, there has been way much more people around. There is just enough space for a car to get through (but the lane is closed to traffic) and hardly anything else.
So you can imagine walking down this lane with huge crowds of people around is not always the easiest thing to navigate. I’ve once even had to circle around an entire spot of crowd who had stopped to take photos.
Shops there are also constantly changing due to the high rental cost. I know of shops which used to be there but have since moved out. However, there are also new shops that have added to the character of Haji Lane, although who knows how long they can remain?
Quintessentially, Haji Lane is one of the places that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend, especially to someone who is out for a place with a little bit of character. A day out here can also be paired with exploring the nearby Kampung Glam.
Is there also any unique place that you would recommend visiting in your own country? Please do share!
Lifetomyfullest 
Man…. if only we had known about this place back in April when we were in Singapore. Looks very very awesome!
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No worries, you can come back again to visit!! Haha…:)
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This looks awesome! I’m adding it to my places to see in Singapore list!
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Haha, definitely…:)
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wow, it’s SO different to most of SIngapore. It’s almost a little like Melbourne in fact! great post Sha!
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Yeah, it has a little bit more character to it…and it’s just one small lane…but I seriously hope it does not lose its individuality like other parts of Singapore did. 🙂
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I love the mural wall Sha. Does it tell a story or represent anything?
Canada is such a massive country that it is hard to pinpoint one thing you should do. However should you arrive on my doorstep Sha we will head out to the Rocky Mountains, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. Your mouth will be left hanging open a great deal of the time. 🙂
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Don’t think it represents anything, it was just there..:) I would love to visit Canada though, I love the natural surroundings there cos I love nature! 🙂
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Great Sha. Hope we see you one day!
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Reblogged this on FXHQ and commented:
R
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Wow, thanks for introducing me to Haji lane. I will surely add it to me Singapore to-do list! 🙂
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Oh yes, definitely put it on your list..:)
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Sounds great Sha!! I love visiting unique places in the cities, good to know about this one before I go to Singapore 🙂
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Awesome..I hope this place does not lose its individuality anytime soon…:)
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Yes I know what you mean! Ive see this happen in some places in Brazil.
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I went to Orchard Rd on a Sunday the last time I was home having not been there in years….BIG MISTAKE. It was packed!! I stuck with Arab Street after that..and went to Zam Zam for a murtabak! 😊
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Haha…oh yes, sun is not a good time to visit orchard road…and I did end up at zam zam for murtabak after haji lane!! Yum yum…:)
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Jealous.😤
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😉
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Definitely a good choice for rounding out the sights to see in Singapore. I’m not much of a shopper but you can always get me with the cafes 😉 .
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Oh yes, plenty of cafes around that area…:)
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We should make more time to go there. I went a month ago but before that, not for aaaaaages.
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It looks like a great place! It’s different than what I pictured Singapore to be like. I especially love street art so it seems like the type of place I’d like to visit!
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Oh yes, it is something different is all that I can say…you don’t usually see street art like these in singapore because it is illegal unless it is done on your own property…someplace to keep in mind for next time you visit I hope…:)
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Definitely!
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Ack! I wish I went here!
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There’s always next time…:)
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