Tiong Bahru is, perhaps, one of the best kept secrets in Singapore. In the early days, it was the site of a large Chinese cemetery – the name is a combination of words from the Malay language and Chinese dialect which means “New Tomb”. 

On the face of it, the area is a historic residential cluster with pre-war public housing design and Art Deco style shop houses. Tour the streets, and you will be surprised at the quaint collection of shopping boutiques, bookstores, and cafes that pop up among the traditional shops in the neighbourhood. 

To get an authentic taste and feel of the real Singapore, drop down to the Tiong Bahru Market that lies at the very heart of the residential suburb.