10 Things to Do in Tiong Bahru So You Can Explore Like a Local
Tiong Bahru is the most charming neighbourhood in Singapore, with a fascinating art scene where traditions and trends exist in harmony. With Art Deco buildings, hipster cafes, old-world shops, bookstores, markets and street art, the oldest residential estate in the country is worth a visit for creatives, culture lovers and anyone who wants a taste of Singapore’s old town cultural heritage.
Located near the heart of the city and just a 30 minutes MRT ride from Orchard MRT, take a trip down to Tiong Bahru to experience something different. While “Old” and “New” are conflicting concepts, our trip down to this charming neighbourhood has proven to us impossible. From eateries, a barber, and even an air raid shelter cum art gallery, these establishments have managed to inject fresh vibes while preserving their former glory. Coincidence or not, the name “Tiong Bahru” by itself already aptly translates to old and new!
The area doesn't only have cafes and restaurants, but also amazing bookshops, patisseries, spas, and art galleries! Enjoy some amazing food, offbeat shopping, a yoga session, or even a grooming session, while having a taste of the culturally rich, traditional Singapore. Tiong Bahru is one of Singapore's most characterful neighbourhoods, a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike.
Dig a little deeper into the nostalgic heritage charm of this intimate neighbourhood, the oldest public housing estate in Singapore. This fact is evident in its beautiful pre-war buildings from the 1920s, built in a Streamline Moderne architectural style by Alfred G. Church. Twenty blocks of pre-war flats were gazetted for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in 2003 – and they now coexist alongside modern restaurants, vibrant murals and independent lifestyle shops. Tiong Bahru is a true paradigm of the beautiful marriage of old and new-world allure, a place where plush condominiums nestle against pre-war shophouses, and where time-honoured food markets sidle up to pristine cafés.
1. Tiong Bahru Market – home to great local fare
Visit the landmark of Tiong Bahru – Tiong Bahru Market. Many of the vendors here have been around for decades and they continue to keep the tradition alive by passing their family business to the next generation.
While modernization and development has taken the streets of Singapore, little has changed when it comes to grocery shopping for the freshest finds. Even on a weekday, the market continues to be bustling with activity.
Tiong Bahru Market has one of Singapore’s best hawkers and having breakfast here is a must! Have a slice of traditional Singapore and try these local breakfast items:
Jian Bo Shui Kueh
Tiong Bahru Fish balls
Tiong Bahru Pau
2. Admire the Art Deco architecture
Unlike the rest of Singapore’s towering HDB cityscape, Tiong Bahru still retains the old world charm of the 1930s. The prewar buildings and conservation apartments here are low-rise, inspired by both British as well as local design. Take a stroll and admire the Art Deco architecture, such as dominant geometric lines, parapet walls, spiral staircases, curved walls and overhanging eaves. Look out for the aerodynamic and nautical elements!
With Singapore’s landscape changing so rapidly, it’s nice to wander around a nostalgic neighbourhood that has stood the test of time. Plus there are photogenic spots around every corner.
3. Join a heritage tour in Tiong Bahru
There are so many stories to tell about Tiong Bahru – whether it’s the architecture, art, culture, food and local community. While some people prefer to take in the sights on their own, it’s a whole new perspective when you are guided by a local who has lived in Singapore all their lives.
You can find several heritage trails that take you through the neighbourhood, amidst the beautiful buildings, landscaped gardens, historical ruins of air raid shelters, murals and local food spots. Of course, with a guide, you can break the ice with the natives you come across and interact with them. You might just go home with a fascinating insight into Tiong Bahru’s history!
For first timers in Penang, you can join the Discover Hipster “Old Town” Tiong Bahru tour or Quaint Little Shops & Tiong Bahru tour on LokaLocal to go down the heritage trail in Tiong Bahru.
4. Pre-war flats and geometric art deco shophouses
Singapore is a concrete jungle but you’ll be surprised to find that most housing in Tiong Bahru are low rise unlike your conventional HDB Flats. Although built in the 1930s, the buildings were inspired by our modern transport system and resemble automobiles, trains, and aeroplanes.
The buildings here have gone through several facelifts but much of its low-rise pre war buildings have been honored and preserved. Just like everything else in Tiong Bahru, there is a story behind these establishments. The architecture is a blend of local and foreign and takes inspiration from public British housing. Designed in a unique horse-shoe shape and accompanied by spiral staircases and courtyards, these buildings make an aesthetically pleasing backdrop for your #ootd. You can find architecture like these at every corner of Tiong Bahru – this photo was taken in Lim Liak St!
5. Hunt for murals
The street art in Tiong Bahru is an artistic way to explore Singapore’s past across the last four decades. Local artist Yip Yew Chong designed several murals here to capture glimpses of the nation’s bygone days, some even making use of his personal family items.
The “Bird Corner” mural at Seng Poh Road tells the tale of bird singing competitions that were held every week at Tiong Bahru. The ” Pasar and the Fortune Teller” illustrate the traditional trades of yesteryears. Other installations you can find are “Home”, where you can ‘check in’ on a local’s home, a giant “Goldfish” and a “Goat Family”. Time to snap away!
6. Hua Bee Coffee Shop/Bincho – dual concept traditional coffee shop & hipster bar
Not your run-of-the-mill diner, Hua Bee Coffee Shop is a Mee Pok (Local flat noodle dish) stall by day and yakitori bar at night. To the unsuspecting public, the last thing anyone would expect to find hidden in the traditional Hua Bee Coffee Shop is a bar. Located right at the back of the coffee shop, Bincho shares the same premises as the coffee shop but is nicely camouflaged and out of plain sight.
As a Japanese bar, they serve interesting dishes such as Hokkaido Tofu – a tofu dish in the shape of the Hokkaido island and the usual yakitori sticks. Some drinks that can compliment your food are their seasonal Yukishibori Sake, Raspberry cocktail and Cinnamon cocktail.
Bask in the Kopitiam experience and order a cup of Kopi Gu You (which literally translates to Coffee with Butter in Hokkien) as it is one of the last few standing coffee shops to serve Kopi (coffee) the old school way – with a slice of butter in it!
7. Explore Singapore’s independent bookstores
Singapore’s literary scene thrives in this hipster little neighbourhood. Head to BooksActually for the largest collection of books from local publications. If you love exploring the culture through literature, be sure to pick up a book by one of the emerging writers. You can also find rare editions of major press books, a book vending machine, and quirky stationery.
For children’s books you can’t find in your average bookstore, go for Woods in the Books. Nostalgia will hit you as you find picture books such as Tin Tin and The Hungry Caterpillar. Try to catch one of the storytelling sessions or activities!
8. The Tiong Bahru murals – a visual museum of Tiong Bahru’s heritage
Enjoy your trip down to the Trick-Eye Museum? The murals in Tiong Bahru make a budget-friendly alternative and are an interesting way to see how life in Singapore was 40 years ago. There is also an interesting side story and poem that comes with each mural for those who like to soak up in a cultural experience.
Inspired by artist Yip Yew Chong’s own home in Chinatown, this mural includes personal items owned by family members – his father’s ash tray and grandmother’s cigarettes!
But what’s more interesting is that if you look closely, you will notice Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on the frontpage of the newspaper. This scene is one of him promoting the Speak Mandarin Campaign in 1979 and includes his good friend, Margaret Thatcher!
9. Tiong Bahru Bird Corner
Photo: IG / una.222
Located at the junction of Seng Poh Road and Tiong Bahru Road is an oft-forgotten, peculiar spot that locals would remember as a popular bird corner. Back then, there was a popular bird shop within the area, where birdcages with colourful songbirds would be hung across the shop, enticing passers-by and tourists with the lively atmosphere.
During the 1980s, the owner of Wah Heng, a traditional coffee shop just opposite the road, erected a metal structure outside his premise, and permitted bird owners to hang their birdcages while they drank coffee. Soon it attracted enthusiasts who wanted to display their birds, and anyone who wanted to see such a sight. American jazz flutist Herbie Mann even visited Bird Corner in 1984 to perform amidst the birdsong!
Bird Corner was closed in 2003 for renovation, and later reopened the structure in 2008. Although no one has used it since, you can still see the structure where the birdcages would have been hung, where the Nostalgia Hotel is. Perhaps you can imagine what it was like to be immersed in a feathered symphony!
10. Visit the Monkey God Temple
Photo: IG annyew
Tiong Bahru Qi Tian Gong (齐天宫) is the first temple in Singapore to worship Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King from the classical tale, The Journey to the West, who is said to be almighty, ingenious, brave and respected. The Taoist temple was founded in 1920.
Every year, the Birthday of the Monkey God falls on the 15th or 16th day of the First Lunar Month. During the celebration, you can see the medium performing miraculous rituals that include piercing their own flesh, vocal performances and lion dances.
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