Singapore Little India: Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Tan Teng Niah’s Colorful Villa

  Niah was able to build this villa when the land around him was mainly used for cattle-raising or manufacturing. In fact, Niah was a manufacturer himself and owned several candy-making factories in this area. Experts believe that one of his factory buildings was once location right here, just behind his house.

• Art Wall

  Now turn so that your back is to the bright colors. Right in front of you should be a sign reading “Little India Arts Belt”. To its left, you’ll see an enormous and colorful mural. This “Art Belt” space has murals, exhibits, and sculptures displayed on a temporary and rotating basis. Each piece is connected to Singaporean culture or Little India history.

• Shree Lakshminarayan Temple

  "Walk up and stand facing the temple on the opposite side of the street. Take in the bright geometric pattern. This is a truly unique design for a temple, isn’t it? Well, that’s because this building was originally a residential complex. As the Indian community here continued to grow in the 1900s, it also began to diversify. While early migrants were mainly South Indians, the newer migrants were North Indians….and their religious practices were different."

• Foochow Methodist Church

  Now that you learned all about Hinduism, let’s switch gears and look at a Christian church! You should be standing at the intersection of Rotan Street, with a Hilton Garden Inn to the right. Look at the white building on the left, at the top of the intersection - that’s the Foochow Methodist Church.

• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

  Approaching on your left is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. You should be able to see colorful statues and figures above the wall on your left. Walk around the corner to the front of the temple.

• Serangoon Road

  We’ve been walking down Serangoon Road, the main artery through Little India. Continue walking straight - we’re on our way to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial.

• Mahatma Gandhi Memorial

  Ahead and to your left is a beige building with a large profile of Mahatma Gandhi on the exterior wall. Outlined in black, the figure’s posture, walking stick, and traditional garb is iconic and instantly recognizable.

• Anguilla Mosque

  As we continue walking down Serangoon Road, let’s come back to the present time. Singapore today is known for its plethora of shopping opportunities. If you look to the right, you’ll see shops all along Serangoon Road, selling everything from electronics to toys and beyond. In fact, we’re now making our way to the famous Mustafa Center, an enormous retail house stretching out over two blocks.

• Mustafa Centre

  Mustaq Ahmed learned to sell from a young age. His father, Mohamad Mustafa, ran a small tea-and-bread stall where Mustaq would help out. Soon, he opened his own stall next door, selling handkerchiefs. As business thrived, he added clothes, electronics, and more. In 1971, Mustaq was able to open an actual store, which he named after his father.

• Kampong Kapor Methodist Church

  This church is unique in that it offers services in a wide range of languages: English, Tamil, Mandarin, and even Peranakan, a Malaysian dialect. Why is this necessary? Well, for the simple reason that not all Chinese speak Mandarin, not all Indians speak Hindi, and not all Malaysians speak Malay!

• Abdul Gafoor Mosque

  As you walk down Dunlop Street, you’ll see the tall Sim Lim Tower in the distance. Walk towards it. On the right you’ll soon see a yellow and green gateway. This is the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque.

• Indian Heritage Centre

  As you approach the intersection, look left. Do you see the tall, black and gray building ahead and to the left? It’s distinctive shape and geometric pattern immediately catch your eye. That’s the Indian Heritage Center.

• Komala Vilas Vegetarian Restaurant

  Inaugurated over 70 years ago, this unassuming restaurant is the brainchild of Murugiah Rajoo. Rajoo arrived in Singapore in 1936, when he was just 14. In 1947, he had the opportunity to buy this shop when the previous owner retired. Urged on by his friends, Rajoo started “Komala Vilas”. The store’s pure vegetarian fare, affordable prices, and free newspapers made it a huge hit. Today, there are three other Komala Vilas restaurants in Little India.

• Little India Arcade

  Look left, across the street. The orange and cream-colored building there is the Little India Arcade. It’s not really an arcade though -- it’s actually a marketplace. Inside the arcade, shops are organized alongside a “kaki lima”, or “five foot way”. This is a five foot wide sheltered walkway traditional to Indonesian and Malaysian marketplaces.