Geylang Serai

Geylang Serai is a historic district that used to be home to many Malay kampongs.

The word "geylang" is said to be a corruption of the Malay word "kilang" which means "mills". The area used to be called Geylang Kelapa ("kelapa" is Malay for "coconut") as there were many coconut plantations there in the olden days. Later, it was changed to Geylang Serai ("serai" is Malay for "lemongrass") when lemongrass plantations started to appear in the area.

Want to know what kampong life was like in the good old days? The Malay Cultural Village in Geylang Serai provides an insight into Malay kampong life which has almost completely disappeared from modern Singapore.

The village recreates traditional Malay kampong houses and has a cultural museum that displays various artefacts such as musical instruments, weaving tools, items for daily use and even intricate handmade traditional Malay wedding garb.

Drop by the shops in the Malay Cultural Village and bring a piece of Malay culture home as a keepsake.

Grab a bite at the Geylang Serai Market (currently under renovation and will reopen in late 2008) which also boasts Singapore's only halal wet market.

The market buzzes with activity during Ramadan when a bazaar is set up in the area.

If you visit during Hari Raya Puasa, be prepared to be dazzled by the festive lights that light up the streets of Geylang Serai, bathing the roads in colourful hues.

Address
Geylang Serai

Getting There
By MRT: Paya Lebar (EW8)

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