Singapore: It’s a Mall World

Singapore Wheelock's dome

Wheelock Place Cone Interior

Singapore probably has the most number of malls I’ve seen in a City. Make that on a city I have been to. If one would go on a trip for shopping, Singapore definitely has it. Especially on sale seasons when foreign visitors get even more bargains than the locals. Heck, Singapore currently holds one flagship National Geographic Store in Vivo Mall (soon in Kuala Lumpur) that made me drool when I got in. I’m not really a mall person but Singapore malls are interesting places aside from shopping.

Iluma Mall at Bugis

I think it’s the relatively small area and the huge resources the country has that Singapore City has become an architect’s playground. The new malls that have been cropping up are a perfect sample of art and architectural fusion.

Bugis Iluma Mall Interiors

Iluma Mall plays on curves

The Iluma Mall in Bugis just beside Manila Street is a recent mall that has been developed. At day, its façade looks like a giant bubble wrap but at night it’s hard not to notice its illuminated play of light on its façade at.

Bugis  Iluma Mall Interiors

Iluma Mall interiors from the top

The interior of Iluma has a playful use of curves and the colors black and red. It looks good but I prefer the view from the top more. The place is still bare with the rest of the shops yet to open. The Bugis Junction Mall across even if its been there for a time has a nice charm with the use of traditional shop houses as stores.

Bugis Mall

The Bugis Junction Mall made up of old shop houses

Down at the Orchard Road are rows of malls. The new ION mall with an interesting sphere escalator entrance is amusing. The Wheelock’s Place adjoined with the ION via an underground pass has impressive ceiling dome that looks like a spiral constellation of stars. Amazing.

Singapore Orchard Wisma

An open street bar at Wisma Atria

Even if there are the new malls, the favorites never are still in Singapore. Looking for cheap gadgets, head over to Sim Lim. Yearning to connect to your Filipino roots, head over to Lucky Plaza. Looking for some good reads, head over to Takashimaya for the largest Kinokuniya Bookstore. Need some rare collectible toys, why not head to China Square Central. There is simply everything for any type of shopaholics.

Singapore Orchard Wisma

Enjoying easy music from a Filipino Band

As for me, I just enjoy a good night of strolling to keep myself from buying. Wisma Atria along Orchard Road has this nice open resto with a live Filipino band playing. And boy they are good. They play easy listening music that draws in the street crowd. I just grab a SG$1 waffle ice cream on the streets and sit by enjoying the music. Yep, that’s Singapore, it’s a mall world after all.

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