Unmissable Heritage and Cultural Attractions in Singapore: Malay Heritage Centre

Singapore boasts a rich multicultural heritage, where the essence of traditional Chinese culture, Indian beliefs, and Malay local culture is vividly reflected in the exotic districts of Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Gelam. Today, the Go Singapore Pass introduces you to Kampong Gelam, steeped in Malay heritage.

Kampong Gelam was once one of Singapore's oldest districts. In Malay, 'kampong' means 'village', and 'gelam' typically refers to the 'gelam tree' (long-leaved paperbark tree), which was common in the area and used for boat-building, medicine, and even as a food seasoning. Today, this community is vibrant, blending long-standing traditions with a modern lifestyle for a strong sensory experience.

Sultan Mosque, with its architecture perfectly integrating European and Islamic elements, is a landmark in the Kampong Gelam district.

Near Kampong Gelam, Haji Lane features a variety of live music bars, trendy shops, and boutiques, making it a popular artsy street for Instagram.

The history of Kampong Gelam dates back to Singapore's colonial period, when Sir Stamford Raffles designated the area as a settlement for the Malay, Arab, and Bugis communities, and it was a gathering place for Malay royalty.

160 years ago, Sultan Ali, the son of Singapore's first Sultan, Sultan Hussein Shah, built the Istana Kampong Gelam here as the palace of the Malay Sultan in Singapore.

Originally, the Istana Kampong Gelam was a 'wooden structure on stilts' built on wooden pillars. The upper floor was the 'panggung', the main living area and bedrooms. The elevated ground floor space, called 'kolong' in Malay, was used as a storage, work, or service area, and even as a 'playground' for children.

In 2002, the Singapore government renovated the Istana Kampong Gelam and the adjacent cashier's office, establishing the Malay Heritage Centre. In June 2005, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officially opened the Malay Heritage Centre. In 2015, the Malay Heritage Centre was gazetted as a National Monument of Singapore.

To learn more about the rich cultural heritage of Singapore's Malay community, a visit to the Malay Heritage Centre is a must! The Malay Heritage Centre is an important heritage site for Singapore's Malay community. It retains its original layout, and visitors start their tour on the upper floor, viewing the permanent exhibitions, then proceed downwards to the ground floor. Its six permanent galleries are spread across the two floors of the building. These galleries showcase the importance of the Malay community to Singapore's history and the significance of Kampong Gelam as a once-bustling port city in Singapore's development.

Through historical artifacts, interactive multimedia, and exhibits from Singapore's national collections and private donations, the Malay Heritage Centre presents the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Singapore's Malay community, offering excellent cultural engagement and learning opportunities for visitors of all ages and those interested in history and culture. Activities include batik craft, pottery, traditional games, silat (Malay martial arts), and cultural performances.

Admission: 8 Singapore dollars, free with the Go Singapore Pass.