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CHANGI VILLAGE
Off the beaten track, Changi Village shows a more relaxed
side of Singapore. The local beach has clean sand that attracts
fishermen and bathers alike, especially on weekends. In the
village itself, there are plenty of bargains to be found -
T-shirts, electronic equipment, carpets, Indian cotton clothing,
shoes, batik dresses, kimonos and all types of table linen.
When hunger strikes, head for the food centre or try one of
the restaurants along the main street. Relax in the shade
of an umbrella, order some fresh seafood and watch the world
go by.
The Changi Chapel & Museum which is within the vicinity,
is well worth a visit.
HOLLAND VILLAGE
This small area of Singapore still has the feel of a village
about it, with its own wet market and shophouses selling everything
from straw brooms to valuable antiques. Holland Village is
a microcosm of Singapore life, a curious mix between old and
new - old coffee shops and hawker stalls jostle for space
with ritzy new wine bars and restaurants. The Holland Road
Shopping Centre is alive with interesting shops, including
some selling Asian arts, crafts and antiques. Electronic goods
and factory outlet clothing are other good buys. During weekends,
much of Singapore seem to congregate at Holland Village to
shop, chat and have a meal.
KATONG
Neighbouring Katong is a quiet residential area formerly dominated
by wealthy Straits Chinese families or the Peranakans. Many
of the older Peranakan homes, now standing back from the sea,
were once seaside villas. Parkway Parade is the place to find
shopping bargains, but Katong is best known for its wonderful
eating houses specialising in Peranakan cuisine. For Chinese
seafood, the shophouses along East Coast Road offer a tasty
treat.
TAMPINES
Tampines, a HDB estate in the north-east of Singapore, has
the distinction of having won the coveted United Nations World
Habitat Award for Excellent Housing Design. With new schools,
shops, markets, beautiful playgrounds, two golf courses, a
swimming pool, badminton hall and stadium, it has all the
facilities its residents could want.
Two large suburban shopping malls, Century Square and Tampines
Mall, take centrestage as the hub of the Tampines community
as it bustles with year-round activities.
TOA PAYOH
As one of Singapore's first housing estates, Toa Payoh has
developed a distinct character through the years. The area
bustles with activity and is a great place to soak into the
local lifestyle. It boasts Singapore's only air-conditioned
bus interchange and visitors will be spoilt for choices at
range of merchandise, food and entertainment option available.
Here you can pick up garments at attractively low prices -
T-shirts and shorts at SGD 10 for three items or children's
clothes for as little as SGD 2. Toa Payoh town centre has
its own cinemas, hawker centres, coffee shops, a library and
a nearby park.
YISHUN
Yishun is a satellite suburb in the north of the island. Step
straight off the MRT into the six-level Northpoint Centre,
a modern shopping mall complete with all the brand names to
be found along Orchard Road. Right next to Northpoint is a
high quality 8-cinema multiplex. And on the other side is
a row of shophouses selling food and bargain goods.
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