Geylang 
From Singapore Hotels & Singapore Lifestyle
|
Geylang is a Malay residential area, but you are not going to see traditional atap (thatched-roof) houses or any sarong-clad cottage industry workers here. The area consists of Singaporean high-rise, though there are some older shophouse buildings around, especially in the lorongs (alleys) that run off Geylang Road, now home to one of Singapore's most notorious red-light districts.
Contents |
History
Originally covered by coconut or rubber plantations and lemon grass (serai) fields, by the early 20th century, Geylang had become thoroughly urbanised with rows of two-and-three-storey Victorian shophouses similar to those found in Chinatown and Kampong Glam.
Indeed, some of the Chinese baroque shophouses here rank among the best preserved in Singapore. They are more flamboyant in the use of details such as tiles, motifs and bas-relief mouldings. The shophouses are tucked in the lorongs (lanes) between Geylang Road and Sims Avenue; perhaps the best examples can be seen in Lorong Bachok, Lorong 35, Lorong 24A and Lorong 19.
Today, the heart of Geylang is the section of Geylang Road between Jalan Eunos and Aljunied Road, lined with numerous Restaurants and Shops that are often open until late at night. Jalan Eunos, a public housing estate nearby is another Malay-dominated enclave.
Orientation
Geylang Road runs from east to west, with small numbered side streets called lorong running off either side. The lower-numbered lorong are closer to the city, while the higher-numbered lorong are nearer to Katong. The even-numbered lorong are home to the red-light areas. At the eastern end of Geylang Road is Geylang Serai, home to the dismal Malay Cultural Village and the much more appealing hawker centre.
Tourist Attractions
Restaurants
Visitors' Information
Geylang is 3km (2 miles) east of Kampong Glam by way of Victoria Street and Kallang Road. It is also easily reached by Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). Alight at the Paya Lebar MRT Station and walk two blocks south of Paya Lebar Road to arrive in Geylang.
