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What to buy in

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Copyright © 2012 Asia-Pacific Guides Ltd. All rights reserved.

While Singapore is no longer the bargain-basement it used to be 20 or 30 years ago, it is still one of the world's best shopping destinations, with glitzy malls, high-street shops and authentic bazaars where you can find virtually everything you can think of, from the latest in electronics and gadgets to Chinese religious art, and from colorful Indian batiks to top designers boutiques, and at relatively low prices, especially when compared to Europe and the US.

This mini-guide will take you through ten things that are worth buying in Singapore…

Electronics and computer ware: Singapore has a Hailed as Asia’s largest watch boutiques, Cortina great variety and prices are relatively low. The City Watch Espace boasts a unique ‘shop in shop’ concept shops stock the latest, state-of-the-art electronic featuring some 12-20 individual brand boutiques products, gadgets, computer, cellular phones, digital within it, including Piguet, Cartier, Omega, Patek cameras and so on... Some of the stuff you will find Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and their likes... Their in the shops here had not yet reached the rest of the shops can be found in (The world. Shoppes #B2-39/39A), as well as in Millenia Walk. . The best places to look for this kind of stuff include Those of you who look for cheap imitations might Funan DigitalLife Mall (also known as Funan Centre), find what they are looking for in places like Bugis on North Bridge Road / Hill Street (just a short walk Village (Corner of Victoria St. and Rochor Rd. - from either City Hall MRT, as well as from the Opposite Shopping Mall): There are Singapore River / Clarke Quay) and , shops there that sell reasonable - quality fakes). near Little india (not far from Bugis either). Gold and other jewelries: Singapore is a good Other places well worth trying are Mustafa, on place to buy high-quality pieces of jewelry at Serangoon Road, and , on . reasonable prices. Gold, diamonds, pearls and precious gems all sit prominently in every jewelry In addition, there are more than a few IT shows that store window, and the city's goldsmiths are known take place in Singapore every year, where you can for their fine workmanship and creative designs. fetch the best possible prices on electronics (You can try this "Trade Shows Calendar" : It is pretty Please note: detailed).  When buying expensive jeweleries, you'll better focus on shops that display the QJS Watches: Great variety at relatively good prices. emblem (QJS stands for Quality Jewelers of Singapore). Developed jointly by the Passions Watch Exchange, in Funan Digitalife Mall Singapore's Jewelers association and (#02-20 / 21 / 22) is probably one of your best bets Singapore Tourism Board, the QJS scheme for genuine watches at reasonable prices, and they sets the benchmark for the Jewelery industry. deal with both brand-new and pre-owned watches.  Fixed prices are based on weight, purity and craftsmanship. Other good places to look for unique, high-end new  Make sure you obtain an invoice indicating and pre-owned watches include Watch Link in Far the fineness, weight and price of the jewelry East Plaza (14 Scotts Road, #03 - 79) and Visiotime, at item. 9 Raffles Place (#01-15 Republic Plaza). Monster  For more information, please contact the Time, also in (#02-22, 14 Scotts Road) Singapore Jewelers Association, Tel: 6533 is another recommended place to shop for pre- 4053 owned luxury watches  When shopping for gold jewellery in Singapore, check if the shop participates in Watch Arena, on 290 Balestier Road, is one of the GST Refund Scheme. Singapore's leading distributors and retailers of fine luxury timepieces Visiting Singapore? Click here to go to our Singapore Sportslink is one of Singapore's largest sporting Hop-on, Hop-off Guide, where you will be shown goods retailers, with an outlet in and how to explore this lovely city in a fun way. a "superstore" at Block 712 Avenue 6 (not far from MRT- Ang Mo Kio). There are many gold jewellery shops in Singapore's Little India and those are mostly lined along Weekend flea market takes place at SCAPE (2 Serangoon Road, near Little India's MRT Station. Orchard Link / ION Orchard) Another popular place to shop for gold jewellery in Singapore is , which is also in Little A small tip: Nowadays, getting cheap clothing India (Just beware that most of Little India's jewellery and footwear brands at your home country shops sell Indian-style stuff...). should not be a problem, and the price/quality/variety will probably not be inferior, Singapore's most popular & reputable jewellery compared to what can be found in Singapore... so shops include: TianPo, Lee Hwa Jewellery, Goldheart, maybe you should think twice before stuffing Meyson Jewellery, Soo Kee and SK Jewellery. Each your suitcase with things you can buy at home one of them boasts several outlets within the city's for the same price...(unless it is something really leading malls and shopping arcades, and the designs unique / authentic...) they sell are international, as well as Chinese. . Expensive clothing and footwear: Thousands of shops across the metropolis specialize in Cheap clothing and footwear: There is a fairly international brands: From the more casual brands, good selection of imitations that arrive at the city to the world's most notable fashion designers. markets from China, as well as brand name surpluses and dead-stocks. Ethnic clothing is also popular and "Sale seasons" are a particular good time for you to can be bought around the ethnic quarters (Saris, get quality brands at competitive price (and if you Traditional Chinese shirts and so on.... ) like brand names, you can save heaps, buying in the right place at the right time). Mustaffa Centre, in Little India, is a good place to shop for cheap clothes, and so are some of the shops along Serangoon Road and its offshoots, but do not Handbags, purses and fashion accessories: expect to find any sensational bargains - "what you Endless variety at excellent prices. From cheap pay is what you get"... imitations to first class designer products. Everything you can think of can be found in Singapore. Toopalee Fashions, on Little India's Serangoon Rd., are particularly known for their popular and Tangs, on the corner of Orchard and Scotts, is a fairly inexpensive leather sandals, although they also stock good place to shop for handbags (international-stye), a good variety of handbags, clothes, fabrics and and so are the ethnic quarters (ethnic-style). sari's. Singapore is not only glitzy shopping malls and Lucky Plaza, on Orchard Road, is another good place amusement parks … Join one of our "expert to look for inexpensive stuff, and so is Far East Plaza, walking tours" to explore the city's hidden gems. on Scotts Road, just around the corner, which targets mainly teenagers and youths. Bugis Village and New Cosmetics: Vast selection at very good prices. Few Bugis Street are also well worth visiting. shops eve offer better than duty-free prices

(although not that many anymore). Queensway Shopping Centre (Near Alexandra

Hospital ) is the right place to look for cheap sports Sephora, which seems to be one of the hottest shops gear and limited edition shoes, including cheap in Singapore nowadays, has outlets in Ion Orchard sneakers, racquets, and sporting apparel, Man and . fashion and even jeans...

Inexpensive toiletries and fragrances can be bought

at Mustafa Centre.

Tailor-made suits: Singapore's tailors are renowned Singapore is not only glitzy shopping malls and for their fine workmanship and quality garments. amusement parks … Join one of our "expert Suits, shirts, skirts and evening gowns can be created walking tours" to explore the city's hidden gems. to suit the most elaborate or sedate of tastes and the prices are much lower than in the US, Europe or Japan. Tailor-made shoes are also popular. Fabrics: Huge selection of Chinese, Asian and Again: It's advisable to invest a bit of time in a short Western fabrics at very good prices. market research, as you can get some really nice pieces at a fraction of what they would have cost in Fabrics can be purchased in Arab Street, while Europe or the States. Indonesian 'Batik' cloth can be found mostly in Little

India, as well as in Chinatown and Kampong Glam Please note: When ordering tailor-made suits or (Arab Street). clothes, a certain deposit will normally be required.

Here are some of Singapore's "best of the best" Arts, Crafts and Antiques: There is a stunning tailors... variety of crafts and antiques available in Singapore

and the prices are normally quite good. The city sits 1. Raffles Tailor: #02-18 Delfi Orchard, 402 Orchard on one of Asia's most prominent crossroads and is Road, (+65) 6733 1336 home to the continent's major ethnic groups, so it

2. Personality Menshop can be found at the Peninsula naturally developed into a huge bazaar where

Shopping Centre, on Coleman Street (next to beautiful arts and crafts from four corners of Asia

Peninsula Excelsior Hotel and just around the corner can be found and at a good price... Personal seals

from Funan digitaLife Mall), phone: (+65) 6337 2459 engraved in stone, Miniatures, Chinese Silk rugs,

Oriental carpets, Rattan furniture, colorful Indian

3. Pagoda Master Tailor is on 48 Smith Street in fabrics... you name it. Chinatown (+65) 6323 6973 / 9009 0840 / 9127 8072

Soft home furnishings are very popular in Singapore 4. Eurobest - 31 Pagoda Street, Chinatown (+65) 6323 and make a lovely souvenir or gift. 4082

As already mentioned, Many shops can arrange to 5. JustMens tailor is at #01-36/39 Tanglin Shopping Centre, on 19 Tanglin Road - (+65) 6737 4800 / 6235 insure, pack and ship your goods. However, You may

2303 wish to consider an expert's appraisal and the

customs duty regulations in your home country

6. CYC is at #02-12 Raffles Hotel Arcade, phone (+65) before buying.

6336 3556

Herbal medicines, Spices and exotic dried foods: 7. Leighton's Shop Pte Ltd can be found at #02-03 These are abundant in the city's open-air markets Far East Shopping Centre, 545 Orchard Road, (+65) and in small traditional shops, mainly around the 6235 2410 ethnic quarters (although they can be found in more

than a few modern shops). Take your time to 8. Oxford Tailor can be found at 1 RAFFLES PLACE, #04-12 (OUB Building), Tel: 6533 7131 familiarize yourself with all those exotic products...

.

And here are three more shops that are well worth Tip: Although Singapore has one of the best knowing about (and might also be somewhat less public-transport systems in the world, taking the expensive): Singapore City Hop-on Hop-off Tour is highly Max @ Mohan's, in Far East Plaza on Scotts Road recommended, as it takes you directly to the various attractions and saves you the time and "That Shirt Shop", also in Far East Plaza (#03-76B) hassle of waiting for a bus or walking… Ehkay Corner Tailor, on 150 Orchard Road

Tea: In Chinatown: Yue Hwa, Singapore's famous Chinese department store, is one of the best places to shop for quality Chinese tea and its paraphernalia, at reasonable prices, although the small streets around MRT Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar accommodate a few other shops that sell higher quality stuff, but are also pricier... The best ones are Yixing Xuan Teahouse at 30/32 Tanjong Pagar Road, Tea Chapter, on 9 & 11 (a short walk from "Buddha Tooth Relic Temple") and Ten Ren Tea, on 259 (opposite the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple).

In Orchard Road: Time for Tea in Lucky Plaza a fairly good option.

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Although Singapore has one of the best public-transport systems in the world, taking the Singapore City Hop-on Hop-off Tour is highly recommended, as it takes you directly to the various attractions and saves you the time and hassle of waiting for a bus or walking from the nearest MRT station…

Copyright © 2012 Asia-Pacific Guides Ltd. All rights reserved.