Ethnic groups reside in various pockets in the island nation of Singapore and perhaps there cannot be another nation in the world where each of these groups have been so ardently able to recreate every essence of the place they originally belonged to. But out of all these groups, one of the original inhabitants of the nation had been the Malays, who resided in Singapore from a time much before the advent of the Chinese and Indians and the others. The Malays too have been able to create a cocoon of protection for their own and named it Geyland Serai, where, every bit symbolizes the spirit and charm of the Malay and their lifestyle.
It would be wrong to say that the modern times never tried to get a hold on Geylang Serai, but when you do visit this place you will realize to your amazement that time has stood still from the 1950s and 1960s. Geylang Serai or the Malay Village today is the main commercial hub of the trade and commerce conducted by the Malays living in this quarter which reflects a distinctively lively and vibrant feel all the year round. Even today, you can simply pass by and admire the various traditional arts and crafts of the Malays which range from kite-making, batik painting style to others.
In Geylang Serai, you can easily get a fabulous taste of the traditional Malay culture, cuisine and attractions. A visit to the Cultural Museum will get you acquainted with the traditional artifacts, musical instruments and the jewelries and garments used in Malay wedding. Some of the other most important attractions in this Geylang Serai area are the Hall of Fame, Geylang Serai Corner, Muslim Showcase and a beautiful palace.
But the primary feature of Geylang Serai is the shopping and dining opportunities it provides. There are countless numbers of boutiques and shops which sell everything from clothing to goods to arts and handicrafts as well as local furniture, rugs, fabrics and antiques. There is also a wet market where you can shop for some of the best quality cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg and other spices. The modern touch is found in the shopping centers that have cropped up in this area, of which the most popular is the Joo Chiat Complex which houses retail shops selling textiles, clothes as well as jewelries.
Browse through the links of visittosingapore.com to know all about Singapore, as the site not only provides information on Geylang Serai, but also other interesting areas of this nation. So enjoy surfing!
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