District 7: Beach Road, Bugis, Rochor, Singapore

District 7 comprises Beach Road, Bugis, and Rochor, each with many different histories, activities, and living environments. In the early decades of Singapore under colonial rule, Beach Road was a coastal road facing the sea coast, hence the name. Under colonial rule, Beach Road became one of the first developed areas, while its neighbor, the Bugis area, became known as a large trading zone for British migrants.

Bugis Junction marks the main shopping highlight of this area. This development is particularly unique, featuring imitations of colonial-style shop houses in the middle of the mall, reminding of the history of this area, with stalls selling many locally designed goods from clothes, accessories, and snacks. Throughout the rest of the mall, you will the other standard shopping mall amenities such as fashion stores, electronic stores, grocery stores, as well as many multicultural dining options. Other malls in the District 7 area include Bugis+, Golden Mile Complex, Sim Lim Square, and Bras Basah Complex.

Something that sets this area apart from others is the many hip street markets and has become a very popular destination for the youth. These street markets include Bugis Street Market, Arab Street, and Haji Lane, and can find anything from thrift goods, indie clothing, cheap electronics, and stalls selling local snacks, drinks, and food.

Besides the many shopping and dining activities throughout this area, other activities include sightseeing in various different places with unique architectures including the Kuan Yin Thong Hood Cho Temple, Hajjah Fatimah Mosque, Sri Krishnan Temple, and Sultan Mosque. Other than that, one can learn something new at places like the Singapore National Library, or the National Museum of Singapore.

Like other popular places in Singapore, this area is highly accessible through various forms of transportation including Circle Line Nicoll Highway, Esplanade, and Promenade MRT Stations, Downtown Line Rochor MRT Station, and the East-West Line Bugis MRT Station, as well as many different bus stops throughout for easy accessibility from anywhere on the island.