These three destinations are recommended by many young people as must-visit spots when traveling to Singapore, combining local product shopping with sightseeing, photo opportunities, and cultural and historical exploration.
Haji Lane – the street of unique fashion
Located in the Kampong Gelam district, near Bugis MRT station, Haji Lane is one of Singapore's most vibrant and artistic streets for local brands. It is also one of the island nation's oldest cultural heritage areas, allowing visitors to combine souvenir shopping with sightseeing, cultural and historical discovery, and street art appreciation.
With its compact yet visually rich and creative space, Haji Lane has become a popular stop for Gen Z who enjoy personalized styles and want to discover new local brands. From one end of the street to the other, vibrant graffiti walls and brightly decorated shop facades create a lively atmosphere.
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Small fashion stores, decorated in vibrant colors, become popular photo spots for international visitors. *Photo: Conde Nast Travelers*
The street features many independent boutiques specializing in fashion, handcrafted accessories, vintage items, and small-scale local brands. Many products are custom-designed or produced in limited quantities, unlike the mass-market items found in shopping malls, meeting the demand for unique, one-of-a-kind items.
Beyond shopping, Haji Lane also offers creative experiences tailored to personal interests. At craft stores like Crafune, visitors can participate in leather crafting workshops or design their own accessories, engrave names, and leave a personal mark.
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Many stores display souvenirs, such as: keychains and custom-designed clothing, adding character to the street. *Photo: Travel + Leisure*
Design Orchard – a complex of 90 local brands
The second shopping destination is located right on the bustling Orchard Road shopping belt, built as a retail complex exclusively for local brands. It brings together over 90 Singaporean brands and designers across fashion, accessories, beauty, and everyday lifestyle items, such as: Cocoonese, Sabrinagoh, and Ginlee Studio.
The two-and-a-half-story building features a blend of classical and modern architecture, with clearly divided shopping areas. The first floor is a retail space showcasing fashion, accessories, homeware, and design gifts. The second floor is an incubation space for emerging brands. Meanwhile, the rooftop attic hosts events and community activities.
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Design Orchard is located right on the bustling Orchard Road shopping belt. *Photo: VisitSingapore*
Here, young visitors can find many personalized creative products, such as: handcrafted perfumes, independent designer apparel, or homeware with a Singaporean aesthetic. This space also provides young designers with opportunities to reach new customers and introduce their personal works in the city's most vibrant shopping district.
Artbox Singapore – the weekend shopping festival
Besides permanent stores, Singapore also features pop-up events for the creative community. One such event is Artbox Singapore, a shopping festival gathering independent creators, small businesses, and emerging brands from Southeast Asia. Artbox Singapore 2026 is scheduled to take place in two phases on 3-5/4 and 10-12/4 at Singapore Expo.
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Visitors to Singapore in early April can take advantage of the weekend to shop at Artbox Singapore, an event that occurs only a few times a year. *Photo: Timeout*
The event combines shopping, food, and entertainment activities, creating an environment for young brands to connect with customers in a community-oriented space. According to the organizers, Artbox annually gathers over 300 lifestyle stalls, attracting approximately 50,000 visitors to Singapore Expo.
Here, visitors can find many handcrafted products, designer fashion, and unique accessories, along with food stalls and performance art. The festival space also offers young people an opportunity to discover emerging trends in one location.
Dan Minh
