Orchard Road, Singapore

Orchard Road is known as the shopping belt of Singapore and you can get almost everything you want, especially clothes and other fashion-related products. From your designer items to local fashion, the many malls of Orchard Road will provide you with the best of international, regional and local labels. Orchard Road is a rather long stretch and I would recommend shopaholics in particular to start their spree at Palais Renaissance (located next to the Thai Embassy), walk through the various malls and be done at Suntec City. Or the other way around. You'll need a day for this, but no Singapore trip would be complete without a shopping treat.

If you're looking for designer labels, do stop by Palais Renaissance, Ngee Ann City and Paragon. Personally I feel prices for designer goods in Singapore are comparable to that worldwide. Cheaper than Japan probably but for brands like LV, I know for a fact, it's cheaper to get it in Paris. Still, be assured that you wouldn't be ripped off and there won't be fakes, since these are the actual designer boutiques.

If you're looking for local flair in terms of fashion and accessories, do walk by Far East Shopping Centre (located a 10 mins' walk from Orchard MRT/subway station along Scotts Road) and Heeren. There are many small shops opened by locals showcasing Made-In-Singapore designs and those from the region as well.

For second-hand goods, luggages and small jewellery shops, pop into Lucky Plaza (5 mins' walk from Orchard MRT/subway station). It's rather popular with Philippinos and Indians, especially the blue-collared workers who reside here. You probably can work your bargaining skills at this place as well.

4 more images

You could spend a week just exploring the multitude of shops in the many malls all along tree lined Orchard Road.

I'm also told there are future plans to convert the street into an humungous covered shopping mall.

i love to go shopping at Takashimaya at Ngee Ann City. If you are taking the MRT / Train, stop at Orchard MRT and follow the underpass. All at one place you have the luxury brands like Burberry, Prada, LV. At the main department store, the possibilies are endless

B2: Supermarket (my absolute favourite - it has all types of food from local to international. Enjoy your sushi or VIetnamese roll here

B1: Gifts section. Wide range of brands here. My favourite place if i'm getting handphone pouches or ipod covers. Brands include: Poche mobile, Kroo, Precious moments. NBC, Gift
Soft toys are aplenty. Wide range of household stuff too

1: Ladies and shoes Department

2: Ladies Department

3: Man Department

4: Sports and Banking and Post office

When you finish, simply go opposite to Paragon Metro for another bout of shopping. The city never sleeps.

What to buy: Mobile phone pouches, ipod accessories, naive cushions, souvenirs

What to pay: $5 - $200

Orchard Road is a famous boulevard,with department stores on both sides.The one I liked mostly is Takashimaya Shopping Centre.It is really big and would suit most of your interests.There's a very nice and big bookstore named Kinokuniya..

If you're going to buy electronics you should be careful.Our guide advised us to be careful about Lucky Plaza.In some of the stores you can end up with a box of bricks instead of a camera!

1 more image

I love shopping. Convenience is a plus factor for me. That’s why when I want to buy some girly stuff, I go to Paragon, specifically to Metro to replenish my beauty supplies. I also go to Paragon, particularly to Toys R Us if I want to buy my niece some toys. I go to the stores in Paragon for gift items. Paragon has it all. It even has drugstores, money changer, grocery and 7-11 at the basement. Not to mention restaurants and gym. What more could you ask for?

Another good thing about Paragon is that the layout is not confusing. It’s pretty big but it’s easy to find your way around.

What to buy: It’s got lots of boutiques and shops: Calvin Klein, United Colors of Benetton, Sisley, Toys R Us, Metro, Watson’s. It really depends on what you need. Basically, Paragon covers almost everything you’ll ever need. Designers galore too!

What to pay: The budget will depend on what you want to purchase and the brand name.

Takashimaya (One of famous Japanese famous store)is my favourite department store. Great value and plenty of varieties. I believe is one of singaporean favourites place to hang out.

In fact its also a great place for window shopping and has a great food court on the basement.

What to buy: Clothes section is recommended.

At Carrefour, there are many foods that the expatriate might like. You may find familiar food products made in countries like France, United States, Switzerland, etc. Some of these are quite expensive. Carrefour is a hypermarche / hypermarket also sells general merchandise, often at reasonable prices.

One imported thing that I found that was significantly cheaper was the Braun-Oral B electric toothbrush tips. They are more than 25% cheaper than in the US or UK, yet they are made in Europe, not a developing country. Batteries, including Ni-MH batteries, are cheaper than in some European countries and the U.S.

In short, look around. Some imported items that seem to be for the expatriate may be more expensive than in the home country, but some things are not. These small items may not be souvenirs but will be ordinary household items that may remind you of your visit to Singapore.

Orchard Road and its tempting shopping centres are too short to explore in a day. When I visited, Singapore was prepared to have its shopping festival. This fancy city was busy to beutify itself. Orchard Road was the main point for this, You have many different choices of shops and all were temptings to be missed.

A friendly tips is to know what you want and start focus on few malls instead.
Do a research in internet and get some tips where to get those stuffs.
And do not force your legs squeezed in to the fancy high heels, girls.
Be sensible using sneakers or shoes that comfy to walk for long hours.

Orchard road is a paradise for shopping hikers.

What to pay: Cash and Credit card