8 Attractions to Check Out on a Bicycle near Bencoolen Street

Hotel ibis Singapore on Bencoolen is strategically located at the heart of Singapore, near interesting sites, shopping centres and train lines. For my recent trip to Singapore, I stayed in this hotel and discovered that it’s a good place to stay in if you want to go sight-seeing, shopping or do street photography.

One of the best parts about staying at Hotel ibis Singapore on Bencoolen is that you get to borrow a bicycle to explore the vicinity. Here are 8 must-visit places to check out if you are staying at the hotel and a first-time visitor of Singapore:

1. Kwan Im Thong Hood Chinese Temple

This traditional Chinese temple in Waterloo Street (just behind Hotel ibis) is one of the major temples in Singapore and has been around since 1884. Devotees believe that praying to Kuan Yin in the temple brings them good luck.

2. Sri Krishnan Temple

A short walk away from the Chinese temple is the Sri Krishnan Hindu temple. This temple was established in 1870 and is the only Hindu temple in Singapore devoted to Sri Krishna.

3. Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film

This visual arts hub offers a variety of books, indie films and documentaries, as well as music CDs for photographers, filmmakers and artists. This centre also serves as a home for contemporary art, photography and film, providing a venue for artists to share and learn.

4. Singapore Art Museum

Otherwise known as SAM, this contemporary art museum houses a huge collection of Southeast Asian modern artworks.

5. Bugis and Bugis Junction Mall

This is one of the best malls in Singapore. With a huge range of major global and local brands plus a variety of food outlets scattered everywhere in the mall, Bugis Junction is a one-stop shopping destination for tourists and locals alike.

6. Bugis Village

If you want cheap finds and souvenirs in a bazaar type stalls and don’t mind crowded places, head to this three-storey shophouses with tons of retail outlets and food stalls.

7. Arab Street

This area will transport you to a whole new dimension where you can marvel at the intricately woven fabrics reminiscent of Arab and Persian culture. I feel like I was walking along the streets of Morocco.

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8. Little India

A replica of India with a huge assortment of cheap and authentic Indian dishes to satisfy your taste buds. You can also purchase unique stuff here if you want something unusual from Singapore.