Wandering the Streets of Aljunied

The other night, I took a different route home and decided to stop by the Aljunied area for a little wander. It’s one of those estates considered fairly central, close to the city center, so it has a different vibe compared to most neighborhoods. This part of the city feels like a crossroads where many cultures meet, even though it isn’t a particularly large estate. Some might describe it as part of the city’s “underbelly,” though it’s not quite on the same level as Lorong Geylang, which is known as the city’s red-light district.

One thing that stands out about the Aljunied area is the presence of various religious establishments, like a Methodist church, a Buddhist temple, and several others. At first glance, it seems almost absurd, because just a few minutes’ walk from these places of worship are pubs, bars, and even adult shops. These adult shops appear to operate like any other casual establishment where people can simply walk in to browse, or do whatever it is that goes on inside (I wouldn’t know, LOL). I only took photos from the outside and didn’t actually go in! 😄

As I walked along the streets, one thing caught my attention... something that seems pretty common here. People were queuing at the ATMs, and there were also plenty of others lining up to buy lottery tickets! 😄

And then there’s an unmistakable scent that you can’t miss as you walk closer to the stall… it’s the durian stall along the main road. It screams durian — and I’m not just talking about the smell! There’s also a huge display in front of the stall that anyone can easily spot from across the street.

I was also amazed by the number of fruit stalls along the streets. The prices are quite affordable too... you can find pre-packed sliced fruits sold for just SGD 1 to SGD 2, something you rarely see even in the biggest grocery stores in the city. If you love fruits, you’ll definitely enjoy this area!

And of course, Aljunied is also known for its good restaurants, especially those that serve fresh seafood like crabs and lobsters.

Among the buildings I came across while wandering around the area was Bee Cheng Hiang, which looks like a glowing lantern at night with its bright yellow façade and vibrant lighting. The building can be seen from quite a distance... probably the reason I ended up reaching this part of Aljunied in the first place.

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Exploring Aljunied turned out to be an unexpected little adventure filled with culture, color, and character. It’s one of those places that reminds you there’s always something interesting to discover, even in familiar parts of the city. I’ll definitely be coming back to wander its streets again... maybe next time with a durian in hand! 😄

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