We are just over two weeks away from Christmas Day, and I can already feel the festive spirit in the air. Although we've been experiencing some rainy days lately, the breeze has become much more pleasant compared to recent months. It's less humid now, and I can stroll around the city in the afternoon without feeling like I'm melting under the midday sun. The weather is much more tolerable, so earlier today, I decided to visit the City Hall area. I wandered along North Bridge Road, Coleman Street, and St. Andrew's Road to explore the landmarks in the vicinity.
This area along these roads is locally known as "Little Burma" or "Little Myanmar" of Singapore. While it may not be immediately obvious on weekdays, it becomes highly noticeable during the weekends, especially on Sundays. On a Sunday like today, hundreds of Myanmar nationals gather here to meet friends, hang out, shop, dine, and even enjoy drinks. The area transforms into one of the liveliest spots in the country, and it’s a lot of fun to experience—provided you don’t mind the crowds.
I came here today for specific reasons: to check out the Christmas tree display at Capitol Singapore, visit Funan shopping mall to look for a phone I plan to buy next year, and explore the current art exhibits at the National Gallery.
My stroll began at Capitol Singapore, which is the closest landmark to the City Hall MRT station where I alighted. I had heard about a "singing" Christmas tree currently on display there, along with a holiday market that has been set up. With these festive events happening, I feel that my one-hour journey was absolutely worth it.
Calling it a "singing" Christmas tree was a bit of a clickbait move because, in reality, it isn’t the tree itself that sings. Instead, the tree is designed as a podium for a choir, who are the ones performing. Initially, I found that a bit confusing, but on second thought, it’s still an entertaining concept. After all, where else would I get to experience something like this?
The only issue was that I arrived too early for the show, as it was scheduled to happen at night. Although I really wanted to watch it, I had other plans to attend to. So, I quickly browsed through the market to check out the products on offer before moving on to the next item on my agenda.
Among the buildings in this area, Peninsula Plaza is recognized as the heart of "Little Burma."
It is home to the most authentic stores specializing in products from Myanmar, offering items that a typical Myanmar household might need. It’s a fascinating place to visit if you want to learn more about the culture. However, as much as I wanted to explore it further, I was in a hurry to head to my next destination: Funan shopping mall.
Funan shopping mall first opened in 1985, but it was recently renovated and reopened in 2019. It has always been the best place to find the latest gadgets and tech products you can think of. So, whenever I need to check out or buy something, I simply go to this mall because I know it offers the widest variety. If you're lucky and know where to look, you might even score discounts or freebies.
After checking out a few shops, I found the phone I plan to buy next year. My current phone is already showing signs that it's nearing the end of its lifespan, and I'm worried it won't last until the first quarter of next year. So, I’d better get a new one before that happens. Anyway, my phone has served me well for over 8 years, so it’s definitely earned its retirement, lol.
My last stop was the National Gallery! I’ve been meaning to visit in recent weeks, but I kept putting it off because I didn’t have a good enough reason to go to the city on a Sunday. Now that I have a few solid reasons, I figured I might as well visit the exhibits currently on display.
Most of the exhibits require a ticket to enter their respective galleries, but there are some that don’t require any payment. I opted for the latter since I didn’t have enough time to explore all the exhibits. So, I focused on the ones that wouldn’t take up too much of my time and still enjoy viewing the displays.
The National Gallery is divided into different galleries across various levels, so depending on which entrance you use, you may end up in different galleries. I found the most logical entrance to be the one on St. Andrew’s Road, which led me to the Padang Atrium.
Along the corridors leading to different sections of the building, you’ll find inspiring artworks displayed on the walls.
At the basement level, I came across a fascinating combination of two artworks displayed as if they were part of the same piece.
The draping fabric above is Wabi Sabi, an artwork created using the paperdyesculp technique. This particular piece was developed over 20 years to symbolize the decades dedicated to a lifetime of artistic practice.
The figurines below are called Ah Wah and Ah Kiat: Crossing Borders. They are made from glass-reinforced concrete, a building technique that results in a much stronger material. On their own, they look simple; however, the way they are arranged makes them an interesting sight to behold. It’s as if each piece was carefully positioned to offer a glimpse of a great story from the past. It’s truly amazing!
In conclusion, today’s journey through the city not only introduced me to captivating art and vibrant culture but also reminded me of the beauty in exploring familiar places with fresh eyes. Whether it's a hidden gem like Little Burma or the stunning exhibits at the National Gallery, there’s always something new to discover. I’m already looking forward to my next adventure, and I hope you are too!
