In a city that features all sorts of commercial goods, from hi-tech gadgets to the latest designer clothes, it’s easy to see why shopping is considered a national past time. Singapore may seem like one big shopping mall, but that only means you have to carefully choose what, and more importantly, where to buy. Here are the most important shopping locations in Singapore:

Orchard Road

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As far as shopping is concerned, Orchard Road is where it’s at, in Singapore. Named after the pepper and nutmeg plantations that covered the area, in the 1800s, Orchard Road is now the most famous shopping area in Singapore, for both locals and tourists. It’s lined by shopping malls, department stores, boutiques, cafés and restaurants, so you can be sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.

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Orchard Road is also one of the liveliest places in Singapore, especially on the weekends, when buskers and other artists take to the streets and provide quality entertainment for passers-by. During the holidays and the Great Singapore Sale shops extend their schedules to as late as midnight, so visitors can literally shop till they drop.

Clarke Quay

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One of Singapore’s oldest trading posts, dating back to the 1800s, Clarke Quay bears the name of Andrew Clarke, Singapore’s second governor. Even though it has suffered a complete makeover, Clarke Quay is still one of the city’s bustling markets, featuring retail shops, entertainment centers and classy restaurants.

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Mixing the traditional with the modern, Clarke Quay manages to give tourists a taste of the old Singapore through a series of shophouses, five-foot-way merchants and pushcarts that offer charming souvenirs and antiques.

Marina Bay

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Located in Suntec City, the busy business district of Singapore, Marina Square is one of the largest, most popular shopping centers in the city. Surrounded by water and sporting a breathtaking skyline, Marina Bay offers a wide variety of retail shops and entertainment venues.

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The best known shopping mall in Marina Bay is Marina Square, a giant mall featuring over 300 specialty shops, an entertainment zone and dozens of restaurants and cafés. And if you’re looking for some extreme fun, the famous Singapore Flyer is just meters away.

Chinatown

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With Chinese making up three quarters of Singapore’s population it’s clear to see why Chinatown is such an important landmark and shopping destination. Set up by Chinese immigrants, in the 19th century, Chinatown retains its old charm and traditional atmosphere. Tea houses, street stalls and unique shophouses selling everything from antiques, to traditional medicine and food imported from mainland China, make Chinatown worth visiting.

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The best time to visit Chinatown is in January or February, around the Lunar New Year, when it turns into an amazing display of light and colors. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes adorn the streets, making Chinatown the prime attraction of Singapore.

Little India

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One of the most colorful neighborhoods in Singapore, Little India is the place to go if you’re looking for Indian goods. Located on the east side of the Singapore River, across from Chinatown, it was originally used as a place for raising and trading cattle. As commerce between East and West began to develop, so did Little India, and by the 20th century it had evolved into an ethnic center buzzing with life.

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Singapore is definitely not a place of segregation, and Indian commercial centers can be found throughout Singapore, but in order to preserve cultural identity, Little India remains the heart of Indian culture on the island. Its brightly-colored shophouses offer everything from Indian spices like curry to Indian clothes and jewelry. If you’re in the mood for Indian cuisine, the friendly family-run restaurants are happy to give you a taste of India.

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