Take a walk with me, won’t you? That’s the question being asked by a new homegrown initiative, Jalan Jalan. Sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board and Enterprise Singapore, the ground-up project is a celebration of Singapore’s people and the places in the heartlands they call home.
Jalan Jalan launched under this idea—to collect and celebrate a neighbourhood’s hidden gems—in December with its first five districts: Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Chong Pang, Clementi and Jalan Besar.
In these neighbourhoods, the community project’s organisers are working closely with residents to put together lists of under-the-radar old school establishments and newly-opened hipster hotspots alike. The end result is a refreshed itinerary of what to eat, shop, see, and do, allowing you to explore each neighbourhood with new eyes.
Perhaps you know of a chic nasi padang restaurant, or a gem of a watering hole tucked away under an HDB block. Maybe you frequent a heritage furniture store with owners who grew up with your grandparents, or sometimes drop in on that refined little mamak stall along a quiet sideroad. Whatever your pick, Jalan Jalan wants to know; they’ve put out the call for recommendations to spread the love for local businesses.
Answering that call and supporting those businesses also gives precinct wanderers a chance to win fun prizes. Simply visit one of the project’s bustling partner merchants near you—whether it be Yong Hwa Handmade Fishball Noodles or The Workbench Bistro—and scan the onsite QR code to redeem your privileges. Seeking out these neighbourhood gems at the right time will also allow vistors to take part in a series of curated activities, from dining pop-ups to outdoor trails and much, much more.
With so much redevelopment happening all over Singapore, Jalan Jalan is eager to celebrate what came before, what persists to this day, and what will come tomorrow. When it comes to the local cafe, restaurant, park, and mall scene this year, why not help them celebrate the traditional and the novel alike?
Find out more about Jalan Jalan and its initiatives on their website, or tell the group about your favourite haunts in your neighbourhood with #jalanjalanme and their online form.
