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f people say that Singapore has no cultural heritage, they’re wrong. Here east of the city center, in a bustling shopping hub, the legacy of former communities that populated the area remain. Named after the bloodthirsty race of pirates who prowled the Straits before the arrival of the British, this Singapore district has a colorful past. Bugis, that’s what they call it.

The area where Bugis Junction now stands was the original home of Singapore’s small Hainanese community, famous for their large contribution to Singapore’s culinary culture, before they moved to Beach Road in the early 20th century to make use of the docks and seafront.

This area was originally populated by girls from poorer parts of Japan who came to Singapore and worked as prostitutes. That is why the same area was also home to Singapore’s Japanese community that grew and was running many businesses. They even had their own school and newspaper back then before World War II.

After the war ended, the British did not allow any Japanese to enter Singapore for the next few years. The Japanese came back eventually, but these days they hang out around the Robertson Quay. The prostitutes remained though, for a long time after the war. The area was even the equivalent of Patpong, a red-light district known for its bars and transvestite prostitutes or katies. However, in the mid eighties the area was redeveloped with a vengeance into a sanitized shopping experience.

As the glorious story of World War II is over and the Japanese have gone, what is left is a slice of modern Singapore at its most hyperactive: hundreds upon hundreds of shops and restaurants, several promenades and bazaars selling the cheapest T-shirts in town. Head there on the weekend to experience Singaporean consumerism at it’s finest.

Except for the odd mosque and temple, there a few things you can see in Bugis. Do as the Singaporeans do and window-shop your way through, stopping for quick eats every now and then.

At the 178 Waterloo streets, you can find the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho is standing proud, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin. This temple is always packed as the legend spreads that wishes made here come true. The procedure goes like this: enter, light some joss sticks, pray, then shake a container of cham si (bamboo sticks) until one falls out. Get a free matching slip with verses (also in English) explaining your fate, and maybe take it to one of the resident soothsayers for further explanation. This place is open to the public, though voluntary donations are accepted.

Set on the grounds of the beautifully restored Istana Kampong Glam, the site looks gorgeous from the outside but despite some half-hearted attempts at whiz-bang multimedia, the museum inside is rather disappointing. The Malay Heritage Center located on the 85 Sultan Gate, asks no fee to enter the grounds and US$3 for the museum.

Other attractions to see are The Sultan Mosque on 3 Muscat Street, Hajjah Fatimah Mosque (also known as Masjid Hajjah Fatimah) on 4001 Beach Road and Sri Krishnan Temple at 152 Waterloo Street.

Also step by at the Bugis Junction at 200 Victoria Street (MRT Bugis) to shop and check out the ever-surprising fountain in the middle of Bugis Square. The basement has a good selection of cheap to midrange eateries and the Food Junction food court is a cut above the usual. Besides Bugis Junction, there is Iluma, the latest mall in Bugis located on 201 Victoria street. It’s worth a look at night, when the panels outside pulse and shift in an impressive light show.