Mention Kampong Gelam and it’ll probably be Arab Street or Haji Lane that pops into your mind. But beyond all the hip cafes and nightlife offered, there lies much more within this Malay heritage enclave.
If the last time you headed here was on a school trip, it’s time to revisit the area with Virtual Kampong Gelam, a game with both online and onsite elements. Beyond just reacquainting yourself with the rich culture here, you can even stand a chance to win prizes like a 2D1N staycation at a heritage hotel.
Happening from now till 2nd April 2022, here’s how you can get started:
Unlike class excursions, there’s no need to submit worksheets with this interactive game. Instead, you’ll be given a virtual bingo card where your goal would be to complete as many tiles as possible.
Image adapted from: National Heritage Board
When you sign up, you’ll get to create a cute cat avatar based on the resident cats at the Malay Heritage Centre, which will join you along for the adventure. You’ll then get your bingo game card when you click on Heritage Hunter Bingo from the game menu.
Image adapted from: National Heritage Board
To complete your tiles, all you have to do is head down to the various locations within the Kampong Gelam precinct.
Go all Dora the Explorer in search of clues related to Kampong Gelam. Once you’ve got your answer, scan the relevant exhibits or buildings to complete your bingo tiles and earn your rewards. Keep your eyes peeled for the AR videos too. They’ll add on to the storytelling behind the heritage of Kampong Gelam.
Image adapted from: National Heritage Board
Needless to say, the more tiles you complete, the more chances you gain in striking bingo. You’ll want to make sure you do, as each completed tile gives you one chance at the grand prize in the Heritage Hunter Ultimate Treasure Chest Lucky Draw.
Though you’ll be flexing your Sherlock Holmes skills on the game, you’ll be reaping the rewards IRL. One winner will get a 2D1N heritage hotel staycation, along with a heritage workshop and tablet (worth $1,199) thrown into the mix. Three others will also win $300 worth of shopping vouchers each. Prize winners will be announced on 12th April 2022 on NHB’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
But if luck may not be on your side, you’ll still be able to snag sure-win prizes with every completion of at least three bingo tiles. You can get Museum Label merchandise or $5 Grab vouchers, while stocks last.
We may all be familiar with how culturally diverse Singapore is, but we may need help in brushing up on our knowledge. Though we may know of Kampong Gelam’s good food and mural photo ops right at our fingertips, we may not be able to say the same for its historical vicinities.
With Virtual Kampong Gelam, you’ll get to explore this Malay enclave in 3D. It’s a nifty tool at hand to lead the way in exploring nooks and crannies that speak volumes about our heritage.
This post was brought to you by National Heritage Board.
Photography by Brad Lee.
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