Mention Beauty World, and some of us may think of all the mouth-watering food options there thanks to its history of being a popular market in the 1960s. But the place offers much more than just being a foodie haven. From bouldering sessions to candle-making workshops, here are some things to do at Beauty World; they weren’t kidding when they used beauty when naming the place.
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Before becoming the Beauty World we now know for its food gems, the area was once home to an amusement park: Tai Tong Ah Sai Kai. This was during the Japanese Occupation when the neighbourhood was teeming with life; people flocked here to watch Getai and Wayang performances. There were also kids’ entertainment and cinemas screening Japanese movies.
After Japan’s surrender, the park was unable to sustain itself, and proprietor Giam Kok Eng was granted permission by the British to transform the place into a market. Beauty World Market opened in July 1947, and its name references other leisure spots in Singapore like New World, Great World, and Happy World so locals can remember it more easily.
If you’re taking public transport, get down at Beauty World MRT station along the Downtown Line. Those cycling and walking along the Rail Corridor, keep going till you see Beauty World Centre.
Just a 15-minute walk from Beauty World MRT, you’ll be met with the Rifle Range Nature Park. The 7km hiking path is home to 4 trails and 2 boardwalks for outdoor lovers to explore and is also a pit stop if you’re hiking the rail corridor or embarking on the coast-to-coast trail.
When you are here, hike up to the viewing point that overlooks the quarry wetland and enjoy the park’s luscious green landscape.
Address: Rifle Range Road, 589322
Opening hours: Daily, 7am-7pm
Contact: Rifle Range Nature Park website
Image credit: Chris Liu via Google Maps
Tucked away in the basement of Beauty World Centre is Grassland Book Store, and it’s like stepping into a time machine at this old-school stationary shop.
They sell school supplies, board games, and toys we’ve all used and played with during childhood. The colourful stackable pencils and classic Snakes and Ladders were among some of the treasures we spotted. Party favours and birthday cards are also sold at reasonable prices here.
Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, B1-20, Singapore 588177
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-8pm | Sun 11am-7pm
Contact: + 65 6466 3200
Image credit: zvertigobouldergym via Facebook
Bouldering is becoming increasingly popular as a form of exercise, and Z-Vertigo Boulder Gym is an indoor climbing gym for climbers of all levels. The gym offers a good mix of dynamic and technical routes for climbers to try out, and the routes are routinely updated so regular members can challenge themselves.
Entry passes start at $17/pax for adults, $12/pax for youths aged 15-17, and $9 for kids from 10-12 years old accompanied by an adult. The gym also offers an Intro to Bouldering Session for beginners on weekends, priced at $25/pax for a 90-minute class.
Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, B2-20B, Singapore 588179
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12pm-10pm | Fri 3pm-10pm | Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
Contact: Z Vertigo website
Image credit: @colorich via Carousell
Colorich Plants is a certified haven for gardening lovers. There’s a wide selection of greenery, from potted plants to tiny succulents. These spiky gremlins are low-maintenance and need little care, making them great as a first plant for beginners.
Prices here range from $5 to $30, so if you’re a plant lover and just around the corner, you might want to pop by to hunt for new plants for your mini garden.
Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, #01-02A Shopping Centre, Singapore 588179
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm | Sun 10am-6pm
Contact: +65 9661 2112 | Colorich plants website
A studio and store in one, MusicNuts! Academy and Bookstore is for all you music lovers out there. Browse through their selection of music books, and you’ll find unique ones teaching Disney songs on guitar or K-pop tracks on piano.
Music courses here range from piano to music theory to even flute, and term fees for beginner classes start from $510. Lessons are suitable for all ages. There are also 2 piano studios for rent from $30/hour, and the spaces are great for self-practising, external teaching, or recordings for graded exams.
Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, #02-51 Shopping Centre, Singapore 588179
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-7.3pm | Sat-Sun 10.30am-6pm
Contact: +65 8678 6999 | MusicNuts! Website
Image credit: Yi Jian Reflexology via Google Maps
Walking and exploring all day calls for a massage, and Yi Jian Reflexology is a Chinese massage parlour that practises TCM services. They offer Foot Reflexology starting from $30, and if you want a full-body reset, the Body Therapy sessions start at $45.
Other services available here are Cupping ($30) and Gua Sha ($30), which are great for improving blood flow and circulation. For the ladies, they offer a 90-minute Ovary Massage at $128, which boosts womb health and promotes hormonal balance.
Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, B1-17 / #03-27 Beauty World Centre, Singapore 588177
Opening hours: 9am-10pm Daily
Contact: +65 8332 5568
Image credit: Fin Art Studio via Facebook
Add a little colourful pizazz to your lives with art classes at Fin Art Studio. Classes are for kids and adults alike, and there are weekly 1.5-hour guided sessions to explore different art styles.
The studio offers smaller classes for the kiddos and custom art programs like clay modelling or sketching lessons. For those looking for a short and sweet one-day workshop, there are the 2-hour art jamming sessions for adults, free and easy or guided.
Contact their WhatsApp directly for more deets on booking a session.
Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, #03-22 Shopping Centre, Singapore 588179
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1pm-7pm | Sat-Sun 10am-7pm
Contact: +65 8913 2914 | Fin Art Studio website
Image credit: @eurilily__ via Instagram
Head to Eurilily Studio for a fun hands-on date with your partner or girlfriends. At $52 for a 1.5-hour session, personalise your fragrance according to your MBTI during their MBTI perfume class.
The studio also holds various candle-making workshops. Learn how to make candles from scratch, which make great gifts for loved ones. At $38/pax, the message candle class lets you hide a secret message that will only be revealed when the candle burns.
Or, if you prefer decorating, there are also dessert candle decorating classes starting at $36/pax, where you get to decorate a premade base.
Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, #05-19, Singapore 588179
Opening hours: Mon & Wed-Thu 10am-6pm | Fri-Sat 10am-7.30pm | Sun 10am-4pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: +65 8087 2281 | Eurilily Studio website
Image credit: @thesummeracai via Instagram
Acai bowls have been one of Singaporeans’ top dessert picks lately, and it’s healthy. The Summer Acai, located in Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, is the perfect pit stop if you’ve hiked over and are looking forward to a healthy treat.
The 13 fixed bowls are loaded with refreshing acai and fresh fruits, and you get to choose a drizzle of your choice. If you’re feeling adventurous, they also have unique bases, like Nutty Hazel (from $11.10) with hazelnut sorbet or Gossip Gearl (from $11.10), a creamy Earl Grey acai sorbet.
You can also do it yourself and create your flavours for $10.80.
Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, B1-48 Shopping Centre, Singapore 588179
Opening hours: 11am-9.30pm daily
Contact: The Summer Acai website
Image credit: Eatbook
If you’re having trouble deciding what to have for lunch, a tour of the Beauty World Food Centre will leave you spoilt for choice. Order a soupy, warm bowl of Banmian ($4) from Top 1 Homemade Noodles. For something Western, Big Boys Sizzling Hot Plate has hearty steaks from $15.90.
We always end with dessert, and Ye Tang Chendol hits the spot with its Classic Bowl, which costs just $2. There’s also the $3.80 creamy and rich Durian Chendol, perfect for cheat days.
Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Level 4, Singapore 588177
Opening hours: 7am-9pm Daily
If you’re wandering around the Beauty World area, it’s your chance to finally try the TikTok viral Korean rice cakes from Bosong Ricecake. These traditional, handmade Tteok come in many assortments and differ from the spicy Tteokbokki or Injeolmi we typically find.
We recommend the Ggul Tteok ($5), which is filled with honey and white sesame paste for a burst of sweetness, and the Rainbow Baekseolgi ($5), a spongy rice cake for different textures.
Address: 140 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, #02-04, Singapore 588176
Opening hours: Thu-Sat 11.30am-7pm (Closed from Sundays to Wednesdays)
Contact: +65 9169 3587 | Bosong Ricecake website
Image credit: Josephine Tan via Google Maps
Mom’s Banchan & Food is a Korean grocery store that feels like a Korean Ajumma opened it. You can get your hands on fresh side dishes, AKA Banchan, from $6/box. Besides kimchi, marinated eggs, and pickled radish, the store also sells frozen goodies like dumplings, Tteokbokki, ready-made noodle packs, and even marinated meats.
Mom’s Banchan & Food also does bulk orders and is available for delivery.
Address: 588179, Upper Bukit Timah Rd, 170号, Shopping Centre, B1-16
Opening hours: Sun-Mon 10am-5pm | Tue-Sat 10am-7pm
Contact: +65 9173 6370 | Mom’s Banchan & Food website
Image adapted from: @carpenterandcook via Instagram
A 5-minute walk from the MRT will lead you to Carpenter and Cook, a homely cafe that serves a brunch menu and handmade pastries and tarts.
Try the Al Granchio ($29) for a fancy serving of tomato cream pasta tossed in white wine and crab meat for protein. It’s not a trip there if you leave without grabbing a dessert. If you want to try more flavours, the 4, 6, or 12 mixed tart bundle from $17 is the perfect sweet treat to take home.
Address: 19 Lor Kilat, #01-06, Singapore 598120
Opening hours: 8am-6pm daily
Contact: +65 6463 3648 | Carpenter and Cook website
Image credit: @saltedcaramel.sg via Instagram
We all go cuckoo for the classic combo of ice cream and waffles, and Salted Caramel does it just right. Artisanal ice cream flavours like Chamomile Honey, with its subtle sweet fragrance, and of course, the sweet and salty flavours of Salted Caramel pair perfectly with the warm, crispy, yet fluffy waffle.
You can get a single scoop for $4.50 or opt for a waffle or brownie to accompany your creamy goodness for $10. There’s also coffee and tea for a midday caffeine fix.
Address: 17 Lor Kilat, #01-08 Kilat Court, Singapore 598139
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 12pm-10pm | Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm
Contact: +65 6235 0863 | Salted Caramel website
It feels like time has paused at Beauty World amidst the modern developments of Singapore. The old-school vibes of the malls and eateries still withstand, and the area remains such a nostalgic gem to many.
For more neighbourhood reads:
Cover image adapted from: zvertigobouldergym via Facebook, @saltedcaramel.sg via Instagram
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