As Hari Raya Puasa celebrations begin, here are the best places to be at in Geylang Serai
By Pamela Chow
Known as the heart of Singapore’s Malay community, Geylang Serai is an exciting hub of activity, especially now that Hari Raya Puasa celebrations are underway. Its name was derived from the Malay words kilang (meaning “factory”) and serai (“lemongrass”), referring to the lemongrass plantations that used to flourish here in the 1800s.
Geylang Serai was also home to many other plantations such as coconut, rubber and tapioca, leading to its other name, Kampong Ubi (or “tapioca village”).
If you’re in the area for the occasion, or happen to pop by this culturally rich part of town, here are the top places to explore for a greater appreciation of the neighbourhood.
4. A popular escape game
Encounter, the company behind the highly recommended escape game The Apartment (Jalan Besar), has launched another branch in Geylang with three spine-chilling themed rooms that will challenge your wits and bravery.
One of them, The Boutique, places you in the investigation of a dead salesperson. The catch? The culprit may not be human. In The Cruise, your vacation is interrupted by a strong vibration followed by an emergency announcement. Will you be able to escape from the sea?
Encounter’s Geylang outlet also houses the sequel to The Apartment—a horror-themed room authentically modelled after a regular HDB unit—called “The Hospital”. Here, you can continue to solve the mystery of the family that went missing from their home.
Encounter, 454A Geylang Road, Level 2
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