Petain Road Singapore

Petain Road is an artsy neighbourhood in Little India, Singapore. Known for its eighteen Chinese baroque-style terraced shophouses built in the early twentieth century, Perak Road is frequented by the hipster crowd, fashionistas, and photographers for its Instagram-worthy photo-ops, and tourists looking to buy oriental ware from the stores. While the area is notorious for being a red-light district, there are a number of stunning family-friendly boutiques, antique shops, and avant-garde teahouses that perfectly preserve the vintage feel of the area.

Named after a French general, Petain Road boasts of gorgeously preserved vibrant Baroque shophouses, lined with floral ceramic tiles in pleasing pastel colours. The tiered stores have stucco Chinese panels with ornamental animal enamels – phoenixes, horses, cranes, and elephants juxtapose perfectly with Malay-inspired floral embellishments, wide windows, terracotta panels, and Spanish tiles. Victorian influences in the architecture are apparent in the classical columns that support the houses, complete with Chinese floral cornices and friezes that add a natural, organic touch to the walls. The plasterwork, enamel, and paintings of Petain Road lend an ethereal, timeless air to the vicinity!