People’s Park Centre / Complex – 5 cheap reasons to visit this Chinatown landmark while you can

While you were busy mourning the legendary shopping malls of the 90s, like Queensway Shopping Centre And Sim Lim Squareyou may have missed the news that the People’s Park Complex and the People’s Park Centre are also on the hit list.

The two “People’s Parks”, both of which are halfway through their 99-year leases, are on the market for sale en bloc now. Neither of them has been sold yet, but it’s really only a matter of time.

People’s Park Centre, People’s Park Complex and People’s Park Food Centre

Sometimes I hear people refer to “People’s Park” as a place, but actually there are at least 3 buildings with that name. They are all grouped together so it’s almost as good as a megacomplex. Still, there are key differences in what you’ll find in each.

Description of People’s Park Complex: With its striking green and yellow architecture, People’s Park is Complex is the building that made it to a million hipster selfiesThis old shopping mall is mostly populated by travel agencies, but there’s also an entire floor filled with cheap massage parlors.

Attractions of People’s Park Center: A cavernous old shopping mall connected to the People’s Park Complex, this air-conditioned mall has a basement food court and plenty of stalls, making it one of the most popular lunchtime hangouts for CBD workers.

People’s Park Food Center 珍珠百貨商場: An old street vendor center (not for sale) between the two “people’s parks”. Lots of cheap and good food, plus lots of great finds on the upper floors.

1. Cheap food at People’s Park Centre / Food Centre — ma la xiang guo & more

Most people you see in People’s Park have only one thing on their agenda: EATING.

There are two main places to eat: the People’s Park Food Centre (hawker centre) and the People’s Park Centre (shopping centre).

People’s Park Food Center is best known for Ri Ri Hong Ma La Xiang Guo, one of the best value ma la xiang guo restaurants in town. Of course, the affordability depends on how much meat or seafood you choose, but portions are generally large. You can expect to pay around $15 for a hearty meal for 2 people.

In addition to Ma La, this hawker center also offers a number of other central Chinese dishes (e.g. Sichuan, Chongqing) in addition to the more local dishes. I am not a food expert, so I refer you to CityNomads And Eatbook for their lists of dishes to eat here.

In the meantime, VolksparkzentrumThe dining area in the basement is usually teeming with office workers on weekdays. The same applies to Ya Kun Kaya Toast And Tong Shui Dessertswhich are also packed with hungry hordes in business attire.

The story continues

Of course it is cheaper to eat at the Hawker Centre, but IIf we compare only the air-conditioned shopping malls, food at People’s Park Centre is considerably cheaper than at the more commercialized Chinatown Point across the road.

2. Cheap toiletries at People’s Park Food Center — Swanston & Ocean Cosmetics

A trick that every thrifty grandmother in Singapore knows is to buy toiletries at the upper part of the People’s Park Food Centre.

There are two cheap toiletry shops here: Swanston at level 2 and Ocean Cosmetics on Level 3. From sanitary pads to shampoo to laundry detergent, these shops have it all and most products are cheaper than at stores like Watsons or Guardian.

For example a 500g pump bottle QV Cream costs $38.25 at Watsons but at Swanston it’s only $22.50, which is amazing.

Other price differences are not as dramatic, but they are still savings. For example, a 450ml bottle Kirei Kirei hand soap costs $5.80 at Watsons. against $5.20 in Swanston, while Laundrin’ fabric softener normally costs $10.90 at NTUC versus $8.90 here.

Considering their “aunt” lineage, both Swanston and Ocean Cosmetics have a surprisingly good selection of cooler beauty brands. There are definitely more choice than the average pharmacy; I discovered a lot of Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese brands, such as Sophrapy, Innisfree and My Beauty Diary.

3. Cheap hair and nail salons – haircuts for $8 and classic manicures for $15

It is relatively easy to Cheap haircuts at Heartland stores like Snip Avenue or E-Coin, but the quality is questionable at best and the service nonexistent.

But what if you need a quick haircut during your lunch break in the CBD area?

Then try TenDollar.Com at People’s Park Food Center L2 or Beauty salon A to Z at People’s Park Centre L1. At $8 a piece (yes, even at TenDollar.Com), haircuts here are cheaper than the average QB House / KCuts barbershop.

I am also on The beautifula cozy nail and eyelash salon on Level 2 of the People’s Park Food Centre. The promotional price of $15 for a classic manicure seems incredibly cheap considering that they normally at least $25 elsewhere.

4. Cheap craft items – fabric shops, sewing and knitting supplies galore

Sewing, knitting and handicrafts are lost arts today, as you can buy everything ready-made and almost for free in online shops and from fast-fashion retailers.

But if you’re interested in these hobbies (or want to try them out), you should visit People’s Park regularly, as it has numerous craft supply stores in one place.

There are at least two large haberdashery shops in the People’s Park Centre where you can find thread, yarn, knitting/crochet needles, buttons, ribbons and other small items: Sing Mui Heng at Level 1 And Golden Dragon at Level 2.

If you are looking for fabric to sew, there are plenty of options at Level 2 at People’s Park Food Centre that sell fabric by the meter. In my opinion, they are more relaxed and better lit than the fabric shops in the Arab Street area, but the selection is not as great.

Also worth a visit is the huge Maple House Costume Shop also at People’s Park Food Centre, which is convenient if you want to complete your DIY Halloween costume / cosplay outfit.

5. Cheap massages – Shiok / painful foot reflexology massage from $15 for 30 minutes

My personal favorite find in People’s Park is Level 3 of the People’s Park Complex: It is almost a Entire floor with foot reflexology and massage salons!

There’s not much point in choosing the “best” one, because they’re almost all the same. All of them are absolutely no-frills (dim lights, but no music, no aromatherapy) and the masseuses are mainly Chinese who don’t hesitate to inflict pain on your knots.

The prices for massages are also the same in almost all hotels:

For comparison: A one-hour full body massage in a regular spa costs at least $60. At People’s Park Complex, it costs only $40. Shiok.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much to do in the People’s Park Complex. The run-down shopping center is mostly home to travel agencies and the odd Rolex shop. But I will definitely come back here for a cheap massage – while I can.

What will you miss most about the People’s Park Centre/Complex? Tell us about it.

Other vintage malls worth visiting:

Sim Lim Square to En Bloc – 14 computer stores you should visit while you still can

10 “interesting” purchases in the Thai supermarket Golden Mile Complex

Queensway Shopping Centre – Are the sneakers still cheap?

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