Geylang, Singapore

The Geylang Planning Area (Simplified Chinese: 芽笼, Traditional Chinese: 芽籠, Pinyin: Yá Lóng, Malay: Geylang, Tamil: கேலாங்) is located in the eastern part of the Central Region of Singapore. Covering 9.64 square kilometres, it had a population of about 112,000 as of 2020¹. Geylang is one of the oldest urban areas in Singapore, known for its bustling food scene, conserved shophouses, and diverse residential neighbourhoods. It lies within Postal Districts 13 and 14.

History of Geylang

The name “Geylang” has been traced to several possible origins. One theory is that it derived from the Malay word kilang, meaning “mill” or “factory,” as the area once hosted coconut plantations and processing sites. Another interpretation is that it came from geylang, meaning “to shift” or “to move,” reflecting the early movement of people and activities in the area. By the late 19th century, Geylang had become a thriving settlement with residential quarters, shops, and cultural institutions. It is today a place where heritage meets urban renewal.

Geylang, Singapore (28 July 2017)

Name and Pronunciation

“Geylang” is pronounced as Gay-lang, with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription /ˈɡeɪ.lɑːŋ/.

Geography and Boundaries

The Geylang Planning Area is bordered by the Kallang Planning Area to the west, Rochor Planning Area to the northwest, Paya Lebar Planning Area to the northeast, and Marine Parade Planning Area to the south. It sits along major roads such as Changi Road, East Coast Road, and Jalan Eunos.

Transport and Accessibility

Geylang is well connected by expressways and MRT lines. The East Coast Parkway (ECP) and Pan Island Expressway (PIE) run nearby, linking the town to the city centre and Changi Airport.

MRT Connectivity

Several MRT stations serve the Geylang Planning Area, spread across different lines:

East West Line (EWL): Aljunied, Kallang, Paya Lebar, and Eunos.
Circle Line (CCL): Paya Lebar, Dakota, and Mountbatten.
Downtown Line (DTL): MacPherson.
Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL): Future stations in Marine Parade will further improve access.

Residential Real Estate

Geylang is unique for its mix of landed properties, conserved shophouses, private apartments, and newer condominiums. It is also well known for freehold properties, unlike many other parts of Singapore dominated by 99-year leasehold housing. As of 2025:

Freehold condominiums in Geylang average around SGD 1,600–2,100 per square foot.
A 1,000 sq ft (93 sq m) freehold unit typically costs between SGD 1.6 million and 2.1 million.
HDB flats in surrounding areas are generally priced between SGD 450,000 and 700,000 for 4-room units.
Rentals in Geylang range from SGD 2,800–3,800 for condominiums and SGD 2,000–2,500 for HDB flats².

These prices are competitive compared to central planning areas, making Geylang attractive to investors and residents seeking central living with heritage character.

Landmarks and Attractions

Geylang is renowned for its colourful mix of cultural and lifestyle landmarks. Highlights include:

Old Geylang Shophouses: Rows of conserved shophouses with intricate facades, housing eateries, boutique hotels, and shops.
Geylang Serai: The cultural heart of Singapore’s Malay community, home to the Geylang Serai Market and festive bazaars during Hari Raya.
Kong Hock Tong Temple: A historic Chinese temple founded in the 19th century.
Sports Hub and Indoor Stadium (nearby in Kallang): Attract visitors for concerts and sporting events.
Geylang East Public Library: A popular community resource.

Community and Lifestyle

Geylang is one of Singapore’s most vibrant food destinations, famous for late-night eateries, seafood restaurants, and hawker stalls. Popular dishes such as frog porridge, durian, and claypot rice are especially associated with the area. The neighbourhood is also home to schools, community clubs, and healthcare facilities, including Geylang Polyclinic.

Fun Facts

Geylang Road is one of Singapore’s oldest thoroughfares, built as early as the mid-19th century, and still serves as the main artery of the town today³.

Map of Geylang, Singapore

MRT Stations in Geylang

Aljunied MRT Station (GPS: 1.31641, 103.88304)
Dakota MRT Station (GPS: 1.30824, 103.88582)
MacPherson MRT Station (GPS: 1.32678, 103.89019; CC10)
Mattar MRT Station (GPS: 1.32688, 103.88321; DT25)
Mountbatten MRT Station (GPS: 1.30631, 103.88244)
Ubi MRT Station (GPS: 1.32979, 103.89922)

Apartments, Condominiums and selected HDB Flats in Geylang

Avant Residences (GPS: 1.31363, 103.88234)
Dawn Ville (GPS: 1.31256, 103.89458) 1 Butterworth Ln, S 439444; P: +65 6256 9333
Katong Ville (GPS: 1.31311, 103.89368) 88 Tanjong Katong Rd, S 436958
Park 1 Suites (GPS: 1.314003, 103.889444)
Paya Lebar Residences (GPS: 1.31753, 103.89134) 27 Paya Lebar Rd, S 409042; P: +65 6741 7628
SimsVille Condominium (GPS: 1.31727, 103.88876) 2 Geylang East Ave 2, S 389754; P: +65 6741 4686
Sunflower View (GPS: 1.31308, 103.88833)
The Water Edge (GPS: 1.31379, 103.88874)

Commercial Buildings in Geylang

City Plaza (GPS: 1.31334, 103.89372) 64 Tanjong Katong Rd, S 436956; P: +65 6746 2218
Elite Building (GPS: 1.31451, 103.88218)
WIS@Changi (GPS: 1.31659, 103.9012) 116 Changi Rd, S 419718

Hotels in Geylang

AL Asia Hotel (GPS: 1.31341, 103.88464)

Markets, Hawker Centres and Food Courts in Geylang

21 Old Airport Road (GPS: 1.30755, 103.88448)
Haig Road Market & Food Centre (GPS: 1.3152, 103.89554) 14 Haig Rd, S 430014
Kallang Estate Food Centre (GPS: 1.3074, 103.88403)
Old Airport Road Food Centre (GPS: 1.30824, 103.88582)
Pasar Geylang Serai (GPS: 1.31672, 103.89827) 1 Geylang Serai, S 401001

Parks and Recreational Areas in Geylang

Geylang East ActiveSG Swimming Complex (GPS: 1.32129, 103.88784) 601 Aljunied Ave 1, S 389862; P: +65 6745 7175
Geylang East Park (GPS: 1.3218, 103.88769) 601 Aljunied Ave 1, S 389862; P: +65 6745 7175
Geylang Park Connector (GPS: 1.31019, 103.8888)
Kampong Ubi Community Centre (GPS: 1.31775, 103.9007) 10 Jln Ubi, S 409075; P: +65 6742 3564
Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub (GPS: 1.31761, 103.89953) 11 Jln Ubi, S 409074; P: +65 3165 8017
MacPherson Community Club (GPS: 1.32361, 103.88472) 400 Paya Lebar Way, S 379131; P: +65 6841 1085

Petrol Stations in Geylang

Caltex (GPS: 1.32541, 103.89082) 128 Paya Lebar Road, S 409013; P: +65 6749 8969
Shell (GPS: 1.32169, 103.89166) 98 Paya Lebar Road, S 409008; P: +65 6747 6938

Religious Buildings in Geylang

Charis Tabernacle (GPS: 1.31334, 103.89372) 64 Tanjong Katong Rd, S 436956; P: +65 6746 2218
Chong Tuck Tong Temple (GPS: 1.31356, 103.88332)
Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace (GPS: 1.31224, 103.89363) 4 Sandy Ln, S 437321; P: +65 6744 2879
Foo Hai Ch'an Monastery (GPS: 1.31793, 103.88836) 87 Geylang East Ave 2, S 389753; P: +65 6748 6676
Hoon Sian Keng Temple (GPS: 1.3163, 103.90102) 82 Changi Rd, S 419716; P: +65 6344 2571
Khadijah Mosque (GPS: 1.3142, 103.88604)
Masjid Wak Tanjong (GPS: 1.3175, 103.89194) 25 Paya Lebar Rd, S 409004; P: +65 6747 2743
Sagaramudra Buddhist Institute (GPS: 1.30824, 103.88582)
Soon Thian Keing Temple (GPS: 1.31486, 103.88572)
Sri Sivan Temple (GPS: 1.31844, 103.88873) 24 Geylang East Ave 2, S 389752; P: +65 6743 4566

Shopping malls in Geylang

Centropod@Changi (GPS: 1.31654, 103.90055) 80 Changi Rd, S 419715; P: +65 6702 3500
City Plaza (GPS: 1.31518, 103.89331)
KINEX (GPS: 1.31379, 103.88874)
Joo Chiat Complex (GPS: 1.31568, 103.89887) 1 Joo Chiat Rd, S 420001; P: +65 6746 9965
Paya Lebar Square (GPS: 1.31914, 103.89253) 60 Paya Lebar Rd, S 409051; P: +65 6702 3107
PLQ Mall (GPS: 1.31766, 103.89316) 10 Paya Lebar Rd, S 409057; P: +65 6955 8800
SingPost Centre (GPS: 1.3189, 103.89404) 10 Eunos Rd 8, S 408600
Tanjong Katong Complex (GPS: 1.3164, 103.89437)

Sights in Geylang

Wisma Geylang Serai cultural heritage integrated hub (GPS: 1.31649, 103.89656) 1 Engku Aman Turn, S 408528

Streets in Geylang

Map of the subzones of Geylang

Quick Facts

Size: 9.64 sq km
Population: ~112,000 (2020)
Postal Districts: 13, 14
Name Origin: Possibly from Malay “kilang” (mill/factory) or “geylang” (to move/shift)
Pronunciation: Gay-lang (/ˈɡeɪ.lɑːŋ/)
Main MRT Stations: Aljunied, Paya Lebar, Dakota, Eunos, MacPherson
Main Expressways: PIE, ECP
Key Landmarks: Geylang Serai, shophouses, Kong Hock Tong Temple
Average Property Prices: Condominiums ~SGD 1,600–2,100 psf; HDB 4-room ~SGD 450k–700k

References

Page Details

This page was created on 8 September 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

List of Planning Areas of Singapore, Singapore Sight Index and pillar page Discover Singapore

Want to share your Singapore travel experiences or get tips from fellow travellers?
Join the Singapore Travel Tips Facebook Group

More information for visiting and living in Singapore

Here are some related articles to help you get to know Singapore better.

Latest Pages & Updates

Buy Me A Coffee

If you enjoy the information I provide and want to support the work I do, please buy me a coffee! I appreciate it immensely, thank you so much!
Support me here

Backtrack | HOME | Latest Updates | Singapore Streets & Sights