Singapore
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TOUR: Colonial Singapore
Encompassing years of Singapore's history and architectural heritage, this tour takes you to sites, buildings and monuments from the colonial period right up to the present. To avoid the afternoon heat, try to get started by 10am. Be sure to wear your comfy walking shoes!
Start at the very beginning, where the story of modern Singapore first began—the landing site of Sir Stamford Raffles at North Boat Quay. An easy 10-minute walk from the City Hall MRT station (down North Bridge Road and then left at Elgin Bridge), the Raffles Statue—a replica of the bronze original—marks the place where he is thought to have landed on January 29, 1819. Opposite, on the south bank of the Singapore River, are the towering office blocks of the financial district and bustling Boat Quay—a row of converted shophouses and godowns that now house a slew of restaurants and bars. An ideal place for dinner, so head back here for your evening meal.
Turn left now and walk towards the iron-link Cavenagh Bridge, built in 1868. Across the river on your right is The Fullerton Singapore, formerly the General Post Office. The Asian Civilisations Museum at Empress Place is on your left. This huge neoclassical building was designed as a Court House and was renamed the Empress Place Building to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria, Empress of India. Walk on towards the Dalhousie Obelisk and then to two fine, colonial buildings—Victoria Theatre, completed in 1862 as the Town Hall, and Victoria Concert Hall, added in 1905 and now home to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. In front of the buildings stands the original statue of Raffles.
Retrace your steps to the Obelisk and take the underpass to Esplanade Park where several memorials wait you. As you walk out from the underpass, turn left and walk across Anderson Bridge to Merlion Park for a closer look at the Merlion—Singapore's symbol of tourism. Back at Esplanade Park, you will first see the pagoda-like Lim Bo Seng Memorial, erected in honour of a World War II hero. Next up is the Indian National Army monument and further along is the Cenotaph, dedicated to the soldiers who died in the two World Wars. The final memorial in the Park is the Tan Kim Seng Fountain, a beautiful Victorian fountain unveiled in 1882 in recognition of Mr Tan's donation towards free piped water for the town. From here, you can see the 230-foot tapering pillars of the Civilian War Memorial in front of you and Suntec City Convention Centre and Shopping Mall to your right.
Cross Connaught Drive to the Padang (Malay for field) and then Stamford Road for a closer look at the Civilian War Memorial, whose four pillars have earned it the nickname of "chopsticks." It symbolises citizens from Singapore's four main races who died during the Japanese Occupation. Time for some lunch and relaxation now, so cross Beach Road and then Bras Basah Road to that venerable outpost of colonialism—Raffles Hotel. Head first for the museum on the third level for a dose of Raffles memorabilia before tucking into lunch at one of its several restaurants and cafes. How about trying Doc Cheng's with its East-West cuisine and a Singapore Sling at The Long Bar afterwards? Then spend an hour or so at the hotel's shopping arcade where you will find exclusive brands like Tiffany & Co.
Once sated, cross Bras Basah Road to Raffles City—an office and shopping complex—where you might want to do a little more shopping. Our next stop is St Andrew's Cathedral just across Stamford Road—a gleaming Anglican church built in early English Gothic style by Indian convict labour. After gazing at its stained glass windows, come out onto St Andrew's Road and head towards City Hall, completed in 1929 and now home to the Judiciary.
From City Hall's steps, where Lord Mountbatten accepted the Japanese surrender on September 12, 1945, you will find a good view of the Padang where the Japanese gathered 2000 British civilians before marching them off to Changi Prison—and where cricket, rugby and tennis are still played. The Singapore Cricket Club—once the centre of social and sporting life for the British community—lies to your right and on your left is the Singapore Recreation Club, originally built for the Eurasians who were excluded from the SCC. Next to City Hall is the Supreme Court with its dome of green lead and Corinthian columns.
Time now to wind down our tour. From the Supreme Court, cross High Street to the Old Parliament House. Built by George Coleman in 1827, it is now Singapore's Arts House. On its grounds stands a bronze elephant, a gift from King Chulalongkorn of Siam (Thailand). To the right of the building is the new Parliament complex. Turn right down Old Parliament Lane towards the Raffles Landing site, where the tour began. You now have time for a Bumboat ride along the River before dinner at Boat Quay.
