Colonial District, Singapore
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The center of colonial rule in Singapore features reminders of British supremacy. The Padang, or cricket field, is surrounded by Empress Place Building, the original Parliament Buildings and the Singapore Cricket Club. Colonial Singapore can be recaptured with a Singapore Sling under the ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel.
Related Attractions
Raffles Hotel
Built in 1887, Raffles is now a national monument and one of the world's last grand 19th C hotels. A multi-million dollar facelift has brought back the hotel's colonial charm. Raffles' excellent service and food is framed within a setting of classical architecture and tropical gardens. The celebrated Singapore Sling cocktail was concocted here and is an expensive diversion at this Singapore highlight. Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad and Charlie Chaplin were among the hotel's guests.
CHIJMES
The gothic architecture of this national heritage site offers great photographic opportunities. CHIJMES is an attraction offering dining, shopping and entertainment.The former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, CHIJMES (pronounced "chimes") was established in 1854 and was also a girls school and orphanage. CHIJMES Hall, the restored chapel, provides a venue for musicals, recitals and other theatrical performances.
Raffles Landing Site
The statue of Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, marks the spot where Raffles is believed to have first stepped ashore in 1819.On first seeing Singapore, then a small fishing village, Raffles, a progressive and benevolent agent of the East India Company, understood Singapore's potential as port. After purchasing the island from the Sultan of Johor, he invited Chinese and Indians to immigrate to the new town, establishing Singapore's present multi-cultural society.
Singapore Art Museum
Dedicated to the collection and display of 20th C Singapore and Southeast Asian art, the Singapore Art Museum's state-of-the-art galleries feature paintings, sculptures and installations drawn from its 4,000-strong permanent collection. Housed in a beautifully restored school building (the former St. Joseph's Institution), the Singapore Art Museum has the largest collection of 20th C Southeast Asian held by a public institution.
Singapore Parliament House
Parliament House is home to Singapore's democratically elected Parliament. Built in 1999, the building's architecture blends old and new, incorporating a modern design with the distinctive colonnade details of other historical buildings in the colonial district. During Parliament sittings, which are open to the public, simultaneous interpretation of proceedings are available in English, Malay Mandarin and Tamil.
Fort Canning Park
Overlooking busy Orchard Road, Fort Canning was a stronghold of Singapore's defense. Erected in 1859 it is now the residence of modern performing arts companies. Contained within the 19ha/47ac park are memorials of Singapore's early history from as far back as the 14th C and Sir Stamford Raffles' personal bungalow
Chettiar Hindu Temple
This southern Indian temple which houses numerous shrines, is a 1984 replacement of the original, which was built in the 19th C. Its features are the 23m/75ft-high gopuram (pyramidal gateway tower), with its many colorful sculptures of godly manifestations and 48 painted-glass panels inset in the ceiling and angled to reflect the sunrise and sunset.
Battle Box
The Battle Box was the largest underground command center of the British Army during WWII. The bomb-proof structure has 22 rooms and is capable of recycling its own air. High quality animatronics depict the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in 1942.
Clarke Quay
Former godowns (warehouses) and shop-houses along the Singapore River have been restored and reinvented into fashionable shops and restaurants. A huge night bazaar features carts laden with knick-knacks and finger foods.
Ultimate Magic (closed)
NO LONGER AVAILABLE.Ultimate Magic was Singapore's first permanent illusion show at the Arena on Clarke Quay. The production will feature many original illusions and acts including Asia's premier illusionists, JC Sum and 'Magic Babe' Ning. Highlights of the show included an original illusion with a giant 8-ft industrial fan, Ning's dangerous escape from a flaming spear and an action-packed motorcycle illusion sequence.
Fort Canning - Spice Garden
A replica of the botanic garden Sir Stamford Raffles established in 1822 which was important for spices such as cloves and nutmeg.
Singapore History Museum
Housed in the historic National Museum Building c1887, the Singapore History Museum explores the heritage of the Singapore people from the 14th C to present day.
The Padang
The Padang is the essence of colonial Singapore and is very much a part of downtown. Ear-marked by Sir Stamford Raffles as a playing-ground, the well-manicured Padang ("big field" in Malay), is where flannelled cricketers played in the searing heat.
Singapore Supreme Court and City Hall
Built in 1939, this stately building with its classic design, Corinthian columns and spacious interiors make the Supreme Court one of the finest buildings built during the British Rule of Singapore. Beside the Supreme Court is City Hall, site of the Japanese surrender to Lord Mountbatten in 1945 during World War II.
Singapore Civilian War Memorial
This memorial is dedicated to the civilians who died during the 3 years of Japanese occupation during World War II. The memorial has four tapering white columns that reach 69m/230ft into the sky, each representing a different ethnic group.
Cavenagh Bridge
Singapore's only suspension bridge was constructed in 1868 and named after a governor of Singapore. Families of Singapore river cats, Kucintas, live on the river banks.
Empress Place Building
Constructed in 1865 and named after Queen Victoria, Empress of India, this building, typical of the Neo-Classical style, was used by the Government Secretariat and by arts organizations in the 1980's.
Asian Civilisations Museum
Singapore's ancestral cultures of China, Southeast Asia, India and West Asia are traced and presented in this museum. Of note are superb Buddhist artifacts, imperial porcelain and a collection of 17th C Ming-style furniture. Rare objects from as far back as the Neolithic Period (5000 - 1600 BC) can also be viewed.
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
This performing arts center completed in 2002, comprises a 1,600-seat concert hall, a 2,000-seat theater, three studios, outdoor performing spaces and the three-level Esplanade Mall.
Fullerton Hotel
The Fullerton Hotel, built in 1928 represents the height of Palladian architecture in Singapore and was built on the site of Fort Fullerton, named after Governor Sir Robert Fullerton.
Singapore Philatelic Museum
With a red pillar mailbox at its entrance this museum houses local and international stamps, and first day covers. Stamps and postcards depict multi-ethnic Singapore. The intricate stamp making process is vividly illustrated.
St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral
St Andrew's Cathedral was built in 1856 to replace a church destroyed by lightning. The Visitors Centre at the South Transept has a showcase of artifacts, pictures and a video of the cathedral's history.
The Catholic Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
Built to meet the growing needs of Singapore's Catholic population, this Cathedral's architecture, designed 1846, was inspired by two English churches of the time, St Paul's in Covent Garden and St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator
Singapore's oldest church, the Armenian Church was designed in 1835. Regarded as a masterpiece, it is a national monument.
Singapore Sports Museum
The Sports Museum showcases Singapore's sporting heritage, traditional and indigenous games plus a hall of fame.
