CITY INFORMATION
Countries | Singapore | WHERE TO GO
where to eat | where to shop | nightlife | diving
Historical Attraction
Istana
Ornate cornices, elegant louvred shutters, Corinthian pillars and deep verandas come together beautifully in the neo-Palladian, Anglo-Indian Istana. Built in 1869 on a land area of more than 100 acres, this was the official residence of Singapore's British Governors and today, the President of Singapore. What used to be a nutmeg plantation now accommodates a nine-hole golf course and Sri Temasek, the official residence of the Prime Minister. The Istana is only open to the public on five public holidays. A changing-of-guard ceremony takes place at 6pm on the first Sunday of every month.
Address: Orchard Road
Singapore 238823
Phone: +1800 736 2000 (STB Tourist Information Centre)

 

  

Padang:
British flag was raised here in 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of modern Singapore, first landed in Singapore. Since then, the Padang represents the very essence of colonial Singapore. A plain unrelieved by trees or hills, it was a centre of colonial life for sporting events and social gatherings. Here, too, were herds of Europeans rounded up and questioned on the morning of the Japanese Occupation, and some 6,000 prisoners of war subjected to military training. Today, the Padang maintains its original use as a recreational space, and games like cricket and rugby are sometimes being played here.
Address: St. Andrew's Road/Connaught Drive
Opposite City Hall, Singapore
Phone: +1800 736 2000 (STB Tourist Information Centre)

 
Theatre & Dance/Art Performance:
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Singapore's premier performing arts center-you can't miss it if you tried. Distinguished by its spiky domed architecture, which has led Singaporeans to affectionately call it "The Durians" (in reference to the thorny, pungent Asian King of Fruits), the Esplanade is the country's most recognizable bulding.
Address: 1 Esplanade Drive
Singapore
Phone: +65 6828 8222

 
Museums
Fuk Tak Chi Museum :
Singapore's oldest temple is now a museum. The structures in this 175-years-old building have been retained, and artifacts donated by Singaporeans depict the island's early immigrant life. They include the mundane-hawker license fee receipt and Chinese storybooks-and the interesting, such as Japanese Occupation lottery tickets and family portraits.
Address: 76 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 048464
Phone: +65 6736 6622 (STB Tourist Information Centre)

 

  
Singapore Art Museum:
Devoted to collection, research and display of 20th-century Singapore and Southeast Asian visual art, this carefully restored museum is housed in a 19th-century mission school. It has the world's largest permanent collection of Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art (over 4,000 pieces).
Address: City Hall 71 Bras Basah Road
Singapore 18955
Phone: +65 6332 3222
   
Raffles Hotel Museum:
This museum displays artifacts and memorabilia that tell the story behind the legendary Raffles Hotel. Discover a fascinating collection of Raffles Hotel postcards, old letters, photographs, advertisements and brochures from its early days in the 1900s.
Address: 328 North Bridge Road
#03-07 Raffles Hotel Arcade
Singapore 189673
Phone: +65 337 1886, Fax: +65 339 7650
   
Singapore History Museum:
Dedicated to educating the public about Singapore's history, the Singapore History Museum has moved to Riverside Point while the old colonial building in Stamford Road is being refurbished. The Museum tales, which explores the history and development of the Singapore River. By telling the stories using several techniques, Rivertales hopes to captivate audiences while they learn. You'll also be able to catch a short film, The Old Man and the River, which is told from the perspective of a 77-years-old man who arrived in Singapore in 1947. The film is directed by fast-rising local star Royston Tan.
Address: 93 Stamford Road
Singapore 178897
Phone: +65 6837 9940; 6375 2510
   
Fun Days Out
Jurong Birdpark:
Jurong BirdPark is a 20.2 hectare open-concept park. It is the largest in the Asia Pacific and one of the finest bird parks in the world. Its collection of more than 8,000 birds from 600 species is among the largest in the world. The Park specialises in birds from Southeast Asia and the more exotic and colourful tropical birds.
Address: Jurong Hill Singapore 628925
Phone: +65 6265 0022, Fax: +65 6261 1869

 

  
Big Splash:
Lauched in 1976, Singapore's first water theme park enjoys a new lease of life after extensive renovations. It now boasts seven story-high water slides and swimming pools for adults and children, the use of which is free. Guests need only pay for outdoor activities such as volleyball, cycling, kayaking, canoe polo and diving; and indoor activities such as karaoke at Showroom-Music Box, indoor golf at Liliputt, and kick-boxing and yoga lessons at Boxing and Fitness. The Big Splash complex also houses food establishements, pubs and dance club, Tunnel.
Address: East Coast Parkway
Singapore
Phone: +65 6345 6762, Fax: +65 6440 9703