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PLACES OF INTEREST IN SINGAPORE
1.
Animal, bird and
aquatic life
2. Gardens, parks & Nature reserves
3. Landmarks & Memorials
4. Museums
5. Singapore's Islands
6. Themed Attraction
7. Places of Worship
8. Suburban Singapore
LANDMARKS & MEMORIALS
PARLIAMENT HOUSE & ELEPHANT STATUE
 Once
a stately colonial mansion which was built in 1827, Singapore's oldest
government building is today the home of the Republic's Parliament. A
bronze elephant stands in front of the building, a gift from King
Chulalongkorn of Siam in 1871. Allow one hour.
Location: Empress Place and environs, Singapore 179429. Tel: 6336 8811.
Getting there : Take the MRT to Raffles Place (C1) and walk across
Cavenagh Bridge.
STATUES
OF SIR STAMFORD RAFFLES
The founder of modern Singapore has two statues to his memory. The
original bronze cast by Thomas Woolner in 1887 stands outside the Victoria
Theatre, while a replica stands on North Boat Quay, behind Parliament
House - at the site where Raffles is thought to have landed on January 29,
1819.
Location: Empress Place and environs.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Raffles Place (C1) and walk across Cavenagh
Bridge.
SUPREME
COURT & CITY HALL
The last classical building to be completed in Singapore, the Supreme
Court opened in 1939 as the first stage of a grand design to replace
Parliament House, the Victoria Theatre and the Singapore Cricket Club.
However, World War II intervened and the plan was fortunately, shelved.
Neighbouring City Hall was the scene of the Japanese surrender to Lord
Louis Mountbatten in 1945. Visitors are allowed.
KRANJI
WAR MEMORIAL
The beautifully landscaped grounds of the Kranji War Memorial are
dedicated to the Allied troops who died in the battle for Singapore during
World War II. The memorial's walls are inscribed with the names of those
who died, and a register is available for inspection from the custodian.
Allow half an hour.
Location: 9 Woodlands Road 22km, Singapore 738656.
Getting there: Take TIBS bus 182 from Somerset Road or SBS 170 from Rochor
Road and alight at bus stop opposite the Memorial.
CIVILIAN
WAR MEMORIAL
This strikingly simple memorial is dedicated to the civilians who lost
their lives during the Japanese occupation in the Second WorldThe Civilian
an War Memorial War. The locals affectionately call it the "Chopsticks"
memorial because of its unusual design.
Location: Near Raffles City Complex.
Getting there: Take the MRT to City Hall (C2).
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ARAB
STREET
Arabs were among the first to arrive in Singapore to trade, bringing
with them the Islamic religion and converting many indigenous Malays to
their belief. Today the old section of the city around Arab Street
provides an intriguing glimpse into the Muslim way of life.
The Sultan Mosque dominates the area, a fantastic building with its
impressive gold dome and vast prayer hall. Arab Street itself is a riot of
colourful textiles from all over Asia at very low prices. Also on sale,
overflowing from the shop houses onto the pavement, are saris and batik,
basketry, leather goods, cane and rattan, jewellery and hand-beaten brass,
perfumes and a host of other treasures. Allow two hours.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Bugis (E1) and walk. Chinatown Here amidst
narrow streets of picturesque shophouses and restaurants brimming with
life, the temple idol carvers, herbalists, calligraphers, traders and
trishaw drivers pursue a way of life that has changed little for
generations. Incense stream from the old temples, the elderly spread their
wares out on the pavement for sale and sea cucumbers, regarded as a
delicacy, dry in the sun.
LITTLE
INDIA
Little India, centred around Serangoon Road, embodies the vibrant and
colourful culture of the Indian community in Singapore. Women in graceful
saris and turbaned Sikhs go about their daily business in the Zhujiao
Centre, where a bewildering selection of food is on sale. Small shops
abound, selling bolts of glittering silks, temple garlands, gold jewellery
and spices that are ground in front of you. The Hindu religion plays an
important part in the life of Little India, and the Sri Veerama Kaliaman
and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temples in the area are well worth visiting.
Allow two hours to browse.
Getting there: Take SBS buses 64, 65, 106 or 111 from Orchard Road.
CHINATOWN
Here amidst narrow streets of picturesque shophouses and restaurants
brimming with life, the temple idol carvers, herbalists, calligraphers,
traders and trishaw drivers pursue a way of life that has changed little
for generations. Incense stream from the old temples, the elderly spread
their wares out on the pavement for sale and sea cucumbers, regarded as a
delicacy, dry in the sun. Much of Chinatown has recently been renovated,
but the old traditions endure. A walk around the streets of Tanjong Pagar
reveals local craftsmen at work making clogs, kites and traditional seals
for stamping documents. During Chinese New Year, the whole of Chinatown is
lit up and buzzes with activity as stalls sell a variety of festive goods.
Allow two hours.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Outram Station.
MUSEUMS
SINGAPORE
HISTORY MUSEUM
The Singapore History Museum, originally opened in 1887, is an
architectural gem with each of its two levels reflecting a different order
of Greek classical architecture. Of particular note are the
three-dimensional reconstructions of historical scenes and events tracing
Singapore's development from a sleepy fishing village to the present day
metropolis. Another exhibit shows the world of a wealthy Straits Chinese
family at the turn of the century, complete with elaborate Peranakan
furnishings and finery. The Children's Discovery Gallery is another
compelling attraction, with interactive exhibits designed to explain
Singapore's cultural heritage, visual and per forming arts.
In addition
to the Singapore History Museum, Singapore offers a number of museums with
specific themes.
Opening hours : 9.30am to 6.00pm (Tuesday to Sunday).
Friday : 9.30am to 9.00pm, no admission charges after 6.00pm.
CHANGI
PRISON CHAPEL & MUSEUM
The Changi Prison Chapel, with its thatched roof and outdoor pews, is
a replica of the original built by Allied prisoners of war in World War
II. The Museum, which also features a souvenir shop, records the daily
life of the prisoners through a display of photographs, paintings and
sketches. It also features a pair of rail spikes from the infamous Burma
railroad which claimed the lives of thousands. It is a tribute to the men
who lived and died in captivity during those dark years. Allow two to
three hours.
Opening hours: 9.30am to 4.30pm daily (closed on Sunday and Public
Holidays).
Location: 20 km Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 1750. Tel: 6743 7885.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Tanah Merah (E9), then take SBS bus 2.
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EMPRESS
PLACE MUSEUM
Regarded as one of the finest neo-classical buildings in Singapore,
Empress Place dates back to 1854, when it served as a court house. Today
the building houses a world-class museum and exhibition centre, featuring
cultural and archaeological treasures from China and other ancient
civilisation- many of them being shown outside their country of origin for
the first time. Allow two to three hours.
Location: 1 Empress Place, Empress Place Building, Singapore 0617. Tel:
6336 7633.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Raffles Place (C1) and cross Cavenagh
Bridge over the Singapore River.
CHINAMAN
SCHOLAR'S GALLERY
This is a faithful recreation of the home of a Chinese scholar of the
1920s and 1930s, complete with kitchen, bedroom, dining and living areas.
The Gallery houses furniture, porcelain, musical instruments and
photographs from the period. Allow from the period. Allow one hour.
Opening hours: 9am to 4pm (closed on Sunday and Public Holidays).
Location: 14BTrengganu Street, Singapore 0105 Tel: 6222 9554.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Outram (W2), then start walking towards
Chinatown.
MINT COIN
GALLERY
The Singapore Mint's exhibition gallery displays a collection of
coins, medals and medallions from all over the world. Visitors can also
mint their own souvenir coin at the gallery's coin press. Allow one hour.
Opening hours: 9.00am to 4.00pm (Monday to Friday).
Location: 249 Jalan Boon Lay, Singapore 2261 Tel: 6261 4749.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Boon Lay .
PERANAKAN
PLACE MUSEUM
This small museum illustrates the rich lifestyle of the Peranakans,
descendants of early Chinese settlers who married native Malays during the
15th and 16th centuries. They are perhaps best-known for their unusual
Nonya cuisine but the Peranakans' architecture, fine furniture, intricate
beaded embroidery and colourful porcelain are equally fascinating. Allow
one hour.
Opening hours: 10.30am to 3.30pm (Monday to Friday).
Location: 180 Orchard Road, Peranakan Place, Singapore 0923 Tel: 6732
6966.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Somerset (N2).
SINGAPORE
AIR FORCE MUSEUM
This museum traces the development of the Royal Singapore Air Force
from its early days as the Malayan Volunteer Air Force in 1939 to the
present day. From colonial cap badges to the Bloodhound missile, the
museum boasts a vast array of artifacts, including early planes such as
the Hunter Hawker, the SF 260 Marchetti and the A4-C Skyhawk. Allow one
hour.
Opening hours: 10am to 4.30pm (except Mondays and Public Holidays).
Location: Blk 78 Cranwell Road, Off Loyang Avenue, Singapore 1750 Tel:
6540 1537.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Tanah Merah (E9), then take SBS bus 9, 2.
SELANGOR
PEWTER MUSEUM
This museum, the first of its kind in the world, is in the Jurong
Industrial Estate. About 800 pieces of pewter are on display, some of them
tools used over 100 years ago. Pewterware can also be bought here. Allow
one hour.
Opening: hours: 9am to 5.30pm daily.
Admission: Free. Location: 32 Pandan Road, Singapore 2260 Tel: 6265 7711.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Clementi (W8), then take a taxi or SBS bus
78.
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