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Singapore River |
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The
Singapore River was the lifeline of Singapore where our first
immigrants eked out a meagre living and saw Singapore transform from
an obscure little fishing village to a great seaport. And into a
modern metropolis famous for its skyscrapers, the Merlion and
"gastro-mania".
Highlights on the banks of the Singapore River include
Boat Quay
and Clarke Quay,
landmarks and memorials such as
Merlion Park
and Parliament House,
museums such as the
Asian Civilisations Museum as
well as temples and mosques such as the
Tan Si Chong Su Temple
and Omar Kampong Melaka Mosque.
Marvel at these sights as you stroll along the banks of the river.
Alternatively, hop onto a glass-top boat or bumboat and enjoy a
leisure cruise on the river. Choose from a range of riverboat services
available - loop hop-on and hop-off, river express, river taxi and
leisure sightseeing tours. For more information on the services
available. |
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Boat Quay |
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The trailblazer
of the Singapore entertainment scene, Boat Quay is arguably
Singapore's best place to 'chill out'. With a good mix of high end
restaurants and alfresco dining and lively bars and pubs, Boat Quay is
the hangout for most professionals and expatriates.
Imagine that only a century ago, sun-tanned coolies and swaylos
(water-hands) balanced heavy gunny-sacks of rice on their shoulders,
with springy gangplanks under their feet, loading and unloading a
bewildering plethora of produce. When Raffles signed the agreement
securing the auspicious title of free port for Singapore, this
instantly opened the floodgates of immigrants from neighbouring
countries. Within six months, Boat Quay had become a hothouse for
trading, and by the 1860's, three-quarters of all shipping business
was done at Boat Quay. Here was the starting point of all that is
Singapore today: affluent, hardworking and adamant on success.
Immigrants were keen to erect their shophouses on the already crammed
south side of the River, because it resembled the concaved belly of a
carp, which according to Chinese belief, was where prosperity and
wealth lay. Notice how the row of shophouses, which have been
carefully conserved, vary in height. This was a sign of each man's
wealth - the higher the shophouse, the wealthier the owner.
Check Out: Harry's Quayside (jazz bar)
Getting There: Head towards the Singapore River from Raffles
Place MRT (EW14/NS26). |
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Clarke Quay |
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Another popular riverside landmark in Singapore. Featuring five blocks
of restored warehouses, it is home to hip entertainment, dining
outlets and shops of all kinds, including second-hand and antique
shops. The Satay Club with its variety of satay and barbecued seafood
should not be missed. In the evening, theme pubs and bars come alive
with classic rock, hard rock, the blues and music from the 60s. There
are even moored Chinese junks (tongkangs) refurbished into floating
pubs and restaurants. Named after Sir Andrew Clarke, Singapore's
second governor, Clarke Quay had been the commercial centre, where an
unending stream of lighters would transport their goods upriver to the
very warehouses that now contain shops of every extravagant nature.
Near the entrance to Clarke Quay on River Valley Road is Whampoa's Ice
House which belonged to Hoo Ah Kay, an early immigrant from Whampoa,
China who imported ice from Boston in the mid-1800s before ice-making
facilities were available in Singapore. Note how the Chinese and
European merchants brought their own architectural styles to the area.
Visitors can also look forward to some exciting events and activities
held on a regular basis. There's also the Sunday Flea Market for great
bargains (10am to 6pm) with over 70 stalls selling antiques and
collectibles, handicrafts and more.
Check out: J P Bastiani (Mediterranean Bar and Restaurant - voted
Best Dining Experience in 1996)
Getting There: Best by taxi. Alternatively, take a river taxi
from Raffles Place in front of Standard Chartered Building.
Web sites :
Clarke Quay
(http://www.clarkequay.com.sg) |
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Merlion Park |
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The Merlion
Park is home to the half-lion, half-fish sculpture which is a national
icon. Officially installed on 15 September 1972, the Merlion statue,
situated at the mouth of the Singapore River, is a favourite among
photographers and tourists. The Merlion has recently been relocated to
a new site at One Fullerton. At its new location, the Merlion, with
the city as its backdrop will have greater prominence and visibility.
Restoration works on the Merlion are currently underway and the the
new Merlion Park will be opened to the public in September 2002.
Location: Merlion Park
Getting There: Take the MRT to Raffles Place Station
(NS26/EW14) and walk towards the Esplanade or take TIBS bus 167 or 182
from Orchard Road. |
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Parliament House |
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Designed and
built by George Coleman as a colonial mansion in 1827, this is
Singapore's oldest government building. It was the former home of
Singapore's democratically-elected Parliament. Visitors to the stately
building are greeted by a bronze elephant statue, a gift from King
Chulalongkorn of Siam in 1871. Singapore's Parliament has shifted to
new premises at 1 Parliament Place, just a short walk away.
Location: Empress Place
Getting There: Take the MRT to Raffles Place Station (EW14/NS26)
and walk across Cavenagh Bridge. |
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Asian Civilisations
Museum |
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The exhibits in the
first wing of the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM I) are housed in a
restored neo-classical building dating back to 1910. The focus of the
first wing of the museum is on Chinese civilisation and culture. On
display is also the museum's highly acclaimed permanent exhibition,
the Peranakan Legacy, which showcases the rich material heritage of
the Peranakans from the Straits Settlements and the Indonesian
Archipelago. Among the highlights will be a display of the museum's
renowned batik, embroidery and beadwork collections and a chance to
view exquisite silver and porcelain pieces.
The next wing of the Museum (ACM II), located at the Empress Place
Building, has just re-opened in February 2003 after some renovation.
Spread over three levels, a series of thematic galleries will give an
insight into the cultural heritage of India, China, Southeast Asia and
the Islamic World. State-of-the-art display and interactive
technologies with educational elements will be carefully integrated
into the galleries, along with a centre specially dedicated to younger
visitors. A special exhibition gallery will also be provided, to house
blockbuster exhibitions. These exhibits will be enhanced by exciting
fringe events that will bring ancient traditions, practices and art
forms to life.
Open: 12 noon - 6pm (Mon), 9am - 6pm (Tue - Thur, Sat & Sun), 9am
- 9pm (Fri)
Admission: SGD 3 adults, SGD 1.50 children (6 - 16 years) and
seniors
SGD 8 Family ticket (max 5 members)
Prices may change when there are special exhibitions.
Free admission on late nights every Friday 6pm to 9pm.
Guided Tours: 11am, 2pm (Tue to Fri) for English language tours
with an additional tour at 3:30pm on Sat. and Sun.
10.30am (Tue to Fri) for Japanese language tours.
Approximate Touring Time: 2 hours
Location:
ACM 1 - 39 Armenian Street Singapore 179941
ACM II - Empress Place, 1 Empress Place 179555
Tel: (65) 6332 3015 / 6332 3284
Fax: (65) 6332 7993
Email:
nhb_acm@nhb.gov.sg
Getting There: From City Hall MRT Station (NS25/EW13), walk
towards Stamford Road and turn into Armenian
Street at the MPH
bookshop. The museum is diagonally across from MPH.
Accessibility for the physically disabled: The following
information is obtained from Access Singapore.
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Main entrance - Access
by ramp (low kerb at entrance). Accessible to wheelchair and
ambulant-disabled.
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Accessibility within the
premises - Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
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Lifts - Accessible to
wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
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Public toilets for the
disabled - Ground level. Entrance door is heavy. Access is limited
and assistance may be required. Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
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Eating outlets - Level
1. Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
Web sites :
Asian Civilisations Museum
(http://www.museum.org.sg/ACM/acm.shtml) |
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Tan Si Chong Su Temple |
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This ancestral
Hokkien temple, which is also a community centre for the Tan clan in
Singapore, is said to have excellent "feng shui" (luck or blessings).
The decorations of the temple, built in 1876, are very well preserved,
particularly the altars with their ancestral tablets. Much of the
material used to build this riverside temple arrived in Singapore as
ballast.
Location: 15, Magazine Road Singapore 059568
Getting There: Take a taxi from Raffles Place MRT Station
(EW14/NS26) or Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station (NS24). |
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 Information
provided by
Singapore Tourism Board. |
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