Singapore Landmarks
In a vibrant city of stunning architecture and wonderful art there's seemingly no end to the significant landmarks you’ll find in and around the city.
There’s a huge array of statues and monuments, many of which have quite important historical significance for the country. Among many others you’ll find the remains of fortifications from when the British attempted to hold Singapore against the Japanese in WWII. There's even a giant bronze statue of an elephant which was a gift from the King of Siam in 1871.
It’s not just art and historic relics that play the part of landmarks though, even many of the public buildings like museums, galleries and hotels are grand and artistic enough that they’ve become landmarks in their own right.
CHIJMES
Location: 30 Victoria Street
MRT: City Hall Station (EW13/NS25)
Web: www.chijmes.com.sg
Built in 1840, CHIJMES was one of the last cloistered convents in the world. After a serious facelift it has emerged as one of the most popular dining, shopping and entertainment venues in Singapore. The building, with its gothic architecture, is a national heritage sit attracting millions of locals and visitors every year.
Dalhousie Obelisk
Location: Empress Place
MRT: Raffles Place Station (EW14/NS26)
This monument was erected in 1850 to commemorate the Governor General of India, Marquis Dalhousie's visit to Singapore. The striking monument lies in Empress Place along the beautiful and historic Singapore River.
Esplanade
Location: Located between Raffles Avenue and Esplanade Drive
MRT: City Hall MRT
Web: www.esplanade.com
Esplanade is one of the largest performing arts centres in the world, designed to promote the arts to all Singaporeans. It has a diverse programme with something for everyone, including music, dance, theatre and visual arts. The building itself is striking with its distinctive twin shells that can be seen from the Civic District. Esplanade is also a great area to wine and dine away the time.
Istana
Location: Orchard Road
MRT: Dhoby Ghaut Station (NS24)
Web: www.istana.gov.sg
The Istana is the official residence of the President of Singapore. It's built on an old nutmeg plantation and was originally the residence for the British Crown representative. The building itself is magnificent with an array of design influences including, Gothic, Chinese, Malay, Renaissance and Roman Classical. The rolling greens are home to many rare plants all carefully maintained by the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Five times a year on certain national holidays the Istana opens its gates to members of the public.
Lau Pa Sat
Location: Boon Tat Street
MRT: Raffles Palace Station (EW14/NS26)
Web: www.laupasat.biz
Located in the heart of the CBD, Lau Pat Sat is the largest remaining Victorian filigree cast-iron structure in South East Asia. Built in 1894, the former wet market has been restored and is now a local favourite for food at great prices.
Merlion Park
Location: Adjacent to One Fullerton Hotel
MRT: Raffles Place Station
The Merlion was commissioned in 1964 and quickly became Singapore’s icon to the rest of the world. The lion head represents the lion seen by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he rediscovered Singapura in 11 AD – Singa meaning lion and pura meaning city in Sanskrit. Before this Singapore was known as Temasek, which is the Javanese word for sea. Thus, the fish tail symbolises Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village.
The main structure stands 8.6 metres high and its cub stands at 2 metres. The structures are made from cement fondue, the skin from porcelain plates and interestingly enough, the eyes from red teacups.
National Library Singapore Garden Walks
Location: 100 Victoria Street
MRT: Bugis and City Hall
Web: www.nl.sg
The National Library Singapore has 14 gardens complete with extensive landscaping and even sky gardens. Volunteers conduct tours in English and Mandarin every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 4pm to 5.30pm. These tours are informative, heightening your awareness and bringing you back to nature. In 2005 the National Library received the Platinum Green Mark Award from the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore for its environmental achievements.
Old Parliament House and the Elephant Statue
Location: Empress Place
MRT: Raffles Place Station (EW14/NS26)
Admission: SGD $8
Originally built as a colonial mansion in 1827, the building went on to become Parliament House and has since been re-launched as The Arts House. It's now a delightful, intimate venue for contemporary arts like visual arts, music, dance, film, comedy and theatre. Don’t miss the bronze Elephant Statue, a gift from King Chulalongkorn of Siam in 1871, which graces the exterior of the building.
Parliament House
Location: 1 Parliament Place
MRT: City Hall Station (EW13/NS25)
Web: www.parliament.gov.sg
Parliament sittings are open to the public at Parliament House. Enter the beautiful doors and watch Singapore govern. There are simultaneous interpretations of the debates in English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.
Raffles Hotel
Location: 1 Beach Road
MRT: City Hall Station (EW13/NS25)
Web: www.raffleshotel.com
A trip to Singapore is not complete without a visit to the Raffles Hotel. Built in 1887, Raffles is one of the world’s last great 19th century hotels. It has been a home and inspiration for many writers and movie stars over the years, including Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad and Charlie Chaplin.
The vestiges of old can still be found within. The Bar & Billiard Room houses two original billiard tables from the turn of the 19th century and is known as “The Connoisseur’s Haven” for its fine selection of martinis, single malts, cognacs, champagnes, ports, sherries, chocolates and Cuban cigars. The Tiffin Room is an experience not to be missed with the famed High Teas served here daily. And finally, The Long Bar, home to the Singapore Sling. There are also 70 retail shops including top tier designers like Tiffany’s and Louis Vuitton.
Statues of Sir Stamford Raffles
Location: North Boat Quay
MRT: Raffles Place Station
Standing proud in front of the Victoria Theatre is a bronze statue of Singapore’s founder, Sir Stamford Raffles. Its replica in white polymarble stands at North Boat Quay (formerly known as Raffles Landing Site), where he first stepped ashore.
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Location: 12 Tai Gin Road
Web: www.wanqingyuan.org.sg
Admission: Adults SGD $4, Children & Senior Citizens SGD $2
Formerly known as Wan Quin Yuan (meaning "a haven of peace in the twilight years") it was the headquarters for the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance in SE Asia. Here, you'll see Chinese nationalism and the revolutionary efforts that brought down the Qing dynasty, heralding the start of modern China. Within the sprawling, green gardens you'll find a number of sculptures including the bronze statue of Dr Sun Yat Sen. Within the old, colonial style villa you'll also find the following galleries:
- Hall of Peace
- Passage of History
- Gallery of Endeavour
- Hall of Wisdom
- Passage Through the Eras
- The Singapore Gallery
- The Nanyang Gallery
- The Testament Gallery
Supreme Court and City Hall
Location: St Andrew’s Road
MRT: City Hall Station (EW13/NS25)
Web: www.supcourt.gov.sg
The Supreme Court was built in 1939 and is one of the finest buildings constructed during the British Rule. The interiors are vast with murals by Italian artist, Cavalieri Rodolfo Nolli throughout. City Hall, which was built in 1929, is located just next door. This is the site where the Japanese surrendered to Lord Mountbatten in 1945.