Orchard

Orchard History
Orchard Road was once a sleepy plantation. During the early 19th century, the street was home to numerous nutmeg orchards and pepper farms. Later, the new government of Singapore decided to promote tourism around the area. Many buildings and parks were established, and today the district has become a prime real estate full of striking shopping complexes and malls, restaurants, colonial buildings and Orchard Hotels.

Getting Around Orchard
Orchard MRT - Tourists can get to Orchard Road via the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). The North-South line stops at three points along Orchard Road, including Orchard at the eastern end, Somerset in the city center and at the western end. From Dhoby Ghaut Station, tourists can take the trains to other destinations in Singapore, i.e. City Hall, Raffles Place, Clarke Quay and Little India.

To move from one place to another on Orchard Road, Singaporeans tend to take the MRT. However, the best way to see Orchard Road is on foot. There are several designer stores and souvenir shops along the street. You can also take a time-out in many of the air-conditioned shopping malls nearby. The underground walkway system takes you from Orchard MRT to Wisma Atria shopping mall as well as to other parts of the city.

Orchard Hotels and Accommodations
Accommodation on this luxury road is uniformly expensive, with excellent facilities and services. You can choose from colonial Orchard Hotels and hark back to the city’s past, or the modern hotels with chic and contemporary architectures. There is also a choice of nice Singapore budget hotels available. Find your Orchard Hotel here with huge discounts.

Orchard Leisure Activities
Get yourself pampered at Singapore’s biggest spa at the Andana@Orchard Spa, with excellent spa facilities. The Cathay is a modern shopping complex and host to the Picturehouse, the city’s only arthouse cinema on the top floor.

Orchard Sightseeing
There are great verdant parks around Orchard Road, namely the Singapore Botanic Gardens or the Istana (the President Palace), another attractive sight that was built as a monument to British rule in 1869. The palace has a lavish garden, a nine-hole golf course and an excellent restaurant. Some other illustrious sites include the Emerald Hill, Church of Sacred Heart and Chettiar Hindu Temple.

Orchard Culture
Orchard Road is a must if you love shopping. If you don’t like shopping at all, you can still walk to the east of the road and visit the city’s museums and appreciate British colonial architecture. Three top museums located on Orchard Road include Singapore National Museum, Singapore Art Museum and Battle Fox Museum. All of them are in Bras Basah, which are within walking distance from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.

Orchard Shopping
Orchard Road is a shopping Mecca that and home to numerous shopping centers. This road boasts several kilometers of nothing but malls and boutiques. If you are planning to visit every mall along the road, plan for three days here and bring your credit cards. The prices are not the most appealing ones at best but the range of attractive products definitely is.

Some of the most prominent malls along Orchard Road and its neighboring Scotts Road are he Far East Plaza, Wisma Atria, Takashimaya Shopping Center and Paragon, just to name a few. Most shopping malls are open daily from 10 to 10.

Orchard Dining
Not just Singaporean food, Orchard Road is ideal to sample different cuisine from all around the globe. For the budget traveler, there are food courts and fast food chains in almost every shopping mall as well as some local stands along the road.

Orchard Nightlife
Nightlife around Orchard Road may not be as plentiful as in other places in Singapore; however, there are still some great nightlife venues to get pleasure from. Nightlife is most concentrated by the riverside on the south of Orchard Road where a whole host of bars and restaurants are available. Emerald Hill near the Somerset MRT station is yet another place that is famous for its beautifully restored collection of shop houses and bars.

Once in Singapore, get useful pointers for a pleasant Singapore holiday experience with our Singapore travel Guide, and Singapore hotel guides to all of the districts including Sentosa, Marina, Orchard, Central and more. Should you plan a day or two in Singapore’s Orchard, we can help you find your ideal discount room at our Orchard Hotels ; incredible rates for Singapore discount rooms in Orchard are available.