Singapore River

The actual Singapore River, which cuts through one's heart of the city, was for many decades the primary artery of trade and business for the British. Today, the actual stately Victorian and neo-classical Roman buildings still stand proudly along the actual river banks, but they jostle for space with the numerous concrete-and-glass skyscrapers that have shot up in more contemporary times.

The best way to look at many of the buildings, figurines, monuments and museums that Singapore offers inherited from its colonial past is to go for a walk along the Singapore River, or the river-boat tour that starts at Clarke Quay. This particular half-hour tour costs SG$ 9 per grownup and SG$ 4 per kid, and leaves at 09: 00 -- 23: 00 daily. You is going to be brought along the Singapore River on a classic bum-boat, the kind that utilized to navigate up and down the actual river in colonial times.

The majority of of the colonial buildings as well as monuments are on the northern side of the river, the central Business District and it is plethora of skyscrapers occupying the actual southern bank. Many of them are clustered around the town Hall and Raffles Place MRTs, so if you are taking a walk just leave from these stations.

At the actual mouth of the Singapore River appears a statue of the Merlion, the half-lion, half-fish mythical beast which has come to symbolise Singapore. The actual Merlion, which spouts water from it's mouth, has a (much larger) relative in Sentosa Island.

Heading upriver, you will notice the historic Anderson and Cavenagh Links. Cavenagh Bridge, built in 1869 and today for pedestrians only, leads to Empress Location, which was named in honor of Queen Victoria. At Empress Location, you will find the stylish Victoria Concert Hall, where traditional concerts by the Singapore Symphony Band are held regularly.

There's also a cosy cafe here that's open during the day and serves good ol' British fare like fish and potato chips and chicken chops, besides nearby spring rolls and curry puffs. Following to the concert hall is actually Victoria Theatre, where local and foreign plays really are a regular feature. Outside the theatre is really a dark bronze cast statue of Stamford Raffles, formally unveiled in 1887.

The upon Empress Place building, built in1865, was once a court house and it is now being refurbished to house the 2nd Wing of the Asian Civilisations Art gallery. Nearby, next to the water, is the spot where Raffles arrived in Singapore. This event is actually commemorated by a another sculpture of Raffles, this time in whitened marble and built in 1972, set at the website where he first set feet on the island.

Hugging the actual sides of the river tend to be Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, which have observed a renaissance in recent many years. But while they were previously streets teeming with sailors as well as coolies loaded with ships' freight, today, the many godowns and shophouses that line the river happen to be renovated into trendy restaurants as well as bars.