Places

Abdul Gafoor Mosque

Abdul Gafoor Mosque's charming architecture stands out amidst the surrounding shophouses in the historic Little India district. The living monument testifies to the contributions of Tamil and Baweanese pioneers in the development of colonial Singapore.

Al-Abrar Mosque

Located on Telok Ayer Street, Al-Abrar Mosque is one of Singapore’s oldest mosques. Also known as Chulia Mosque, the mosque serves as a constant reminder of the Chulia immigrants who once lived in the area and played a vital role in developing the budding economy of early colonial Singapore.

Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque

Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque was constructed by the mercantile and landowning Alkaff family to serve the spiritual needs of the local Muslim community at large. It stands as a reminder of the Arabs' philanthropic deeds and their contributions to colonial Singapore.

Armenian Apostolic Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator

Singapore's oldest Christian church was the spiritual home of the small but influential Armenian community living here during the colonial period and continues to serve as a reminder of their contributions to the development of Singapore over the years.

Bowyer Block

Bowyer Block is a standing reminder of the marked improvements in medical facilities during the 1920s. It is also a memorial to those who had given their lives to public healthcare services in Singapore, and in particular, Dr John H. Bowyer.

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is Singapore's oldest Catholic place of worship and the seat of the local Roman Catholic archbishop. Not only does it bear testimony to the spread of Catholicism in the region, the edifice also serves as a reminder to the contributions of early Catholic missionaries to the fields of religion, architecture, and education in Singapore.

Central Fire Station

The Central Fire Station is the oldest surviving fire station in Singapore and is a living monument to the local firefighting force.

Changi Prison Gate Wall and Turrets

Changi Prison was designed to be a maximum security prison to house up to 600 criminals sentenced to long-term imprisonment in British Singapore. The remaining structures of the original prison – the entrance gate, wall and turrets – stand as an enduring symbol of the suffering of those who defended Singapore and the tumultuous years of the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945).

Chesed-El Synagogue

Chesed-El Synagogue bears witness to the Singapore Jewish community’s contributions to Singapore’s development since the British colonial period and is also a memorial to the prominent philanthropist Sir Manasseh Meyer.

Chinese High School Clock Tower Building

The Chinese High School Clock Tower Building is the icon of the oldest Chinese-medium high school in Singapore and has been a visual landmark of Bukit Timah Road since its completion. It serves as a reminder of the local Chinese community’s commitment to quality education.

Chung Cheng High School (Main) Administration Building and Entrance Arch

One of Singapore’s oldest Chinese high schools, Chung Cheng High School was among the firsts to make higher education accessible to Chinese youth. The Administration Building and Entrance Arch bear testimony to the Chinese community’s commitment to quality education throughout the years.

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes

Known simply as the Indian Church or Tamil Church in the past, the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes is one of Singapore’s oldest Catholic churches. It bears testimony to the spread of Catholicism in Singapore, especially to the growth of the Tamil Catholic community over the years.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Singapore that catered to a predominantly Chinese congregation. Built more than a century ago, it stands today as a testimony to the spread of the Catholic faith and also to the contributions of Catholic missionaries to education in Singapore.

Church of St Teresa

Originally constructed for the spiritual needs of the Hokkien-speaking Catholics living in the town area, this magnificent edifice testifies to the religious and architectural contributions of Catholic missionaries, and also the growth of the local Chinese Catholic community in the early twentieth century.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the earliest Catholic churches built in the suburbs of Singapore. Over the years, the church has faithfully served the spiritual needs of the predominantly Teochew-speaking Catholics living in Hougang, which at a point in time outnumbered the non-Catholic community. It now stands as a living testament not only to the spread of Catholicism, but also to the many contributions of Catholic missionaries in nineteenth-century Singapore.

Civilian War Memorial

This is the first memorial in Singapore dedicated to the civilian victims of the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945). It calls to mind the shared sufferings of the various ethnic communities in Singapore, and the ardent hope that locals had after the war to rebuild their homes.

College of Medicine Building

As Singapore’s first purpose-built medical college, the College of Medicine Building bears witness to the development of local medical services, as well as the progress in Singapore’s tertiary education.

Esplanade Park Memorials

At Esplanade Park are Tan Kim Seng Fountain, the Cenotaph, and Lim Bo Seng Memorial. These three memorials were gazetted collectively as a National Monument.

Former Admiralty House

The Former Admiralty House used to accommodate key military commanders based in Singapore. It bears testimony to the former Singapore Naval Base located in the vicinity and also embodies Singapore’s military history.

Former Attorney-General's Chambers (now Parliament House Block C)

Tucked away in a corner near the Padang is a beautiful structure that once housed the Attorney-General’s Chambers. Today, the building forms part of the Parliament House complex.

Former Cathay Building (now The Cathay)

The Art Deco façade wall fronting the modern glass architecture of The Cathay is the remnant of what used to be Malaya’s tallest building. Previously known as Cathay Building, it was the first skyscraper and the first air-conditioned cinema in Singapore. While the Former Cathay Building was built as a venue for entertainment, it served a much more sombre purpose during the war years.

Former City Hall

Located in the heart of the Civic District, the Former City Hall served as an important government office in Singapore. The impressive building bears witness to Singapore’s colonial past and the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945), as well as to several milestones on its road to independence.

Former Command House

The stately Former Command House's role in Singapore’s military history was of paramount importance, especially at the dawn of the Second World War in Asia in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Chapel and Caldwell House (now CHIJMES)

Affectionately referred to as the Town Convent in the past, this building once housed the oldest Catholic girls’ school in Singapore, founded by the French sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Infant Jesus in 1854.

Former Empress Place Building (now Asian Civilisations Museum)

Situated at the mouth of the Singapore River, the Former Empress Place Building was an important government building in Singapore up to the 1980s. Constructed by Indian convicts, the building once housed key administrative departments.

Former Ford Factory

As Ford Motor Company’s first automobile assembly plant in Southeast Asia, this building bore witness to the booming manufacturing industry in Singapore in the twentieth century. The building is also remembered as the location where the British unconditionally surrendered Singapore to the Japanese in 1942.

Former Fullerton Building

The former Fullerton Building is a prominent landmark situated at the mouth of the Singapore River. Most well remembered as the General Post Office (GPO) and having housed several government departments, this building has been a witness to many of Singapore’s milestones.

Former Hill Street Police Station

Nicknamed the ‘Police Skyscraper’ in the past, the Former Hill Street Police Station is prominently located at the junction of Hill Street and River Valley Road. The building served as a police station and also housed accommodation for officers and their families. A monument to the police force in Singapore, the edifice was once the largest of its kind in Malaya.

Former Keng Teck Whay Building

The Former Keng Teck Whay Building building stands as a witness to the presence and contributions of the Hokkien Peranakans (Straits Chinese) in colonial Singapore and to the community spirit of mutual aid among the pioneers.

Former Ministry of Labour Building (now Family Justice Courts)

The edifice bears witness to Singapore’s judiciary system today and also calls to mind the period of the influx of Chinese immigrants in the colonial era and their contributions to Singapore.

Former Nagore Dargah

Erected by the Chulia community, this magnificent building testifies to their presence in Chinatown in the past and also to their contributions to early colonial Singapore's economy.

Former Nanyang University Library and Administration Building, Memorial and Arch

Nanyang University (南洋大学), affectionately known as Nantah (南大), was the first Chinese-language university in Southeast Asia and the second university in Singapore. Not only do the Former Nanyang University Library and Administration Building, Memorial, and Arch serve as remembrances of the original Nantah, they also bear witness to the relentless efforts and contributions of the local Chinese community towards making tertiary education accessible to Chinese-speaking youth.

Former Parliament House and Annex Building (now The Arts House)

The Former Parliament House is likely to be the oldest surviving building in Singapore. It bears testimony to Singapore’s colonial history and played an important political function in the country’s post-independence years.

Former Raffles College (now NUS Campus at Bukit Timah)

As the first college for the arts and sciences in British Malaya, the campus bears testimony to the commitment of the British Administration and philanthropists to provide quality tertiary education for the locals.

Former Saint Joseph's Institution (now Singapore Art Museum)

Saint Joseph's Institution is the oldest Catholic boys’ school in Singapore and was founded by the Christian Brothers (formally known as the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools).

Former Singapore Conference Hall and Trade Union House (now Singapore Conference Hall)

The Former Singapore Conference Hall and Trade Union House was constructed to house the headquarters of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) as the fulfilment of an election promise, as well as to host various exhibitions and conferences.

Former Siong Lim Temple (now Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery)

The traditional architecture of Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery stands out amidst the modern high-rise apartment blocks in the Toa Payoh neighbourhood. The monastery complex houses one of Singapore’s oldest Buddhist temples and testifies to the spread of Mahayana Buddhism in the region.

Former St James Power Station

The Former Saint James Power Station was the first coal-fired power station on the island. While the building no longer produces electricity, it remains a standing monument to Singapore’s modernisation and urban development during the colonial era.

Former Sun Yat Sen Villa (now Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall)

Sun Yat-sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is one of the few surviving examples of villas that were once common sights in British Singapore. It serves as a reminder of the contributions of Chinese pioneers and their historic connection to the 1911 Chinese Revolution.

Former Supreme Court

Amidst the colonial buildings and skyscrapers of the Civic District rises the copper-green dome of the Former Supreme Court. Once housing the highest court in Singapore, the Former Supreme Court is situated next to the Former City Hall in front of the Padang. It is also the last grand Neoclassical building constructed during Singapore’s colonial era.

Former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

The Former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station was previously the southernmost terminal station of the Federated Malay States Railways. While the stately building no longer serves its original function, it continues to bear testimony to the rapid development of trade, industry, and transport in the colonial period, as well as to Singapore’s historical ties with Malaysia.

Former Tao Nan School (now The Peranakan Museum)

This was the first modern Chinese school in Singapore and one of the earliest of its kind in the Straits Settlements. The beautiful three-storey building is a testimony to the local Chinese community’s commitment to education and the modernisation of Chinese education in twentieth-century Singapore.

Former Telok Ayer Market (now known as Lau Pa Sat)

Affectionately known as Lau Pa Sat (老巴刹, ‘Old Market’) by generations of Singaporeans, the Former Telok Ayer Market was one of Singapore’s oldest markets. The iconic structure is the only survivor of the five markets that used to serve residents living in Singapore’s town area.

Former Thong Chai Medical Institution

Home to the first free traditional Chinese medical clinic for the poor in Singapore, the Former Thong Chai Medical Institution testifies to the Chinese pioneers’ spirit of mutual assistance and their generosity towards the poor and needy.

Fort Siloso

Located on the western tip of Pulau Blakang Mati (known today as Sentosa Island), Fort Siloso was one of the many coastal fortifications built around the 19th century by the British and remains the most intact fortification in Singapore. The Fort was built on Mount Siloso, where the name “Siloso” is said to be derived from a Malayan word meaning “rock”, a possible reference to the rock outcrops that once stood at the western entrance to the present-day Keppel Harbour.

Goodwood Park Hotel (Tower Block)

The Tower Wing of the present-day Goodwood Park Hotel was home to the German Teutonia Club, one of the earliest European national clubs in Singapore. It is a prominent landmark in the Orchard area for its unique architecture. The charming structure serves as a reminder of the Germans’ contributions to trade in early colonial Singapore, and of the impact of the First World War on the local German community.

Hajjah Fatimah Mosque

Hajjah Fatimah Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Singapore, a rare example of one named after a woman. Its unique eclectic architecture stands out from other mosques in Singapore, especially with its distinctively European-style minaret, which tilts slightly. The mosque bears testimony to the once thriving Muslim communities living in the vicinity who made significant contributions particularly to colonial Singapore’s economy.

Hong San See

Hong San See was established by Hokkien immigrants from Nan’an County in Fujian Province, China. It exemplifies the spirit of solidarity and organisation of the early Hokkien community in Singapore and bears testimony to their contributions.

House of Tan Yeok Nee

The Chinese-style Former House of Tan Yeok Nee is the sole survivor of the ‘Four Grand Mansions’ that were built by Teochew towkays (businessmen) in late nineteenth-century Singapore. The former residence is a monument to the contributions of early Chinese immigrants, as well as the various groups of occupants who were committed to the welfare of people resident in Singapore.

Istana Kampong Gelam

Within the historic district of Kampong Gelam lies Istana Kampong Gelam (‘Gelam Village Palace’). Once the palace of the Malay royalty and the seat of sultanate in Singapore, the Istana bears testimony to Singapore’s historical links to the Malay world.

Jamae Mosque

Jamae Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Singapore and serves as a reminder of the considerably large population of Chulia immigrants who had settled in the Chinatown district and their crucial role in the development of colonial Singapore’s fledgling economy.

Jurong Town Hall

On a hill overlooking Jurong estate, Jurong Town Hall once served as the headquarters of Jurong Town Corporation. It is emblematic of Jurong Town’s rapid growth during Singapore’s industrialisation in the post-independence years.

MacDonald House

MacDonald House is perhaps most remembered as the target of a tragic bombing during the Indonesian-Malaysian Konfrontasi (Confrontation).

Maghain Aboth Synagogue

Located in the former Jewish neighbourhood, Maghain Aboth Synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue in Southeast Asia. It is a living monument that bears witness to the contributions of the small but close-knit Jewish community in Singapore since the British colonial period.

National Museum of Singapore

With its wide façade and large dome, the National Museum of Singapore has been a prominent landmark on Stamford Road for over a century. It is Singapore’s oldest existing museum, devoted to the general history of Singapore. The grand edifice is a testament to Singapore’s role as a centre of academic research in the region since the nineteenth century.

Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church

Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church is one of Singapore’s oldest Presbyterian churches. Its unique façade stands out from the modern buildings surrounding it, serving as a reminder of the contributions of early Protestant missionaries in colonial Singapore, as well as the spread of Protestantism in the region. The church is also the birthplace of The Boys’ Brigade Movement in Singapore.

Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel is one of the most well-known luxury hotels in Singapore and the oldest surviving establishment of its kind on the island. It is a living witness to the boom in tourism in the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-centuries, and also testifies to the contributions of Singapore’s small but significant Armenian community during the early years of British Singapore.

Saint Andrew's Cathedral

Saint Andrew's Cathedral is Singapore’s oldest surviving Anglican place of worship and is the seat of the Anglican bishop of Singapore. The magnificent edifice has stood the test of time, bearing witness to the spread of Anglicanism in the region. It also testifies to the contributions of the local Scottish, English, and Indian communities to the growth and development of colonial Singapore.

Saint George's Church

Founded as a garrison church, this church bears witness to the area’s history during the colonial period as Tanglin Barracks, which was the General Headquarters of the British Far East Land Forces.

Singapore River Bridges: Cavenagh Bridge, Anderson Bridge and Elgin Bridge

Cavenagh, Anderson and Elgin Bridges are the three most historic and architecturally impressive bridges that span the Singapore River. Collectively, they illustrate Singapore’s growth as a trading port and flourishing city. Located at the historic mouth of the Singapore River, the bridges symbolically connected Singapore with the world as they facilitated the trade and transport links necessary for the growth of the city.

Sri Mariamman Temple

Together with Jamae Mosque, Sri Mariamman Temple – Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple – is an enduring icon on South Bridge Road which is a part of Chinatown. Both monuments testify to the significant Tamil population that once lived in the vicinity, and are constant reminders of their contributions to Singapore’s development as a British colony.

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Formerly known as Sri Narasimha Perumal Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple is the first Hindu temple in Singapore dedicated to Sri Perumal, the Hindu deity more commonly known as Vishnu. Even though the impressive structure standing today was built in the 1960s, the temple is one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples in terms of establishment.

Sri Thendayuthapani Temple

Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, commonly referred to as the Chettiars’ Temple, is one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples dedicated to Murugan, the Hindu deity who is also known as Sri Thendayuthapani. It stands as a living testimony to the Chettiars’ contributions to Singapore’s colonial economy.

St Joseph's Church

Saint Joseph’s Church was the headquarters of the Portuguese Mission in Singapore. The church was situated in what used to be the European town in colonial Singapore. The church edifice is not only a monument to the contributions of the Portuguese and Portuguese Eurasian communities, but also to the Catholic missionaries’ commitment to provide education for children.

Sultan Mosque

Formerly the royal mosque of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Mosque represents the solidarity and unity of Muslims in Singapore. The impressive building serves as a reminder of the Malay royalty that was once housed in the nearby Istana Kampong Glam and the thriving Muslim communities living in the area during the British colonial period.

Tan Si Chong Su

The history of Tan Si Chong Su (陈氏宗祠, ‘Ancestral Hall of the Tan Clan’) is inextricably linked to the influx of Chinese immigrants into Singapore during the late nineteenth century. It testifies to the contributions of the Chinese community to colonial Singapore’s growth and development.

Tan Teck Guan Building

Tan Teck Guan Building testifies to the contributions of pioneers to medical education in Singapore, which in turn advanced the local medical service and encouraged the development of local tertiary education.

Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church

Originally known as the Chinese Methodist Church, Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church was the first church established to cater exclusively to the spiritual needs of the Chinese Methodist community in Singapore. It bears testimony to the growth and development of the local Methodist Church and also serves as a reminder of the contributions of early Christian missionaries in Singapore.

The Istana and Sri Temasek

The Istana is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Singapore. On its well-manicured grounds stand the Main Building (commonly called the Istana), Sri Temasek, Istana Villa, and The Lodge. The former two buildings are particularly significant: not only have they been graced by numerous local and foreign dignitaries through the years, they have also witnessed milestones and important events in Singapore’s history. Together, they represent the sovereignty of Singapore as an independent state.

The Padang

The Padang (‘field’ in Malay) is one of the oldest open spaces in Singapore and part of the area reserved for government use after the establishment of the British settlement in 1819.

Thian Hock Keng

Thian Hock Keng (天福宫, ‘Palace of Heavenly Happiness’) is one of Singapore’s oldest Hokkien temples. It is located near Al-Abrar Mosque, Former Nagore Dargah, and Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church, standing on what used to be the shoreline of Telok Ayer Basin.

Tou Mu Kung

Tou Mu Kung (斗母宫) is the oldest temple in Singapore dedicated to the Taoist deity Jiu Huang Ye (九皇爷, ‘Nine Emperors’ or ‘Ninth Emperor’). Besides serving the spiritual needs of both the Hokkien and Teochew communities in its vicinity, the temple also attracts huge crowds of devotees from all around the island, particularly during the grand festivities held in honour of Jiu Huang Ye during the ninth month of the lunar calendar.

Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall

In the heart of Singapore’s historic Civic District stand the magnificent Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall with the iconic clock tower. As two of Singapore’s oldest existing purpose-built performance venues, the twin buildings are often remembered as favourite locations for theatrical productions and concerts.

Ying Fo Fui Kun

Ying Fo Fui Kun exemplifies the spirit of solidarity within the early Hakka community and serves as a reminder of their contributions to Singapore’s development over the years.

Yueh Hai Ching Temple

Also known as Wak Hai Cheng Bio in Teochew, the temple serves as a reminder of the contributions of Teochew Chinese pioneers who arrived in Singapore shortly after the arrival of the British in 1819.

Army Museum of Singapore

The Army Museum of Singapore (ARMS) is situated around the serene lake in the SAFTI Military Institute. Visitors to ARMS will embark on a fascinating journey and witness the development of the Singapore Army.

ArtScience Museum

Embracing a spectrum of influences from art & science, to media & technology, to design & architecture, ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands is the premier museum destination in Singapore for major international travelling exhibitions from the most renowned collections in the world.

Asian Civilisations Museum

Located by the historic Singapore River, the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is devoted to preserving the cultural heritage of Asia, especially the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. These include China, Southeast Asia, India, and the Islamic world. More recently, the museum has focused on the long historical connections between cultures.

Changi Chapel and Museum

The Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) was revamped and opened in May 2021. It features new content and artefacts presented in an intimate and engaging format to tell the story of the prisoners of war and civilians interned in Changi prison camp during the Japanese Occupation.

Chinatown Heritage Centre

The colourful past of Chinatown comes alive within the walls of these three beautifully-restored shophouses on Pagoda Street, comfortably nestled in the midst of Singapore's bustling Chinatown district.

Chinese Heritage Centre

The Chinese Heritage Centre is an autonomous research institute of Nanyang Technological University. It is the first and only university institute in the world that specializes in the study of Chinese overseas. It serves as a research centre, a library and a museum. It brings you two engaging exhibitions that evolve around the ethnic Chinese outside of China.

Civil Defence Heritage Gallery

The Civil Defence Heritage Gallery traces fire fighting and civil defence developments in Singapore from the late 1800s till modern day, and is intended as a twin vehicle for showcasing the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) proud and long history, as well as heightening public awareness of civil defence.

Eurasian Heritage Gallery

The mission of the Eurasian Heritage Gallery is to preserve and share Eurasian heritage and culture.

Former Ford Factory

The Former Ford Factory was Ford Motor Company’s first Southeast Asian car assembly plant. Today, it is a prominent historical and architectural landmark, most remembered as the site where the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942.

Fort Siloso

Built in the 1880s as part of a ring of British fortresses guarding the Singapore harbour, Fort Siloso is the sole surviving coastal fort. Over 100 years old, the fort stands as an important window to our colonial past and a poignant reminder of the war years.

Fuk Tak Chi Museum

Visit Singapore’s first street museum – Fu Tak Chi Museum lovingly restored by craftsman from China and Malaysia to recreate the spirit of that era.

Gan Heritage Centre

Gan Heritage Centre presents an illustration and documentation of the story of the Gan Clan from the etymological origins of the Gan surname to its present status.

Gem Museum

The Gem Museum is the first and foremost comprehensive gems and minerals museum in Singapore, open to the public.

Home Team Gallery

The Home Team Gallery is a common repository for all the Home Team Departments and Statutory Boards to showcase their respective operational achievements and heritage.

Indian Heritage Centre

The Indian Heritage Centre is the first museum in Southeast Asia to focus on the diverse heritage of the Indian community. The four-storey architectural gem stands in the heart of the historic Little India precinct.

IRAS Gallery - The Singapore Tax Story

Discover how tax has evolved in Singapore in the past, present and future through a highly interactive experience that allows visitors to discover much of this story for themselves.

Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

Based at the National University of Singapore, the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum houses Singapore's national and reference collection of preserved zoological specimens as well as the University's herbarium.

LIVINGSPACE

The HDB LIVINGSPACE gallery is a one-stop destination that chronicles the evolution of public housing in Singapore. It features HDB’s journey in providing well-designed, sustainable and community-centric homes. Through the gallery, visitors can learn more about Singapore’s public housing story.

Malay Heritage Centre

Officially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in June 2005, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) provides wonderful cultural exposure and learning opportunities for visitors of all ages and interests.

Marina Barrage

The Marina Barrage is a dam built across the Marina Channel, forming Singapore’s first reservoir in the city.

Ministry of Education Heritage Centre

MOE Heritage Centre showcases Singapore’s Education Story from the early 19th century to the present.

Mint Museum of Toys

Mint Museum of Toys is the world’s first purpose-built museum for toys, showcasing an extensive collection of vintage toys and childhood memorabilia from more than 40 countries, spanning over 170 years.

National Gallery Singapore

National Gallery Singapore is a visual arts institution which oversees the largest public collection of modern art in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

National Healthcare Group Polyclinics’ Gallery of Memories

This museum traces the growth of NHGP from a network of Maternal and Child Health clinics and Outpatient Dispensaries in the late 19th century to a leader in primary healthcare provision today.

National Library Singapore

A knowledge icon in the heart of Singapore’s civic, cultural and arts district where our unique history and multi-cultural heritage is captured, preserved and celebrated, National Library Singapore wants to share its rich heritage — past, present and future with visitors.

National Museum of Singapore

With a history dating back to its inception in 1887, the National Museum of Singapore is the nation’s oldest museum with a progressive mind. Its galleries adopt cutting-edge and multi-perspective ways of presenting history and culture to redefine conventional museum experience.

NEWater Visitor Centre

Discover what NEWater is, where it comes from and how it contributes to Singapore’s water story at the NEWater Visitor Centre.

Ngee Ann Cultural Centre

Ngee Ann Kongsi Collections is an art gallery displaying Chinese calligraphy & painting, oil painting, water colour painting and 3D & photography works by renowned local and overseas artists.

NUS Baba House

Baba House managed by NUS Museum is a heritage home which facilitates research and learning about the Peranakan community and its evolution.

NUS Museum

Explore a collection of over 7,000 artefacts and artworks which are divided across four collections.

Police Heritage Centre

Visitors can expect captivating exhibits and a myriad of multimedia displays that recreate over 180 years of the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) rich history.

Red Dot Design Museum

Red Dot Design Museum in Germany and Singapore presents the world's largest exhibition of contemporary design.

Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Reflections at Bukit Chandu is a World War Two interpretative centre that commemorates the battle of Pasir Panjang and the men of the Malay Regiment who fought in it, as well as the history of Bukit Chandu itself. Housed in a bungalow that is closely connected to the site's history, the interpretative centre uses immersive experiences and contextual artefacts to present a multi-faceted look at Bukit Chandu and Pasir Panjang, while inviting visitors to reflect on our nation’s wartime experience and the brave sacrifice of the soldiers.

Republic of Singapore Airforce Museum

The Air Force Museum captures the spirit and heritage of the RSAF. The first museum was established at Changi Air Base on 1 Sep 1988. Two years later, an expansion programme was initiated to cater to RSAF's growing heritage needs. Subsequently, the museum was relocated to a brand new building in Paya Lebar.

Republic of Singapore Navy Museum

Take a trip down memory lane and find out more about what makes the Republic of Singapore Navy a modern and integrated maritime fighting force-the naval platforms it possesses and arsenal that they pack.

Science Centre Singapore

Science Centre Singapore is a well-loved institution dedicated to the promotion of science and technology.

Land Transport Gallery

The Land Transport Gallery, which opened on 18 January 2008, provides visitors with a visual and sensory experience of Singapore’s transport development.

Singapore Art Museum

The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) focuses on contemporary art practice in Singapore, Southeast Asia and Asia within the global context. It advocates and makes accessible interdisciplinary contemporary art through research-led and evolving curatorial practice.

Singapore City Gallery

First opened in 1999, the Singapore City Gallery tells the story of Singapore's physical transformation over the past 50 years. Make time for highlights like the panoramic sights and sound show, A Day in Singapore and the Central Area Model Light and Sound Show. Or be awed by the architectural models or the various interactive and experiential exhibits in the gallery.

Singapore Maritime Gallery

The Gallery, among other things, provides insights into Maritime Singapore to help visitors understand the story of contemporary Maritime Singapore, its importance to Singapore’s economy, and the diverse range of exciting and rewarding career options it offers.

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Discover the world through the postage stamp! Postage stamps are miniature pieces of art featuring significant events, history, heritage and cultures of countries. Come and find out about Singapore and other countries through colourful and interactive exhibitions. A great place for families and children looking for a fun yet educational experience!

Singapore Sports Museum

The Singapore Sports Museum was first established in 1983 and it is a place where sporting dreams are celebrated. The Singapore Sports Museum ensures that the legacy and heritage of sports in Singapore is preserved well into the future..

Singapore Discovery Centre

Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC) is Singapore’s state-of-the-art ‘edutainment’ attraction. It features five main galleries equipped with informative demonstrations and brilliant digital-animation communicating the key milestone events that shaped Singapore. Discover our values, places and people – from post-independence to the present day.

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (SYSNMH), a heritage institution under the National Heritage Board, traces Dr. Sun's revolutionary activities in the Southeast Asian region and highlights the impact of the 1911 Chinese Revolution on Singapore as well as Singapore's contributions to the Revolution.

Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Heritage Museum

Honouring the legacy of the hospital’s founder, Mr Tan Tock Seng, the museum features a collection of the founder’s Peranakan items as well as artefacts from the hospital from the mid-1800s.

The Battle Box

The underground bunker, constructed in the late 1930s, was the largest underground military operations complex in Singapore and part of the British Far East Command Headquarters during World War II.

The Grassroots Heritage Centre

Showcasing four decades of significant milestones in community development, the Grassroots Heritage Centre traces the exciting growth of the People’s Association (PA) and its grassroots organisations through moving historical accounts, pictures, audio reels, exhibits and artefacts.

The Intan

With a deep love for all things Peranakan, owner, collector, and 7th generation Peranakan, Alvin Yapp, has turned his passion into a haven for this fascinating and ever-adapting culture. Over the past 20 years, his Peranakan antique collection has evolved into both a personal and community focused vision of the Peranakan culture. Take a memorable journey into the history, traditions & lifestyle of the Peranakans!

Peranakan Museum

The Peranakan Museum explores the culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. Installed in the former Tao Nan Chinese School which was built in 1912, this intimate museum possesses one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Peranakan objects. Galleries on three floors illustrate the cultural traditions and the distinctive visual arts of the Peranakans.

The Private Museum

THE PRIVATE MUSEUM is a registered charity and a registered Institution of a Public Character (IPC) founded by Singaporean philanthropist and real estate developer, Daniel Teo.

The SGH Museum

Housed in the Bowyer Block, an architectural landmark in the Outram Campus, the SGH Museum is a repository of artefacts and records, where visitors can trace the long and rich history of the Singapore General Hospital.

Woodbridge Museum

In 1841, the Insane Hospital was the earliest establishment for the mentally-ill in Singapore. With a humble 30-bed setup, the hospital was located at the junction of Bras Basah Road and Bencoolen Street. As the hospital evolved and occupied 145 hectares of land, the word ‘insane’ was avoided and the place was renamed as The Mental Hospital in 1928. The Hospital was even used during World War II as the Japanese Civilian and Military Hospital.

Alexandra Hospital

Alexandra Hospital, opened in 1940, stands on the site of an earlier Alexandra Indian barracks which was established around 1908. The new military hospital was built to serve the increased number of British troops stationed in Singapore, as part of British preparation for a war in Singapore.

Anglo-Chinese School

The Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) was founded by Rev. William Fitzjames Oldham in 1886 at a shophouse in Amoy Street. Starting with 13 students, the school aimed to provide an education for the many boys Bishop Fitzjames saw wandering aimlessly in the streets.

Balestier Plain

Balestier Road, from which Balestier Plain takes its name, was named after Joseph Balestier, a keen botanist and agriculturist who arrived in Singapore in 1834.

Battle at Adam Park

Adam park estate was the site of intense fighting between British forces and the invading Japanese army in February 1942, in the last days before the British surrendered Singapore.

Battle at Kranji Beach

Kranji Beach Battle was one of the battles in the defence of Northwestern Singapore between the Australian 22nd Brigade and the Japanese Imperial Guards Division.

Battle at Pasir Panjang

The Battle at Pasir Panjang, where the harbour and British military depots were the coveted gains, marked one of the last battles for Singapore. It lasted from 12 to 14 February 1942.

Batu Berlayar

A craggy granite rock outcrop known in Malay as "Batu Berlayar" ("Sailing Rock") used to stand on this shore. Another rock outcrop also used to stand on the opposite shore of Tanjong Rimau on Sentosa Island.

Beach Road Police Station

In the early 1900s, Singapore grew rapidly and the crime rate rose with the city's expansion. Harold Fariburn - the Inspector - General of Police from 1925 to 1935 - realised that the Police needed a programme of modernisation and expansion.

Block A of Phoenix Park

Bukit Batok Memorials

Two memorials, one for the Japanese soldiers and the other for Allied Soldiers sat on top on this hill-top. The former was Syonan Chureito, built by 500 Allied Prisoners of War while the latter was a wooden cross that stood behind.

Battle at Bukit Timah

One of the fiercest military encounters during WWII took place here as the Bukit Timah area held strategic and tactical importance to the Japanese and the British.

Central Sikh Temple

Also known as the Wadda Gurdwara, this Sikh temple was the first set up in a bungalow at Queen Street in 1912. The temple is now relocated at Towner Road.

Changi Beach Massacre

66 Chinese male civilians were killed by Japanese hojo kempei (auxiliary military police) firing squads at the water's edge on this stretch of Changi Beach on 20 February, 1942.

Changi Murals

The Changi Murals, located at Block 151 of Changi Camp (Martlesham Road), were symbols of the hope and faith of Prisoners-of-War (POW) interred in the camp during the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945).

Chen Wen Hsi Historic Marker

One of Singapore’s first-generation artists, Chen Wen His's body of work is internationally and locally acclaimed.

Chui Eng Free School

Also known as the Chinese Free School, this school for boys in the Hokkien community was built in 1854 and endowed by Tan Kim Seng, a wealthy Straits Chinese merchant. It closed down in 1954.

Clifford Pier

Clifford Pier was the landing point of sea passengers and immigrants who came to seek a new life of hope in Singapore.

Custom House, Maxwell Road

Custom House is representative of the style and architecture of buildings designed by the PWD under the leadership of Frank Domington Ward, the Chief Architect.

Danish Seamen's Church (Former Golden Bell Mansion)

Completed in 1910 by philanthropist Tan Boo Liat, great-grandson of Tan Tock Seng, the former Golden Bell Mansion was named after Tan Boo Liat’s grandfather Tan Kim Ching, whose name means golden bell.

Deng Xiaoping Historic Marker

Originally known as Deng Xiansheng and his school name Deng Xixian, Deng Xiaoping was born on 22 August 1904 in Guang'an County, Sichuan Province.

Ee Hoe Hean Club

Founded in 1895, it is one of the oldest millionaires club in Singapore. The club was the centre of the Chinese Salvation Movement in Southeast Asia from 1937-1942. Originally located at Duxton Hill, it moved to Club Street before settling at this location in 1952.

Execution of Captured Rimau Commandos Historic Marker

Operation Rimau (“tiger” in Malay) was the second Allied commando attack that targeted Japanese ships in Keppel Harbour. It took place from late September to early October 1944 during the Second World War.

Farrer Park Field

This was the site of the first race course in Singapore. It held weekly horse races and was a popular recreational place among European residents.

Force 136 Historic Marker

Force 136 was a British secret service team that operated in Malaya during the Second World War. One of the agents was Lim Bo Seng, who led Gustavus V Operation in 1943. His grave is in the vicinity.

Fort Canning Command Centre

Fort Canning Command Centre comprises an underground fortress network of bunkers and tunnels. It was constructed in the late 1930s to serve as a combined command and control centre for the British and Allied forces in Malaya.

Fort Connaught

Fuk Tak Chi

Reputedly the first Chinese temple in Singapore, it grew from a small shrine set up here by the Hakka and Cantonese immigrants in 1824.  The temple also became an association that looked after the interest of the two dialect groups. 

Gan Eng Seng School

In 1885, Gan Eng Seng founded a free school for poor boys in Singapore. Initially named the Anglo-Chinese Free School, it was among the earliest schools to offer a bilingual education. The school moved to its first new building about 50 metres behind Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church in 1893. It became known as Gan Eng Seng School in 1923.

Geylang Serai

Geylang Serai is the social centre of the Malays in Singapore. This once agricultural area was known for the fragrant lemon grass - Serai - grown as a cash crop by the Malays who were resettled from the Singapore River mouth in the 1840s. The name Geylang Serai is said to be derived from a lemon grass factory "Kilang Serai" located east of Kallang River.

Havelock Road Camp / River Valley Road Camp

The area bounded by River Valley Road and Havelock Road was occupied by Prisoner-of-War (POW) camps during the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945). The Havelock Road/River Valley Road camps comprised groups of dilapidated attap huts which housed thousands of POWs.

Ho Chi Minh Historic Marker

Historic site marker.

Indian National Army Memorial

This World War Two plaque was erected in 1995 to mark the site of the original Memorial, dedicated to the "unknown warrior" of the INA and to the other INA members who were involved and killed in the fighting in Burma.

Institute of Mental Health

Established in 1928 as The Mental Hospital, off Yio Chu Kang Road. Convalescent Hospital during WW2. Named Woodbridge in 1951 after a wooden bridge. Expansion during 1950s-70s. Moved to new premises at Buangkok View in 1993.

Jalan Besar Stadium

Jalan Besar Stadium was Singapore’s main football arena until the National Stadium opened. It also hosted various national events, such as Singapore Youth Festival and National Day Parade.

Japanese Propaganda Department Headquarters

Formerly housing the British Malaya Broadcasting Corporations before WWII, it was turned into a Japanese propaganda office during the Japanese Occupation. It was later also used by Lord Louis Mountbatten as the headquarters for the Japanese Surrender in 1945.

Jawaharlal Nehru Historic Marker

Historic site marker.

Johore Battery

Johore Battery was built in the late 1930s as part of Singapore’s coastal defence system. It comprised three 15-inch guns, known as “monster guns”. Although the battery was meant to stop enemy attacks from the sea, two of its guns could be rotated to fire landward.

Joseph Conrad Historic Marker

Joseph Conrad, the renowned English master writer, was of Polish origin and travelled to Singapore and south east asia during his seafaring days. He made Singapore and Southeast asia better known to the world through his writings.

Jose Rizal Historic Marker

Historic site marker.

Jurong-Kranji Defence Line

This was an arbitrary defence line from Kranji River to Jurong River, placed to check Japanese advance towards the city from the west.

Old Kallang Airport

On 1 July 1960, the People's Association took over its main building as its headquarters and remained there till April 2009.

Kallang Gasworks

Back in 1861 when piped gas was first introduced, gas was produced using coal as a feedstock. Kallang Gasworks' location by the bank of Rochor River was an ideal choice for easy delivery of coal by boat from neighbouring countries.

Former Kandang Kerbau Hospital

Kandang Kerbau Hospital, the birthplace of over 1.2 million Singaporeans, was the largest maternity hospital in the world from the early 1950s to the early 1970s.

Katong Park

Built in the 1930s, Katong Park was the site of a bomb explosion on 24 September 1963. This marked the beginning of Konfrontasi (confrontation) when Indonesia, led by Sukarno, opposed the formation of Malaysia which, until 1965, included Singapore.

Kempeitai East District Branch

The original building, the YMCA, was used by the East Branch of the Kempeitai (Japanese Military Police) during the Japanese Occupation.

Keppel Harbour

Keppel Harbour has been a thriving maritime gateway for international trade since the late 19th century. It was originally known as New Harbour and was renamed in honour of Admiral Henry Keppel in 1900. From 1939 to the early 1940s, Allied soldiers came through this harbour to strengthen the defence of Singapore and the rest of Malaya.

Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

This temple was built in 1884, showcasing a fine example of Chinese temple architecture and traditional craftsmanship. The temple played an important role in providing refuge for the sick, the wounded and the homeless during the Japanese Occupation.

Labrador Battery

This is one of the surviving gun emplacements in Singapore today. The battery has two 6” 16-ton guns facing south, which aided the Malay Regiment in the Battle for Pasir Panjang by firing high explosive shells at the advancing Japanese troops along the coast.

Former Lower Barracks

From 1881, Sikh men began arriving in Singapore as part of the Straits Settlement Police’s Sikh Contingent. Along with the Upper Barracks at the top of this hill, this 5-Storey building was completed in 1934 to house the men.

Lower Peirce Reservoir

This is Singapore’s second impounding reservoir. Originally known as the Kallang River Reservoir, it was renamed Peirce Reservoir in 1922 and again renamed Lower Peirce Reservoir in 1975.

MacRitchie Reservoir

Completed in the 1860s, this reservoir was part of the first public water supply system implemented in Singapore. Its construction was assisted by the financial contribution of Tan Kim Seng, a straits Chinese merchant.

Merdeka Bridge

This bridge, the first to be built after the Japanese Occupation, was a sign of Singapore’s growing affluence and hope for a properous future. Officially opened on 17 August 1956, the 2,000-foot structure was the longest pre-stressed bridge in Southeast Asia.

Methodist Girls' School

Founded in 1887 by Miss Sophia Blackmore, an Australian missionary, the school began as Tamil Girls’ School in Short Street with an enrolment of 9 Indian girls.

Middle Road Church

Built between 1870-75, the Middle Road Church was first known as the Christian Institute. When it was officially inaugurated as the Malay Church in 1894, it became the first Straits Chinese Methodist Church in Singapore.

National Theatre

Officially opened on 8 August 1963, this theatre was built to commemorate the attainment of Singapore’s self-government in 1959. It was demolished in 1986 due to structural reasons.

Alexandra Hospital

Alexandra Hospital, opened in 1940, stands on the site of an earlier Alexandra Indian barracks which was established around 1908. The new military hospital was built to serve the increased number of British troops stationed in Singapore, as part of British preparation for a war in Singapore.

Omar Kampong Malacca Mosque

Established in 1820, Omar Kampong Malacca Mosque is Singapore’s oldest mosque. In the 1850s, the original timber structure made way for the current building to accommodate the mosque’s growing needs.

Outram Road Prison

Built in 1847, this is Singapore’s first civil and only large prison facility until Changi prison was build in 1936. It was also the first regular female prison and was once used for the public execution of prisoners.

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation

OCBC bank was formed on 31st October 1932 in the midst of the great depression to serve the local community.

Pasir Panjang Machine-Gun Pillbox

Pillboxes were built in the 1930s to strengthen Singapore’s coastal defence as part of British preparation for a war in Singapore. The pillboxes were equipped with machine guns and positioned at strategic intervals to allow their fields of fires to overlap and reinforce each other.

Pearl’s Hill School

Established in 1876 at Cross Street and formerly known as the Singapore Chinese Branch School, Pearl’s hill Primary School was among the pioneer batch of Government Schools set up by the colonial government. The school ceased it operations at its Pearl’s site on 31 December in 2001.

Peoples’ Defence Force Headquarters

In the early days of the SAF and Singapore’s independence, the Singapore Infantry Regiment and the PDF shouldered the duties of national defence. The Beach Road Army Camp played a significant role in the transformation.

Pondok Peranakan Gelam Club

Registered on 4 April 1932, this club was set up by the Baweanese to cater for the needs of fellow immigrants from the Gelam province of Bawean Island, Indonesia. During the racial riots in 1945 and 1964, the Baweanese residents there were sheltered by their Chinese neighbours.

Pulau Sejahat

Pulau Sejahat, located off the north-eastern coast of Singapore, was designated as a British defence outpost. Its role was to protect the Johor Straits and the naval base at Sembawang.

Punggol Beach Massacre

On 28 February 1942, some 400 Chinese Civilians, victims of the Sook Ching purge, were killed by the Japanese on this northeastern shore.

Queen Elizabeth Walk

This was the site of sporting activities in the early days and became popular with families. In 1953, as part of the Coronation Celebrations, the seafront promenade was refurbished and renamed Queen Elizabeth Walk.

Queenstown Historic Marker

The Queenstown housing estate was one of the earliest housing estates developed around 1960 by the Singapore Improvement Trust(SIT) and subsequently the HDB. The British also set up a military camp “Buller Camp”, which was cleared in 1953.

Raffles Girls' School

Established on 4 March 1844, Raffles Girls’ School first functioned as a moral development and vocational training class at the Singapore Institution. In 1928 it moved to a new building at Queen Street.

Raffles Institution

The first school in Singapore, it was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles on 5 June 1823. It was originallly known as “The Institution”.

Commercial Square/Raffles Place

Raffles Place is the site of Singapore’s first commercial centre and became the business district for all communities. Sir Stamford Raffles drew up a Town Plan that allotted land use according to functional and ethnic divisions.

Republic of Singapore Yacht Club

Founded in 1826, this club became the Royal Singapore Yacht Club in 1922 under the patronage of the Prince of Wales, and was renamed the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club in 1967 with the first president of Singapore, Yusof bin Ishak as its patron.

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple

Vutthisara, a monk from Thailand, founded the temple in 1927. Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is also known as the temple of 1,000 lights. These lights surround a 15-metre high statue of the reclining Buddha weighing 300 tonnes.

Sarimbun Beach Landing

Following the loss of Malaya to the Japanese, northwestern Singapore became the initial battleground between the Allied Army and the Japanese and this was one of the sites in the battle for Singapore.

Seletar Airfield

Seletar Airfield was the British Royal Air Force’s main base in the Far East, and equipped to protect Singapore’s naval base in Sembawang. On 7 December 1941, an Allied plane that had taken off from Seletar tracked a Japanese fleet heading to Malaya in the South China Sea.

Sentosa Beach

Surrendered British gunners awaiting Japanese interment on Siloso Battery saw human bodies floating in Keppel Harbour and a number of these washed ashore on Pulau Blakang Mati (today's Sentosa Island).

Silat Road Sikh Temple

Built in 1924, this temple was the first Sikh institution in Singapore to be constructed in the traditional style of a temple with domes and arches. During the Japanese Occupation, it sheltered Sikh orphans and widows.

Sime Road Camp

Sime Road Camp was the Combined Operations Headquarters of the British Army and Air Force from early December 1941 to 11 February 1942, until the Japanese advance forced the relocation of the headquarters from its compound in Sime Road to Fort Canning.

Sime Road Machine-Gun Pillbox

This pillbox was one of a network of pillboxes that provided overlapping and interlocking fields of fire to defend Flagstaff House which was used as the Combined Operations Headquarters of the British Army.

Singapore Armed Forces Warrant Officers and Specialists Club

The British Government built the clubhouse in 1951 for British non-commissioned officers. It was handed over to Singapore Government when the British pulled out in 1969.The SAF WOSE club was formed in 1974 and was formerly known as the SAF NCO Club until it was renamed in 1994.

Singapore Badminton Hall

The Singapore Badminton Hall was built in 1951 as the venue for the Thomas Cup Tournament, and the third tournament held there at 1955. It was the site for the vote-counting for the Referendum on Singapore’s merger with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak on 1 September 1962.

Singapore Chinese Girls’ School

This School was opened in 1899 under the auspices of a group of Straits Chinese, including Sir Song Ong Siang and Dr Lim Boon Keng. The Emerald Hill Site, which housed the school from 1925 to 1994, was the grounds of Dr Lim Boon Keng’s family home.

Singapore Chin Kang Huay Kuan

Established in 1918 by Chinese Immigrants from the Jin Jiang County of southern Fujian Province, it was the headquarters of the Overseas Chinese Mobilisation Council, formed in 1941 to help Singapore’s defence against the Japanese.

Singapore Polytechnic

The first institution to provide technical education in Southeast Asia, Singapore Polytechnic was once situated on this site. Established as an autonomous body on 27 October 1954, the polytechnic was set to train manpower needed for Singapore’s industries.

Sook Ching Inspection Centre

This site marks one of many temporary registration centres set up by the Kempeitai (Japanese Military Police) to screen anti-Japanese Chinese.

Sri Krishnan Temple

This temple was built in 1870 and is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore.

Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple

One of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore, it was built in 1850. This temple was bombed during WWII and reconstructed in 1948.

St. Margaret’s School

Singapore’s oldest girls’ school was established by Mrs Dyer of the London Missionary Society in 1842. “Mui Tsai”(girls sold to servitude) were taught Christian values, homemaking skills and given elementary English education here.

Syonan Jinja

Syonan Jinja, together with Syonan Chureito (a Japanese war memorial in Bukit Batok), was built in 1942 in memory of the Japanese soldiers who died fighting in the invasion of Singapore. It was named after Singapore, which was known as Syonan-To (“Light of the South”) during the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945).

Tan Tock Seng Hospital

Tan Tock Seng, a Malacca-born merchant and influential Chinese community leader and philanthropist founded the hospital on 25 July 1844. This Hospital played a significant role in the treatment of tuberculosis after WWII.

The First Public Dental Clinic and School

Dental Education and modern dentistry in Singapore began here in 1929. The original Clinic and Dental School of the King Edward VII college of Medicine had its beginnings on this site in the Norris Block of the General Hospital.

The Founding of Boys' Brigade in Singapore

Singapore’s 1st company of the Boy’s Bridgade was formed on 12 January 1930 at Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church by James Milner Fraser.

The Gate of Hope

At the small gate of the old Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, many babies were abandoned, especially girls born in the “year of tiger” that were believed to bring bad luck to the family. The sisters adopted the babies and established the Home for Abandoned Babies.

Trinity Theological College

Trinity Theological College was born out of the camaraderie and spirit of Christianity experienced by the heads of the Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches when they were interned at Changi Prison during the Japanese Occupation.

United Chinese Library

The United Chinese Library was inaugurated at Armenian Street on 8 August 1910 by Dr. Sun Yat Sen. Initially set up to promote general knowledge and culture, it also disseminated revolutionary ideas and generated support for the Chinese Revolution against the Manchu rulers.

United Engineers Limited

Founded in 1912, United Engineers has been instrumental in designing and constructing many of the physical Structures in Singapore such as Supreme Court and Sentosa Monorail. The head office was demolished in 1991.

United Overseas Bank

First known as the United Chinese Bank. It was founded on 6 August 1935 and opened for business on 1 october 1935 in Bonham Building. In 1965, it became the United Overseas Bank and on 19 October 1974, the 30-storeyed UOB Building was officially opened.

Former Upper Barracks

This 3-Storey building, along with the Lower Barracks, on Pearl’s Hill were built in 1934 specifically as residence for the Sikh Contingent of the Straits Settlement Police.

Upper Seletar Reservoir

Singapore’s third impounding Reservoir was built to meet the surge in water demand after WWI and was completed in 1940. Princess Alexandra officially opened it on 10 August 1969 when she presented Queen Elizabeth II during the 150th anniversary celebrations.

Victoria Memorial Hall

Designed by colonial engineer, John Bennett, the theatre portion of the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall was built as a Town Hall in 1862 which housed the Municipal Offices

Withdrawal to Singapore

During the Second World War, the last Allied military troops crossed the Johore Straits and withdrew to Singapore via the Causeway on 31 January 1942, after losing the Malayan mainland to the Japanese.

Yeung Ching School

Yeung Ching School began in 1905 as a private school for Cantonese children. Apart from conducting classes in the day, it offered night classes to children who were poor or overaged.

10 Ang Mo Kio Street 54 (Former Da Qiao Primary School)

Those living in the Ang Mo Kio HDB residential area will be familiar with Da Qiao Primary School—now known as Jing Shan Primary School. Rich in history, the school was built in the 1930s to serve the educational needs of the community.

10 Kim Keat Lane

Located at Kim Keat Lane, Sweetlands Confectionery & Bakery is one of the few remaining bakeries in Singapore which still employs traditional methods of baking bread.

10 View Road

10 View Road once provided accommodation for the British Royal Naval Police and was also known for its time as View Road Hospital.

107A Sophia Road

This little-known property, prominently located close to the Istana grounds, has contributed significantly to the nation’s progress in the educational sphere since its construction over 80 years ago.

110 Prinsep Street (Former Salmon’s Maternity Home)

The former Salmon’s Maternity Home was a private maternity hospital which contributed to the development of Singapore’s obstetrics practice.

13 Keong Saik Road

Dedicated to the 18-armed Cundhi Bodhisattva, Cundhi Gong (准提宫) was built in 1928 in the Nanyang style which incorporates Hokkien and shophouse-styled architecture.

138 Prinsep Street

Formerly located at 138 Prinsep Street, the Rochor Community Centre served nearby residents for 25 years before it shifted to its new premises in Queen’s Street.

1A Lutheran Road (Former Farrer Primary School)

The strategically located campus at 1A Lutheran Road has a long history of being a home to many of Singapore’s older schools, including Farrer Primary School. Today, a new generation of students call this campus home.

2 Kampong Kapor Road (Former Kampong Kapor Community Centre)

Formerly the home of Kampong Kapor Community Centre, the current modest white building at Kampong Kapor Road is a product of a community effort to replace the original site that was burnt down in March 1970.

20 Anderson Road (Former Raffles Girls’ School)

Raffles Girls’ School rose out of a commitment by eight individuals to rescue girls from poverty and vice, nurturing them through all-rounded education.

20 Peck Seah Street

In the heart of the city was the Qing Shan Ting(青山亭), one of the earliest Chinese cemeteries in Singapore, where the first batch of 31 Chinese settlers were laid to rest.

202 Telok Ayer Street

This site housed the Singapore Chinese Physicians Association and the Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution, which influenced the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Singapore.

25 Grange Road

An abandoned Art Deco bungalow lies amidst thick shrubbery on one of Singapore’s most expensive land plots. Beautiful in its desolation, this abandoned estate was the focal point of a 40-year legal tussle.

25 Paterson Road (Former Teacher’s Training College)

The Teacher’s Training College—once a sole institution responsible for teacher’s education in Singapore—used to occupy the current site of ISS International School on 25 Paterson Road.

26 Dunearn Road (Former Singapore Family Planning and Population Board Building)

Nestled along the Rochor River, this site has played host to several institutions since its construction in 1966, including the Singapore Family Planning and Population Board (SFPPB) and the Singapore Family Planning Association (SFPA).

299 River Valley Road

This site has a diverse history — it was the residence of a well-known, eclectic Straits Chinese man before functioning as Ngee Ann Girls’ School for four decades. Now, it is home to Teo Yeonh Huai Kuan, a clan that looks after the Chao Yang community.

31 Bukit Pasoh Road (Former New Majestic Hotel)

Home to various Chinese cultural and clan associations from the 1900s, Bukit Pasoh Road earned its other nickname “Mistress Street” from mistresses who were housed there in the past.

34 Pagoda Street

The attractive red-shuttered shophouse unit at 34 Pagoda Street once reeked of opium smoke day in and day out, as addicts from all walks of life gathered here and frittered their lives away on the addictive drug.

36 Club Street

Built in 1929, the “Thoroughfare Building” also known as Tong Sum Lao (通心楼) in Cantonese was given such a name by pedestrians who used this as an access between Club Street and Mohamed Ali Lane.

36-38 Armenian Street (Former Mayfair Hotel)

These two clusters of four-storey Art Deco shophouses were built between 1930s and 1940s. Its most famous occupants, the Mayfair City Hotel opened in 1950s and established itself as a popular hotel with travellers in the 1960s.

37 Pagoda Street

Pagoda Street is one of the oldest streets in Singapore, with the shophouse unit at 37 Pagoda Street possibly being constructed in 1843. The shophouse was formerly the premises of Kwong Hup Yuen, an infamous coolie firm that was one of 12 coolie firms located in the street.

3A River Valley Road

Constructed in the 1880s, the River House is the oldest building in Clarke Quay. Carefully restored in 1993, it was granted the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Architecture Heritage Award in 1995.Part of a row of shophouses facing the Singapore River, the River House is steeped in history and culture.

4 Harvey Road (Former Tong Nam Tobacco Co.)

Incorporating a combination of traditional and modern architectural design, the existing premises of Tong Nam Tobacco Co. bring to mind Singapore’s past as well as its progress towards being a modern city-state.

41 to 44, 46, 47, 50, 52, 53, 55 to 58 Stirling Road

These terrace houses built by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) are rare as there are only 285 of such public landed residential houses in Singapore. Most of these are located in mature estates like Queenstown.

42 Waterloo Street

Modernised yet maintaining its pre-war traditional exterior, this bungalow was converted from a private residence to a place of business, before becoming a space for theatre.

449 Yio Chu Kang Road (Former Pei Hwa Public School)

From 10 students to over 1,000  Pei Hwa Public School was a small village school that grew to become one of the largest village schools in Singapore by 1976. Today, the former school’s premises are leased out for education uses.

45, 48, and 49 Stirling Road

Known as Singapore’s oldest Housing Development Board (HDB) blocks, the blocks are in an estate filled with old-world charm that was visited by foreign dignitaries such as Britain’s Prince Philip.

47 South Bridge Road

Located right next to Singapore River, shophouses such as No. 47 South Bridge Road in the Boat Quay Conservation Area, speak of a time when rooftop verandas allowed spectators to watch boat races while commercial vendors would haggle over goods on the ground floor.

4 Goodwood Hill

Built in 1960, this beautiful colonial building on the top of Goodwood Hill once served as a training centre for civil servants in topics such as Government Audit and the role of the Civil Service and Public Service Commission.

5 Oxley Rise

Currently privately owned, the grand mansion at 5 Oxley Rise has changed hands and reconstructed several times since the 1800s. Unknown to many, numerous notable figures in Singapore’s history were associated with this site.

5 Stanley Street

Built upon reclaimed land from the Telok Ayer Bay, the shophouse at 5 Stanley Street was once the office headquarters of the famed merchant and philanthropist Lee Cheng Yan.

50 Bah Soon Pah Road (Former Horticulture Service Centre)

Since the early 1900s, 50 Bah Soon Pah Road has provided a vibrant insight into Singapore’s plantation economy.

51 South Bridge Road

Standing stoically in yellow, a huge contrast to its monochrome neighbours, the shophouse unit at 51 South Bridge Road was once bustling with trade and activity.

54 - 58 Waterloo Street

This row of terrace houses is the Theatre Practice’s current residence. It used to be three separate buildings, Units 54, 56 and 58 Waterloo Street, each having their own stories from before they were renovated into one unit.

57 to 117 Killiney Road

Well known for its eateries, Killiney Road is the birthplace of Killiney Kopitiam, which is the oldest operating Hainanese coffee shop in Singapore. Jack’s Place is also another notable restaurant that has its roots here.

593 Serangoon Road

This simple two-storey shophouse is located at the corner junction of Balestier Road and Serangoon Road. With a history that dates back to the 1930s, it is home to both a private school, the Singapore Institute of Science, that it has housed since 1952, as well as a nightlife spot once iconic in the 1970s.

6 Russels Road Plantation House

Nestled within the network of small roads found at Alexandra Park estate, 6 Russels Road is one of the oldest property in Alexandra Road. It was possibly commissioned in the 1880’s and possibly built in the 1900s. Its unique architecture combines both aspects of European and Malay architectural aesthetics and is a physical reminder of Singapore’s colonial past.

600@Toa Payoh (Former Kong Chian Cinema)

Nestled in Singapore’s second satellite town, the Former Kong Chian Cinema (currently named as 600@Toa Payoh) has been an entertainment centre for people of all ages and all walks of life since its establishment in the 1970s.

70 Martaban Road

Built in the 1920s, the Mandalay Road Hospital once functioned as a teaching facility for nurses and a tuberculosis treatment centre of Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

74 Serangoon Road

Set in the midst of the Indian Community, this shophouse was home to various retail businesses throughout its history. Today, it stands as Thai Thong Pawnshop.

77 to 94A Linden Drive

The apartment blocks at Linden Drive were originally built to house staff of the University of Singapore around 1960. Today, they are managed by the Singapore Land Authority.

95 Tampines Road

Standing at 95 Tampines Road, the former Tampines Land Station (1930s–1980s) was where custom officers once lived and worked. On a day to day basis, they administered farm policy, raided and confiscated contraband goods, and imposed taxes.

Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah

Built in 1912, the school was named after Syed Mohamed bin Ahmed Alsagoff, a wealthy Arab who hailed from Hadramaut, Yemen.

Amber Hotel (Former Kim Sun Hotel)

Amber Hotel is a suburban hotel that residents of Katong would be familiar with. However, not many know that the hotel’s buildings used to be private residences in the 1930s.

Ancestral Temple of Ying Fo Fui Kun

Built in the late 19th century, the Ancestral Temple of Ying Fo Fui Kun (双龙山嘉应五属义祠) is situated at Singapore’s last remaining Hakka cemetery. Unbeknownst to many, the temple once served as a school for children of the clansmen.

Archaeological Excavation Site at Fort Canning Park

With a history of over 700 years, it is little wonder that more than 30,000 artefacts have been unearthed at the Fort Canning Site. New finds are still being turned up today, shedding light on Singapore’s distant past.

Ascott Centre for Excellence (Former Chaoyang Special School)

The compound of Ascott Centre for Excellence was originally the campus for Anthony Road Girls' School.

Balestier Plain

Balestier Plain refers to the playing fields bounded by Balestier Road from Tessensohn Road to Moulmein Road. The field, which existed since the early 1900s, had been associated with eight sports clubs over the years.

Ban Siew San Kuan Imm Tong

Perched on the midpoint of a hill for traditional geomancy reasons, Ban Siew San Kuan Imm Tong (万寿山) is one of the few remaining Hainanese temples that is more than a century old.

Bank of China Building

Though the original Bank of China building was built at a mere height of 18 storeys, it held the title as the highest skyscraper in Singapore’s Central Business District from the 50s all the way to the 70s.

Bedok Lighthouse at Lagoon View

Bedok Lighthouse is innovatively located atop a high-rise condominium in Lagoon View, that made several firsts in Singapore’s history.

Berlayer Beacon

Located on an outcrop at the southernmost end of Labrador Park, the iconic seven-metre tall structure at Tanjong Berlayer served as a navigational beacon for boats and ships approaching Keppel Harbour in the mid 20th century.

Bethesda Serangoon Church

Bethesda Serangoon Church, one of 20 autonomous Brethren Christian churches in Singapore, has its beginnings in the Brethren Movement in Singapore—a movement started by Philip Robinson, the co-founder of the Robinsons Department Store.

Blair Plain Conservation Area

Strategically located near the Keppel Harbour and the Tanjong Pagar railway station, those who had set up residence at Blair Road in the early 1900s were well-off traders. The Blair Plain Conservation Area has a rich array of architectural styles, with an eclectic mixture of Chinese, Malay, and European influences.

Bras Basah Complex

Bras Basah Complex was known as书城 (shu cheng, meaning “City of Books” in Mandarin) as the complex is famed for its numerous bookstores. It is also known as 百胜楼 (bai sheng lou in Mandarin).

Broadway Plaza (Former Broadway Cinema)

While younger residents of Ang Mo Kio know the building as Broadway Plaza, older residents may remember it as Broadway Cinema—the first in a group of four cinemas that operated in Ang Mo Kio.

Cairnhill Arts Centre

The three-storey high building incorporated elements of Chinese architectural such as the upturned eaves and the use of geometrical motifs on beams and wall surfaces. The building was designed by Swan & Maclaren, a prominent architectural firm in Singapore.

Capella Hotel, Singapore (Former 48, 49, 50, 51 Ironside Road)

The units 48, 49, 50 and 51 Ironside Road were formerly used as barracks for British officers before and after the Second World War. It has since been transformed into the six-star Capella Hotel.

Carmelite Monastery

Carmelite Monastery, which sits atop a hill at Bukit Teresa Road, has come a long way since it was established in 1938. During the Second World War, it was converted to become part of an anti-aircraft base by the British and later occupied by the Japanese.

Central Sikh Gurdwara

The Central Sikh Temple is one of two Sikh temples in Singapore that are recognised as public temples, the other being the Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road.

Chan Chor Bin Fatt Tong

Chan Chor Bin Fatt Tong stands in stark contrast to the high-rise apartments on all sides — a forgotten timeless tableau of Singapore’s migrant pioneers who, having no family of their own, forged new relationships in a foreign land.

Changi Point Footbridge

Sitting right opposite Changi Beach, the iconic Changi Point Footbridge at Changi Creek has been around since the 1930s and is surrounded by a chilling urban myth.

Changi Sailing Club

Local sail boats such as koleks and jongs were once used for sailing at the Changi Garrison Yacht Club—today’s Changi Sailing Club. Regular races were held among British military personnel from the late 1930s to early 1940s.

Changi Cottage

The seaside cottage was formerly part of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Changi military family area in the 1930s to 1960s.

Chatsworth Park Conservation Area

The 27 conserved bungalows in the Chatsworth Park Conservation Area were built in the 1920s and 1930s. These bungalows were mainly designed in the Art Deco and ‘black and white’ styles, to house expatriate staffs of firms such as the Straits Trading Company, Cable & Wireless, McAlister & Co. and Firestone Rubber Company.

Christian Community Chapel (Former Ciros Cinema)

The Christian Community Chapel’s unique appearance reflects its interesting history. Converted from a former cinema, the church building has retained some of its original design features and architectural style.

Church of Christ of Malaya

Built in 1959, the Church of Christ of Malaya is a historical landmark that is associated with the start of modern Singapore architecture. The Church is easily distinguished by its asymmetrical design.

Church of Saint Francis Xavier and Kindergarten

The Church of St Francis Xavier, located within the neighbourhood of Serangoon Gardens, has seen the development of both its population of parishioners and church infrastructure.

Comcentre

The corporate headquarters of SingTel is distinguished by the microwave dishes mounted at the top of its tower, which link the centre with dishes across Singapore and the region, including those at the Sentosa earth satellite station, St John’s Island and even Gunung Pulai in West Malaysia.

Communicable Disease Centre 1

Frequent outbreaks of diseases such as typhoid, cholera and malaria prompted the British Administration to establish the Government Infectious Disease Camp in 1907 along Balestier Road. The facility was moved to its present site in 1913.

Eunos Community Club

Identifiable by its striking Minangkabau-style roof, Eunos Community Club is a hub of activity and functions as a common space for Eunos residents.

The Majestic

The Majestic (previously known as the Majestic Theatre) is a major Chinatown landmark with a long history closely connected to Singaporean pioneer Eu Tong Sen. Its architecture features a mix of Cantonese and Western influences that reflect how both cultures impacted the Straits Chinese of Singapore. The Majestic Theatre (大华戏院) has also lived through much of Singapore’s modern history, and reflects Singapore’s transformation from a small colony to a modern metropolis.

Customs Operations Command

Built in 1940s, this colonial building served as the headquarters of several enforcement branches of the Singapore Customs from the 1960s to 2019.

Dance Ensemble Singapore

Like many buildings in the area, the colonial bungalow at 60 Waterloo Street was once a private residence before being converted into a commercial space. Now, as part of an initiative to create an arts belt in the Waterloo Street area, it houses Dance Ensemble Singapore (DES).

Delta Sports Centre

Unbeknownst to many, the Delta Sports Centre was once famed for its indoor sports hall — the first of its kind to be constructed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB).

Dutch Pavilion at Shangri-La Hotel

Hidden within Shangri-La’s luxurious gardens is a historical gem known as the Dutch Pavilion, contrasted in 1928. Deliberately preserved in its original state, the humble building was, for 58 years, the premier Dutch school in Singapore before it was acquired by the Shangri-La Hotel in 1986.

Eden Hall

Few have had the privilege of entering the grounds of Eden Hall–an elusive turn-of-the-century mansion hidden within the lush foliage of Nassim Road. Originally constructed by a Jewish magnate, the house is now the official residence of the British High Commissioner in Singapore.

Elias Building

Situated at the junction of Selegie Road, Middle Road and Short Street, the three-storey Elias building transports one back to a forgotten past and provides a glimpse of the area that was once referred to as the Mahallah, or ‘place’ in Arabic.

ERA APAC Centre (Former Toa Payoh Cinema)

The building that now houses the headquarters of real estate company ERA Asia Pacific has its beginnings as one of the first few cinemas located in the heartlands of Singapore.

Fairfield Methodist Church (Former Metropole Cinema)

The site of Fairfield Methodist Church was formerly Metropole, otherwise known as Jing Hwa Cinema.

Far East Shopping Centre

Far East Shopping Centre is one of eight properties along Orchard Road owned by Far East Organisation. Built in 1974, the centre was the largest development in the area at the time, and the first shopping centre in Singapore to house an atrium and external escalators.

Former Bestway Building

Hidden amongst the skyscraper-lined Central Business District centre is the former Bestway Building at Prince Edward Road. This was once home to Singapore’s first Polytechnic.

Former Catholic High School (51 Waterloo Street, 8 Queen Street and 222 Queen Street)

The three buildings—51 Waterloo Street, 8 Queen Street and 222 Queen Street—are part of the former site of Catholic High School and encompass a great deal of heritage within their grounds.

Former Catholic High School (SAM@8Q)

The current Singapore Art Museum (SAM) at 8Q was previously one of the buildings of the Catholic High School — an institution that dates back to the 1930s and have nurtured many leaders and professionals in various fields.

Former Farrer Park Swimming Complex

Built in 1957, Farrer Park Swimming Complex is one of the first public swimming complexes in Singapore. It is currently managed privately by APS Swim School, founded by Olympian Ang Peng Siong.

Former Fullerton Lighthouse Lantern at Mapletree Business City

Built in 1958, the Fullerton Lighthouse was installed atop the former Fullerton Building (Fullerton Hotel) at the mouth of the Singapore River as a navigational aid to guide ships into Singapore’s harbour.

Former National Aerated Water Company Factory

The former National Aerated Water Company (NAWC) Factory was a well-known local landmark along Serangoon Road. This bottling factory produced popular soft drinks such as Kickapoo Joy Juice, until a lost lawsuit eventually shut down its operations. The main building was gazetted on 9 February 2018.

Former National Library (Stamford Road) Entrance Pillars

The entrance pillars standing within the Singapore Management University’s campus used to mark the entrance of the former National Library at Stamford Road.

Former Park Mall

The former Park Mall on 9 Penang Road was a furniture mall that was demolished to make way for a new mixed-use development that will accommodate 15,000 square feet of retail space and house the new UBS Singapore HQ on 8 floors of office space.

Former Pearl Bank Apartments

Once known as the tallest apartment building in the entire Southeast Asia, the former Pearl Bank Apartments used to house almost 2,000 residents.

Former Selegie Integrated Primary School

The building was once famed as Southeast Asia’s tallest skyscraper school. Its pragmatic architectural style stands out as a prime example of industrial modernism, which mimics the efficient style of the machinery aesthetic.

Former Site of Haw Par Villa Swimming Pool

Older Singaporeans will remember Haw Par Swimming Pool as a popular attraction near Pasir Panjang Road. The pool operated from 1940 to 1959, and was a favourite swimming ground for those living in the area.

Former Yan Kit Swimming Pool

A single-storey “C”-shaped Art Deco building is all that remains of Yan Kit Swimming Complex — once the nation’s largest and most up-to-date swimming venue. Closed in 2001, it is best remembered for its unique architectural form and coloured mosaic tiles.

Former Brunei Hostel

Located at the end of Tanglin Road, the Brunei hostel was constructed by the Brunei government in the mid-1950s to provide accommodation for Brunei students studying in Singapore. The hostel opened in 1958 and was known as Asrama Kerajaan Brunei di Singapura (AKBS) or Tanglin (Hill) Brunei Hostel amongst locals.

Fort Canning Centre

Originally constructed in 1926 as a British army barracks, Fort Canning Centre has since undergone major transformation; British and local soldiers, squash players, dancers and actors once utilised the building.

Fort Canning Service Reservoir

It is difficult to imagine the formidable structure of the Fort Canning Service Reservoir, buried beneath the grassy plateau of Fort Canning Hill. Able to hold up to 30 million gallons of water, this underground storage tank was once one of the largest covered reservoirs in the world.

GB Point (Former Mandarin Theatre)

GB Point, which sits at the junction of Kallang Bahru and Geylang Bahru, used to house Mandarin Theatre—one of the oldest cinemas in Singapore operated by cinema giant, Eng Wah Organisation.

Giok Hong Tian Temple (Geok Hong Tian Temple) also known as Jade Emperor Temple of Havelock Road

Couples looking to conceive often visit Giok Hong Tian Temple on Havelock Road, as it is believed that prayers made in the temple will come true.

Goh Loo Club

This 998m2, three-storey restored shophouse is home to the 114-year-old Goh Loo Club, once a favourite gathering place for many prominent Chinese in Singapore, including the philanthropist Lee Kong Chian.

Goodman Arts Centre (former Laselle College of the Arts)

Three schools occupied the site which now houses the Goodman Arts Centre.

Goodwood Hill Estate

This cluster of 26 pre-war ‘Black and White’ colonial bungalows was the location for several government initiatives regarding political study and networking. For instance, the set-up of a political study centre for civil servants at No. 4 Goodwood Hill and the ‘Pyramid Club at No. 2 Goodwood Hill.

Grave of Mrs Tan Quee Lan

The grave of Mrs Tan Quee Lan is a traditional Southern Chinese tomb standing on the hilly lawn near Sian Tuan Avenue.

Grave of Penghulu Tok Lasam

The grave of Penghulu Lasam is located at Jalan Sempadan. Next to the grave are his wife and Tok Lasam’s Panglima (Commander-in-chief). There are several legends surrounding Tok Lasam.

Grave of Tan Tock Seng

Seemingly inconspicuous, one of Singapore’s most recognisable pioneers is buried at this location, right next to the busy Outram Road.

Grave Stones and Structures at Fort Canning Park

One of the first Christian cemeteries in Singapore, Fort Canning Christian Cemetery is the final resting place for Christians who lived in early Singapore, such as George Coleman and Jose d’Almeida. While the original gravestones are no longer in place, remnants of the old cemetery, such as the two Gothic gates and dome-shaped cupolas, still remain.

Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha

A grand-looking building conveniently located in the residential streets of Katong, Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha was converted from a bungalow to serve as a religious hub for the Sikhs in the area.

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha

Established in 1918, the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha has been in existence as a religious association in Singapore for over 100 years. It testifies to the growth of Singapore’s Sikh community, from its earliest days to the present day.

Harvester Baptist Church

A former hotel turned place of worship; the building currently houses the Harvester Baptist Church.

Haw Par Villa

Haw Par Villa is located on a hill side in Pasir Panjang. It originally comprised a villa designed by architect Ho Kwang Yew and a large garden space. The compound was a gift from Mr Aw Boon Haw to his younger brother Mr Aw Boon Par.

Henderson Industrial Park

Its central location and lush greenery set Henderson Industrial Park apart from other industrial estates.

Ho Lim Keng Temple

Ho Lim Keng Temple has its roots in Tras Street, where it hosted festive celebrations for many years. The temple moved to its new home in Outram Hill in 1975 and has taken on a more unconventional, modern appearance.

Hock Teck Tong Temple / Kusu Tua Pek Kong

Hock Teck Tong Temple is believed to be established in the early 1930s and has links to Kusu Island. The temple’s main deity, Tua Pek Kong, was worshipped in the Chinese temple in Kusu Island for many years, before Hock Teck Tong Temple was set up in mainland Singapore for the convenience of the devotees.

Hock Teck See Temple

Colourful porcelain pieces depicting several Chinese motifs adorn the roof of Hock Teck See Temple (aka Fook Tet Soo Khek Temple), possibly the oldest Chinese Hakka temple in Singapore. Artefacts from the 19th and 20th century were also discovered here during an archaeological initiative.

Hollandse Club

The Hollandse Club was founded in 1908 by Mr J.C. Koopman for the growing Dutch community in Singapore.

Home Team Career Centre

The three-storey Neoclassical former Fairfield Methodist Girl's School features a rarely-seen broken pediment and urn ornament on the top of the building's central bay. It was the second building used by the Fairfield Methodist School.

Hong Lim Park

Located in Chinatown, Hong Lim Park bears a long legacy of political and cultural activities significant to the Singapore story. The park is perhaps better known for the Speakers’ Corner — the first and only location in Singapore where public speeches can be given without a Public Entertainment Licence.

House on The Hill Pre-School (Former Nan Hwa Girls’ High School)

While younger Singaporeans know this building as a pre-school, older Singaporeans will remember this building as Nan Hwa Girls’ High School—a school that provided many girls in Singapore with the opportunity of an education.

India House

Located along Peirce Road, the timeless beauty of a restored pre-1920s tropical Tudorbethan bungalow continues to remain relevant in the present day.

ISS International School (Preston Campus)

During Singapore’s post-war years, this school compound once housed the Bourne School (Alexandra Section) – attended by the children of the British forces.

Kallang Theatre

Situated at the Kallang Basin next to the National Stadium, Kallang Theatre was once the biggest theatre space in Singapore. It also hosted the annual National Day Rally address by then-Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong from 1986 to 2000.

Kampong Glam Community Club

The Kampong Glam Community Club was first established in 1960 at Beach Road. It was relocated to Victoria Street in 1972, and moved back to a different site on Beach Road in 1998. Kampong Glam Community Club is home to a prominent Northern-style Lion Dance troupe and also frequently organises interfaith events.

Kheng Chiu Building and Tin Hou Kong

The Kheng Chiu building houses the Kheng Chiu Tin Hou Kong (琼州天后宫), a Chinese temple dedicated to the Chinese seafaring goddess Mazu, and the Kheng Chiu Hwee Kuan (琼州会馆), the main Hainanese clan association in Singapore.

Kim Seng Bridge

Its modern utilitarian appearance belies the warmth and charity of Tan Kim Seng — a pioneer renowned for his philanthropy and contributions to early Singaporean society.

Kim Mui Hoey Kuan

In 1919, clansmen from Kim Mui (金门) County established the clan association at their clan temple at Smith Street, which was founded in 1876.

Kong Chow Wui Koon

The premise is home to one of Singapore’s oldest clan associations that serves the vital functions of promoting and safeguarding heritage, education, and outreach to the community beyond its clansmen.

Koon Seng Ting Temple

Koon Seng Ting, a historical temple located in Telok Blangah, opened its doors to orphaned or abandoned baby girls and majies (women who took a vow of celibacy) when it was first completed in 1881.

Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post

Built in the 1930s, this building served as a post office until 1988. Today, the building serves as a neighbourhood police post and manages permits for anyone seeking to use the nearby Speaker’s Corner.

Kreta Ayer People's Theatre

Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre is synonymous with Chinese theatrical arts and operas performed in ‘dialects’, particularly in Cantonese.

Liat Towers

Liat Towers, whose first phase was completed just weeks after Singapore gained independence in 1965, is known for being the site of the country’s first McDonald’s branch in 1979, and first Starbucks outlet in 1996.

Lim Ah Pin Road Post Office

Standing out in a sea of modernistic private estates, this humble post office branch has served residents of the neighbourhood since 1968. Its iconic box-like industrial architecture stripped of ornamentation is favoured during the 1960s.

Lim Teck Lee Building

Spanning units 2 to 5 Circular Road today, the Lim Teck Lee Building was constructed in the mid-1930’s. The brand remains in existence since 1918.

Macpherson Road Post Office

One of many similar community-based post offices all over Singapore, the Macpherson Road Post Office was opened by Aljunied assemblyman Mr. S. V. Lingam in 1963. In 1977, the site was victim to an armed robbery, in which over $10,000 was taken.

Makam Puteri Radin Mas (Keramat Radin Mas)

Keramat Radin Mas houses the shrine of Radin Mas Ayu, who according to the Malay Annals, was a 16th Century Javanese Princess. Radin Mas means “golden princess” and Ayu means “beautiful”. True to her name, the princess shielded her father from being stabbed and in turn sacrificed her life in exchange.

Masjid An-Nur

Identifiable by its distinct blue and white exterior, Masjid An-Nur’s minaret is one of the tallest in Singapore and is even visible from Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Masjid An-Nur

Identifiable by its distinct blue and white exterior, Masjid An-Nur’s minaret is one of the tallest in Singapore and is even visible from Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Masjid Haji Muhammad Salleh & Keramat Habib Noh

During the colonial period, pilgrims from as far as China and the Dutch East Indies have stopped by to pay their respects at Keramat Habib Noh, the burial site of one of Singapore’s revered Muslim saints.

Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka

Tucked away in the heart of the city, next to the Ministry of Manpower is Singapore’s oldest mosque. The original building was built in 1820, just one year after Raffles set foot on the island.

Masjid Petempatan Melayu Sembawang

One of the last vestiges of a Malay kampung mosque in Singapore, the Masjid Petempatan Melayu Sembawang — hidden far off from the main road — has outlived the kampung it once served.

Masjid Tasek Utara

Despite being one of the smallest mosque in Singapore, with a capacity of about 120 congregants, Masjid Tasek Utara has a rich history of serving its community for more than a century. The mosque was given a facelift in 2016 and continues to be used by the community for Friday prayers and other religious events.

Masjid Tentera Diraja

Masjid Tentera Diraja or Tentera Diraja Mosque traces its roots to the Muslims serving in the British Army before Singapore’s independence. This is also evident in the use of "Tentera Diraja" meaning the King's Army in Malay.

Maxwell Road Food Centre

Maxwell Food Centre is an iconic culinary landmark in Singapore. However, few know that it began as a wet market of a bygone era.

Merdeka Lions (base of the SAFTI Military Institute Tower)

From 1956 to 1966, the Merdeka Lions stood at the base of tall stone monuments of blue mosaic found on both ends of the Merdeka Bridge. The lions were later removed to make way for the widening of the bridge and the adjoining Nicoll Highway.

Ming Arcade

This unassuming mall near Orchard Road was once a hotbed for Singapore’s rock music scene, as it housed a hip “live” concert venue for popular local bands.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Tanglin Village

The former Tanglin Barracks and Tanglin Officers’ Mess are situated on the site of a former nutmeg estate which was known as Mount Harriet in 1850s.

Mountbatten Centre (Former Kallang Primary School)

Parents who live in the area will know Mountbatten Centre as an educational hub with childcare centres. Not many people know that it is a former school campus that housed the Kallang Primary School.

Mount Emily Villa

Also known the Osborne House, the building had been used as the Japanese Consul-General Office before the Second World War and was subsequently occupied by the Social Welfare Department.

Mount Imbiah Battery

The Mount Imbiah Battery began life as an Infantry Redoubt in the 1880s, manned by 82 infantry soldiers and 19 gunners responsible for manning its coastal gun.

Nanyang Sacred Union Building

The Nanyang Sacred Union Building is open to members only and opens its doors to the public once a year in an elaborate affair for the annual celebration of Confucius’s birthday.

Newton Food Centre

The Newton Food Centre is one of the earliest hawker centres built in 1971. In its early days, the hawker centre was promoted by the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board as a destination to sample Singaporean cuisine.

Old Changi Hospital (24, 37, 161 Halton Road)

While most Singaporeans know Old Changi Hospital as the site where local dramas and horror movies were filmed, not many know that the site was originally constructed as part of a military base built by the British forces in the 1930s.

Orchard Road Presbyterian Church

The Orchard Road Presbyterian Church was constructed in 1878.

Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre

Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre is Singapore’s main wholesale market and distribution point for imported fruits and vegetables. Over 40 percent of Singapore’s fruit and vegetable imports pass through the centre, with the remaining 60 percent of produce being sold by independent retailers and other importers who have their own premises.

Paya Lebar Office Centre

Located at the busy junction of Sims Avenue and Paya Lebar Road, the former Geylang Fire Station has witnessed the rapid transformation of Paya Lebar’s infrastructure over the years.

Paya Lebar Airbase (formerly Singapore International Airport)

The Paya Lebar Airport was developed between 1952 and 1955. It was regarded as a symbol of the then-colony’s post-war rapid development and modernisation.

Peninsula Plaza

Popularly known as ‘Little Myanmar’, Peninsula Plaza was the first building in Singapore to have outdoor escalators and a car lift.

Peninsula Shopping Complex (3 to 5 Coleman Street)

Coleman Street, which spans from Armenian Street to St Andrew’s road, was named after George D. Coleman, Singapore’s first Superintendent of Public Works and Prison Warden. 3 to 5 Coleman Street was the site of the Former Hotel de la Paix. Today, it is the address of Peninsula Shopping Complex.

People's Park Complex

The People's Park Complex was completed in 1973 and was regarded as an emblem of Asian Modernism.

Plaza Singapura

Plaza Singapura opened in 1974. It was developed by DBS Land, and was one of the first shopping centres in Singapore.

Police Logistics Department (Police Logistics Base) (Former Hemmant Road Police Store)

Have you ever wondered where do all the lost and found items reported to the police go to? The answer is an elongated two storey building at No 1, Hemmant Road, home to the Singapore Police Force’s Found and Unclaimed Property Office.

Punggol Rock Shrine

Concealed within the greenery of Punggol Point, a massive boulder–covered by a large yellow cloth and accompanied by an altar at its base–is believed to have been worshipped by devotees of animism since the 1800s.

Raintr33 Hotel Singapore (Part of Former Hendon Camp)

In colonial times, this building at the east of Singapore housed the British Royal Engineers, and later became part of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Hendon Camp. In 2013, the building was converted into a boutique hotel.

SEAMEO Regional Language Centre

The Regional Language Centre began as the Regional English Language Centre (RELC) in 1968. It was first conceived during the 2nd conference of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education in Manila organised by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO).

Remnants of Former Gate and Wall of Fort Canning (Fort Canning Hill/Bukit Larangan)

One of Singapore’s first British-built fortifications, Fort Canning was the site of many significant milestones in Singapore history, such as Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival’s decision to surrender to the Japanese.

Rex Cinemas

Opened in 1946, the Rex Cinemas was once one of Singapore’s most popular entertainment haunts, which attracted large crowds from all walks of life. Though a decline in business forced the Rex to close in 1983, it has served various functions at different points in time, namely a performance house for singers, an ice-skating rink, a church, a disco and a specialty cinema that screened only Hindi and Tamil movies.

S. P. Jain School of Global Management

From serving as a residential estate for British military personnel – to providing a campus for higher-learning, there are countless stories hidden within the colonial walls of what is currently known as the S. P. Jain School of Global Management.

Saint Joseph’s Church (Bukit Timah)

Built in the 1846 by French missionaries, St Joseph’s Church later went through several renovations to cater to its budding parish. It was also where the passionate Father Joachim Teng served for two decades during the post-war era.

Sam Kiang Huay Kwan

Sam Kiang (三江) refers to three provinces in China—Zhe Jiang, Jiang Su and Jiang Xi. Pioneers of these three provinces formed the Singapore Sam Kiang Office in 1906 which was later renamed Sam Kiang Huay Kwan.

Selegie House

Selegie House is a building complex that consist of one block of 20-storey flats and two blocks of 10-storey flats. These blocks used to be linked by four rows of 2-storey blocks which had since been demolished and replaced with link ways.

Seletar Airport

Seletar Airport has achieved many firsts for Singapore—it was the British Royal Airforce’s first airbase in the British colonies, Singapore’s first international civil airport, and the oldest operational aerodrome in Singapore.

Sembawang Naval Base (King George VI Dock)

Built in 1938, Sembawang Naval Base took more than 10 years to build and houses King George VI Dock. Standing at 305 m long, 40 m wide, and 11 m deep, King George VI Dock was the world’s largest drydock when it was opened on 14 February 1938.

Seng Wong Beo Temple

Hidden behind red gates at the heart of Tanjong Pagar area, Seng Wong Beo Temple (都城隍庙) is one of only two temples in Singapore that continues to conduct the Chinese Ghost Marriage ritual.

Seu Teck Sean Tong

Seu Teck Sean Tong, a temple that provides free Traditional Chinese Medical services to the public, was originally founded in a shophouse at River Valley Road with Xiang Huo “香火” from Da Wu Xiu De Shan Tang (大吴修德善堂) in Chao’An, Guangdong, China.

Sharifah Rogayah Keramat

Also a marked grave, this keramat is said to commemorate Sharifah Rogayah, who was said to be the granddaughter of Singapore’s famous Muslim holy man Habib Noh. However, it is said that the shrine does not hold her body, and the shrine’s origins remain unknown.

Shaw Towers

Built on the former site of the Alhambra, Marlborough Theatres and the Satay Club at Hoi How Road, Shaw Towers was designed as a high-rise cinema building, a three-storey commercial podium and a high-rise office complex, that made the best use of limited space.

Shelton College International (Former Blangah Rise Primary School)

Located at the foot of Mount Faber, Shelton College International used to be the home of Blangah Rise Primary School. Currently, it is an educational institution for local and international students.

Siglap Post Office

Few would cast a second glance at this humble post office, which was once a source of civic pride to a newly-independent nation.

Simpang Bedok Post Office

Awarded as the “best maintained post-office in Singapore” in 1965, Simpang Bedok Post Office was completed in 1963 as part of the Five- Year Postal Development Plan (1961-1965) to relieve increasing demand of postal services to rural Singapore. It was awarded a trophy in 1965 for being the “best maintained post-office in Singapore.”

Sin Heng San Teng Tua Pek Kong

Sin Heng San Teng is a cemetery previously owned by Hokkien Huay Kwan. The temple not only serves as a place of worship but is often visited by local explorers who seek to discover the history and heritage of the area.

Singapore Calligraphy Centre

This refurbished pre-war Bungalow now houses the Singapore Calligraphy Centre, but it once had a colourful history associated with gambling.

Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) Building

An important pillar in Singapore’s trade and commerce, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) has lived through colonial Singapore, merger and independence. The iconic SCCCI building on Hill Street reflects a blend of modern architecture and classical Chinese architectural elements.

Singapore Chinese Weekly Entertainment Club

The Singapore Chinese Weekly Entertainment Club was the inspiration behind Club Street’s name. With well over a century of history, it was also colloquially known as the Millionaires’ Club due to many of its high society patrons.

Singapore Council of Women’s Organisation Centre

Created as an umbrella organisation for Women’s associations/groups in Singapore, the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations headquarters actively inform, advocate and educate, working towards advancing women’s status.

Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board

From housing different primary schools to the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board, the campus at 298 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee has been instrumental in the educational development of Singapore’s youth.

Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA)

At the time of writing, Block 1 Beatty Road houses the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), a self-help group for Singapore’s Indian community. The building was once the home of Beatty Integrated Primary School.

Singapore Polytechnic

Singapore Polytechnic's current site at Dover Road was built on the previous Princess Mary Barracks, occupied by the British and Malayan soldiers from 1951 to early 1970s.

Singapore Sindhi Association

The Singapore Sindhi Association (SSA) traces its roots to 1921 where 10 members came together to form the Sindhi Merchants Association. The association established its first premises in 1938 at Engor Street to provide Sindhi travellers in transit with comfortable boarding facilities.

SMU Residences' at Prinsep Street

The three blocks of four-storey apartments at the SMU Residences were converted from former Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) blocks.

Sophia Flats

Once the home of Frank Benjamin (the illustrious entrepreneur behind the fashion and lifestyle giant FJ Benjamin Holdings), it is now a walk-up apartment located at the entrance to Mount Sophia.

South East Asia Hotel

Conveniently located at the heart of Singapore’s arts and cultural district, the family-run South East Asia Hotel has served travellers for over 60 years.

Sree Ramar Temple

Having begun as a shrine at the foot of a tree, the Sree Ramar Temple has become the spiritual centre for the Hindu community in the east of Singapore. It is the only temple of its kind in South East Asia dedicated to the worship of the Hindu god Rama.

Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple

Under the stewardship of a group of distinguished moneylenders, the humble metal-roofed temple has evolved into a grand edifice that stands in Chinatown today.

Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple

Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple traces its origins to a small shrine in the 1850s.

St Theresa’s Home

Established in 1935 by the Little Sisters of the Poor, St Theresa’s Home runs on a human-centred care philosophy that includes therapy sessions with horses and breakfast outings to hawker centres.

Stamford Bridge Structure

In a corner of the War Memorial Park, two small structures are all that remains of the Stamford Bridge–the first bridge to be built across the now-covered Stamford Canal.

Surau Al-Firdaus Lorong Buangkok

Built in 1960s, Surau Al-Firdaus Lorong Buangkok is located within Lorong Buangkok—the last known kampung in mainland Singapore.

Swiss Club

Established in 1871, the Swiss Club is one of Singapore’s oldest and most historic clubs, where it once had a 300-metre shooting range targeting the peak of Bukit Tinggi. It currently houses the Swiss, German, Dutch and Korean schools within its 174,000sqm compound.

Tai Seng Christian Church (Former Yio Chu Kang Gospel Hall)

The building that currently houses Tai Seng Christian Church is a piece of the legacy left behind by Chew Puat Chwee, a generous Chinese businessman who used his wealth for various philanthropic pursuits.

Taman Jurong Radiophone Taxi Service Ltd.

The Taman Jurong Radiophone Taxi Service was the first service to use radiophone communications to connect customers with taxi drivers in Singapore in 1976.

Teochew Memorial Park

Established in the 1950s, Teochew Memorial Park is a six-acre memorial park that houses the unclaimed remains excavated from various Teochew cemeteries.

The Great Madras (Former Madras Hotel)

Occupying a beautifully restored heritage building, The Great Madras Boutique Hotel is situated in the hustle and bustle of Little India, and is reminiscent of the art deco buildings found in other parts of Singapore, such as Tiong Bahru and Seng Poh Road.

The Helping Hand

Once the humble birthplace of Sin Min Public School, this three-storey building along Upper Serangoon Road is now known as The Helping Hand – a halfway house for ex-convicts.

The Herencia

The plainly adorned façade of The Herencia – though a modern commercial building – is reminiscent of a school property. Constructed in 1969 at the cost of $2 million, this structure was once the home of Nan Chiau High School.

"The History of Development in Singapore" Glass Mosaic Wall Mural

Depicting more than 15 landmarks of Singapore, “The History of Development of Singapore” is a glass mosaic mural that was originally located at the former Braddell-Westlake Secondary School.

The Legends Fort Canning Park (Hotel Fort Canning)

Hotel Fort Canning on 11 Canning Walk, used to be a military complex that served as the headquarters for the British Far East Command.

The Majestic

The Majestic (previously known as the Majestic Theatre) is a major Chinatown landmark with a long history closely connected to Singaporean pioneer Eu Tong Sen. Its architecture features a mix of Cantonese and Western influences that reflect how both cultures impacted the Straits Chinese of Singapore. The Majestic Theatre (大华戏院) has also lived through much of Singapore’s modern history, and reflects Singapore’s transformation from a small colony to a modern metropolis.

The Quadrant at Cecil

Nestled in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, this unusually shaped building housed several financial institutions in the past. Now, it hosts the Black Swan restaurant.

The Scarlet Hotel (Former The Inn of Sixth Happiness)

Behind an exterior of 14 shophouses built in 1868 and an art deco modern building from 1924 lies the Scarlet Hotel  a luxurious boutique hotel. From rags to riches, this opulent hotel used to be the humble shared living quarters of Chinese immigrant ‘amah’ servants.

The South Beach (Former Beach Road Camp)

The South Beach is a development comprising four conserved historical buildings—Former Beach Road Camp Blocks 1, 9, 14, and the Non-Commissioned Officers’ (NCO) Club—and two new towers.

The Southbridge Hotel (Former The Commercial Press)

A boutique hotel consisting of six different styles-conversed shop house units, this three-storey building on South Bridge Road was home to Singapore’s first Chinese bookstore, The Commercial Press.

The Substation

The Substation, a much-loved arts venue today, began as a medium-size three-storey electrical substation building along Armenian Street.

Thomson Exchange

Thomson Exchange is an iconic building that marks the progress of Singapore’s telecommunication technologies since the 1970s.

Thomson Plaza

One of Singapore’s oldest shopping malls, Thomson Plaza has been home to the first Swensen’s in the country. It was also popular due to Yaohan, the first Japanese supermarket chain to open in Singapore.

Tin Sing Goldsmiths (Former World Book Company)

With a white façade and yellow pillars with green capitals, the two-storey urban shophouse was once occupied by The World Book Company, one of the leading bookshops in Singapore. Since 1995, it has been home to Tin Sing Goldsmiths.

Tong Xian Tng Temple

Tong Xian Tng Temple, a beautiful Teochew-styled Chinese temple lies tucked away in a secluded spot near Orchard Road, little known to the public. The temple is dedicated to Guanyin, The Goddess of Mercy, but like many other Chinese temples in Singapore, it practises a mix of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.

Vanguard Building (Former Malaya Publishing House Building)

A rare example of Edwardian architecture in Singapore, this three-storey building beside the former National Library, was once home to the former Malaya Publishing House (MPH), which holds fond memories for generations of book lovers in Singapore.

Villa Marie

Formerly owned by a descendent of noted philanthropist Tan Tock Seng, the Villa Marie was sold in 2016 at a staggering $145 million to Shun Tak Real Estate, owned by Macau casino tycoon – Stanley Ho.

Wei Tuo Fa Gong Temple

Wei Tuo Fa Gong Temple is a privately run temple that used to be a private home. It houses shrines that are dedicated to different gods and is visited by devotees of different religions.

Wesley Methodist Church

The Wesley Methodist Church is the first Methodist Church established in Singapore by Reverend William Oldham, Reverend Dr and Mrs James Thoburn and Miss Julia Battle in 1885.

Whampoa Dragon Fountain

Completed in 1973, the Dragon Fountain at Whampoa Drive used to be situated within a large park land.

Youth Park

Officially opened in 1996, Youth Park, a familiar ground for skaters and spectators alike, is often recognised as the one-stop spot for the young.

Yue Hwa (Nam Tin) Building

Standing six stories high, the Yue Hwa Chinese Products Building was once the tallest building in Chinatown back in 1927. It was famously leased to the Great Southern Hotel–a prestigious hotel for Chinese travellers–as well as the well-known Southern Cabaret nightclub.

Zion Full Gospel Church

The Zion Full Gospel Church, founded by Finnish missionaries who arrived in Singapore from China, has grown into a community church with a strong congregation and active outreach efforts.

Bungalows and Leisure in Changi

Changi has been a leisure destination since the mid-1840s, where bungalows built in the area capitalised on Changi’s natural beauty and the many leisure activities that its coastal location afforded. One notable bungalow, previously owned by entrepreneur Ezekiel Saleh Manasseh, still stands as one of the oldest buildings in the area today.

Changi Cottage

Built in 1950, Changi Cottage is well-known as the location where Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew recuperated and worked after the tumult of Singapore’s independence in 1965. The Cottage is now part of the CSC@Changi resort and can be rented by the public.* *Please note that only those who have hired the space can enter the cottage

Changi Sailing Club

Originally established as social and sporting clubs by soldiers of Changi Cantonment, and later Royal Air Force (RAF) Changi, Changi Sailing Club (founded in 1936) operates as a private members’ club today.

Changi Beach Club

Originally established as social and sporting clubs by soldiers of Changi Cantonment, and later Royal Air Force (RAF) Changi, Changi Beach Club (founded in 1950) operates as private members’ club today.

Changi Village

With the completion of Changi Cantonment in 1937, Changi Village grew significantly as traders and hawkers established themselves and catered to the base’s personnel, offering goods and services that earned the village a reputation as a retail haven.

Changi Beach

Once frequented by colonial day-trippers and the servicemen of nearby RAF Changi for leisure activities, Changi Beach has become a popular vacation spot for members of the public in the post-World War II era. Changi Beach was also one of the many sites where the Japanese military carried out the Sook Ching massacres.

Changi Prison

Changi Prison was the last penal institution built by the colonial government. Established as a response to overcrowding in Pearl’s Hill Prison and Outram Prison in 1936, the prison was also used as a place of interment for POWs during the Japanese Occupation. The prison underwent redevelopment in the 1970s and 1980s, and a stetch of the original prison wall, entrance gate and two turrets were preserved and gazetted as a National Monument in 2016.* *Please note that Changi Prison is a restricted area, please only visit the information board along Upper Changi Road North. Photo coutersy of Singapore Prison Service

Changi Chapel and Museum

Built on part of the former Changi POW camp, Changi Chapel and Museum features diverse narratives about the Japanese Occupation and reflections from POWs. These stories are presented through personal artefacts and recollections, as well as recreations of the well-known Changi Murals and St. George’s Church.

Former Changi Cantonment and RAF Changi

Constructed between 1927 and 1937, Changi Cantonment was a British military base that guarded the eastern end of the Straits of Johor and the Naval Base at Sembawang. Before World War II, the cantonment housed Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers units, with artillery batteries installed within and around the base. After the war, the base was taken over by Royal Air Force (RAF) and became known as RAF Changi.

Former Changi Hospital

Located on the top of the hill, former Changi Hospital was completed in 1962 and served residents until 1997 when Changi Hospital was merged with Toa Payoh Hospital and relocated to Simei.

Changi Point Ferry Terminal

Built in 2005, the ferry terminal replaced two longstanding wooden jetties used by boat operators and fishermen for decades. Today, many Singaporeans and visitors associate Changi with boat trips to Pulau Ubin. This practice likely began in the 19th century, with local fishermen ferrying passengers to Pulau Ubin, Pulau Tekong and other islands, as well as to parts of Johor.

Sree Ramar Temple

Completed in 1946, Sree Ramar Temple traces its history to a tree shrine regarded as sacred by Hindu residents of Changi Point. Today, the temple houses sanctums to Ramar, Hanuman and deities of both the Vaishnavite and Shaivite traditions, as well as shrines dedicated to non-Hindu deities Buddha and Guan Yin.

Yan Kit Village Chinese Temple

Founded in 1939, Yan Kit Village Chinese Temple enshrines Shui Wei Sheng Niang, 108 Brother Deities and other deities. The temple was established by residents of the former Yan Kit Village, which was located in the same area, and it continues to maintain longstanding connections with the Hainanese community while also welcoming worshippers from other communities.

Changi Airport

Built in 1981 over an exisitng runway built during the Japanese Occupation, Changi Airport continues to expand today, with Terminal 5 and a third runway slated for completion in the 2030s.

Singapore Navy Museum

First opened in 1987 in Sembawang Camp, Singapore Navy Museum explores the history and heritage of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the navy’s operations and defence roles, as well as check out guns and weapons systems from some of the RSN’s pioneer ships.

Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice

This popular restaurant chain started out as a humble roadside stall in 1979 Chinatown, selling only six chickens in a day.

Haji Shaikh Vali Ahmad

This Malay food stall has been known for its Nasi Briyani Dam since operations began in 1979. It seems fitting that Haji Sheikh Vali Ahmad also happens to be located on a piece of land that was purportedly inhabited by Malays in the early days of the British colonisation.

Kai Juan Bak Kut Teh

Kai Juan Bak Kut Teh has been around for 50 years, its soup is clear with a peppery taste, which makes it the typical Teochew bak kut teh.

Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory

Lam Yeo, which means "Nanyang" in the Hokkien dialect, was established in 1959. Owner Tan Peck Hoe retains the long-standing tradition of roasting coffee beans with sugar and margarine to give them that lusciously black exterior unique to local coffee.

Loong Fatt

Established in 1948, this coffee shop is famous for its Tau Sar Piah, or Teochew biscuit, which comes in the traditional sweet and salty flavours.

Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant

Lest one thinks that Singapore's food paradise is strictly restricted to meat lovers, Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant is a timely reminder that vegan tastes are also catered for.

Original Herbal Shop

Established in 1988 by Mr. Hang Kim Juan, the Original Herbal Shop offers a range of herbal drinks and traditional Chinese desserts.

Sing Hon Loong Bakery (Ghee Leong)

This small, 24-hour bakery has been producing more than a thousand freshly-made traditional brown bread loaves straight from antiquated ovens every day for the past 50 years or so.

Subway Niche

Subway Niche is a peranakan kueh stall that first started out in 1987 at Wisma Atria.

Sweetlands Confectionery and Bakery

Sweetlands, along with Sing Hon Loong Bakery, is one of the few bakeries in Singapore that continue to bake bread using traditional methods.

Tandoori Corner

Tandoori Corner aims to serve high-quality yet affordable North Indian cuisine in a casual setting and cosy atmosphere.

Art Deco Apartment Blocks

Built in the 1950s, these apartment blocks were designed in an architectural style known as Art Deco. These apartment blocks, together with other pre-war shophouses along Balestier Road, were conserved in 2003. They reflect the area’s rich architectural diversity and urban development across the 1900s.

Balestier Market

Balestier Market is the only surviving rural market building in Singapore. It was built in 1922 as a wet market where former street-side fresh food vendors could sell their goods without obstructing traffic.

Balestier Point

Balestier Point was one of the first high-rise developments along Balestier Road when it was completed in 1986. Designed by architect Chan Fook Pong, this 18-storey building was originally called Central Plaza Complex by its developers Central Plaza Development. Before Balestier Point was built, this site was occupied by Ruby Cinema, which opened in 1958. Nearby were two other popular cinemas: Hoover, which opened in 1960, and President, which opened in 1973. Hoover and President were redeveloped in 1996-99 into the present Shaw Plaza.

Boon Teck Road Water Kiosk and Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sin Sia

Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sin Sia is a Buddhist-Taoist temple established in 1950. The shrines in this temple are dedicated to its patron saints and deities, including Yun Jie Bodhisattva, Fu You Di Jun (also known as Lu Dong Bin) and Sung Ta Fung.

Chan Chor Min Tong - Bassein Road

Chan Chor Min Tong is a Buddhist organisation with institutions at two locations in Balestier: Jalan Kemaman and Bassein Road. The Jalan Kemaman temple, a single-storey building with a garden filled with fruit trees and herbs, was built in 1926 and named after its founder, a Cantonese philanthropist. It served as a home for migrant men with no family or means of support.

Former Malay Film Productions Studio

Chan Chor Min Tong is a Buddhist organisation with institutions at two locations in Balestier: Jalan Kemaman and Bassein Road. The Jalan Kemaman temple, a single-storey building with a garden filled with fruit trees and herbs, was built in 1926 and named after its founder, a Cantonese philanthropist. It served as a home for migrant men with no family or means of support.

Church of St Alphonsus (Novena Church) (optional)

The Church of St Alphonsus, popularly referred to as the Novena Church, was established in 1935 by the Redemptorists, a Catholic order dedicated to serving the poor and the abandoned.

Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple

Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple was established in 1847 by Hokkien workers who were employed at a sugar cane estate owned by Joseph Balestier, the first American Consul to Singapore from 1836-52. Goh Chor is Hokkien for “Rochore”, the name of this area in the mid-1800s, while Tua Pek Kong (“Grand Uncle” in Hokkien) is a deity to whom Chinese in Southeast Asia worship for protection, blessings and recovery from illness.

Former Mandalay Road Hospital

Mandalay Road Hospital was originally built in the 1920s to treat pauper women. After the war, Mandalay Road Hospital served as a TB treatment centre of Tan Tock Seng Hospital as well as a teaching facility for nurses.

Former Middleton Hospital (now Communicable Diseases Centre)

During the mid-1900s, Middleton Hospital played a major role in treating and controlling diseases such as typhoid, polio, diphtheria and smallpox. In 1985, it merged with Tan Tock Seng Hospital and became the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC). The CDC was instrumental in treating and controlling recent episodes of infectious diseases such as the nipah virus in 1999 and the deadly SARS outbreak in 2003.

Former Nurses' Quarters

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at 11 Mandalay Road occupies the former nurses’ quarters of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. This neoclassical building opened in 1925 and originally housed medical students from the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Melaka and Penang). It later housed the hospital’s nurses from 1957-95 and was then used as an administrative office until 1999. The building later underwent restoration works to become the headquarters of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, a joint medical school established by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Imperial College London. It admitted its first students in 2013 and was also conferred conservation status in the same year.

Former Pavilion Wards

These former pavilion wards were the main buildings of Tan Tock Seng Hospital when it first moved to its present location in 1909. Also known as Nightingale wards (after Florence Nightingale, a British nurse who invented this design in the 1850s), these wards feature a long, central aisle, high ceilings as well as good lighting and ventilation – features which improved patient recovery and reduced death rates from diseases such as tuberculosis and dysentery.

Former School Dental Clinic

Singapore’s first stand-alone school dental clinic opened in 1963 at Pegu Road. This facility originally opened in 1959 as an outpatients’ clinic and dispensary. In 1963, the dispensary was joined by the School Dental Clinic, which was opened by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. It provided dental services for schoolchildren who were sent there for regular check-ups. From 1979, the clinic started to offer dental services to adults. It operated until the 1990s when its services were transferred to the National Dental Centre which opened at Outram in 1998.

Sim Kwong Ho Shophouses

The Sim Kwong Ho shophouses were built in 1926 by a lady named Sim Cheng Neo, whose family home was located at 503 Balestier Road. These shophouses became known as the Sim Kwong Ho shophouses because of the Chinese characters on their corner façade.

Single-storey Terraced Units (optional)

Built in 1947, the row of single-storey terraced units was developed by Ngee Ann Kongsi, a Teochew self-help organisation. These single-storey shops offer an architectural contrast to the more typical double-storey shophouses that line other parts of Balestier.

Boon Teck Road Water Kiosk and Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sin Sia

Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sin Sia is a Buddhist-Taoist temple established in 1950. The shrines in this temple are dedicated to its patron saints and deities, including Yun Jie Bodhisattva, Fu You Di Jun (also known as Lu Dong Bin) and Sung Ta Fung.

Chan Chor Min Tong - Jalan Kemaman

Chan Chor Min Tong is a Buddhist organisation with institutions at two locations in Balestier: Jalan Kemaman and Bassein Road. The Jalan Kemaman temple, a single-storey building with a garden filled with fruit trees and herbs, was built in 1926 and named after its founder, a Cantonese philanthropist. It served as a home for migrant men with no family or means of support.

Former Malay Film Productions Studio

The former Malay Film Productions (MFP) studio was established in 1940 by Shaw Organisation, which was founded by brothers Runme Shaw and Run Run Shaw. Malay films were shot and edited at the studio grounds which housed large-scale sets replicating locations such as kampongs. Between 1941 and 1967, a period known as the Golden Age of Malay Cinema, the studio produced more than 150 movies.

Former Rayman School and Estate

The single-storey building housing the Handicaps Welfare Association formerly served as Rayman School from 1953 to 1984. It is the only surviving legacy of the former Rayman Estate, built in 1948 by the Singapore Improvement Trust to provide homes for former residents of urban slums.

Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple

Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple was established in 1847 by Hokkien workers who were employed at a sugar cane estate owned by Joseph Balestier, the first American Consul to Singapore from 1836-52. Goh Chor is Hokkien for “Rochore”, the name of this area in the mid-1800s, while Tua Pek Kong (“Grand Uncle” in Hokkien) is a deity to whom Chinese in Southeast Asia worship for protection, blessings and recovery from illness.

Kwan Yow Luen Shophouses

Designed by Kwan Yow Luen , these shophouses were built in 1928 by Sim Cheng Neo, a lady whose family home was located at 503 Balestier Road. This row of shophouses features extravagantly detailed plaster stucco figures on their facades, including elaborate reliefs of flowers and animals.

Masjid Hajjah Rahimabi Kebun Limau

Masjid Hajjah Rahimabi Kebun Limau was built in 1984. The mosque was named after Kebun Limau (Malay for “lime garden”), an old place name for the area which had many lime trees in the late 1800s. It was also named after philanthropist Hajjah Rahima Bee Ahmad Angullia.

Phang Pheng Mei Temple

Balestier is home to many former zhaitang ("vegetarian hall" in Mandarin). One of these is Phang Pheng Mei Temple (also known as Feeha Cheng Seah, “Lodge of the Flying Roseate Clouds”) at Jalan Ampas. This former zhaitang was home to working as well as retired Cantonese amahs (housekeepers). The present four-storey building, which now houses a temple and senior citizens’ home, was constructed in 1977.

Sungei Whampoa

Like much of Singapore back in the early 1800s, the Balestier precinct was a forested region. A small river, initially known as Balestier River and later renamed Sungei Whampoa, ran through the area and emptied into the Kallang River Basin.

Whampoa Makan Place

Whampoa Makan Place, a popular wet market and food centre, stands on the site of a former municipal wet market known as Rayman Market, which opened in 1952 to serve residents of a former housing estate called Rayman Estate.

Balestier Point

Balestier Point was one of the first high-rise developments along Balestier Road when it was completed in 1986. Designed by architect Chan Fook Pong, this 18-storey building was originally called Central Plaza Complex by its developers Central Plaza Development. Before Balestier Point was built, this site was occupied by Ruby Cinema, which opened in 1958. Nearby were two other popular cinemas: Hoover, which opened in 1960, and President, which opened in 1973. Hoover and President were redeveloped in 1996-99 into the present Shaw Plaza.

Boon Teck Road Water Kiosk and Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sin Sia

Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sin Sia is a Buddhist-Taoist temple established in 1950. The shrines in this temple are dedicated to its patron saints and deities, including Yun Jie Bodhisattva, Fu You Di Jun (also known as Lu Dong Bin) and Sung Ta Fung.

Former School Dental Clinic

Singapore’s first stand-alone school dental clinic opened in 1963 at Pegu Road. This facility originally opened in 1959 as an outpatients’ clinic and dispensary. In 1963, the dispensary was joined by the School Dental Clinic, which was opened by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. It provided dental services for schoolchildren who were sent there for regular check-ups. From 1979, the clinic started to offer dental services to adults. It operated until the 1990s when its services were transferred to the National Dental Centre which opened at Outram in 1998.

Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple

Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple was established in 1847 by Hokkien workers who were employed at a sugar cane estate owned by Joseph Balestier, the first American Consul to Singapore from 1836-52. Goh Chor is Hokkien for “Rochore”, the name of this area in the mid-1800s, while Tua Pek Kong (“Grand Uncle” in Hokkien) is a deity to whom Chinese in Southeast Asia worship for protection, blessings and recovery from illness.

Maha Sasanaramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple

Maha Sasanaramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple was completed in 1991 and serves Singapore’s Burmese Buddhist community. The temple was originally established in 1878 at Kinta Road off Serangoon Road by a Burmese named U Thar Hnin (also known as Tang Sooay Chin).

Pre-war Terrace Houses

Built between the 1920s and 1940s, these elegant terrace houses offer a glimpse of residential life in Balestier before the Japanese Occupation. The terrace houses are based on the traditional shophouse model, but unlike a shophouse, the ground floor is used for residential rather than commercial purposes. Each house is equipped with a small forecourt that sets it back from the road and features large windows and air vents for good ventilation.

Sim Kwong Ho Shophouses

The Sim Kwong Ho shophouses were built in 1926 by a lady named Sim Cheng Neo, whose family home was located at 503 Balestier Road. These shophouses became known as the Sim Kwong Ho shophouses because of the Chinese characters on their corner façade.

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall was the former headquarters of the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (also known as the Tong Meng Hui) in Southeast Asia. It was gazetted as a National Monument in 1994, and renamed the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall in 1997. The building’s galleries were revamped and reopened in 2011 to present the 1911 Chinese Revolution from the perspective of the overseas Chinese communities in the region.

Chai Chee

Today, the pocket-sized estate of Chai Chee stands as a peaceful annex to the bustle of Bedok. However, during the early 20th century, Chai Chee was the more boisterous sibling, known for its market with its vegetable sellers and other hawkers often spilling out along present-day Upper Changi Road.

Fengshan Estate

The 1980s estate of Fengshan, carved out of Bedok New Town, lays claim to a history that is in fact older than the Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and shops around it.

Former Coastline

Like beacons from the past, old seawalls located in this area speak of the evolution of the East Coast's character and physical landscape.

Highlands of Bedok

Bedok Rise represents the highest point of the trail and can be approached either through the undulating road of Bedok Rise or the historical Tanah Merah Kechil Road South.

Jalan Puay Poon

The grim days of World War II and the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945 did not leave the eastern side of Singapore untouched.

Kampong Bedok

This area, affectionately known to long-time residents as Bedok Corner, was formerly Kampong Bedok Laut and Kampong Bedok Darat, founded in the 1850s, with the former village facing the sea.

Military Landmarks in the East

Named after the distinctive red clay of its cliffs that formerly fronted the sea, Tanah Merah (“red cliffs” in Malay) used to function as a strategically located headland both to spot approaching enemies, and as a friendly lookout that sailors could use to navigate their course.

Seafront Homes and a Holiday Lifestyle

Dotted with restaurants, casual eateries, holiday homes, seaside motels and recreational clubs, the East Coast has long been a playground for Singaporeans. Regattas featuring koleks (small wooden Malay boats) drew sailors from as far as the Indonesian islands.

Siglap Frankel Estate and Opera Estate

Between the early 19th century and the 1980s, the fishing villages of Kampong Siglap, Kampong Lim Choo, Kampong Goh Choo and Kampong Hajijah stood along the former coastline where the housing estate of Siglap is today. Siglap is derived from the Malay word si-gelap meaning “dark one” or "the darkness that conceals".

Simpang Bedok and Koh Sek Lim

This boundary area, long been known as Simpang Bedok (“Bedok Junction” in Malay), was previously a Malay kampong (“village” in Malay) that remained in existence until the 1980s.

Former Bukit Timah Railway Station

Opened in 1903, the Singapore-Kranji Railway (also known as the Singapore-Johor Railway) precipitated the growth of Bukit Timah as a residential suburb. The Bukit Timah Railway Station was later relocated to higher ground near King Albert Park in the 1930s to avoid the frequent flooding that disrupted services at the former station.

Fuyong Estate

Developed by entrepreneur and philanthropist Lee Kong Chian in the 1950s, this 142-household estate was designed to provide affordable modern housing at a time when many in Singapore lived in overcrowded dwellings in town or in rural kampongs. Fuyong Estate, named after Lee's hometown village of Fu Rong in Fujian, China, sat next to the neighbouring kampongs of Lorong Chamar and Chia Eng Say Road.

Hoon San Temple

Hoon San Temple (云山宫) is dedicated to the deity Lim Tai See and was established by emigres from Jiazhou village in Fujian, China in 1902. Lim Tai See, born in 1537 during the Ming Dynasty, was well-respected for his stance against corruption and commitment to social justice. Following his death in 1604, Lim was deified and a number of Hokkien communities in China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia built temples in his name.

Masjid Al-Huda

Masjid Al-Huda, formerly known as Masjid Kampong Coronation after the nearby kampong on Coronation Road, was constructed in 1925. It was central to the community life of Muslim villagers living in kampongs (“village” in Malay) in the vicinity, including the former Kampong Tempe, Kampong Chantek, Kampong Banjir, and Kampong Holland.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve contains the largest contiguous tract of primary rainforest on the island, and it is one of the remaining few places where one can experience Singapore’s primeval forest environment. The reserve was first established by the British colonial government in the mid-1880s and it covers a total of 163 hectares today.

Cheong Chin Nam Road, Chun Tin Road, Yuk Tong Avenue & Tham Soong Avenue

In Bukit Timah, there are a number of the roads which are named after members of the Cheong family that owned land and developed residential properties in the area. These roads include Cheong Chin Nam Road and Chun Tin Road off Upper Bukit Timah Road, as well as the connecting Yuk Tong Avenue and Tham Soong Avenue. The family patriarch, Cheong Chun Tin, was the first certified Chinese practitioner of dentistry in Singapore.

Former Beauty World

Beauty World Centre was named after the former shopping and leisure destination of the same name that was located across the road. The former Beauty World had its beginnings during the Japanese Occupation as the Tai Tong Ah Sai Kai amusement park. The name “Tai Tong Ah” means Greater East Asia in Cantonese and references Imperial Japan’s concept of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

Former Ford Factory

During the battle for Singapore in February 1942, Bukit Timah was strategically important as reservoirs and vital British supply depots were located here, and the main road to the city ran through the area. The Former Ford Factory, located near the 8½ milestone of Upper Bukit Timah Road, was also the site where the British surrendered to the Japanese.

Adam Food Centre

Opened in 1974, Adam Food Centre started as a gathering of open-air food stalls located by the Bukit Timah Canal next to the A&W restaurant. To facilitate the construction of a flyover, the hawkers were moved across the road to the food centre’s present location, which was opened on 28 September 1974 by then Minister for Law Edmund W. Barker.

Cluny Court

Next to Serene Centre lies a cluster of shophouses known as Cluny Court. Constructed in 1928, these shophouses are conserved by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and feature ornate decorative elements, including fluted columns, bas-relief and patterned tiles which are distinctive of shophouses from 1900 to 1940.

Former Raffles College

Established in 1928 to commemorate the centenary of the founding of modern Singapore, the former Raffles College was Singapore's second institution of higher learning after the 1905 King Edward VII College of Medicine.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Established in 1859, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Through the years, the Gardens played significant roles in botanical science and conservation, and served as the springboard for economic and environmental change across the region.

Chia General Association

Set up in 1929, the office was relocated to Teo Hong Road in 1969. The clan’s activities include the Lunar New Year mass greeting, annual general meeting, the provision of scholarships, spring and autumn sacrificial offerings, clan ties trips, and recreational activities.

Ee Hoe Hean Club

Founded in 1895 by Hokkien community leaders, it was one of Singapore's oldest millionaire’s clubs and was the focal point of the China-oriented political movements among the Singapore Chinese before WW2.

Eng Choon Hway Kuan Singapore

Founded in 1867, it is one of the largest clan associations in Singapore with a long history.

Eng Teng Association

The Eng Teng Association of Singapore was the earliest one in Southeast Asia. In the early 20th century, as more Eng Teng immigrants moved to Singapore, the association was set up in 1918 at Neil Road to act as a focal point and a base to keep in touch with fellow clansmen.

Former Jinricksha Station

Built in 1903, it served as the administration centre for rickshaws, where many early Chinese immigrants endured harsh lives as rickshaw pullers.

Former Majestic Theatre

Built by Eu Tong Sen in 1927, it was a popular venue for Cantonese opera. After the Second World War, it was converted to a cinema. Take in the view of the tilework figures depicting opera actors and actresses on the front façade.

Former Thong Chai Medical Institution

Built in 1892 in the southern Chinese palace style, it provided free traditional Chinese medical treatment for all who came, and enjoyed a special place in the affections of the Chinese.

Former Traffic Police Building

Built in 1928 as Police Barrack, its stately presence contributes to the historic character of Maxwell Road. It is now a contemporary design museum.

Fuk Tai Chi Museum

One of the first Chinese temples in Singapore, it also functioned as an association that looked after the interests of Hakka and Cantonese immigrants.

Kong Chow Wui Koon

Kong Chow is the old name for Xinhui district in Guangdong. Set up in 1839 to provide temporary lodging for Xinhui new immigrants. It is the first clan association to open to other Chinese dialect groups, who can join in their Lion Dance Troupe, Dragon Dance Troup and Music and Opera Section, which helps to enliven the old association.

Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre

Built between 1827-1830 in memory of a Muslim saint who is interred in the town of Nagore in South India, it has a unique combination of Palladian features on the street level with Islamic balustrade above.

Nanyang See's Clan Association

After WW2, more and more See clansmen settled down in Singapore. To safeguard the clansmen’s welfare and promote a spirit of mutual support, the association was founded in 1947.

Poon Yue Association

Poon Yue is a district in Guangdong, China. This association was founded in 1879 to promote the traditional virtue of mutual help support and protection. There are six stone inscriptions in the association’s premises, which is very rare among the local clan association.

Sehnh Chua Burial Ground

In 1866, the Chua ancestors purchased a plot of land from the colonial government for the burial of Chua clan members, called Sehnh Chua Mausoleum.

Singapore Amoy Association

The association was initiated by Amoy ancestors to show their support for the war against the Japanese in Xiamen during WW2, set up in 1938 and was officially registered in 1939.

Singapore Ann Kway Association

In 1922, nine Ann Kway clansmen in Singapore proposed the formation of an Ann Kway Association to unite the local Ann Kway clansmen, and it was officially established in 1923. The premises was relocated to New Bridge Road in 1959. There are Mutual Help Section, Guzhen group, choir, Nanyin group, Chinese dance, singing class. Its activities include Lunar New Year celebrations, provision of scholarship and bursaries, Chinese traditional festivals, cultural and recreational activities, liaison with fellow clansmen and seminars.

Singapore Chin Kang Huay Kuan

Set up in 1918 at Bukit Pasoh Road, its objective was to look after the clansmen’s welfare and promote traditional Chinese culture. It has youth, women, education and welfare sections.

Singapore Gan Clan Association

Founded in 1966, Gan Clan Association is a non-profit organization with roots that dates back to the pre-war days of Singapore in 1928.

Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan

Founded in 1840, its main objectives are to promote education, provide social welfare and preserve Chinese language and culture. Set up its first school, Chong Wen Ker, in 1849, today it has 6 affiliated schools, such as Tao Nan School and Ai Tong School.

Singapore Koh Clan Association

Set up before WW2, the Koh leaders decided to revive the organization after the war to facilitate liaison among fellow clansmen. Officially registered in 1948, it was relocated to Bukit Pasoh Road in 1970s.

Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church

Built in 1924, it was the first Chinese Methodist Church in Singapore. Look out for the distinct Chinese pavilion with upturned roof eaves on its rooftop.

The Hui Lai Countrymen Association

Hui Lai is one of the ten districts of the Chaozhou prefecture. There was a fairly large number of Hui Lai clansmen in postwar Singapore. The association was set up in 1947 for the clansmen to keep in touch and work together for their welfare.

Thian Hock Keng

Thian Hock Keng is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore. The Hokkien Taoist temple was built in 1839-42 in traditional Hokkien architecture by craftsmen using materials brought from China by immigrants.

Tung On Wui Kun

Set up in 1870 by clansmen from the districts of Dong Guan and Bao An, the association is a corporate member of the Kwangtung Hui Kuan and Kwong Wai Siew Peck Theng. Its opera section is the more active among the local opera groups.

Yee Clan Association

Founded in 1929 as the Yu Shi Jia Shu (Yee Clan) Family Association, its membership was confined to Yee (Yu) clansmen from Taishan, Xinhui, Kaiping and Enping counties. Its name was changed to the Yee Clan Association in 1950. In recent years, it has actively strengthened its links with fellow clan associations abroad and injecting new blood into the organization. Activities include sacrificial offerings, anniversary, provision of scholarships, and liaison with fellow clansmen.

Ying Fo Fui Kun

Started in 1822 by the Khek/Hakka immigrants from five districts of the Jia Ying county in Guangdong province, it has the distinction of being the only clan organization which has preserved its original premises in Singapore today.

Yueh Hai Ching Temple

Built in the 1850s, it is one of the oldest Taoist temples in Singapore and an important place of worship for the Teochew community.

The River Merchants

The sculpture captures the routine lives of the merchants and labourers conducting business around the river.