Orchard Road, the island’s most famous shopping district, is also an arts hub that is little known to others.

There are a few MRT stations in Orchard Road, namely, Orchard (North-South Line), Somerset (North-South Line) and Dhoby Ghaut stations (North-South/North-East Line interchange). It is not difficult to find these stations crowded with people, especially during weekends. It is also not difficult to find basking artistes performing along Orchard Road (usually along the stretch outside Ngee Ann City and Wisma Atria).


percussionists basking along Orchard Road, which Reny enjoys

Apart from baskers, there are often various exhibitions along the pedestrian walkway, such as photo and painting gallery.

Near Somerset MRT station, you should be able to see the HUGE words of Singapore Visitors Centre. Do pop in for more information, maps and brochures!


you can also get them at various hotels/hostels and museums

Further down the road is the Peranakan Place, a conserved masterpiece of heritage architect in the Peranakan style. It is now a mix of upscale residences with renovated shophouses doubling as bars and restaurants. Ying Tong is guilty of having visited this place many times yet not knowing the history behind it.


the Peranakan Place

Continue walking, and you will reach a hawker centre that sells great Char Kway Teow! Do try it, it is really great! Ying Tong adores it a lot!

After the satisfying Char Kway Teow, continue walking towards Plaza Singapura (PS). It is also a popular shopping area for the youngsters, but this is not the point. The point is, behind PS is the Cathay Building. It is home to the Picturehouse that showcases a wide range of films, from local to European, from documentaries to musicals. Suhartono thinks the Cathay has many shops that sell cool stuff too!


the Cathay at night

Behind the Cathay is the Sinema Old School, which is the first and only high-definition cinema that is solely devoted to Singapore films, in hopes of further developing Singapore’s young film industry.

So it is accommodation time again!

There are a few good deals around town, such as the YMCA International House (from S$30) near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. It is just next to the National Museum of Singapore and within walking distance of the popular Plaza Singapura.

Hangout @ Mt Emily (from S$35) is a stylish little hotel-cum-hostel, near the Istana. It claims to be Singapore’s best kept secret!



If you find it a hassle to plan your itinerary, try this Uniquely Singapore website which plans the itinerary for you!

Or you want to just join a city tour, sit back and relax, you can check out the Duck and Hippo tours (Tel: 6338-6877)! They offer Heritage Ducktour, Heritage Hippotour, Sentosa Rhino tours and more! Purchase the Singapore Pass or the Singapore Sightseeing Pass for better deals! You can find out more at the Singapore Visitor Centre.


Hippotour


Did you know?
Orchard Road derived its name from the nutmeg, pepper and fruit plantations found here in 19th century.