If you are an Asian history buff be sure to add Singapore to your bucket list of must see destinations! This uniquely multicultural island city-state is a shining modern metropolis, but there are plenty of reminders of its storied past to feast your eyes upon! The Europeans who settled there in the early 19th century erected some of the grandest architectural monuments to be found in any world city. The Lion City is also the home of many major world religions so there are a plethora of fascinating spiritual sites to see including breathtaking temples and inspiring mosques. The Asian influence is also on display across Singapore, with its fascinating intricate designs and vibrant colours sparkling under the tropical sun!
Once you fly into the convenient and world class Changi airport you can be whisked away to your 5 star hotel in Singapore where you will experience the grace and charm of centuries of hospitality. Once you have settled into your exquisitely luxurious room, it’s time to put on your walking shoes, grab your camera, and embark on an exciting journey through time as you experience the marvels of Singapore’s amazing multicultural history! There is so much to see, but we will share some of our favourites with you to get you started!
Chinatown – Sir Stamford Raffles placed the Chinese Campong west of the Singapore River in 1843. Now a vibrant Chinatown, you can visit the architectural delights of the fantastically intricate and colourful Thian Hock Keng, a venerable Hokkien temple. Then step into the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum for more amazing ancient Chinese architecture and culture. If all that admiring of the beauty of Asian art makes you hungry, you have the great fortune of being in one of the world’s most delicious centres for Chinese as well as Indian gastronomical delights, there are hundreds of excellent restaurants and street food stalls to choose from!
Old Parliament House – This splendid Neo-Palladian mansion is the oldest building in the city. It was constructed as a private residence in 1827, but was soon turned into a courthouse. Over the course of the 20th century, the building served Singapore’s Supreme Court, then became the Legislative Assembly House, followed by a stint as the Parliament House which lasted until 1999 when the new parliament building replaced it. The venerable structure is now open to the public as an arts centre where visitors can walk the time-steeped corridors and view educational permanent exhibitions featuring the lives of Singapore’s famed historical figures.
Sun Yat-Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall – In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries famed Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-Sen led a revolt against the Qing dynasty. He then became the first president of the new People’s Republic and was considered to be the Father of the Nation until the communists threw him out and he founded a Chinese nation in exile in Taiwan. This beautiful colonial-style villa was used as a base for many of the Yat-Sen rebellion’s strategic activities. It is now a museum that displays artefacts from the revolution.
We have only scratched the surface of Singapore’s wealth of fascinating historical sites, so come see them for yourself, it’s an experience not to be missed!