The fascinating history of Singapore unfolds before you as you stroll through the leafy, rolling beauty of this city-centre parkland.
Rising up from Singapore’s bustling central business district is a hilly parkland oasis which, for centuries, has played a variety of important roles in the city’s history. Malay kings, British generals and even touring rock bands have all made use of Fort Canning Park and, to this day, it retains a special place in the heart of the city.A stroll through the tranquil green lawns and beautiful gardens of this historic park is a great way to escape the noise and activity of this busy metropolis but it is also a fascinating tour through some of the city’s most notable landmarks.For Singapore residents Fort Canning Park’s main purpose is recreational, and you’ll see locals walking its winding paths, verdant lawns and rolling hills every day of the week. Crowds also flock here to catch the regular concerts put on in the open-air amphitheatre.An excellent way of discovering Fort Canning’s historical significance is to take the guided Heritage on the Hill tour, one of three free guided tours offered daily by the park authorities. You’ll see archaeological sites, the tomb of a former Malay monarch as well as numerous colonial artefacts. The most striking reminders of Britain’s colonial rule here are the “Battle Box” World War II bunker, where the army had their headquarters before the Japanese invasion, and Sir Stamford Raffles bungalow, complete with cannons, officer quarters and a gunpowder store.The tour will also bring you to the Keramat Iskander Shah burial site, final resting place of the last Malay ruler of Singapore. The other tours focus more on the park’s wonderful flora, from the fragrant plants of the spice garden to the wide variety of towering trees which dot the area.Fort Canning Park is a short walk from the centre of Singapore, close to the Orchard Road shopping district. It is well served by public transport and there is also parking available on nearby Percival Road.
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