Monday, November 23, 2009

Singapore River

The Singapore River is the most famous river and one of the 90 rivers in Singapore with historical importance. The Singapore River runs from Central Area, which lie in Central Region in southern part of Singapore and join in ocean. The upper watershed of Singapore River is Singapore River Planning Area, the northernmost part of the watershed becomes River Valley. The Central Area is treated as a central business district, nearly all land surrounding it is commercial. This is the place where Raffles made trading port in Singapore.

The riverside is accessed by MRT Raffles Place which is North-South/East-West Lines and Clarke Quay North-East Line stations. The nearest station to the Marina district is City Hall, attached by lengthy underground shopping mall to Suntec and Esplanade. There is no convenient MRT station for western end of the river. We have to hike on foot for 15 minutes for the bus, or get on a bumboat.

A popular way to see the heart of city is with Singapore River Cruises. Stations are scattered along both banks of river and reservations are not needed. The cost of travel is $3 from one side to another side of river. The Esplanade/Merlion/Boat Quay area has some great views of Singapore and makes for a fine walk or jogging. It is moderately hot on day, evenings are cooler, and the night time skyline is regularly pretty.

The Singapore chronological attraction is packed by river and the best place to start your tour is at the mouth of the Singapore River. Several important government buildings and places of worship dating back to the 19th century still survive, and provide a rare glimpse into the city's colonial past.


The Merlion in Merlion Park is Singapore official symbol which is 8.6 meters tall and weighing 70 tons, spouts water daily on the south bank of the mouth of the Singapore river.The statue is designed by Singapore Tourist Promotion Board in 1964.

Cavenagh Bridge is Singapore oldest bridge and it is constructed in 1869, which is a pedestrian walkway across the mouth of the Singapore River. Raffles Statue is the statue of Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, is built on the exact spot where he first landed. The statue is actually a replica and original is found in front of the Victoria Theatre.

Asian Civilisations Museum is one of Singapore's newest, largest and best-presented museums. As the name all Asia is enclosed in extent and there is an emphasis on the cultures near and in Singapore. Mint Museum of Toys is house of 50,000 toy collection of local enthusiast Chang Yang Fa. These five-story buildings covers come from 25 countries and span over a century of "Moments of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys". Peranakan Museum is before a branch of the ACM, now it is a standalone museum dedicated to the exuberantly colorful culture of the Peranakans, the Malay-Chinese and Malay-Indian traders who had a major impact on the Straits Settlements.

Esplanade Theatres is the two-lobed spiky Singaporean version intentionally stands a resemblance to the durian, a tropical fruit related to jackfruit which is notorious for its sharp odour. Opera, dance, classical concerts and similar entertainment are offered daily. Prices for the main entertainment start from $20-30 for poor seats, up to over a $100 for good ones. For the traveler on a budget, there are usually free on the outdoor riverside stage on weekends.

Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall is built by British in the 19th century, this was Singapore premier arts centre until the Esplanade came and stole the limelight. Raffles statue in front dates to 1887, and the People's Action Party was founded here in 1954, as commemorated with a plaque showing a very young-looking Lee Kuan Yew.

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