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Fun fact: The Cavanagh Bridge was built in Glasgow and assembled in
Singapore in 1869.
SINGAPORE RIVER
Without its river to act as an artery
for transporting both people and
commercial cargo, Singapore’s path to
first-world status would have been very
different. More than any other waterway,
the river has defined the island’s
identity, as it still does with world-class
restaurants, cafés, bars and waterfront
housing stretching along its banks.
Explore
Frankly, not enough
people take advantage of
the bumboats that ply the
Singapore River. Which
is a shame, because
a river tour is, hands
down, the best way to
take a snapshot of the
old and new Singapore
– taking in, along the way,
Singapore’s 11 bridges:
Jiak Kim, Robertson,
Alkaff, Clemenceau,
Ord, Read, Coleman,
Elgin, Cavanagh,
Anderson and
Esplanade. Several
operators along the river
(including Singapore
River Cruise, 6336
6111) run a cruise service
so there’s really no excuse.
Along the way, take in the
dizzying skyscrapers of
Raffles Place and the
ubiquitous shophouses
of Boat Quay. Don’t
miss a visit to the Old
Parliament House,
Victoria Theatre and
Concert Hall, and the
Asian Civilisations
Museum, all of
which are located at
Empress Place.
Walk
Come dusk, when the
weather cools down,
consider a pre-dinner
stroll along the banks
of the river. Take in the
sculptured snapshots of
yesteryear scattered along
the river’s banks, before
everything around you
lights up like a Broadway
show on opening night.
Eat
In just a couple of years,
Clarke Quay has been
transformed from a
sleepy enclave of bars
and tourist shops into a
genuine entertainment
hub. The roster of
restaurant changes
can be bewilderingly
large, but reliable standbys include Jumbo
Seafood (30 Merchant
Road, #01-01/02
Riverside Point) and The
Highlander (Blk 3B The
CENTRAL
8
9
Boat Quay
Foundry, #01-11 Clarke
Quay, 6235 9528; try the
haggis and Scotch eggs).
Over at Boat Quay, book
a table on the rooftop of
Punjab Da Dhaba (46D
Boat Quay, 6538 3092)
and enjoy a cold beer with
curries from India and
Sri Lanka. Meanwhile,
Robertson Quay offers
international fare
including the gorgeous
chocolate truffles of
Laurent (#01-11 The
Pier, 80 Robertson Quay,
6235 9007).
Robertson Quay
Getting there
Raffles Place or Clarke
Quay MRT.
Bumboats on the Singapore River
The glowing Singapore River