This is a record of my DIY (Do It Yourself) tour covering Orchard Rd and surrounding areas.
To prepare for the trip to Singapore Botanic Gardens and Orchard Rd, carry cash, a smartphone with power and data, wear comfortable clothing suitable for hot weather, sun shades, hats, anti-uv umbrella, apply sun block, insect repellant, carry a small backpack to hide plastic bags, food and water, just in case you meet monkeys.
We are starting the journey at Exit A MRT CC19 DT9 Botanic Gardens Station. The journey will end at Exit D MRT NS24 NE6 CC1 Dhoby Ghaut Station. Feel free to follow my journey in a way that suits your health condition, fitness level, and pace, to explore and capture your fond memories of Singapore.
Orchard Rd is 2.2 km long. Starting at the junction of Tanglin Rd and Orange Grove Rd to end at Dhoby Ghaut. Orchard Rd got its name from the orchards and Nutmeg plantations that existed in the area since 1830s until the turn of the 20th century.
Home to numerous high-end shopping malls like ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City, Paragon, and Plaza Singapura, Orchard Rd offers a wide range of international and local brands. For more budgeted shopping, go to Far East Plaza and Lucky Plaza. Lucky Plaza is also known as Little Manila as Fillipinos love to gather, shop, do business and socialize there. For golfing equipment, go to Far East Shopping Centre.
Orchard Rd has many dining options, from high-end restaurants and cafes to affordable eateries and food courts. For more affordable meals, go to Orchard Towers basement, Lucky Plaza Basement and 6th floor and Cuppage Plaza 1st floor.
Orchard Rd has many nightlife venues such as bars, clubs, lounges, and cinemas.
The Orchard Rd tour includes heritage buildings, unusual architectures, statues, sculptures, water fountains and more.
The Orchard Rd tour is not just about shopping and nightlife. You can play arcade games, go bowling, or do some rock climbing, do an obstacle course or do some real smashing! Want to solve some mysteries and escape from the mudane? Escape rooms are waiting for you too! If you are tired of summer thrills and want to have some winter fun, the Orchard Rd tour offers snowboarding and skiing.
If the above is not enough, the Orchard Rd tour begin with a visit to a UNESCO's World Heritage site and before the end of the tour, pass by the gates of a palace! If you come at the right time, you can even observe the passing of the guards or even visit the palace grounds.
Warning: No Smoking or Flying Drones or Model Aircraft in The Botanic Gardens or at Orchard Rd or you risk a heavy fine.
Note: No Cycling, Skateboarding, Skating or Scootering at the Botanic Gardens or you will be asked to leave the garden.
Note: Only certain areas of the Botanic Gardens allow dogs.
Click here to read the Singapore Botanic Gardens' Visitor Guidelines.
1) Start the Journey at Exit A MRT CC19 DT9 Botanic Gardens Station
We are starting our journey at Exit A MRT CC19 DT9 Botanic Gardens Station.
Start the Journey at Exit A MRT CC19 DT9 Botanic Gardens Station.
To view a charming heritage building that was built in 1928, make a U-turn to see 50 Cluny Court behind the MRT Exit.
2) 50 Cluny Court
Originally a girls' school that was built during the colonial era, in 1928. These shophouses have been awarded conservation status by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. It has beautifully fluted columns, bas-relief and patterned tiles that are unique to shophouses from 1900 to 1940.
50 Cluny Court.
Walk back to Exit A CC19 DT9 Botanic Gardens CC19 DT9 MRT Station, with your back facing it. If you have already ate your meal and have drinks with you, then turn right to enter Bukit Timah Gate at Singapore Botanic Gardens. If you need a meal and drinks then walk straight to take the lift on your left to the 2nd floor to cross the overhead bridge and walk left a bit to Adam Food Centre.
3) Turn right to enter the Botanic Gardens or walk straight to take the lift on your left to the 2nd floor.
Turn right to enter the Botanic Gardens or walk straight to take the lift on your left to the 2nd floor.
4) Cross the overhead bridge at Dunearn Rd and go down the stairs
Cross the overhead bridge at Dunearn Rd and go down the stairs.
Walk straight from the stairs and follow the covered walkway for a short while to the Adam Food Centre.
5) Adam Food Centre
Adam Food Centre.
Click here to get suggestions on what to eat at Adam Food Centre.
After having a good meal and having some takeaway drinks, walk back and cross the overhead bridge, or follow signs if you lost your way, back to Bukit Timah Gate at Singapore Botanic Gardens and explore.
Below are the animals and birds I have seen at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. There are signs saying there are otters and monkeys, however, I have yet to see them, but be prepared for them. Maybe they are just wondering visitors.
6) Two roosters at the Nassim Gate Visitor Centre
Two roosters at the Nassim Gate Visitor Centre.
7) Black Swans at Eco-Lake
Black Swans at Eco-Lake.
8) Monitor Lizards at the Gallop Extension
Monitor Lizard at the Gallop Extension.
Monitor Lizard at the Gallop Extension.
9) Squirrel showing us what blowpipes are actually for at the Ethnobotany Garden
Squirrel showing us what blowpipes are actually for at the Ethnobotany Garden.
10) Turtles at the Ethnobotany Garden and Ginger Garden
Turtle at the Ethnobotany Garden.
Turtle at the Ginger Garden.
11) Snail at Hoya House
Please look out for snails and try not to step on them. Without the shell's protection, the snail may die very horribly.
Snail at Hoya House.
Note: Refer to the Singapore Botanic Gardens Map. We are starting at Bukit Timah Gate and we are exiting at Tanglin Gate to end our trip at Singapore Botanic Gardens.
12) Bukit Timah Gate at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Click here to view the operating hours for the various parts of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Click here to view and download the Singapore Botanic Gardens Map.
Click here to view and download the Singapore Botanic Gardens Maps and Brochures.
Click here to view and download the Singapore Botanic Gardens sculptures location.
Click here to view operating hours of eating places and shops at Singapore Botanic Gardens.
You can use the above links to access information to plan where you want to visit and when you want to visit as some places closes early. With the above information and my suggested places to visit, I hope you will have a very happy and memorable time.
Bukit Timah Gate at Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Bukit Timah Gate at Singapore Botanic Gardens.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens was incribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 4 July 2015.
