13 beautiful historical places in Singapore
a must visit when you are in SG
Singapore is a master at “adaptive reuse”—taking old buildings and giving them a second, often more glamorous, life. Here are 13 of the most beautiful historical places that tell the story of the city’s journey from a trading post to a global hub.
1. The Fullerton Hotel (Formerly the General Post Office)
Once the “Mile Zero” from which all distances in Singapore were measured, this massive Neo-classical building was the heart of the British administration. Before it was a luxury hotel, it served as the General Post Office, a hospital during WWII, and a lighthouse. Its gray granite walls and massive Doric columns make it a masterpiece of colonial architecture.
2. Raffles Hotel
Established in 1887, this is perhaps the most famous hotel in Asia. It began as a 10-room bungalow and evolved into a colonial icon. It’s where the Singapore Sling cocktail was invented and was the last place a wild tiger was reportedly killed in Singapore (under the Billiard Room!). The gleaming white facade and tropical courtyards are the definition of “Old World” charm.
3. Fort Canning Hill (Bukit Larangan)
Known as the “Forbidden Hill,” this site was the seat of power for Malay kings in the 14th century. Later, the British built a fort and their first Government House here. It’s home to the Battlebox, the underground bunker where the decision to surrender to the Japanese was made in 1942. The lush greenery and ancient brick gates feel like a secret garden in the middle of the city.
4. Thian Hock Keng Temple
Located on Telok Ayer Street, this is the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore (built in 1839). It was originally located on the shoreline before land reclamation. Sailors and early immigrants would come here to thank Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) for a safe voyage. Remarkably, the original structure was built without using a single nail.
5. Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan)
The centerpiece of the Kampong Glam district, this mosque is famous for its massive golden domes. If you look closely at the base of the domes, you’ll see they are decorated with glass bottle ends. These were donated by the poor during its construction so that every member of the community, not just the rich, could contribute to the building.
6. Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall
This complex is a stunning example of Victorian Revival architecture. The two buildings are joined by a central Clock Tower that has become a symbol of the city’s civic district. It has played many roles: a town hall, a hospital during the war, and now a world-class venue for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
7. CHIJMES (Former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus)
What is now a popular dining and nightlife spot was once a Catholic convent and girls’ school. The star of the show is the CHIJMES Hall, a 19th-century Gothic chapel with intricate stained-glass windows and flying buttresses. The “Gate of Hope” on Victoria Street is still there—a place where unwanted babies were once left for the nuns to care for.
8. St. Andrew’s Cathedral
This is the largest cathedral in Singapore, featuring a striking white exterior. The secret to its shine is a finish called “Madras Chunam,” a mixture of egg whites, lime, sugar, and coconut husk that was polished to look like marble. It’s a brilliant example of Neo-Gothic architecture, complete with a spire that dominates the skyline.
9. Old Hill Street Police Station
You’ll recognize this building by its 927 rainbow-colored shutters. When it was built in 1934, it was Singapore’s largest government building and a “modern” police station with barracks for officers. Today, it houses government offices, but its colorful facade makes it one of the most photographed historical buildings in the country.
10. National Museum of Singapore
Opened in 1887 as the Raffles Library and Museum, this is the country’s oldest museum. It blends a 19th-century Neo-Palladian rotunda with a modern glass wing. The contrast between the old stone dome and the sleek glass structure is a perfect metaphor for Singapore itself.
11. The House of Tan Teng Niah
Located in Little India, this is the last surviving Chinese villa in the district. It was built in 1900 for the wife of a sweet-shop owner. While the architecture is traditional Chinese, it is painted in a kaleidoscopic explosion of bright colors, reflecting the vibrant energy of the surrounding Indian community.
12. Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market)
This octagonal market is a Victorian marvel made entirely of cast iron shipped over from Scotland in the 1890s. It features intricate filigree work and a clock tower that chimes every hour. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can eat cheap street food inside a protected National Monument.
13. Fort Siloso
The only preserved coastal fort in Singapore, located on the western tip of Sentosa. It gives you a “boots on the ground” look at WWII. You can explore original tunnels, bunkers, and gun emplacements. It serves as a somber reminder of the island’s military past before it became a resort.
