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Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Copyrighted free use
Singapore's oldest bridge and its only suspension bridge, constructed in 1869, now a pedestrian walkway across the mouth of the Singapore River. Note the original sign forbidding cattle to cross.
Cavenagh Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that spans across the Singapore River. Located near the river's mouth in the Downtown Core Planning Area of Singapore's Central Area, it is the oldest bridge in Singapore that exists in its original form. Opened in November 1869 to commemorate Singapore's Crown colony of the Straits Settlements status in 1867, the bridge's steel structure was created in and imported from Glasgow, Scotland. It was designed by chief engineer George Chancellor Collyer and consulting engineer Rowland Mason Ordish.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Housed in the historic Empress Place Building, this is one of Singapore's newest, largest and best-presented museums. As the name hints, all of Asia is covered in the scope, although naturally there is an emphasis on the cultures near and in Singapore. Also hosts visiting exhibitions.
Built by the British in the 19th century, this was Singapore's premier arts centre until the Esplanade came and stole the limelight. It still hosts various smaller events that can't fit in (or afford) the Esplanade. History buffs may also want to do a detour: the 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.
A pagoda commemorating Lim Bo Seng, a World War II hero. Lim was part of Force 136, a British intelligence operation that was established to aid indigenous resistance movements in Japanese-occupied territory. After being arrested by the Japanese Kempeitai (secret police), Lim refused to divulge any information about his comrades despite being tortured by the Japanese, and died in prison in 1944 at the age of 35.
Singapore's official symbol, 8.6 metres tall and weighing 70 tons, spouts water daily on the south bank of the mouth of the Singapore river. (The statue previously stood further down the river, but was moved in 2002 after the opening of the Esplanade Bridge.) Designed by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board in 1964, many a commentator has pondered on the inherent contradictions of a creature that is half-cat, half-fish. Any time of night or day, a steady stream of tourists troops up to see the mythical beast, and a purpose-built pier lets you take pictures with the Merlion and the CBD in the background. When paying your respects, don't miss the bite-sized Mini-Merlion (officially the "Merlion cub"), a mere 2 m tall, 28 m away towards the bridge.
A statue of Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, is built on the (supposed) exact spot where he first landed. Second only to the Merlion as most popular place in Singapore to take a picture of yourself, and having the skyscrapers and the shop houses of Boat Quay in the background helps to explain why! The statue here is a replica; the original can be found in front of the Victoria Theatre.
Cavernous two-floor gym packed with equipment. Busy in the evenings, but come here in the afternoon or weekend and you'll have the place to yourself.