Fort Canning Park, Singapore

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After some hours in Singapore's shopping center you will probably feel for some relaxing. Then you either have the Botanic Garden, or the Fort Canning Park.

The park is situated in between Orchard Road and the Singapore river, meaning it's as central as it can be - and also huge. It gives a nice historical view over Singapore, also the early years, 700 years back.

For me it was a very nice afternoon, just walking around inside the park and look at everything from Sir Stamford Raffles early spice garden to the monuments from the World War II. You don't really need to read up on anything before you go there, even if it will give you a better understanding about what you're actually looking at.

Both the brittish and later the japanese armies used the hill as the headquarter during the war, which you can see on different monuments and buildings. The cannons have never been used though.
But also if you're not so much into the history of the country and the park it's just wonderful to just walk around inside the park and look at beautiful flowers and trees.

Just don't do as me and forget to bring water. It's hot there in the middle of the day. Very hot.

The view from the park is quite nice from some points, you'll see the skyscrapers far away. Unfortunately the best viewing point is taken by the military, who are using the highest hill as their own private garden.

Entrance is free. Don't miss (well, you can't really miss them) the two cool gates where you enter the park.

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The Battle Box is an underground bunker on Fort Canning Hill where the General Percival decided that he would surrender to the invading Japanese army. The bunker is very cool because of it’s depth. Photography is not allowed. One can get there by the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station then walk through the Park Place Mall to Fort Canning Hill. There is an admission charge. The admission ticket looks like a ration card, which is stamped by the ticket office (like an immigration/customs officer does).

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This hill overlooks the colonial area of Singapore and is said to be the site where the pre-colonial Malay leaders of Singapore were buried. The site was converted into a fort by the British and now is a park with historical sites and a few museums.

WOMAD happens once a year at the Fort. It was the first time I've being but it seem like it's a big deal for the locals. WOMAD is the World of Music and Dance festival that draws musics from across the world, and people across Asian.

To be honest, it was my scene. Nevertheless it was a great excuse (like I needed one) to drink and party myself senseless.

From the hisotry walk that begins off the Clark Quay entrance, to the Spice Gardens, archeology dig in the middle, and old cemetary lawn, Ft. Canning Park is a great way to get an idea of where Singapore came from and how it has shaped the rest of the city.

A beautiful walk in it's own right, with plenty of diversions along the way. It's a kind of showcase of the diversity that is Singapore.

The Battle Box isn't vast and doesn't take a long time to see but it is interesting (provided of course that this kind of thing interests you). The original structure is intact and scenes have been recreated inside to replicate life as it was there in the time leading up to the Japanese invasion of Singapore. There are waxworks of the British commanding officers and reconstructions of meetings leading to the decision to surrender to the Japanese.

If you can, and if you are interested in learning more about these events, try to speak to the Battle Box boss - an Indian gentleman called Mr Naidu. He is obviously very knowledgeable about this period of Singapore's history and talks passionately about the subject.