Lithobates

Canada - 18-Aug-24 -

Visit date(s):       October 1, 2023

Nearby sites on trip: Singapore Botanic Gardens

Overnight location: Chinatown, between Maxwell and Tanjong Pagar MRT stations

Locations (Entered the National Gallery and Asian Civilizations Museum):

• St. Andrew’s Cathedral
• former City Hall and Supreme Court (currently National Gallery Singapore)
• the Padang itself
• old Parliament House (currently Arts House, see photo)
• former Town Hall and Victoria Memorial Hall (currently Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, to left in photo)
• former Empress Place (currently Asian Civilizations Museum)

Travel method(s):  MRT and foot

Travel duration:  30 minutes to area

Visit duration:  half day

OUV:  The application mentions the George Town, Malaysia part of the Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca UNESCO site as a comparison property. We happened to have walked through both areas only a few weeks apart, on the same trip, so we have compared them.  Overall, the buildings and Padang in Singapore are larger than in George Town, but the populations of the cities themselves echo this, so it isn’t surprising.  Each has water close to one side, some buildings on other sides, large open space and some treed space.  The styles are noticeably, but subtly different.  The Singapore buildings have a very British look, while the Malaysian ones, even though, they have similar scale, have features that are local, such as open galleries, SE Asian roof shapes or decorative features.  The Straits of Malacca site encompasses a much larger area of the city. There are buildings, such as the old post office and police station in Singapore that have historical interest and could be included if the scope was widened. Overall, it is a worthy property.

Best of:   The repurposing of the colonial buildings into arts and cultural spaces has maintained original elements while adding more modern accessibility and climate control.  Streetscapes have been retained, giving a feel for how it looked at the time.  Although it isn’t on the Padang, the old post office, now the Fullerton hotel, is another beautifully repurposed building, with its own mini museum.

Worst of:  Wandering around in the humid heat!

Zoë Sheng

Chinese-Canadian - 29-Jul-24 -

It's hard to miss out on "City Hall" MRT stop and see any of these buildings. I made the mistake of going on a Sunday which means every ayi/maid (which is usually Filipino) hangs out at this area a bit like they hang around at buildings and malls in HK. After avoiding the large crowds you can get less people near the Former City Hall where most people just take pictures before moving on. After all these old buildings are "famous" and even sometimes have history described at their base. I didn't get a list or wrote down places as I made my way out of the metro but if that's more your way of exploring then you can do this way.

I made my way from the MRT towards the merlion statue just southeast which means minimal walking and you definitely want to see the statue too as you are already here. I even continued to the Gardens by the Bay but that is a bit of a walk and I don't think it's on everyone's itinerary.

As soon as you step out of the MRT you'll see plenty of buildings including the Armenian church which may be included in the WHS, but you'll see at least one that is and even then I think the general idea of old buildings being around here is what gives it purpose not the exact ones and where they are. As long as you are not sucked in by malls and skyscrapers you should easily have these places on your radar.