Orchard Road: A Shopping Street Guide | Singapore Purple Travel Guide
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Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel GuideOrchard Road is the iconic 1.4-mile (2.2-kilometer) shopping and entertainment boulevard of Singapore. It is recognized globally as one of the premier retail streets in Asia. Lined with massive international malls, luxury flagship stores, and high-end hotels, this bustling thoroughfare represents the epitome of the consumer culture and economic prosperity of Singapore.
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.
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Why You Should Visit
Even if you do not intend to shop, walking the length of Orchard Road is essential to experience the high-fashion and high-energy side of the city. The architecture of the malls is a spectacle in itself; for example, ION Orchard features a futuristic glass facade that glows with shifting colors at night. If you visit between November and early January, you will witness the ‘Christmas on A Great Street’ light-up, where the entire boulevard is transformed into a world-class display of festive decorations and massive light installations.
What is Special About It?
- The Underground City: Orchard Road is unique because much of its retail space is actually subterranean. Many of the malls are connected by a vast network of air-conditioned underground walkways and tunnels, allowing you to walk for nearly 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) entirely underground while passing hundreds of shops and eateries.
- The Landmark C.K. Tang: Historically, the street began its transformation into a retail hub because of the C.K. Tang Department Store. Opened in 1958, the building was famous for its distinctive green Chinese-style roof and red columns. The original owner, Tang Choon Keng, chose the site specifically because it faced the Teochew cemetery across the street, which he believed would bring ‘good fortune’.
- Emerald Hill: Located just off the main road is Emerald Hill Road, a former residential area for wealthy Peranakans (Straits Chinese). It features rows of beautifully conserved terrace houses that provide a stark, quiet contrast to the modern glass skyscrapers of the main shopping belt.
History and Facts
- From Fruit to Fashion: As the name suggests, the road was named after the nutmeg, pepper, and fruit orchards that covered the area until the mid-19th century. In the late 1840s, a mysterious blight destroyed the nutmeg plantations, leading the owners to sell the land. The area then evolved into a residential district for colonial officials.
- The Cemetery Site: Many of the most famous malls, including Ngee Ann City (which houses the Takashimaya department store), are built on the former site of the Tai Shan Ting Chinese cemetery. The graves were exhumed in the 1950s to make way for the commercial development that you see today.
- The Istana: At the eastern end of Orchard Road lies the Istana, which is the official residence and office of the President of Singapore. This 106-acre (43-hectare) estate was once a nutmeg plantation before it was converted into a government house in 1867.
Self-Guided Information
Category |
Details |
|---|---|
Opening Hours |
Most major malls open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Some supermarkets and food courts may open as early as 8:30 AM. |
Admission Fee |
It is Free to walk the street and explore the public areas of the malls. |
Best Time to Go |
Visit at 11:00 AM to avoid the lunchtime crowds or at 7:30 PM to see the street fully illuminated by neon signs and festive lights. |
Getting There |
The street is served by three main MRT stations: Orchard (NS22/TE14), Somerset (NS23), and Dhoby Ghaut (NS24/NE6/CC1). |
Accessibility |
The entire boulevard is designed for high foot traffic and is fully accessible with ramps, street-level elevators, and wide pavements. |
Traveler Tip
You should look for the traditional ‘ice cream uncles’ stationed along the sidewalks. For approximately S$1.50, you can try a local favorite: a block of ice cream wrapped in a slice of colorful, sweet bread or served between two wafers. You should also visit the Library@Orchard, located inside the Orchard Gateway mall; it is one of the most beautiful public libraries in the world and offers a quiet sanctuary with a view of the street.
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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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