The Singapore River is a three kilometre river which runs from the Central Area all the way to the Marina Bay area before terminating at the sea. The river is steeped in history and culture, as well as an important factor of Singapore’s thriving economy and tourism industry. The mouth of the Singapore River used to be the Port of Singapore and because of this, it became the historic centre of trade and commerce for the city itself. The area around the mouth is now known as the Downtown Core, one of the most economically significant places in the whole of Singapore.

River Cruise along the Singapore River

One of the best things to do along the Singapore River is to hire a river taxi or cruise and head down the infamous former trade route down or up the river. You will see the river swarming with these small boats, full of tourists who want to witness the aquatic angle of the sights to see along the river. They are relatively cheap too, and cost just $5-$10 on average for admission, with most travelling the entire distance of the river, and stopping four or five times on the way, allowing passengers to leave and come aboard as they see fit.

Entertainment at Clarke Quay

There are many sights to see along the river, as well as plenty of things to do. Clarke Quay is a shopping mall with a difference: alongside plenty of shops and restaurant, there is also a range of entertainment and events on offer, with something for everyone. Additionally, with over 150 shops and boutiques located in proximity to Clarke Quay, it really is a one-stop shop for anything you might need to buy. Or, for the more culturally inclined, check out the Singapore Repertory Theatre. It is located nearby to St. Andrew’s Cathedral and there is always a large showcase of the best theatre that Singapore has to offer, from musicals and family friendly performances, to hard hitting drama and historical plays. There are a number of theatres in Singapore but none quite matches the level of the SRT and its prime location along the Singapore River.

Dining at Clarke Quay

If its fine dining and drinks you are after, the Singapore River is the perfect place. There a wide range of restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs along the riverside itself but for something unique, have a meal at one of the old Chinese ‘Tongkang’ boats which have been refurbished into restaurants, floating on the river. This is a truly unique experience and one which you would be hard pushed to find anywhere else. Clarke Quay, as mentioned before, is a hub for nightlife, with trendy bars and clubs for you to party the night away inside. Boat Quay also has a range of restaurants and bars for you to enjoy.

Cycle along the Singapore River

If travelling along the river by boat is not possible or if you would rather stay active and at your own pace, then there are a number of places to rent bicycles from. The main rental services are Obike and Mobike but some hotels, like the Furama RiverFront Hotel for example, offer free bicycles for rent when you stay there. This allows you to not only explore the river by bike, but also the rest of the city.

The Merlion

Another sight you may encounter as you travel up and down the river is the famous and iconic Merlion statue. It is located in an area known as Merlion Park and is widely known as the symbol of Singapore. The lion is the national animal of Singapore and the half-fish part of the statue is representative of the aquatic and naval presence of Singapore as not only a port of trade but one of the most valued island city-states in the world. The Merlion statue is one of the most popular tourist sights in Singapore and is definitely worth checking out, especially at night when the park is beautifully lit up.

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles Landing Site

If history is your passion, then it is definitely worth checking out the Raffles Landing Site. Situated near Boat Quay, it supposedly marks the place where Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles first set foot in Singapore, back in 1819. It was Raffles’ aim to establish Singapore as a powerful trading hotspot and British port that stood out from a lot of the neighbouring ports, which were primarily owned by the Dutch. This is an important part of Singaporean history and one which is frequently visited by tourists and locals alike. Make sure you bring your camera as there are plenty of great photographs to be taken here, as well as an enriching and deep insight into the origins of Singapore and the man who essentially set it up to be the popular city and trading hub that it is today.

Marina Bay Area

The other two landmarks worth seeing in your journeys along the Singapore River are the Esplanade (above) and Marina Bay Sands (below). The Esplanade is Singapore’s top theatre and centre for performing arts. It covers 60,000 square meters and is one of the largest performing arts centres in the world. You can take part in activities, workshops and exhibitions, as well as watching performances, from innovative dance shows to more traditional plays and performances. Meanwhile, Marina Bay Sands, which is located in the titular Marina Bay area, is a resort which, even if you don’t spend any time there, is worth marvelling at the stunning architecture. There are three large towers with a hectare roof terrace with bars and an infinity pool.

There is so much to see and do along the Singapore River, whether it be fine dining in a local quay, travelling along the river by boat or bike, or checking out a performance at one of Singapore’s top theatres, there is plenty to do for people of all ages.