©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd 46

Colonial District, Marina Bay & the Quays

Neighbourhood Top Five 1 Asian Civilisations 2 4 National Museum of Museum (p48) Admir- (p51) Leaping into a sci-fi (p52) Time trav- ing Southeast Asia’s finest future at Singapore’s spec- elling through Singapore’s collection of pan-Asian tacular botanic garden. history at this engrossing treasures while discovering 3 Marina Bay Sands (p53) museum. the historical connections Pondering Singaporean 5 among the cultures of Asia. ambition from the top of (p53) Exploring the colour- one of the world’s greatest saturated culture of the engineering feats. Peranakans.

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For more detail of this area see Map p202 and p204 A 47 Lonely Planet’s Explore: Colonial District, Marina Top Tip Bay & the Quays Many of Singapore’s museums offer free tours, This is the heart of Singapore: a showcase of grand which run on a first-come- colonial buildings, modern architectural marvels, su- first-served basis, and some perlative museums and parks, and pulsating riverside Distri Colonial also sell combined tickets restaurants, bars and clubs. that will save you a few The City Hall MRT station bolts the neighbourhood bucks. Most bars in the area together and is a perfect starting point. Wander north- have happy-hour specials west along Stamford Rd towards the museums. Head in from 5pm to 8pm or 9pm. the opposite direction for booming Marina Bay, home of During these hours, drinks Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and Esplanade are either buy-one-get-one- – Theatres on the Bay. Around City Hall MRT itself are free or heavily discounted. the iconic edifices of colonialism, among them Raffles c Several bars and clubs run Bay Quays & the t, Marina Hotel and St Andrew’s Cathedral. weekly ‘Ladies Nights’ – Further south are the three riverside quays, best saved usually on Wednesday – for night-time. You’ll find a few quality drinking dens where women enjoy free among the touristy bars at Boat Quay, no shortage of entry and, sometimes, free party people at raucous Clarke Quay, and a more grown- booze (sorry boys). up crowd at Roberston Quay. Rising behind Clarke Quay is idyllic Fort Canning Park. 1 Best Local Life Sights ¨¨National Gallery ¨Foreign enclaves Eat, drink and shop Yangon-style Singapore (p50) at Peninsula Plaza (p66), Singapore’s unofficial Little ¨¨Gardens by the Bay (p51)  Burma and hub frequented by the city-state’s influx of ¨¨National Museum of migrant workers. Singapore (p52) ¨Get moving Strap on your running shoes and join ¨¨Asian Civilisations locals for an early morning walk or jog through Marina Museum (p48) Bay. The loop around the bay area is about 3.5km long; you can extend your walk by heading into the Quays. For reviews, see p53.A ¨ The ‘green roof’ of Marina Barrage (p55) is a popular hang-out for Singaporean families, love-struck couples and kite enthusiasts. The curva- 5 Best Places ceous strip of lawn offers breathtaking views of the city to Eat skyline and the Strait of Singapore. For the full effect, ¨¨National Kitchen by head here just before sunset. Violet Oon (p58) ¨¨Odette (p59) ¨¨Artichoke (p58) Getting There & Away ¨¨Gluttons Bay (p58) ¨MRT The MRT is centred on City Hall, an interchange For reviews, see p58.A station that’s also connected via underground malls towards the Esplanade, from where you can cut across to Marina Bay. (East–West Line) is the 6 Best Places next stop for the Quays. The Bayfront MRT (Downtown to Drink Line) serves Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and ¨¨Smoke and Mirrors (p61) Fort Canning. ¨¨Lantern (p62) ¨Bus The area is well connected by bus. Key stops ¨¨28 HongKong St (p61) are outside and outside St Andrew’s ¨ Cathedral along North Bridge Rd. Bus 2 takes you down ¨Ronin (p62) Victoria and Hill Sts. Buses 51, 61, 63 and 80 go along For reviews, see p61.A North Bridge Rd. For Beach Rd, take buses 100, 107 or 961. Along Bras Basah Rd, take buses 14, 16, 77 or 111.