Orchard Road, Singapore - Istana Park

Istana Park is a small park covering an area of slightly more than a hectare (3 acres). The park is located on one end of Orchard Road and across the street from the Istana, the official residence of Singapore's president. The park is a small oasis of greenery and provides a pleasant relief for my aching feet after a long walk along Orchard Road.

Istana Park

Cobbled walkway through Istana Park

Small pond

Relaxing at the park

Orchard Road, Singapore - Poor Man's Night Out

Those on a tight budget or tightwad (like me), you don't need a lot of money to enjoy a night out in Orchard Road. Not everyone here in the evenings are emptying their wallets at an expensive restaurant or bar. The colourful lights from the signages are enough to keep you awake, at least for me.

It's a great place for people watching and there are benches to sit and watch the world pass by. There are also the occasional street entertainment. If you need a snack and drink, there are the street kiosks and you can't miss the 7-Eleven in the middle of Orchard Road. You won't be the only one doing it.

Walking along Orchard Road at night

Hanging out along the street

Night musicians

Orchard Road, Singapore - Nightlife in Orchard Road

Singapore's Orchard Road has a reasonably lively nightlife but can't compare it with the glitz of Times Square in New York City or Trafalgar Square in London. Nightlife here includes the restaurants, cafes, bars, discotheques, nightclubs and even some of the shopping centres open at night. Don't expect a raunchy clubbing scene here or a matter of fact anywhere else in Singapore. 

While most of the establishments are found along the main street, Emerald Hill is a little gem and a short walk from Orchard Road. Emerald Hill comprises of several early 20th century houses and the area has a feeling of being lost in time. These houses are now occupied by restaurants, pubs and cocktail bars and a night out here offers a more relaxed nightlife than Orchard Road.

Orchard Road at night

Taxis for hire

Strolling along Orchard Road

Night shopping at CentrePoint

A night out at a restaurant-cum-bar (right)

Orchard Road, Singapore - Going for the Brand

Orchard Road has some top of the brands in fashionable wear. Guess, Prada, Gucci, Armani, Hugo Boss, Burberry and Massimo Dutti are just a few I can remember. Some brands have their flagship stores in Singapore located here. Classy upscale shopping centres include Mandarin Gallery, The Paragon, Hilton Shopping Gallery and Palais Renaissance.

If high price brands are out of your league, then window shopping would be the next best thing and that includes me. Thinking of buying something for my wife each time I'm in Orchard Road? As usual, I give her the same lame duck excuses - forgot to bring my credit card, low on cash, store was closed for renovation and the store wouldn't let me in!

The Paragon by Sesamehoo

Window shopping at Orchard Road

More window shopping

High-priced watches at the Hour Glass

Orchard Road, Singapore - High Street Shopping

For a heavy dose of retail therapy in Singapore, then Orchard Road is the place to be. If you are not staying in the area, take the commuter train and stop at the Orchard Road MRT station. Other nearby MRT stations include Dhoby Ghaut and Somerset. At one end of Orchard Road (near the Dhoby Ghaut Station) is the 'Istana', the official residence of Singapore's President - no, you can't visit the place.

Plenty of brand name items with Italian and French sounding names - some familiar, some I have difficulty pronouncing and some I have never heard. I have lost count the number of shopping centres along Orchard Road. Among them are Ngee Ann City (where the Takashimaya department store is situated), Plaza Singapore, CentrePoint and Orchard Point. Shop till you drop in Orchard Road!

CentrePoint in Orchard Road

Walking pass CentrePoint

Orchard Point shopping centre

Takashimaya department store

Peranakan Mall

Orchard Road, Singapore - Premier Shopping Destination

Orchard Road got its name from a road that led to several fruit, nutmeg and pepper orchards and plantations in the mid-1800s. Today, Orchard Road is a 2 km (slightly more than a mile) stretch that is Singapore's retail hub and premier shopping district. The stretch is also a major nightspot, a popular destination for dining and occupied by several 3 to 5-star hotels. 

Touristy, too commercialised, over-developed, over energised (may be age is creeping on me) and crowded but what the heck, if you haven't been to Orchard Road then you haven't been to Singapore! Orchard Road is well known for its high-street shopping but there are a few department stores selling items in the mid-price range. Great bargains await for those during the sales period.

Orchard Road around 1900 by G. R. Lambert & Company

Orchard Road today

Takashimaya Department Store

Fashion boutique 

Nightlife along Orchard Road