Fort Canning Park

Overview

Fort Canning Park is a lush hilltop park steeped in over 700 years of Singapore's history — where 14th-century Malay kings held court, where the British built a fort, and where Singapore fell to Japan in 1942.

Highlights

• Battlebox: The underground bunker where the British decided to surrender to Japan on 15 February 1942.
• Spice Garden: A recreation of the botanical garden established by Raffles in 1822.
• Archaeological Dig: Ongoing excavations have unearthed 14th-century artefacts from the ancient Kingdom of Singapura.

History

Known as 'Bukit Larangan' (Forbidden Hill) to the Malays, the hill was the seat of the ancient Malay kings. The British built Fort Canning here in 1860. Today it hosts outdoor concerts and festivals.

Visitor Tips

• Morning Walk: The shaded paths are ideal for a morning walk before the heat.
• Instagram Tunnel: The tree-covered archway on the spiral staircase is a famous photo spot.
• Duration: 1 hour.