Raffles Place, once known as Raffles Square back in 1822, has alway been a well-known commercial district. It has grown from a bustling place filled with godowns and stores to be the vibrant heart of modern Singapore’s business and financial centre.
But did you also know that under the shiny skyscrapers lies a rich cultural heritage filled with art and iconic architectural landmarks? If learning more about Singapore’s history is up your alley, then you’re in luck: Raffles Place Alliance presents two audio tours – the Heritage and Art Tours – to help visitors explore the area through the lens of art and history.
The Heritage Tour, narrated by musician Tim De Cotta and audio-producer Carisa An-Yi Davies, focuses mainly on the history of Raffles Place and its monumental locations. The tour covers five colour-coded zones and starts near the Singapore River. Visitors move on to Chulia Street, Battery Road, Collyer Quay and Market Street. During this tour, visitors will be able to learn how each area impacted Singapore and its history since the 1800s, and take Insta-worthy photos of the architecture and landscape.
The Art tour allows visitors to marvel at the works of art that surround Raffles Place, created by artists from Singapore and around the world. Visitors will be able to check out sculptures and installations while learning about stories behind each piece of work. This tour is narrated by musician Tim De Cotta; singer, musician, and poet Weish; painter and ceramicist Marc Gabrielle; ceramicist Jeanette Adrienne Wee; and graphic designer and artist Chris Chai. There are a total of 11 stops.
All you need to do on this self-guided audio tour is to scan the QR code at Raffles Place Park, plug in your earphones and play the audio tour while you walk around Raffles Place. Feel free to use the provided maps for reference.
For more information, visit rafflesplace.sg.
