The old Port of Singapore was at the mouth of the Singapore River. Its naturally sheltered by the southern islands. Historically, the city of Singapore initially grew around the port so the river mouth became the centre of trade, commerce and finance. To this day, area around the old Singapore River mouth, the Downtown Core, remains the most expensive and economically important piece of land in Singapore.

At one time, the Singapore River was the very lifeblood of the colony. Immigrants from China, India, and nearby came to seek their fortunes, and set up their settlements close to the banks.

Singapore River is where the colourful and romantic history of the river and the myths and legends can still conjure up memories of the lighters, bumboats, tongkangs with their painted eyes to see the danger ahead and sampans of yesteryear. This is where the Malayan princes once sailed and this is where the bullock carts plodded their way up and down each bank as the river found its way to the former rocky river mouth. This is also where an early civilisation was conquered by the Javanese Majapahit Empire, in the year 1376.

Sir Stamford Raffles lost no time after January 1819, when he landed on Singapore River declared a free trading port , the city went from backwater to bustling almost immediately It was here too that the Chinese lived, temples, shrines and other places of worship still stand in the vicinity of the river. So too are the godowns.

The bridges such as Anderson Bridge, Elgin Bridge and Cavenagh Bridge, the Merlion, the shophouses, and the large trees such as Banyan and Madras Thorn. Some parts of this area include quays such as Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, which generated trade and extensive demand for services with the boats that landed at the quays. Boat Quay itself was handling three quarters of the shipping service in the 1860s. Shophouses and warehouses flourished around the quays due to their proximity to trade during the colonial era, but presently house various bars, pubs and restaurants, as well as antique shops.

CLARKE QUAY
Named after Sir Andrew Clarke, Singapore's second governor, Clarke Quay had been the commercial centre, where an unending stream of lighters would transport their goods upriver to the warehouses.

Shop, eat and be entertained by the riverside! Featuring five blocks of restored warehouses, Clarke Quay offers a quirky alternative to mainstream attractions, with second-hand and antique shops, Sunday flea markets and restaurants with an amazing array of F&B options. In the evenings, dance clubs and pubs come alive with music from the 1960s to the present.

BOAT QUAY
The south side of the river was crammed with shophouses because it resembled the concaved belly of a carp, which according to Chinese believers, was the source of prosperity and wealth. Today, the row of shophouses has been carefully conserved. Notice the variance in height - this was a sign of each man's wealth, the higher the shophouse, the wealthier the owner.

Looking for a swingin’ good time? Then head on down to Boat Quay - the trailblazer of the Singapore entertainment scene. With an eclectic mix of high end restaurants and alfresco dining and lively bars and pubs, Boat Quay is arguably the favourite place to “chill out” for most professionals and expatriates.

ROBERTSON QUAY
Robertson Quay used to be the site for merchants’ offices, warehouses and jetties, where they would facilitate the loading and unloading of goods. Children would often stand and wave from the old Kampong (village) houses along the banks. Many a time, they would take off their clothes and jump in for a cool afternoon swim.

A more laid-back cousin to Boat Quay, Robertson Quay offers a more tranquil ambience for dining and entertainment by the Singapore River. Housing a string of hotels hugging the river against a background of the old go-downs of Singapore, Robertson Quay is the perfect locale for an evening out. Enjoy a walk and leisurely dinner at the many alfresco dining outlets, wine bars, arts houses and hotel cafes.