A World of Recreational and Entertainment Options at a Historic Venue
Containing important memories of Singapore's past, Fort Canning was originally established as a barrack and hospital. Despite its strategic importance in the past today it functions purely as a park that overlooks Orchard Road.
Providing an offering of recreational activities, educational, entertainment, and cultural experiences, visitors to Fort Canning will not be disappointing with what's on offer. It also functions as a beautiful haven of greenery among the developed and highly urbanized Singapore cityscape. It is for this reason that the park has been used to host numerous outdoor activities and events that include theatre carnivals, starlight cinemas and more. In fact WOMAD, which is Singapore's largest musical festival, has been held here annually since 1998.
The park has various attractions scattered throughout but some of the highlights include the Spice Garden, the 9 pound cannon, Fort Canning Green, Sally Ports and Raffles House.
Raffles House was constructed on Sir Raffles last and third visit to Singapore. Built atop a hill the view and temperature from here are different from those typically found in Singapore that was designed in this manner to provide an atmosphere different form that of the rest of Singapore.
The 9 Pound Cannon despite having a militaristic appearance was purely meant as a symbol and was only fired to signify various events. Events that the cannon was fired for include to signify the time. Another reason for its firing was to signify a fire and as a salute.
Fort Canning also houses the Spice Garden which is the first attempt at a botanical garden in Singapore.
The Fort Canning Green has been host to numerous musical concerts and other performances over the years. But this function completely overlooks its original function which was to function as a graveyard.
There were also three Sally Ports that were located through out Fort Canning in its heyday, but today only one remains. These doors were used as emergency escapes in the event that something went wrong.
Fort Canning is open daily and admission to the park is completely free.
Fort Canning has been transformed from its original purpose and today functions as a serene and harmonious park. Staying in a luxury hotel in Singapore such as Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore provides guests the perfect base from which to visit not only this destination but various other in the country as well.
About the Author:
Naveen Marasinghe is an Online Marketing Executive at eMarketingEye which is a search engine marketing company that offers integrated Internet marketing services and specializes in serving the online travel and hospitality industry.