
What is the Fort Canning Hill area?
The Fort Canning Hill area was bounded on its north by ruins of an old wall marked as Old Lines of Singapore and to the south by Singapore River
What's so special about Fort Canning?
Today, the 18-hectare space is chock full of attractions—from ancient artefacts for history buffs to outdoor lawns for concerts, and of course, greenery for nature lovers. The charming boutique Hotel Fort Canning, also lies here.
How long is the Fort Canning Park hike?
The app will bring park visitors on an interactive journey through Fort Canning Park, revisiting the hill back when it was known as Bukit Larangan or Government Hill. The total length of the trail is about 2.5km, with eight checkpoints placed throughout the park including the various gardens.
Where is Fort Canning located in Singapore?
Fort Canning (Malay: Bukit Larangan, Tamil language: Pokamutiyatha Arasarin Malai) is a small hill slightly more than 60 metres high in the southeast portion of the island city-state of Singapore, within the Central Area that forms Singapore's central business district.

Why is Fort Canning called Forbidden Hill?
The Malays called the hill Bukit Larangan or Forbidden Hill since olden times. This is due to the belief that it is the place where the kings of ancient Singapore were laid to rest, and it was believed to be haunted.
What is unique about Fort Canning Park?
Fort Canning Park, an iconic hilltop landmark has witnessed many of Singapore's historical milestones. The hill once sited the palaces of 14th century Kings and served as the Headquarters of the Far East Command Centre and British Army Barracks.
How was Fort Canning built?
Built on an excavated plateau, the fort was completed in 1861 by 400 Chinese coolies. It was named Fort Canning, after Viscount Charles John Canning, Governor-General and First Viceroy of India (1856–1862). Seven 68-pounders were positioned at the fort to face the sea by May 1859.
Why is Fort Canning important to Singapore?
Fort Canning Hill, originally known as Bukit Larangan (or "Forbidden Hill" in Malay) has been a local landmark in the city since Singapore's earliest recorded history.It has been the exclusive address of many of Singapore's rulers and colonial leaders dating back to the 14th century when it was the site for the ...
What happened at Fort Canning?
Situated 9 meters beneath Fort Canning Hill, it was the site where Lt-General Percival, General Officer Commanding, Malaya Command, made the fateful decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese, on 15 Feb 1942.
How long is the Fort Canning Trail?
2.2 miFort Canning Heritage TrailLength2.2 miElev. Gain229.6 ftEst. Steps50002 more rows•Dec 23, 2019
How many hills are there in Singapore?
11 hillsHow many hills are there in Singapore? There are about 11 hills in Singapore that are accessible. Which is the highest mountain in Singapore? Bukit Timah Hill is the highest mountain in Singapore.
Who lived at Fort Canning?
People of the kingdom of Singapura farmed and lived on the foothills between today's Fort Canning Park and Singapore River. Singapura's naval force of Orang Laut was based at today's Labrador Park. In 1389, a large naval force either Siamese or Javanese attacked Singapura and razed it to the ground.
What was the very first name of Fort Canning?
It was named after Viscount George Canning, who was then the Governor General of India. The origins of the name Fort Canning and its other names can be traced back to the colonial period. Fort Canning was known as Bukit Larangan when the British first set foot on Singapore.
Is Fort Canning free?
The historically significant Fort Canning Park can be found right in the centre of Singapore; easily reachable after a day's shopping at the nearby Orchard Road, or before drinks at Clarke Quay, this lush green space is about as central as it gets – and it's totally free!
Can you cycle in Fort Canning Park?
Fort Canning Park is great for nature lovers because of its rich, green scenery and variety of plant life. Because there are a few flights of stairs you have to climb to get to the park, it may be inconvenient for cyclists with bulky bicycles. But that's no problem if you own a CarryMe foldable bike!
What is Fort Canning Park?
Fort Canning Park, an iconic hilltop landmark has witnessed many of Singapore’s historical milestones. The hill once sited the palaces of 14th century Kings and served as the Headquarters of the Far East Command Centre and British Army Barracks. The decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942 was also made on the hill, ...
Who designed the mural in Fort Canning Park?
The mural wall is designed by Mr Eng Siak Loy.
Who is the Farquhar Garden named after?
Farquhar Garden. The Farquhar Garden is named after Major-General William Farquhar, the first British Resident and Commandant of Singapore. As a keen naturalist, Farquhar commissioned and compiled natural history drawings of the unique wildlife he encountered in the Malay Peninsula.
Is Fort Canning an archaeological dig site?
Today, the space is one of the last archaeological dig sites that has been retained in Singapore. Visitors can explore the refreshed interpretive space to better appreciate what the site used to be, as well as learn about the archaeological excavations and their findings on Fort Canning.
Where is Fort Canning Park?
This unlikely combination of events has taken place at the hilltop of Fort Canning Park, one of the country’s historical landmarks. Situated in central Singapore, the hill is accessible from the famous shopping belt of Orchard Road, while the National Museum of Singapore sits just behind it.
Where is the auditorium in Fort Canning?
Located in the heart of Fort Canning, the lawn’s gentle slopes makes it the perfect natural auditorium for beloved events like Shakespeare in the Park and Ballet Under The Stars. Fort Canning Park. Bounded by Hill Street, Canning Rise, Clemenceau Avenue and River Valley Road, Singapore 179618. SG. See on map.
Bukit Larangan
In olden times, the native Malays called the hill Bukit Larangan or Forbidden Hill.
Settlement and fortification
Impressed by the historic significance of the hill, and the commanding view it offered over the colony he had established, Raffles built his first residence on the hill. A keen botanist, he also built Singapore's first botanical garden there in 1822. The residence served as the Singapore, thus subsequently earning the name Government Hill.
Fort Canning today
Now a park overlooking Orchard Road and set in the heart of the Civic and Cultural District of Singapore, Fort Canning offers a variety of recreational activities, historical, educational, entertainment and cultural experiences. The park also serves as an important green lung for Singapore's downtown city area.
How tall is Fort Canning Hill?
Fort Canning Hill, previously known as Bukit Larangan and Government Hill,1 is 156 ft high and located at the junction of Canning Rise and Fort Canning Road. It has been a landmark since Singapore’s earliest recorded history.
What is Fort Canning known for?
Fort Canning Park. In 1972, the greenery around Fort Canning was known as Central Park with the amalgamation of King George V Park (set up prior to World War II) and the land occupied by the British Armed Forces. The River Valley Road end of the park used to house the National Theatre and the Van Kleef Aquarium.
What is the name of the hill in Singapore?
With the completion of Government House in 1822, the hill became known as Government Hill or Singapore Hill. To the Malays, however, it was Bukit Tuan Bonham (“Sir Bonham’s Hill”) after Sir Samuel George Bonham, who was governor from 1836 to 1848, or Bukit Bendera (“Flag Hill”). A sundial was sited at the original location of Government House, ...
What was the spring on the southwest side of the hill?
A spring on the southwest side of the hill served as a watering hole for ships anchored at the harbour. It was also believed to be the bathing place of Malayan princesses in ancient times.9 The hill was rich with Chinese and ancient Malay artefacts even then.
Who led the excavation at Fort Canning Park?
A six-week excavation at Fort Canning Park co-led by veteran archeologist John Miksic and Associate Professor Goh Geok Yian started on 1 September 2018. Miksic was invited by NParks to conduct the dig as part of the restoration work which hopes to uncover more materials from the Temasek period.
When will Fort Canning MRT be completed?
The works are done progressively and scheduled for completion from June 2019.45.
Who climbed the hill to hoist the Union Jack?
Major William Farquhar had to climb up the hill himself, accompanied only by a few Malaccan Malays, soon after the founding of Singapore. It was Farquhar who drew up the first gun on the hill and set up the post to hoist the Union Jack.8.
Why did the King of Singapore abandon the island of Singapore?
When Singapura was attacked, the king abandoned the island of Singapore and moved to the Malacca Straits to establish a new state. It was abandoned until the early 19 th century when the British were able to lease the island and use it as a station for their ships.
Is Fort Canning open?
Visitors can make use of the covered escalators from Fort Canning Metro Station, which will take them to the top of the hill. It is open all day and an entry fee is charged for some of the attractions.
What is the spice garden at Fort Canning Park?
Fort Canning Park’s Spice Garden is based on Raffles’ experiments with spices and terraced plantations. The Spice Garden will be further enhanced at a later stage to include a gallery trail on the significance of spices to Singapore’s history.
What was the hill in Singapore used for?
In the 14th century, the hill was the seat of Singapura’s ancient kings. Fast forward to the 19th century and the hill’s natural vantage over the newly established trading port of Singapore made it an obvious site the build Government House. It was also used for early experimentation with cash crops, became a military base and was turned into a recreational space in the 20th century.
Where is King George V's Jubilee Park?
The King George V Jubilee Park stood at the western end of Fort Canning Hill from 1935 to 1972. It was also a popular recreation spot and was also the location of the River Valley Swimming Pool, Van Kleef Aquarium and National Theatre. The new Jubilee Park at Fort Canning Park has now been restored as a family-friendly space with play areas for children to enjoy.
Where is the Farquhar Garden?
Located at the foot of Fort Canning Green is the new interpretive Farquhar Garden, named after the first resident of Singapore. This garden showcases plants which William Farquhar founded noteworthy like gambier and guava. These have been “framed” to create real-life “natural history drawings”.
