Orchard Road - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 3 km from Chinatown, 4 km from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, and 21 km from Changi Airport, Orchard Road is a major shopping area located in the Central area of Singapore. It is one of Asia's most famous shopping streets and among the favorite hotspots for locals and foreigners.

Spread over 2.2 km, Orchard Road is an upscale shopping area of Singapore, with some of the most high-end brands and premium malls of the island. Orchard Road got its name from the nutmeg, pepper and fruit orchards or the plantations that the road once led to. Those fields of palm have now given way to a glitzy district lined with malls and department stores, packed with all kinds of goods. Orchard Road has been a one-stop shopping destination for practically anything right from high-fashion brands to bargain electronics.

The fashion strip also has a few leafy parks, a presidential palace, sidewalk cafés and a charming enclave filled with some of Singapore's finest examples of Chinese Baroque-style shop and terrace houses. ION Orchard is a stylish architectural wonder, glowing like a futuristic beacon at the end of Orchard Road and enticing fashionistas and luxury shoppers inside. One of the more quirkily-designed malls in the district, Orchard Central offers visitors an artistic experience along with their shopping. Take one famous escalator, digital art adorning the exterior and a multitude of installations peppered inside, Orchard Central goes above and beyond to blend retail with visual statements. The lower levels of the mall offer many high-street fashion labels, while the higher levels bring you to a good number of restaurants and bars.

Connected to Orchard Central is another fashion-forward mall, 313@Somerset. It's become an extremely popular mall that offers an array of big-name items in streetwear, sneakers, jewellery, and bags. One key reason for its popularity, especially among fashion-savvy folks, is its constant sales and deals throughout the year. Located just slightly off the main road, Far East Plaza is the student's favorite and for those who are looking for an affordable shopping experience. It caters to the local fashion brands. It has 800 stores spread across 6 floors of the building. On top of it all, there are outlets that allow you to tailor suits and even tattoo parlours. Mandarin Gallery, Plaza Singapura, Ngee Ann City, and Tangs are some of the popular malls in Orchard Street.

The shopping hub of Singapore is also known for its insane nightlife. Nightlife at Orchard Road is all about hopping from one bar to another because the streets are lined with bars, nightclubs, and lounges that offer a sneak peek into the city's life. They are opened till late at night and some until morning for those who like to party all night. The two most famous places in Orchard are definitely the Emerald Hill and Orchard Towers. The elegant Emerald street is known for Peranakan houses and graceful cafes and lounges. Orchard tower on the other side is the ultimate combination of work and play, it is adorned with high-class offices and a number of bars where you can party all night you want.

Orchard Road is exquisitely decorated during the Christmas. Every corner inside and outside the malls boast large Christmas trees, fully draped with shiny baubles dangling in every nook and cranny of their foliage. For bargain hunters looking for a steal, June to August is the perfect time of the year to start shopping. This is due in part to the Great Singapore Sale (GSS), which has almost every store participating and customers scurrying to fill their trolleys.

Timings: 24 hours

Entry: Free