The Statue of Sir Stamford Raffles is also known as the location where the renowned Englishman had first landed in Singapore with his ship on January 28th 1819. The site is located in Boat Quay just near the mouth of the Singapore River.

On 28 January 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles landed at this site for his first visit, which lasted ten days. During this period, he concluded the first treaty with the local rulers. The present polymarble statue was unveiled in 1972 which was made from plaster casts from the original 1887 figure that currently stands opposite of the Victoria Concert Halls.

How to Get There

By MRT

The nearest MRT station to the site of the statue in Boat Quay is the Raffles Place MRT Station (NS26/EW14). To get to the location of the statue, you only need to walk roughly around 5 minutes. This is the most common means of public transportation and costs you lesser time compared to going through the traffics of Singapore.

By Bus

There are several buses from different routes available to Boat Quay where the statue is located. You can opt to take the Downtown Line, East-West Line, North East Line, North-South Line or buses 166, 21, 63 and 961C. These buses will run past by Boat Quay, and its fare ranges from 7 cents to SGD 1.58.

By Taxi

Taxi is not the main mean of public transportation as they are metered and can be slightly more expensive than the prior two options. However, it is best used to get to your destination easily without having to walk or figure out which route to take. Nonetheless, customers are guaranteed a fixed fare as all taxis are metered.

Tourist Attractions

Cavenagh Bridge

Cavenagh Bridge is located in Downtown Core of Singapore and is the only suspension bridge in Singapore. Not to mention, it is also one of the oldest bridges in the country that spans across the Singapore River. It was built and opened in 1870 to commemorate Singapore’s new British colonisation of the Straits Settlements status is 1867. Not only is the bridge holds the title of the oldest but it is still maintained in its original architecture and material. Cavenagh Bridge linked the Civic District on the northern bank to the Commercial District on the southern bank of the Singapore River.

Merlion

The symbol of Singapore; the half mermaid, half lion statue is possibly Singapore’s most visited place and a definite site for you to visit when in Singapore. Although the statue is the main attraction, the surrounding area also provides visitors with a nice terraced seating area for relaxation and leisure activities. A jetty for people to walk is purposely built overlooking the Marina Bay, providing great views of the sunset.

Singapore River

The river lies at the heart of the Clarke Quay which is in the walking vicinity of Boat Quay, featuring the city’s best nightlife scene. Aside from providing a good spot for pictures, the area is also dotted with many restaurants, eateries and cafes. Here, boat tours are available for tourists to enjoy the beauty of Singapore River up close and personal as they cruise along the quay, eventually arriving in Marina Bay. The river snakes a path across several important landmarks such as the Clemenceau Bridge and Anderson Bridge and not to mention passing symbolical landmarks such as the Merlion and Esplanade as it makes way to the Singapore Straits.

Hotels

Heritage Hotel

This small hotel is noticeable from afar and is located strategically in the middle of Boat Quay. It is also surrounded by various kinds of eateries so you need not worry about where your next meal should be. Also, this hotel is surrounded by several other tourist attraction places and will not be a hassle for you to get around. The hotel provides its guests with basic amenities of WiFi connection as well as air-conditioning in rooms. There is also an elevator provided for the guests’ usage.

Fullerton Hotel Singapore

If you want a closer stay overlooking the bay, you can opt for this hotel. Nearby attractions such as the Merlion and Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall can be reached by foot. This hotel also provides services such as a fitness gym, a swimming pool, a parking space for guests and 24-hour front desk for the guests’ convenience. Guests are also able to access its WiFi for free and request for a guided tour around the bay from the hotel’s offered services.