Orchard Road

Orchard Road received its name from the orchards that used to encompass the area until the early 19th century, when a mysterious disease wiped out the nutmeg plantations. Since this area was surrounded by valleys, floods were also common here. 

In the 1970s, buildings such as C. K. Tangs, Plaza Singapura and the Mandarin Hotel appeared and led the way for more entertainment complexes. Brick by brick and block by block, towers of steel and glass started to line what used to be mud tracks to make Orchard Road the famous shopping belt that it has become today.

One of the older shopping centres is Tanglin Shopping Centre, located near the start of Orchard Road. Just a stone’s throw away from the Regent Hotel, Tanglin Shopping Centre houses specialty stores selling an assortment of products such as beadwork, clothes, accessories, furniture and antiques, while arts and crafts galleries such as the Asia Ancient Gallery can also be found here.

A brand new retail experience awaits you at the ION Orchard, with more than 600,000 square feet of shopping space spanning over eight floors. The ground level houses luxury brands such as Prada, Ermenegildo Zegna and Louis Vuitton, while the basement levels are endlessly packed with shoppers from all walks of life – from students and nine-to-five workers, all drawn by the wide variety of high street brands such as Topshop, Fred Perry and Armani Exchange.

Another new shopping mall is Orchard Central. The interiors give out a cosy Spanish feel, with their balconies and grilles decorated with colourful blooms like bougainvilleas. You can also enjoy alfresco and roof gardens dining while experiencing a breathtaking view of the city, as you admire the world’s tallest indoor Via Ferrata Wall and artworks by renowned artists.

313@Somerset is also a new addition to the orchard shopping strip. It is home to the biggest Forever 21 flagship store in Singapore, which spans four floors in total.

With so many different malls selling all sorts of wares – from fashion and ethnic finds, to jewellery and furniture, Orchard Road offers much more than you can imagine. It’s no wonder then, that Singapore is known as a shopping heaven.

Discover the dazzling sights of Orchard Road in our Nights Out video segment >>

Read The New Paper’s write-up about Orchard Road>>