tag:peatix.com,2011:1 2024-05-09T11:50:03+08:00 Peatix Jane Iyer tag:peatix.com,2024:event-3927144 2024-05-25T09:00:00SGT 2024-05-25T09:00:00SGT

The name Orchard Road conjures up visions of gleaming high rise apartment buildings, glitzy shopping malls, and office towers filled with glamorous hotels and high-end restaurants. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that there’s a rich history lurking among the monuments to shopping and consumption, with nearby gems like Emerald Hill providing oases of tranquillity. On our Hidden Gems walk, we’ll show you the fascinating nooks and crannies that bear testament to Orchard Road’s early years as an area dominated by plantations, farms, and yes, orchards, plus 19th-century colonial-era homes and buildings that survive today! We start at Dhoby Ghaut to learn the origins of its name. You’ll hear stories about nutmeg planters, their sumptuous estates, and the consequences of the mysterious “nutmeg” disease.Next up on the route is one of the oldest churches in Singapore known as the “Scots Church,” nestled at the foot of Fort Canning. As we continue our stroll, you will glimpse one of only two remaining traditional southern Chinese mansions. Walk through Istana Park, past the official residence of the president of Singapore, and learn more about the island’s colonial roots. We finish at Emerald Hill, a tranquil enclave of beautiful Peranakan shophouses tucked away a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the Orchard shopping district.Meet your guide at the main entrance to the Peranakan Museum, 39 Armenian Street, S179941 at 8.45am.Wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of water and an umbrella!Notes: Tickets are non-refundable unless event is cancelled by organisers.