Meeting Point

City Hall MRT Station Exit A (entrance to Raffles City).

Beach Road

Jackson’s Plan – European Community Beach Road features prominently in the Jackson Plan, based on Sir Stamford Raffles’ vision of segregated settlements by community. This area was designated largely for the European population. The earliest buildings along Beach Road reflected colonial administrative and residential functions, marking one of the first planned urban zones in Singapore. Photo stop at Raffles Hotel main entrance. Listen to the story of Raffles Hotel.

Bras Basah Road

Constructed by Convict Labour Bras Basah Road was built using convict labour, a common practice in early colonial Singapore. The road’s name comes from the Malay term beras basah, meaning “wet rice,” referring to rice that was laid out here to dry. The area later became associated with schools, churches, and cultural institutions.

North Bridge Road

One of the Earliest Roads in Singapore North Bridge Road is among Singapore’s earliest roads, forming a key artery linking the European Town to other settlements. Its development reflects the expansion of commerce and movement between different quarters of early Singapore.

Victoria Street

Earlier Names Victoria Street appeared as Rochor Street in the 1822 Jackson Plan. Over time, it was renamed to reflect British royal influence, illustrating how colonial naming practices replaced earlier geographic or local references. Photo stop at CHIJMES.

Stamford Road

Hospital Street In the 1840s, part of Stamford Road was known as Hospital Street due to the presence of early medical facilities. The road was later renamed after Sir Stamford Raffles, reinforcing his legacy in Singapore’s urban landscape.

Hill Street

One of the Earliest Streets in Singapore Hill Street was one of the first streets constructed and took its name from its proximity to Fort Canning Hill. It later became home to important government buildings, including police and administrative institutions. Photo Stop for Armenia Church

Coleman Street

Named after George Drumgoole Coleman, Singapore’s first Superintendent of Public Works. His architectural and planning contributions shaped many early colonial buildings and infrastructure projects.

20 mins Short Break

Washroom and beverage break at Funan.

High Street

Singapore’s First Street High Street was cleared from jungle near the shoreline and is considered Singapore’s first street. It quickly developed into a commercial hub, hosting shops, offices, and legal institutions during the colonial period.

New Bridge Road

Named After Coleman Bridge Built in 1842, New Bridge Road took its name from the nearby Coleman Bridge. The road marked an important crossing over the Singapore River and became a vital commercial spine connecting different trading communities. Pass under Coleman Bridge to Eu Tong Sen Street.

Eu Tong Sen Street

Wayang Street Previously known as Wayang Street, this road was associated with Chinese opera (wayang). It was later renamed after Eu Tong Sen, a prominent businessman and community leader, reflecting the influence of local elites in street naming. Photo stop for Singapore River and Clarke Quay.

Tew Chew Street

Teochew Community Tew Chew Street highlights the presence of the Teochew community in the area. Many streets around the Singapore River were named after dialect groups, trades, or community activities, reflecting the multicultural makeup of early Singapore.

Merchant Road

“Theatre Street” This area was initially known as Theatre Street due to nearby entertainment venues. As commercial activity intensified along the river, the road was renamed Merchant Road, underscoring its role in trade and commerce.

Read Street

Read Street is named after William Henry Read, an influential merchant and philanthropist. His contributions to education and public life earned him recognition in Singapore’s urban toponymy. Photo stop at Read Bridge.

Tan Tye Place

Named after Tan Tye, a Chinese merchant associated with riverine trade. The street reflects how successful traders left their mark on the physical and economic landscape of the Singapore River.

River Valley Road

Marsh and Forest When the British arrived in 1819, the River Valley area consisted largely of marshland and forest. The road’s name preserves a memory of the area’s original geography before urban development transformed it.

Ending Point

Fort Canning MRT Station