The best experiences in Singapore’s Fort Canning neighbourhood

Singapore’s Fort Canning neighbourhood encompasses the area surrounding Fort Canning Hill, and is within walking distance to Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay and River Valley. The neighbourhood is steeped in heritage, while offering a variety of attractions, dining options and activities for every kind of explorer.

Once serving as the residence to Sir Stamford Raffles’ family and later a key military base, the Fort Canning area has been made even more accessible thanks to the opening of the Fort Canning MRT station in 2017 on the Downtown line.

Stroll through Fort Canning Park for a taste of Singapore’s history. Photo: National Parks

Today, this central hill is home to the beautifully restored Jubilee Park, conserved colonial architecture, leafy parkland and various historical gems, while only a short walk away from dining hotspots, nightlife and vibrant enclaves.

The recently opened New Bahru, a lifestyle and dining haven for local creativity housed in the restored grounds of Nan Chiau High School, is also within walking distance and offers a wide range of boutique stores, cafés and restaurants.

History and nature intertwine at Fort Canning Park

A landmark rich in history and natural beauty right in the heart of the city, Fort Canning Park, named after Viscount Charles John Canning, the first Viceroy of India, offers history enthusiasts the opportunity to trace Singapore’s past through its ancient artefacts, colonial architecture and storied grounds.

Nature lovers can enjoy the serenity of the trails that wind over the hill, leading to Orchard Road. Kids will love Jubilee Park, the inclusive playground, while fitness fans and nature lovers will appreciate the hiking trails and lush greenery. Don’t miss the Bali-inspired photo spots and Instagram-famous spiral staircase within this 22-hectare park.

Discover an existing piece of Singapore’s World War II history at the Battlebox. Photo: Battlebox

Also within Fort Canning Park is the Battlebox, a preserved underground WWII command centre that brings Singapore’s colonial history to life. Located nine metres below ground, this dramatic site was where British commanders made the historic decision to surrender to the Japanese in 1942. A 30-minute guided tour delivers fascinating insights and is best suited for older kids and adults

Enjoy a refreshing, icy dip

The Ice Bath Club, Singapore’s first dedicated ice bath recovery club, offers wellness treatments in the atmosphere of a buzzy, social club. Open to drop-ins, the space features a magnesium salt hot bath, icy plunge pools (chilled to 5–10°C), a social sauna and a café. Bring your swimsuit, book a session and let the endorphins kick in. This wellness hotspot is beloved by the fitness community for good reason, and the café is a great respite from the hot weather with its excellent selection of smoothies and coffee.

Enter a wellness haven offering ice baths and spa treatments. Photo: Hideaway

Down at the trendy New Bahru, Hideaway on the fifth floor is a new wellness club that offers a range of facilities including ice baths, saunas and spa treatments. A great post-flight experience that addresses jet lag,  individual ice baths and saunas can be bundled with a spa session for a totally relaxing experience.

Be inspired by local makers

Discover fashion and accessories at New Bahru from local labels like Beyond The Vines, OM by Ong Shunmugam, and Make by Ginlee, where a lot of the products are customisable, sustainable with intentional storytelling. Add whimsical books to your collection at Woods in the Books, pick up elegant everyday jewellery from Curious Creatures or indulge in the most deliciously scented body care products from Omno a homegrown brand focused on well-being and sustainability.

The space at Make by Ginlee at New Bahru. Photo: Make by Ginlee

New Bahru also houses Alma House, a long-stay service apartment designed with a retro-vintage vibe, and a number of fitness studios for you to get your sweat on.

Breakfast options abound with these bakeries

Start your day at Tiong Bahru Bakery Foothills, surrounded by lush greenery in all directions and just a two-minute stroll from the MRT station’s Exit B. Located in the refurbished buildings of the former River Valley Swimming Complex, this bakery turns out crowd-favourite bakes like kouign amanns, ham and butter baguettes and arguably Singapore’s best croissants and pain au chocolats.

Tiong Bahru Bakery retains elements of the old swimming club which used to occupy the space. Photo: Tiong Bahru Bakery

A short walk away is UE Square, where you can drop in at Lean & Rich Bakery. It is helmed by a Korean baker from Seoul’s Tartine Bakery, who churns out simple-but-standout offerings, including Morning Platter (sourdough, soft-boiled egg, cheese, fig jam), and an apple-and-brie danish tart with candied pecans and wild rocket.

Sample authentic Asian cuisine for lunch

Lunch at The Coconut Club, tucked away in New Bahru, which delivers elevated nasi lemak (coconut milk-laced rice with a variety of accompaniments), with standout dishes like ayam goreng berempah (spiced, fried chicken) and Australian Wagyu beef cheek rendang. Also in New Bahru, Kotuwa serves refined Sri Lankan cuisine – think smoky mutton rolls, a variety of sambols (fragrant relishes) and hoppers paired with creamy dhal and more.

Enjoy savoury, authentic Vietnamese cuisine at this neighbourhood gem. Photo: Moc Quan

For something quick and comforting, Moc Quan at UE Square serves Vietnamese favourites like pho bo with wagyu beef, and bun thit nuong (cold rice vermicelli) with grilled Kurobuta pork. They also do a vegetarian menu, as well as strong, sweet Vietnamese iced coffee.

Enjoy riverside vibes for dinner

Unwind after a day of exploring along the riverside restaurants of Robertson Quay. People-watch from the cozy confines of Bella Pasta which offers excellent hearty pasta and delicious pizza. Or head to Super Loco for a fun night of tacos and margaritas. For those craving a true taste of Singapore, Red House Seafood lets you dive into iconic local dishes such as the sweet-spicy chilli crab, punchy black pepper crab and crispy-golden cereal prawns. Publico at the InterContinental Robertson Quay is great for some elevated Italian fare with an outdoor patio ideal for some after-dinner music and cocktails.

Enjoy alfresco dining with great vibes at Publico. Photo: Publico

Back at New Bahru and giving serious date-night-done-right vibes is Somma, a chic and intimate fine dining concept by chef Mirko Febbrile. Drawing from his Puglian roots, the six-course menu at this elegant 36-seater showcases inventive and elevated renditions of Italian classics – think bold flavours, artful plating and a masterful balance of tradition and creativity.

For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Singapore, visit singaporeair.com.

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Club Med Phuket

Phuket has long been the obvious choice for beach holidays in Thailand – but at Club Med Phuket, there’s now a compelling reason to bring the kids along without compromising comfort. Located on a 16ha property along Kata Beach, Club Med Phuket has undergone a significant refresh. What’s new? The Lai Thai Family Oasis, a 32-room enclave built around a technicolour Splash Park. Ideal for younger guests but designed with adult sensibilities in mind. Each family room comes with a private terrace or balcony, traditional motifs like lotus flowers and vines – details that elevate the space beyond standard resort fare. The kids get their own agenda: climbing walls, crafts and supervised programmes at the Kids Club. Adults are free to take a Muay Thai class, unwind at the Harnn Spa or enjoy a proper three-course dinner at Chu-da.

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Enjoy cherry blossoms all year round at these destinations worldwide

If you love the delicate, poignant beauty of Japan’s cherry blossom season, you’ll be happy to know that these destinations are also home to a variety of cherry trees that bloom at different times of the year. Spanning the globe, from their most famous home in Japan to neighbouring countries and beyond, here is where you can admire these delicate blooms on your next holiday, whenever that may be.

January to February: Taiwan, Japan and Thailand

From late January to February, catch cherry blossoms in Taiwan, particularly in Taipei’s Yangmingshan National Park and Taichung’sWuling Farm. The bright pink blooms you will see here are from the Kanzakura cherry tree which can also be found in Vietnam and China.

Scenic view of Wild Himalayan cherry blooming in Doi Ang Khang. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Over in Japan, viewing cherry blossoms this early in the year is possible down south in Okinawa where they bloom mid-January to early February. Make trips out to see the Kanzakura variety, which blooms a beautiful dark pink, over in Nago and on Mount Yaedake, the tallest mountain on the Motobu Peninsula which also hosts a cherry blossom festival later in the year.

Another surprising destination for January blossoms is Chiang Mai in Thailand, where wild Himalayan cherry blossoms grow in the Doi Inthanon National Park and the Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang.

March to April: Japan, South Korea and the United States

As any cherry blossom fan will know, these months are prime time to view the flowering trees in central Japan, with most of them blooming in late March to early April in popular areas like Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Unfortunately, it’s also when you’re most likely to have to fight the crowds, so do consider flying into one of these hubs and then travelling a bit further afield to see them. One such option is to fly into Osaka and then travel further afield throughout Nara prefecture to Mount Yoshino, where there are plenty of blooms and a lot less people. Or use Nagoya as a base and travel around the Aichi prefecture where there are less tourists.

In South Korea, visitors can see cherry blossoms during this time in Seoul. It’s also worth travelling further afield to places like Jinhae (three hours away by train) where an annual cherry blossom festival is held, and Gyeongju, a coastal town accessible from Busan which also hosts its own cherry blossom festival.

Cherry blossoms bloom in Central Park. Photo: Shutterstock.com

The United States can also be a great cherry blossom destination with blooms flourishing in a number of cities like Seattle, San Francisco and New York. Japantown in San Francisco is particularly good for viewing them while the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York has a “cherrywatch” map that is updated daily so no one misses when their 26 species of flowers bloom.

May to June: Northern Japan and Europe

As Spring travels north in Japan, destinations such as Hokkaido start exhibiting cherry blossoms from early May onwards. Sapporo and Hakodate both are visually stunning with trees in bloom.

This is also the time to see cherry blossoms in Europe, when countries such as France, Germany and Sweden have their trees blooming. The best time to see these are in early May with the blossoms visible in Paris and Bonn (just an hour-long train ride from Frankfurt).

Cherry blossoms in Langelinie park in Copenhagen. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Perhaps the best place to visit is Copenhagen in Denmark, where a two-day sakura party celebrates Japanese culture and the 200 cherry trees that were a gift from Hiroshima. The trees were planted in Langelinie Park and bloom late April to early May.

September to October: Australia and New Zealand

The southern hemisphere experiences Spring during these months which means cherry blossoms are in bloom in both Australia and New Zealand.

Cherry blossoms bloom in Christchurch’s CBD area. Photo: Shutterstock.com

From mid-September to October, visit the Melbourne Botanic Gardens to witness their beauty, or travel out of Sydney to the Blue Mountains where they bloom in the towns of Leura and Katoomba. There is also the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival held at Auburn Botanic Gardens in the city. In New Zealand, Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington are all great places to catch these transient blooms with parks home to an ample number of trees.

For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to these destinations, visit singaporeair.com.

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A celebration of nourishing Indian flavours on SIA

Customers travelling between Singapore and India in Suites, First Class and Business Class are in for a treat with an update to the Shahi Thali and Ruchi Thali menus. Developed in close collaboration with Mumbai-based chef Sanjeev Kapoor – a member of Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) world-renowned International Culinary Panel (ICP) – the revamped meals strike the perfect balance between hearty Indian flavours and wholesome, nourishing ingredients.

The reimagined Shahi Thali and Ruchi Thali menus, launched on 1 May 2025, were developed based on feedback from focus groups held with customers in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Singapore. Responses showed that customers wanted more variety and healthier options in their meals. As a result, chef Sanjeev Kapoor, in close collaboration with SIA’s culinary experts, revamped the Shahi Thali and Ruchi Thali menus to include well-balanced meals with protein, starch and vegetables. Turmeric and ginger – recognised for their digestive and healing properties – are creatively woven into the dishes. Both menus offer vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

The vegetarian main course option on the Shahi Thali menu

SIA’s updated Shahi Thali is a royal feast designed for Suites and First Class customers. Shahi means “royal” in Hindi and thali refers to a platter of assorted dishes. The refreshed offering now includes eight items in the main course, up from the previous six, featuring six vegetable or meat dishes, rice and paratha (flatbread). The main course is served with cold and hot appetizers, dessert and a refreshing lassi (yoghurt drink). To add to the authentic culinary experience, the meal is presented on a hammered-finish, copper-coloured stainless steel Thali platter, complete with matching cutlery.

Business Class customers can look forward to an upgraded Ruchi Thali experience, which includes an expanded selection of main course items featuring vegetable or meat dishes, along with rice and paratha. The meal is served in traditional silver hammered-finish tableware and includes a starter, salad, dessert, and lassi.

The Ruchi Thali experience in Business Class is served in silver hammered-finished tableware

Drawing on chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s expertise in Indian gastronomy, the revamped Shahi Thali and Ruchi Thali dishes are cooked using time-honoured culinary techniques such as roasting in a tandoor (cylindrical clay pot ovens) and heating on iron griddles, delivering authentic Indian flavours in flight.

“Designing in-flight menus requires a blend of science and creativity, while preserving authentic flavours that align with SIA’s commitment to serve fresh, wholesome meals,” says chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who was also responsible for the original Shahi Thali and Ruchi Thali menus created in 2006 and 2016 respectively. “SIA’s Shahi Thali and Ruchi Thali have been well-received by customers. The enhanced menus incorporate seasonal ingredients, offering balanced meals with a comforting Indian touch that tastes just as delicious at 35,000 feet as they do on the ground.”

Dessert will be served with an Indian lassi yoghurt drink

Mr Yeoh Phee Teik, SIA’s Senior Vice President Customer Experience says, “India is a key market for Singapore Airlines, and we continuously strive to meet and exceed our customers’ evolving expectations. Our refreshed Shahi Thali and Ruchi Thali menus demonstrate our commitment to elevate the in-flight dining experience and delight our customers.”

SIA flies more than 90 weekly flights from eight cities in India, namely Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai. The enhanced Shahi Thali and refreshed Ruchi Thali are available on flights between Singapore and India.

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