Raffles Garden

Raffles Garden is a tranquil, nautical-themed space on Fort Canning Hill that honours Singapore’s founder through several historical replicas. At its heart stands Raffles House, a brick-and-tile structure built on the site of Sir Stamford Raffles’ original 1822 wooden residence. Nearby, visitors can see a functional replica of the Time Ball, which was historically used to signal the time to the town and harbour. Complementing these are a striking white replica of the Fort Canning Lighthouse, which once guided ships into the harbour, and a Naval Flagstaff that formerly used coded flags to communicate ship arrivals and identities to merchants below. The garden is further enriched by tropical flora Raffles encountered in Southeast Asia, including the vibrant Flame-of-the-Forest tree.

Sang Nila Utama Garden

The Sang Nila Utama Garden is a beautifully reconstructed 14th-century Javanese-style royal garden that welcomes visitors with its iconic Candi Bentar (split gates) and symmetrical reflecting pools. A standout feature is the heritage bas-relief, a series of intricate stone carvings that depict ancient Malay life and scenes from the Majapahit and Srivijaya empires, alongside sculptures of symbolic animals like frogs and ducks. The garden's lush atmosphere is anchored by a majestic heritage rain tree, whose sprawling canopy provides a natural frame for the traditional brick architecture and fragrant historical plants like magnolias and gardenias. This serene space serves as a living tribute to Singapore's pre-colonial history, offering a regal backdrop that transports tourists back to the era of the legendary Prince Sang Nila Utama.