Battle for Singapore 2023 will take participants on a journey through time and Singapore’s history, heritage, and hidden stories about various WWII sites, a journey tracing the roots of Singapore’s wartime past. Participants can embark on tours of sites such as Bukit Brown and Fort Canning Hill. They can also dive and learn deeper into Singapore’s history, courage and resilience of Singapore’s war heroes and pioneers during the Japanese Occupation from NHB’s Museum Roundtable (MR) partners, such as Battlebox, Eurasian Heritage Centre, MINT Museum of Toys, Navy Museum, as well as National Museum of Singapore (NMS), the Changi Chapel and Museum and Reflections at Bukit Chandu, they are WWII Interpretative centres under NMS. 

Mr Gerald Wee, Director of International & Museum Relations, NHB, said, “The Fall of Singapore may have been an event from 81 years ago, but the experiences of our forefathers and the lessons learnt during that tumultuous period continue to have an important role in shaping our nation’s identity and charting our course ahead. Through Battle for Singapore 2023, we hope that Singaporeans will gain a deeper understanding of our WWII history and how it has impacted our lives today and be inspired by the spirit of resilience and solidarity of our war pioneers” 

Battle for Singapore 2023 Programmes

There is a wide range of programmes on offer during Battle for Singapore 2023 taking place from 10th February to 5th March 2023. NHB together with MR members, academics, heritage enthusiasts and interest groups, is offering more than 30 unique programmes and over 100 tour runs that cover various aspects of Singapore’s WWII history. 

The Battle for Singapore 2023 programmes diverse line-up also includes 19 new programmes, including

• Fort Connaught Rediscovery Tour (NEW)
• Second World War Vintage Toy Collection Guided Tour with Special Feature on General MacArthur (New)
• Exclusive Sneak Peek Tour of the Revamped Navy Museum (NEW)
• Special Twinned Tour: Changi Chapel and Museum and Eurasian Heritage Gallery (NEW)
• Special Twinned Tour: Kent Ridge Nature Walk and Reflections at Bukit Chandu (NEW)
• Defence and Fall of Singapore – From the 14th Century to 1945: A Fort Canning Hill and Battlebox Walking Tour (NEW)

Fort Connaught Rediscovery Tour (NEW)

For this year 2023, participants will get a chance to explore the grounds of Fort Connaught through a special access tour. This is the first-ever public tour since Fort Connaught was constructed in 1878 for the defence of Keppel Harbour, a crucial ship-building and ship-repair facility in Singapore. 

Fort Connaught was armed with 9.2-inch guns, they were the largest on Sentosa, and were used to engage invading Japanese troops during the Battle for Singapore. Through this Fort Connaught Rediscovery Tour (NEW), participants can get a glimpse into the abandoned Fort Connaught history, construction and its role in Singapore’s defence during the Japanese invasion of Singapore during WWII.

How much do you know about the history of the guns of Singapore’s military forts? How often have you heard about that quip that the guns of Singapore’s military first were pointed “the wrong way” during the Battle of Singapore? During WWII, was Singapore’s guns pointing the wrong direction? Where is Fort Connaught located on Sentosa? Did Fort Connaught see WWII military action against the Japanese armed forces? 

When you go on the Fort Connaught Rediscovery Tour, you can get the answers to the questions above. This tour is presented in partnership with Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).

Here are some of the remains that you can see today during this special access Fort Connaught Rediscovery Tour. 

One of the three 9.2-inch gun emplacements 

Battery observation post

Tips/Things to take note

• Be careful and be safe when trekking up Fort Connaught 
• Wear sturdy shoes (hiking boots highly recommended)
• Wear long pants and long sleeve shirt
• Bring a hat
• Bring your water bottle and stay hydrated
• Mosquito/Insect repellent is highly recommended 
• Please do not visit on your own as it is a restricted site and it’s for your own safety as well

Fort Connaught Rediscovery Tour Information

Dates: 11 February; 12 February; 19 February; 25 February; 26 February 2023

Time: 9am to 1130am; 1pm to 330pm 

Tickets are priced at $20 per participant, you can find ticketing and more details here at https://bsg2023.peatix.com 

Notes:

• The Fort Connaught Rediscovery Tour is recommended for ages 13 and up. Minors under the age of 16 have to be accompanied by an adult/guardian.
• Transport will be provided from Harbourfront MRT station to the site and back. Further details on the gathering point will be sent to participants upon registration.

For more information on Battle of Singapore 2023 

Please visit https://go.gov.sg/bsg2023 for more information and details on to sign up for Battle for Singapore 2023 programmes.

Registration for tours and programmes commences on Wednesday 8th February 2023, at 10am, on a first-come first-served basis. 

The post Battle for Singapore 2023 – 10th February to 5th March 2023 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Even though the city has a reputation for being expensive as opposed to other Asian cities, Singapore is definitely worth visiting and has so much to offer to all types of travelers. Additionally, it is compact in size and boasts a top-notch public transportation system, making it convenient to explore. 

If you decide to add this island city-state to your travel bucket list, the next thing to do is to plan your visit. We’ve done all the work for you and put together a list containing the top 8 must-see attractions in Singapore. (Pro tip: Make your trip more convenient and hassle-free by storing your bags and other items at a luggage locker in the city.)

1. Marina Bay

The Marina Bay district is the epicenter for tourism and activity in Singapore and is one of the places that you should not miss while in the city. The area is home to some of Singapore’s main points of interest, such as the iconic Merlion Park, ArtScience Museum, and The Float stadium. 

The centerpiece of the area is the eye-catching Marina Bay Sands, a stunning resort-hotel complex that has everything from casinos, nightclubs, shops, and performance venues. Staying at the hotel can be quite expensive; if you want to experience luxury without booking a room, you can buy a ticket to the SkyPark, which will give you access to the observation deck and infinity pool.

Another one of the main draws in the district is a 250-acre urban jungle known as Gardens by the Bay. This beautiful green space is home to a variety of plant species and the largest indoor waterfall in the world. Don’t miss the Supertree Grove, where you will see a number of futuristic structures that perform various sustainable functions.

2. Singapore Zoo

Billed as the best rainforest zoo in the world, the Singapore Zoo is one attraction that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. The impressive zoo covers 28 hectares of space and is comprised of 11 zones, such as Frozen Tundra, Primate Kingdom, and Wild Africa. 

Unlike other zoos, the Singapore Zoo prides itself in its “open concept”, where the animals are not locked in cages and are instead placed in individually landscaped enclosures. The zoo has over 4,000 different animals, including the biggest colony of orangutans in the world as well as an extremely rare white tiger.

3. Sentosa Island

The beach isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when visiting Singapore but if you would like to enjoy some time under the sun, Sentosa Island is the perfect destination for you. This island resort is one of the most interesting areas in Singapore and is home to some fun attractions and entertainment spots. If you want some beach time or engage in water sports, you have three beaches to choose from – the Tanjong Beach, Siloso Beach, and Palawan Beach. If you want to watch incredible marine creatures in person, then the S.E.A. Aquarium is the place to go.

One of the major highlights at Sentosa is the Universal Studios Singapore, an amusement park arranged thematically, each of which is dedicated to a certain film, television show, or location. The theme park’s rides range from kid-friendly to daredevil; examples include Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Battlestar Galactica, Revenge of the Mummy, and Shrek’s Far Far Away.

4. Orchard Road

Almost every major metropolis in the world has its own commercial avenue; for Singapore, they have the Orchard Road. The area, which once served as an orchard of fruit trees, spans over two kilometers and boasts an abundance of restaurants, malls, cafés, hotels, clubs, art galleries, and other major establishments. It is also considered Singapore’s ultimate shopping destination, featuring both luxury brands as well as discount outlets.

5. National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore is the island’s biggest museum and is one of the most important cultural institutions in the city. Formerly known as the Singapore History Museum, the facility underwent a $118 million renovation and rebranding job and has since become more cutting-edge and immersive. 

The museum has two primary galleries – the first one is the Singapore History Gallery, which traces the island’s history from the 14th century until present day. The other gallery is the Singapore Living Galleries, which focuses on different lifestyle themes such as film, fashion, photography, and food. The facility also hosts a range of cultural events throughout the year, including art installations, film screenings, and festivals.

6. Clarke Quay

During the 19th century, Clarke Quay was the center of commerce in Singapore, and today, it remains one of the busiest commercial hubs in the city. Situated on the banks of the Singapore River, the area is a favorite hangout spot for both locals and tourists who want to spend a fun day of dining and entertainment by the waterfront. 

7. Singapore Botanic Gardens 

If you’re looking to experience actual nature while in the city, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is definitely worth a visit. Not to be confused with Gardens by the Bay, this 74-hectare green space was established in 1860 and has since been an oasis for those looking to get away from the busy city life.  

The garden, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts glassy lakes, lush greenery, and a range of themed gardens. One of the most renowned areas is the National Orchid Garden, which features the largest tropical orchid collection in the world with more than 1000 species and 2,000 hybrids.

8. Raffles Hotel Singapore

Located in Singapore’s Colonial District, the Raffles Hotel is not your ordinary hotel; apart from offering accommodations in the city, it also serves as a major landmark and is one of the few remaining 19th century hotels in the world. 

Constructed in 1887, Raffles Hotel has been known to provide luxurious services for over a century and has once welcomed the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Joseph Conrad, and Rudyard Kipling.

The post Singapore: 8 Must-See Attractions appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

It takes a global pandemic Covid-19 to make/encourage Singapore explore its small land size area domestic tourism. We can start to explore and appreciate our own backyard, our history, heritage, culture, museums, nature. 

Time to support local businesses, explore, rediscover Singapore, her favourite tourism destinations among international visitors such as Gardens By The Bay, Sentosa, visit our heartlands, go for your local food adventure discoveries, explore our many nature parks, hike/walk/cycle along our extensive park connector networks (PCN), they are underrated and deserves more credit. 

Visit our network of museums, they are very interesting, informative and enriching, from local history and heritage to international contemporary arts. Rediscover our Singapore heritage and old places, my personal photography and documentation project over the years.

Through my Singapore photographs collection that I compiled over the years, I hope that this would encourage you to explore your own backyard in Singapore. We are a small country in land size, domestic tourism may not exactly ring a bell, this would be the time for change, we can rediscover Singapore again, appreciate the domestic tourism that Singapore has. 

I look forward to continuing my own SingapoRediscovers explorations that I collected over the years, updating and adding more photographs and stories of Singapore and her own backyard stories, photographs and adventures with my TGH Photography x Canon EOS RP Explorer Series Production.

Time to start your SingapoRediscovers – Explore your own backyard!

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