Top reasons to visit Singapore’s Central Business District
Singapore remains one of the fastest evolving financial hubs across the globe, with a recent survey ranking it as the world’s joint-third largest forex centre (with a total market share of 7.6%).
This is also indicative of Singapore’s recent economic growth, with the region’s Central Business District having evolved from uninhabitable swamp land to become a thriving commercial hub since the 1820s.
In this post, we’ll look at the wider appeal of the Central Business District, while appraising the best things to see and the value that it offers as a potential tourist destination.
Location and Appeal – Exploring the Central Business District
The Central Business District is located between the Singapore River, Marina Bay and Chinatown, which is incredibly picturesque and home to a diverse meld of cultures.
This densely built and architecturally stunning area is also home to some of Asia’s and the world’s most prestigious companies, including Singapore Airlines, Creative Technology and the Ayam Brand.
Marina Bay is where many of these companies are based, with this location dominated by a towering and visually stunning skyline. We’d argue that it’s worth visiting the Central Business District in Singapore for this reason alone, while it’s particularly beguiling in the evening as the sun sets directly in the background.
You can capture the best images during this time from either the surrounding Esplanade or The Shoppes, both of which allow for a breathtaking and immersive panoramic view.
The three tallest structures are the UOB Plaza One (which boasts 67 floors), the Republic Plaza (66 floors) and the One Raffles Place with a total of 630 floors.
Each of these buildings reach as high as 280 meters, and there are few structures that embody the symbolic and aspirational nature of Singapore’s Central Business District with the same level of success.
What are the Best Things to Do in the Central Business District?
Of course, the business and financial district will be particularly appealing to international investors and traders, but there’s plenty to keep people of all descriptions happy here.
The Fullerton Hotel offers the ideal starting point for your journey, as you walk towards the iconic Raffles Place. This sits at the heart of the Central Business District, with its incredible white and colonial structure eye-catching to say the least.
While the region is obviously dominated by offices, there are also some superb restaurants and eateries for you to enjoy. Many of these are located on the top floors of the region’s buildings, with a host of international cuisines on offer alongside some spectacular surrounding reviews.
If you’re in search of a more authentic or casual experience, you should check out the fantastic street food on offer here.
We’d particularly recommend the Lau Pa Sat eatery, which also boasts a beautiful colonial style and serves some of the most incredible satay that you’ll ever taste!
