By Ng Kong Ling
Copyright asia361
Do you know that Orchard Road owes its name not to tropical fruit orchards, but to nutmeg plantations that once covered the area? Streets such as Cuppage, Claymore and Cairnhill were named after plantation owners who shaped the district in its early years.
And, few may know that the glittering Ngee Ann City was once the site of Tai Shan Ting, a sprawling Teochew cemetery housing around 25,000 graves. Or that a railway track once ran across Orchard Road, with a railway bridge spanning the street near Emerald Hill – a very different kind of crossing from the one that stands there today.
We were on a media preview of the Orchard Trail, organised by Far East Hospitality and specially curated by Yong, The Urbanist. Starting at Quincy Hotel and ending at Hotel Rendezvous near Dhoby Ghaut, the walk turned familiar streets into a living storybook. Yong shared lesser-known facts and forgotten trivia, shedding new light on the bustling precinct we thought we knew so well.
Far East Organisation’s own legacy is also woven into the trail. For example, founder Ng Teng Fong was nicknamed “King of Orchard Road” for his dominance in Singapore’s prime shopping district. Far East Shopping Centre was the first mall in Singapore to feature an atrium and external escalators. Not many people know about The Singapura Forum Hotel, the first hotel venture of Far East Organisation.
Singapore turns 60 this year, and Far East Hospitality (FEH) is marking the occasion with a series of walking trails that go beyond sightseeing, partnering with local heritage storyteller The Urbanist Singapore, inviting guests to experience the city’s cultural heartbeat, one story at a time.
A Three-Part Journey Through Time and Place
Rolling out from September to November 2025, the curated trails spotlight three iconic precincts – Orchard, the Central Business District (CBD), and Sentosa. Each experience is anchored by nearby FEH hotels, adding a unique dimension where “stays meet stories.”
Orchard Trail – 12 September 2025
Step past the shopping façades into Orchard’s hidden history, from secret pipelines to heritage walkways. Nearby FEH hotels: Quincy Hotel, Rendezvous Hotel, Vibe Hotel Orchard.
Central Business District Trail – 4 October 2025
Where history meets skyscrapers. Discover shophouses, shrines and street art as the CBD’s story unfolds. Nearby FEH hotels: The Clan Hotel, AMOY Hotel, Oasia Hotel Downtown.
Sentosa Trail – 8 November 2025
Walk through the island’s transformation from colonial outpost to luxury destination, with hidden bunkers, heritage homes, and serene wellness enclaves. Nearby FEH hotels: The Barracks Hotel, Village Hotel Sentosa, Oasia Resort Sentosa.
Step off the beaten path, and see Singapore like you’ve never seen it before.
Spots are limited. Follow @fareasthospitality on Instagram and @Far East Hospitality on Facebook for giveaways and sign-ups.
