| Nestled in the heart of Singapore’s central | | | | Court and St. Andrew’s Cathedral. The area is |
| business district, sits an open field renowned as The | | | | also teeming with an interesting array of shopping |
| Padang. Encircled by many landmarks, today this | | | | malls, restaurants and food outlets. |
| historical and national icon serves as a key attraction | | | | You can conveniently access some of the key |
| for recreation; hosting numerous activities including | | | | attractions of Singapore from the site, such as the |
| the national day parades and sporting events such as | | | | Raffles Landing Site where you can retrace the roots |
| cricket, rugby and soccer matches and tournaments. | | | | of Singapore’s revolutionary development, the |
| In 1819 when Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles | | | | planned National Art Gallery to be completed by 2012, |
| – the founding father of contemporary Singapore | | | | Asian Civilization Museum hosting exhibitions such as |
| – first disembarked on Singapore soil, the British | | | | treasures from China, mythical beasts of all shapes |
| flag was hoisted in the Padang to commemorate this | | | | and sizes, an ancient copper coin collection along with |
| historically significant event. And during the colonial | | | | many interesting galleries, occupying high tech |
| era, the site was used as an arena for European | | | | interactive visual and learning aids. |
| social gatherings, military training and as a field for | | | | There are also several green patches, parks and |
| their much preferred pastime – cricket. | | | | playgrounds dotting the neighborhood, such as Old |
| After the Singapore Cricket Club (1870) and | | | | Merlion Park, Bras Basah Park, Stamford Green and |
| Singapore Recreation Club (1885) were set up in the | | | | Hong Lim Park. There is also the Esplanade Park – |
| premises, Padang turned into a key recreational zone | | | | one of the oldest parks in Singapore – sited in |
| where several official ODI cricket matches were held. | | | | the Central Area. Amongst the many historical |
| The site is also an excellent location for capturing the | | | | landmarks within the premises of the park are – |
| glimpse of many prominent landmarks and the | | | | Queen Elizabeth Walk, former Indian National Army |
| imposing skyscrapers of modern Singapore | | | | monument site and The Cenotaph – a war |
| juxtaposed with some of the key historical facades. | | | | memorial for those who died in World War I & |
| The panorama around the field is adorned with many | | | | II. |
| lofty high-rises namely DBS Bank (the largest bank in | | | | Most of the attractions sited right around the Padang |
| southeast Asia), United Overseas Bank (UOB) | | | | are within a kilometer radius, where you can also |
| perched at the base of its soaring twin towers UOB | | | | discover a cozy Singapore hotel. These Singapore |
| Plaza one and UOB Plaza two, the Suntec City Mall | | | | hotels facilitate various amenities along with an |
| (five imposing buildings and a convention centre built | | | | assortment of delectable local and international |
| according to Feng Shui concept). | | | | cuisines. Accommodation in Singapore offers a wide |
| As for the historical facades lying in close proximity | | | | range of choices to suit all budgets and tastes. |
| to the Padang, there is the City Hall, old Supreme | | | | |