I was here on one of the Sunday morning exploring Bra Basah Road Singapore, this road is a one-way street with many interesting history and houses several important landmarks in Singapore.
Bra Basah is a Malay name, Bras is actually short form of “beras” meaning rice and “basah” means wet. So after the translation the name is “Wet Rice”. Why called Wet Rice/Berah Basah? This is because before the land was filled in, the lagoon served as a gateway for boats with cargo-loads of rice, yes,”Rice”. These were then dried at the banks of the Sungai Bras Basah (Stamford Canal) but were often made wet by the rising tide. Hence, people called this place Wet Rice/Bras Basah.
CHIJMES
This is a historical building complex which originally started as a Catholic convent -CHIJ/Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus , a girl school and orphanage. Now CHIJMES has become a commercial destination for pubs, bars, fine dining, shopping and entertainment center! Can’t find a nice place to chill out and relax? Come visit CHIJMES, pronounced as Chimes.
Total of 3 level for you to explore, basement, level 1 and level 2.
This beautiful white chapel was completed in 1904 in Gothic Style. I would say it is one of the most elaborate places of worship ever built in Singapore.
If you are planning to get married, this is a great place for wedding photo shooting 🙂 You can even book CHIJMES hall for your wedding reception which can sit up to 300 people. I saw a happy couple having their wedding reception in this stunning place during my visit on the Sunday morning.
Restaurants in CHIJMES
There are several restaurants to choose from, Lei Garden serve Chinese food including the Hong Kong Dim Sun.
Some Alfresco dining spots with good view of the Gothic Style Chapel. This place would even become more lively at night with all the lights up and live music!
Don’t like to sit on the chair? You can always lie down on the colorful bean bags here. No books, no problem, stay dreaming 🙂
Tatsu – Japanese Restaurant
Opposite of Tatsu Restaurant, there is a colorful mural showing the surroundings of CHIJMES.
Graffiti by Alec Monopoly at CHIJMES
A white piano here was entirely painted over in layers, first with graffiti lettering spray-painted on it, followed by Graffiti artist Alec Monopoly signature Monopoly Man and Richie Rich characters, and black raven motifs printed on with acrylic paint.
I am really curious how does this Graffiti artist look like as he always appear in public with a mask whenever he is performing his graffiti art work.
Singapore Art Museum/SAM
Want to go to visit a museum and don’t feel like paying? Then wait for the museum day, 18 May to go in free. This is a contemporary art museum focusing on art practices in Singapore, Southeast Asia and Asia. The museum is not that big and about 1-2 hours you can finish looking at all the exhibition. If you have young children and would like to light up their imagination power, come to this museum to check out the colorful artwork displayed here.
Admission Fees:
- Adult : SGD $ 6.00
- Child : SGD $ 3.00
- Singapore Citizen and PR : Free
- Note : Always check the current exhibition before going.
Opposite the Singapore Art Museum, there is a glass bridge which will link you to Li Ka Shing Library in SMU/Singapore Management University.
Li Ka Shing Libary in SMU
SMU specializes in business and management studies which is located in the heart of city center.
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
This is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Singapore, just few minutes walk from Singapore Art Museum.
Singapore Raffles Hotel
High tea in Raffles Hotel look like a must try item for travelers abroad. I have met friends from overseas who came to Singapore and the one thing they must do is to have high tea in Raffles Hotel. (By the way, due to restoration, the Tiffin Room for high tea is closed till middle of 2018)
Raffles Hotel Singapore is named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore. However, the hotel started as a privately owned beach house built in the early 1830.
Singapore Sling – National Drink
Do you know Singapore Sling is first invented here at the bar in Raffles Hotel? The guy in the picture below is bartender Ngiam, who created a cocktail that looked like a fruit juice in pink color in Long Bar, Raffles Hotel in 1915.
The hotel is an oasis of greenery, especially the courtyard. You won’t even realized you are actually staying in the heart of city center as you are surrounded by the beautiful nature with birds singing.
Raffles City
Need some retail therapy? Go Raffles City Complex, just 3 mins walk from Raffles Hotel.
How to get here ?
- Nearest MRT : Bras Basah MRT
- MRT Exit A : Bras Basah Complex, Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade, Stamford House, CHIJMES, National Library, NTUC Trade Union Building
Singapore : Bras Basah Road Top Attractions
- CHIJMES
- Singapore Art Museum
- Li Ka Shing Library in SMU
- Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
- Raffles Hotel
- Raffles City Shopping Area