Orchard Road, which lies to the north-west of downtown Singapore, was a simple dirt road in the 1840s, lined with orchards and nutmeg plantations. Today it constitutes Singapore’s most famous shopping district, complete with lavish hotels, cafes and shopping malls. The 2.2-kilometre strip is a major tourist attraction, and is simply known to locals as Orchard.
Commercial development began along Orchard Road in the twentieth century and took off when in 1958, Orchard Road’s first department store was opened by a local merchant, C.K. Tang. By the 1970s, high-rise buildings such as Tang Plaza, Plaza Singapura and the Mandarin Hotel drew in the crowds and it's got even bigger and busier since then. Now home to dozens of shopping centres, pedestrian malls and the flagship stores of some of the world's best-known brands and small boutiques, if you want to buy something, you'll find it here.
If you're interested in designer brands, the DFS Galleria is the place to head. This duty-free shopping destination is home to Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Hermès, among others. Other high-end stores can be found in ION Orchard, while the Hilton Shopping Gallery has famous names like Jil Sander, Comme de Garçons and Balenciaga.
If you're in the market for more mid-range fashion labels, the new Knightsbridge Mall is the place to head: there's a huge Abercrombie & Fitch store as well as other labels like Tommy Hilfiger.
Once you’re all spent out, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can take the weight off your feet. Food courts in other parts of the world might not be a recommended destination, but in Singapore, they are one of the best places to find authentic local cuisine.
Orchard Road is located in central Singapore. The nearest MRT station is named Orchard, and all malls have paid car parks. Trading hours differ between shopping malls but most are open daily.
