Istana

Our version of the White House, Istana is where the President of Singapore resides in and it often opens its grounds for free to the public on special occasions including National Day, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa. So come bring your picnic basket and mats and spread across its manicured lawn or participate in various arts and cultural events (like dances, brass bands and martial arts demonstrations) that usually take place. The main Istana building itself was completed in 1869 and the gardens – which make for a lovely walk – contain an old Japanese artillery gun, lily ponds, the burial grounds of the Bencoolen Muslims and even a nine-hole golf course. Another popular public attraction is the changing of the guard, which happens the first Sunday of the month and starts at 6pm.