You will begin your quest here...

Welcome to the Singapore River web quest where you will find out more about the history of the Singapore and the stories behind it. This will provide information that will help you with the next poem we're going to study.

To begin, do you know where is the Singapore river on this map:

Try locating the Singapore River on the map. Click on the arrow once you have done so.

Location of Singapore River

Did you accurately pinpoint the location of the Singapore River?

Yes, Singapore River is located on the southern part of Singapore. Singapore River is one of the 90 rivers in Singapore. 

It is about 3.2 km long starting from Kim Seng Bridge to its mouth at esplanade where it enters the Marina Channel and flows out to the Singapore Strait. Singapore River is now lined with skyscrapers, commercial buildings and entertainment night spots. It is accessible via Raffles Place, Clarke Quay and Esplanade MRT stations.

History of Singapore River

Singapore River has always played a pivotal role in Singapore’s Development. Legend has it that Sang Nila Utama, an ancient Sumatran prince, once landed along the river and saw an animal that he thought to be a lion, whereupon he named the island Singa-pura, or “Lion City.” 

In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles arrived on Singapore River and established a British trading outpost. For more than a century afterward, Singapore river was a very important trading port. 

Unfortunately, the river also suffered problems with congestion and pollution over the years. Due to the heavy traffic, expanding trade and increasing immigrants along Singapore River, the river start to get polluted and congested from the 1880s. Disposal of garbage, sewage, industrial waste products and oil spills polluted the Singapore River. As time went by, Singapore River began to be filled up with trash, dirty water and had a stench.

River Clean-up

In 1977, the government began the massive task of cleaning up Singapore River. Works undertaken included dredging the river, rebuilding the river walls along the entire stretch of Singapore River and the construction of a 6km long walkway along both banks. 

By 1987, the efforts paid off and Singapore River returned to its former days of charm and glory. 

 

Singapore River Today

Singapore River has been transformed from a working waterway to an attractive waterfront environment for housing, recreation, entertainment and commercial new developments have generated renewed activity, while conserved buildings lend charm and preserve the memory of the river’s past. 

The Singapore River is a story about change, of how a river contributed to the success of Singapore. In modern times, this legendary river will still be remembered for its old charm and its great importance in the history of Singapore.

 You have reached the end of your quest to find out more about the Singapore River. Thank you!