Expat Travel Mom

We might have chosen the busiest time to visit the Istana, Chinese New Year, but any time you go will be busy, since it's only open to the public a handful of times a year. If you plan your trip right, you'll get a rare chance to visit this breathtaking 98-acre estate.

A Building with a Real History

The Istana is the official residence of the President of Singapore, and an important part of the country's history and heritage. The British colonial government built it to house its governors. Originally known as Government House, it was handed over to the Singapore Government in 1959 when the country became a self-governing state, and renamed Istana, "palace" in Malay.

Getting In

For Chinese New Year, we went with the masses and paid a mere SGD 1 for entry. The Istana sits on Orchard Road, right off the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Coming out of the station, we were met with a line stretching what felt like miles, switchbacks and all, easily a two-hour wait minimum. The line does keep moving, but bring sunblock, a hat, and plenty of water. Tip: Singaporeans skip this line entirely, and there's an express line for elderly visitors or those with very young children.

The Grounds

Once through security, the grounds simply opened up in front of us. Swan Lake greeted us first, two real swans included, alongside wide-open green space that made it feel like we'd left the city entirely. Towering trees, gorgeous flowers, even a mini golf course. Since we visited during Chinese New Year, festivities were happening everywhere, we learned about bird conservation with the Singapore Bird Park, said hello to a few goats (fittingly, it was the Year of the Goat), watched dance performances, and even caught the arrival of the President and his wife.

For a small additional fee, you can go inside the Istana itself and view the ceremonial rooms and gifts given to the President and Prime Minister from around the world, we even spotted one from the UAE. The artwork and décor alone are worth the visit.

The Changing of the Guard

No matter when you visit, I'd recommend it simply for the beauty of the place. For a few hours, we felt entirely removed from the pace of the city. If your timing allows, the Changing of the Guard is worth catching too, held monthly right on Orchard Road in front of the Istana. The ceremony is modeled after the British Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, with 36 guards and two guard commanders taking part.

A Note From the Day We Wrote This

We visited during Chinese New Year, and by the time this went up, Singapore had lost a great man and leader, Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away that same week in March 2015. The Istana, though not where he lived, became the place where his body rested for a private family wake before his burial. A legacy was left behind for the people of Singapore to carry forward, and we felt the weight of that as we published this piece.

Coming back to update: the Istana Open House still happens several times a year, typically around Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Labour Day, National Day, and Deepavali, though exact dates shift annually, so check current listings before planning around one. The Changing of the Guard ceremony is still held monthly too, usually the first Sunday evening of the month. One change worth knowing: the Istana's main building has been undergoing refurbishment and has been closed to the public during recent open house dates, though the grounds themselves remain open. As of this update, Singapore's current president does not actually reside at the Istana, only the country's first and third presidents ever lived there.