On Sunday, April 21st, the Istana held an open house. The Istana, or “palace” in Malay, is the presidential palace of Singapore and is open only four to five times a year for holidays like Deepavali, Chinese New Year, and National Day. Today, the Istana is open in celebration of Hari Raya Puasa (the end of Ramadan) and Labor Day, which are relatively close to each other in the calendar only a few weeks apart. So, the Istana decided to hold one event on a Sunday on a weekend between the two holidays. Unlike the American White House, the Istana is tuck away behind a long driveway and a series of green rolling hills so you cannot see it from the street. But, in the past, the Istana had a view of the harbor. But now, the Istana has a view of tall modern glass skyscrapers.
These open houses are more aimed as educational activities for local Singaporeans than as a tourist destination. So, it is heavily advertised in local newspapers but information was mostly absent on tourist forums.
I had the opportunity to go with Dr. Alexander and her husband Mr. Alexander. We took the train to the station and got there at 9 am. The Istana was open from 8:30 am to 6 pm that day. Once inside, we got into a sprawling hilly green lawn with flowers, lakes, and large trees providing shade on the asphalt walk uphill once we got pass the gates and security. The driveway was quite long, but picturesque. The scenery somewhat reminded me of Bucknell’s ELC hill and its asphalt paths, green grass, and lush trees during the summer. It costs $2 SGD to enter the grounds. Note: All payments on Istana grounds must be contactless through QR codes for debit and credit card payments.
At the main building, there is an option for an hourly nature tour, a guided tour of the main building, and a self-guided tour all for an additional cost. The guided tour was $20 SGD and self-guided was $10 SGD. We had the opportunity to visit the first floor and admire the arts, gifts from other countries, and the beautiful architecture inside (and the air conditioning!). Outside, there were gardens with impeccable landscaping, fountains, ponds, etc. They allow people to take pictures outside and inside, with taking photos inside being a new privilege to visitors granted this year.
Afterwards, we left the main building and enjoyed a slow steady walk downhill and explored some of the paths to take pictures and get closer to closed side pavilion. Lastly, we strolled down the green hill we climbed up earlier to get to the main building. When we left, it was cloudy and breezy, much more tolerable than the hot sticky humid weather we faced upon our arrival. As we pass the gates, we get to view Orchard Road from the direction one rarely gets the angle of.
The Istana is truly an architectural marvel that one should seize the chance to visit when the opportunity arises. Even though the government announces the exact dates only a week before, if one books their stay in Singapore over the usual five holidays they open the Istana, one might get the lucky chance that the Istana will be open during some point of their stay.