Check out the differences of Orchard Road in Singapore during COVID19 Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Music by David Meraki: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI-ShiSbaApBfnKdgVaSWsQ
Fun Facts:
Orchard Road is a famous street in South East Asia, and increasingly across the world. Adorned with stores, malls, eateries and sites, the 2.2km strip is a paradise delight for shoppers and tourists alike. But there are a few things about Orchard Road that are little known, and adding these to your bank of knowledge could quite impress whoever you choose to stroll down the famed boulevard with. It’s not all about shopping and consumerism, there’s a lot more to this historic street in the Lion City.
1. If you perchance to stroll down Orchard Road between around 6:30 to 8:30pm, you may notice that the human species is somewhat outnumbered by another; hundreds and hundreds of birds flock to the famed shopping street in the evening, The Birds
If you perchance to stroll down Orchard Road between around 6:30 to 8:30pm, you may notice that the human species is somewhat outnumbered by another; hundreds and hundreds of birds flock to the famed shopping street in the evening, and their singing of sunset songs can actually become quite a racket. But why are there so many birds? Singapore is actually located right on course of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway – the migrating path of thousands of birds, and the island is an essential stop for the birds to refuel – and what a place to do it! Munching on leftover food, and singing from the many treetops that line the streets are four different species of birds; the Asian Glossy Starling, the Javan Myna, the house crow, and the rock pigeon.
But their presence comes with an unsightly catch – the poop. Executive Director of the Orchard Road Business Association, Steven Goh, is expending much effort and a lot of resources to keep the boulevard clean. For example, up to 3’000 litres of water every night is used to pressure clean the street and rid it of bird poop.
1. What’s in a Name?
The name Orchard Road actually originates from where you might think – it was once lined with orchards! Early in the 19th century it was home to Pepper and Gambier plantations, which years later gave way to Nutmeg and Fruit Orchards.
It’s rumored that a “Mr. Orchard” used to own some of the land at the corner of present-day Scotts Road and Orchard Road, and as lovely as that might be, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence to support it.
1. What Once Was…
As well as fruitful orchards (that sadly diminished mostly due to disease), Orchard Road was also once the location of three cemeteries; a Chinese cemetery, a Sumatran cemetery, and later on, a Jewish Cemetery.
By the 1860’s there were many private houses on Orchard Road, and in the early 1890’s, King Chulalongkorn, King of Siam, acquired “Hurricane House”. Later two pieces of property were added on, and it is now the site of the Royal Thai Embassy, at 370 Orchard Road.
The early 20th Century saw Orchard Road as home to a number of different things including fresh produce markets, car parks, the Orchard Road Railway and the Glutton’s market – where locals would wait for the clock to hit 5pm before setting up a number of stalls selling local cuisines and goodies.
And then in 1958 the Orchard Road that we know now began, with the opening of CK Tang’s Department store – the first and longest-running of its kind on the strip.
1. A Secret Street
Just a hop behind the glamourous Orchard Road, is another awe-inspiring street, but not for any of the same reasons.
Emerald Hill is a little street of terraced houses that feels as though it’s been frozen in time – a stunning display of Chinese Baroque architecture, this little street definitely deserves a little of your time away from Orchard Road.
What was once a nutmeg plantation (which sadly failed due to disease) has since become the home of many-a-wealthy Singaporean, and has even been the mystical setting for many short stories written by pioneer of Singaporean Literature Goh Sin Tub.
https://singapore.concordehotelsresorts.com/9-mildly-interesting-facts-about-orchard-road-you-probably-didnt-know
