5 notable rivers in Singapore and the stories behind them

The Singapore River needs no introduction. Stretching 3.2km from Kim Seng Road to Marina Bay, it’s rightly recognised as the birthplace of modern Singapore. Strolling along its glittering banks today, one can try to imagine it as it was when the British founded modern Singapore in 1819 – a small Malay village at the mouth of the river with a floating settlement built by the Orang Laut further upstream, and swampy banks all along the channel. Skulls were even found along the river, which researchers think indicate pirate activity in the area at the time. In the years following, the Singapore River became a bustling port. Boat Quay and Raffles Place (then called Commercial Square) rose up on its banks. Godowns thrived on Boat Quay for more than 150 years, receiving gambier, spices, silk and porcelain from arriving ships.

What to see today: Visit the historic buildings that still stand today – The Arts House, the Asian Civilisations Museum, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall and National Gallery Singapore. Robertson Quay, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are now also lively dining and nightlife venues.

This 10km long river is undoubtedly Singapore’s longest. Starting from the Lower Peirce Reservoir, it wends its way through Bishan and Toa Payoh before arriving in Kallang, where it flows out into the sea via the Marina Channel. The Kallang River derives its name from the Biduanda Orang Kallang tribe that used to live at its swampy mouth. These skilled boatsmen made up half the population of Singapore at the time Sir Stamford Raffles landed in 1819. Later, Kallang would come to be populated by Bugis traders from Sulawesi. The river was where they unloaded goods like mother-of-pearl, tortoise shells, gold dust, birds' nest and a popular woven fabric known as "sarong Bugis". More recent history will recall that the Kallang River’s banks were also the site of major industry, an example being the Kallang Gasworks, which supplied gas for Singapore for more than a century.

What to see today: If you're thirsty for some kayaking, dragon boating and a host of other water activities, then the Kallang River is the place to go. Also, visit Kallang Riverside Park to marvel at the remaining structure of Gasholder No. 3. Otherwise, go further upstream to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, where low and grassy riverbanks allow you to get close to the water.

At the intersection of Buffalo Road and Serangoon Road stands a heritage statue of a bullock cart – a testament to the thriving cattle trade in the 19th and 20th centuries. That industry owes much to Rochor River. This 0.8km river that flows from Rochor Canal, originating from as far as Bukit Timah, is credited with feeding the surrounding pastures in Little India with abundant water. This made ideal ground for buffalo – check out this picture of cattle bathing in the waters of Rochor River – and a whole cattle industry soon formed. Indian immigrants engaged in cattle trading and breeding; farms, dairies, cowsheds and even horse stables followed, and bullock carts became a popular mode of transport. 

What to see today: Scarf down spicy biryani at Allauddin's Briyani in Tekka Centre, once known as Kandang Kerbau ("buffalo pen" in Malay). The shophouses at Little India Arcade are brimming with spices, fabrics, sweets and other knick-knacks. A 1.1km stretch between Sim Lim Tower and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority building has also been given a facelift and has pleasing promenades, rain gardens and lookouts all along the canal. 

Remember the Malay village and floating settlement of the Orang Laut built near the mouth of the Singapore River? In the 1840s, the British resettled these communities in kampungs along Geylang River. The area was called Geylang Kelapa, most likely after the surrounding coconut plantations. These early settlers lived right over the river basin in houses built on stilts. Right around the same time, the tip jutting into the river known as Sandy Point was quickly developing into a booming marine yard. Looking at the polluted waters then, you wouldn't think that it would transform into present-day Tanjong Rhu, a tranquil high-end residential estate in Singapore. 

What to see now Don't miss the charm of Dakota and Old Airport Road, where there's the Goodman Arts Centre and Old Airport Road Food Centre in the vicinity. Geylang Road is also chockful of amazing fare like JB Ah Meng and Rochor Beancurd. Take a cycle by the river leading to Tanjong Rhu, and cross the bridge there to access Singapore Sports Hub. 

Sungei Serangoon once emptied into the Johor Strait, where Orang Laut and Orang Seletar from neighbouring islands used to sail. After the founding of modern Singapore, the harbour was an important entryway for timber and quarry from Johor and Pulau Ubin, though this precious cargo is said to have traveled to the city centre via Serangoon Road rather than the river. Sungei Serangoon is much tamed these days – it was dammed up in 2011 to form Serangoon Reservoir, and its banks have been landscaped into a stretch rich with recreational activities. Wildlife still thrives here – Lorong Halus Wetland sees migratory birds and other critters on the regular.  

What to see today Whether you're on foot or on wheels, Sungei Serangoon's riverfront makes for a stunning route through Punggol Waterway to Coney Island. You also won't miss the striking red Lorong Halus Bridge, which will lead you to Lorong Halus Wetland, a former landfill transformed into a wildlife sanctuary and educational park.