For more than 2,000 years the Chinese have used a system of medicine known as Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM. The underlying concepts and theories of TCM treat the body, mind and emotions (or spirit) as a single entity and its practices take a holistic approach to prevention and cure. It also emphasises balance within the body and its relationship with natural forces. Along with prescribing medicinal herbs, TCM often includes nutritional therapies, treatments such as acupuncture, cupping, massage or tuina, and exercises such as taiqi. If you are curious about TCM, join us and learn about TCM’s basic principles and practices, followed by a visit to a traditional Chinese medical shop.

Tucked away into a corner of our World Heritage Botanic Gardens is a special Ethnobotany Garden which opened in June 2018. The Ethnobotany Garden features a large variety of ordinary, as well as unusual plants, most of which are native to Southeast Asia and have been used for centuries in this part of the world, and other regions, for food, medicine, cultural practices and material crafts. This is the largest collection of its kind in Southeast Asia. Various artefacts that reflect the different aspects of indigenous living are also displayed throughout the garden. 

Within the garden is the Centre for Ethnobotany. It highlights the roles plants have played in shaping the world we know today, and aims to preserve indigenous knowledge. Changing exhibitions focus on specific plants in depth. The current one is on the jackfruit plant. If you have ever wondered about this big fruit or savoured its sweet segments you can learn what people traditionally used it for.

Join us on this specially organised tour and gain an understanding of another aspect of the history of this region – its plants - their historical, economic and anthropological roles. 

Few people have heard of Balestier Road or know that it is a heritage trail. Singaporeans shop here for lighting, bathroom equipment, as well as good food. However, it also has an eclectic mix of shops such as old-style bakeries, a coffee-bean/powder shop, karaoke lounges and night clubs from a bygone era. Balestier has a rich history with links to the first American Consul to Singapore and Dr Sun Yat Sen. It is also home to one of the earliest Malay film studios and various temples including one with a permanent wayang (opera) stage. Architecture here ranges from art deco to flamboyantly decorated shophouses to modern condominiums. Join us on this heritage walk and discover another facet of Singapore and its history.  

Singapore’s government housing programme for its population is one of the nation’s great success stories.  Housing Development Board (HDB) estates are all around us but we know very little about them.  How did the population of Singapore go from living in rural villages (kampongs) to living in high rise apartments while still keeping the community spirit intact?  Come with Explore Singapore! and our guide will explain how this was achieved in such a short time frame.  Then we will tour one of the earliest town centres - Toa Payoh, built in 1966 - on foot. You will see close up how and what makes a lively, self- contained hub which is the nucleus of every HDB estate.

 An optional local lunch will follow for those who would like to join us

Join us on a guided walking tour of Little India, to wander along its charming, shophouse-lined streets, and experience the hustle and bustle of an organic, evolving neighbourhood. Amidst colourful stores and iconic landmarks, learn about the rich and surprising history of this heritage precinct, its past trades and inhabitants, and its enduring relevance. We will walk through Little India’s vibrant streets, stopping at key points of interest, including significant commercial establishments, important places of worship and the Indian Heritage Centre. 

This city exploration will give you fascinating glimpses into early and contemporary Singapore, and help you gain new insights into understanding more about our island state’s diverse Indian communities. Come along to enjoy the myriad sights, smells and even tastes of Little India.

Those of us who have travelled to Indonesia must surely have heard melodic tinkling music welcoming guests to hotels and restaurants everywhere. The music also entertains you whilst you dine or simply relax. It is often played live, so you would probably have seen the musicians seated with their instruments – the gamelan.  

If you have been fascinated by the gamelan and wish to learn something about it, here is a unique opportunity for you to find out! In this workshop you will learn about the differences between Javanese and Balinese gamelan orchestras and about the instruments. You will also be taught to play on the actual instruments.

 In the process you will also learn about the gamelan’s history, traditions and related cultural activities like wayang kulit (Indonesian shadow puppetry) and Javanese dance. Our instructors will open your eyes and ears to the delight of gamelan music and teach you to play at least 2 traditional gamelan songs! Hearing gamelan music after this workshop will never be the same again to you!