Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Financial District Singapore hotels

Found within the busy central area of Singapore, the Financial District is characterised by soaring skyscrapers and busy streets. Also known as the CBD, it rests to the south of the Singapore River, and as its name suggests, is home to some of the most important financial, administrative and cultural landmarks in the city-state. Raffles Place and Shenton Way are areas bustling with businessmen and women, lots of good coffee spots, good restaurants, gyms and a few malls for lunchtime shopping..

Not just a commercial and financial hub for Singapore, the Financial District also boasts plenty of amazing landmarks.

In front of the financial skyscrapers like UOB, Bank of China and Ocean Financial Centre, that dominate this district stands the world-famous Merlion. This iconic symbol of Singapore is over eight metres in height, and rests at the mouth of the Singapore River. This is the best place for photo opportunities in Singapore, especially after the sun has gone down.

With large skyscrapers dominating the Financial District’s skyline, it is not surprising that observation decks from these buildings remain popular too. The most important viewing platform in this district is the 1-Altitude Viewing Gallery, at the top of the OUB Centre. The platform’s views of Singapore and Marina Bay are unparalleled.

A great way to see the beautiful financial area is by jumping onto a harbour ferry. There are several different cruise options available, with many exploring the Marina Bay area and Singapore River banks. Visiting the colonial-rich heritage of the small but iconic Singapore River is highly recommended.

There are hawker centres located even in the financial district of Singapore. These spots are generally cheaper than restaurants, and provide a great range of food in the CBD from chicken rice to prata and laksa. Lau Pa Sat is in the heart of the CBD and there’s lots of other options around.

Just a short distance from the heart of the business district lie Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Robertson Quay, which rest along the Singapore River. These spots contain the best dining and nightlife in the city of Singapore. Attica and Zouk are two of the most popular nightclubs found here.

The Financial District also boasts some note-worthy shopping malls and complexes. The main place for shopping inside the district is The Arcade, which contains unique shops rather than well-established international brands. Just to the north of the district is City Hall MRT station, which is home to several important shopping malls, such as Peninsula Plaza and Raffles City.