Fort Canning: Bukit Larangan

Fort Canning Hill might be only 48 meters high, but due to its prime location next to the Singapore river it has been the epicentre of several local settlements. Both the 14th century Malay rulers of Temasek and the 19th century British colonials chose this hill as the seat of their government. This guided walk focuses on the 14th century Malay settlement here, while another of our walks focused on the more recent history of the British. A walk combining both narratives is possible as well, please get in touch to discuss options.

According to Malay lore, in 1299 Sang Nila Utama, a Malay prince from Sumatra, arrived in Singapore and settled his kingdom here. During the next century a succession of five kings lived on the hill, until they were attacked by the Javanese and fled north where they founded the Sultanate of Melaka. Sources are scant and not always reliable, so historians are still debating the exact events, but archaeological research as well as reports from foreign travelers of the era confirm that an affluent society lived right here on this hill in that era.

In this walk we will visit an archeological site that unearthed many 14th century artefacts that will tell us more about the people that lived here, their lives and livelihoods. We will visit Keramat Iskandar Shah, a holy shrine for the local Malay people that is firmly rooted in ancient Malay history and folklore.

We will wander through the spice gardens and the orchards that show us herbs and trees that would have grown here the past, and discuss there uses both to the local people and their role in the international spice trade through several millennia.

We will wander through the tranquil and fragrant Sang Nila Utama garden, where you might feel yourself transported to Bali. That is no coincidence, as the 14th century Malay rulers were Hindu, and would likely have had buildings and gardens in this style. The Pancur Larangan, or forbidden spring, tells us of an old spring around this spot where the female royals bathed, an area where regular people weren't allowed to go.