Istana open house on July 23 to mark National Day
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The Istana will be open for visitors between 8.30am and 6pm on July 23, with visitors encouraged to wear red.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
SINGAPORE – Follow guided tours or watch traditional dance performances at the Istana open house on Sunday to commemorate National Day.
The President’s Office said on Thursday that the Istana will be open to visitors between 8.30am and 6pm on Sunday, with visitors encouraged to wear red.
Visitors can explore the newly enhanced Swan Pond, the Japanese Garden and the Inclusive Garden on the Istana grounds.
From 9am to 5pm, music and dance performances will take place at the Ceremonial Plaza and Main Tent. Performers include student groups from Anderson Primary School, Damai Primary School, New Town Primary School, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy and Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah.
For those hoping to get a closer look at the collection of state gifts presented to Singapore’s leaders or visit selected function rooms in the Istana main building, guided tours will be conducted every 30 minutes from 9.30am till 5pm.
Guided nature tours highlighting the flora and fauna of the presidential palace grounds will be conducted every hour by National Parks Board volunteers from 10am to 4pm.
Tours are limited to 15 individuals per group.
Guided tours of the main building and the nature tours will cost $2 for children aged between four and 12, while adult Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs) will have to pay $4. Other adults will have to pay $10.
Self-guided tours of the main building cost $2 for all children aged between four and 12, and adult Singaporeans and PRs. Other adult visitors will be charged $4.
The tours are free for children below the age of four.
Fees collected go to beneficiaries of the President’s Challenge.
There will be activity booths featuring face-painting and crafts such as candle-making and Arabic calligraphy, and traditional and community games such as five stones, capteh and hopscotch.
Visitors are to enter the Istana via the main gate in Orchard Road near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Entry is free for Singaporeans and PRs. All other visitors above the age of four must pay an entry fee of $2. Only cashless payment via QR codes will be accepted.
Entry into the Istana may be restricted due to capacity, bad weather or other reasons. Those interested can visit https://www.istana.gov.sg/Visit-And-Explore/Istana-Open-House
