Dhoby Ghaut

The phrase Dhoby Ghaut is an Anglo-Indian one. The word ‘dhoby' refers to laundrymen, which ‘ghaut' is a hybrid word that means “beside the river”. Dhoby Ghaut is a fascinatingly diverse district. Here, the old and the new merge, with modernist buildings beside art deco shophouses and old shopping complexes. Cinemas, office buildings, shopping complexes, pubs and hotels are all entangled with one another in this classy neighbourhood. Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is also Singapore’s first three-line interchange station. There is a shopping mall above the MRT station called Plaza Singapura which becomes one of the main shopping complexes that nearby residents can count on for daily needs. Several condominiums near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station include Suites at Orchard, Nomu, The Luxe, The Cathay Residences, and Visioncrest Residence.

Public transport and amenities in Dhoby Ghaut

Dhoby Ghaut is now a bustling district in the heart of town where there's always so much going on. In the early 1800s, the Orchard Road area was considered to belong to the outskirts of town, as the commercial centre of Singapore was located by the Singapore River. As Dhoby Ghaut was closest to the town area and had a freshwater stream to provide water, it was the area where many of the early activities of Orchard Road took place. The station and its surrounding area today get their name from Dhobi Ghat, which means “washerman’s place” in Hindi, in reference to people that used to wash their laundry from a clear stream in the area. Today, it is home to skyscrapers, modern architecture, and a host of activities.

Top 3 Things To Do In Dhoby Ghaut

You do not have to worry about deciding where to go when you crave some fun with your loved ones. Living in the Dhoby Ghaut neighbourhood grants you easy access to several points of attraction in the Central Area. Here’s a list of things to do in Dhoby Ghaut that will appeal to all generations and ensure that you’ll have the best of time in the area:

1. Visit The Istana

Fondly known as The White House of Singapore, The Istana (which means palace in Malay) is the official residence and office of the president. The massive 40-hectare place was formerly a nutmeg plantation before its renovation in 1867. What stands out is the 18th-century neo-Palladian style, complete with wide verandahs and large louvred windows. 

Istana Park fronts the main Istana Gate and provides a vantage point to view the monthly changing of guards ceremony at the Istana. If you’d like to visit, take note that The Istana is open to the public on Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa, Labour Day, and National Day only. You can look forward to enjoying the floral display that is themed according to the celebratory events of the year, as well as the oasis of light as night falls.

2. Museum Tours

Established in 1887, The National Museum of Singapore delivers Singapore’s history and culture through live performances and modern multimedia exhibits. Want to know more about this little red dot? The permanent galleries to visit include the Singapore History Gallery, which charts the development of the city.

There’s also the Singapore Art Museum which holds a fine selection of contemporary artworks across Southeast Asia. Put aside your entire day when you visit this place. The art museum in Singapore has over 7,000 permanent art pieces.

3. Fort Canning Park!

A park in the middle of Singapore’s shopping and nightlife mecca? That’s a place not to miss! Fort Canning Park is steeped in history, going back 700 years. It was once known as ‘Forbidden Hill’ and later became a military base during WWII. Grab a mat and basket and head to Fort Canning Green for a relaxing picnic in the evening time, or stroll along the shady nature walk to clock in your daily steps. No matter your chosen activity, it’s a wonderful spot to escape from the hustle and bustle.

Dhoby Ghaut - Public Transports

Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station is an underground interchange station in the Central area, at the Eastern end of the Orchard Road shopping belt, connecting the North-South Line (NSL), North-East Line (NEL), and the Circle Line (CCL). Located underneath Orchard Road and The Atrium@Orchard shopping mall, the station brings rail connections to the diverse Dhoby Ghaut commercial area, with shopping centres, museums, educational institutions, residential apartments, the Istana, and places of worship in the vicinity. Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is the only triple-line MRT interchange station in Singapore and one of the deepest stations housing five basement levels, with the deepest point at 92 ft below the ground. 

The station features many artworks, including an art piece by Tan Ping Chiang above the NSL platforms. A mobile sculpture is suspended from the ceiling, intended to depict Singapore's multiracial culture. The artwork is designed in three parts; the largest section portrays the traditional and contemporary musical instruments of Singapore's different ethnic groups, while the two smaller parts portray the dances of these ethnic groups and opera masks.

Dhoby Ghaut - Stay

Being in the Central Area, Dhoby Ghaut offers a wide range of housing options. However, mostly, you will find condominiums in the area since it is the most popular one. Those interested in purchasing or renting a condominium can check out Suites at Orchard, Nomu, The Luxe, The Cathay Residences, and Visioncrest Residence, which are all relatively new condominiums that have been constructed in recent years, and boast impressive facilities.

Dhoby Ghaut - Eats and Drinks

Within a 10-minute walk or less from the train station, you can find a wide variety of eateries including the cool brunch spots and IG-worthy cafes. The Curious Palette, for instance. Located along Prinsep Street, this cafe will get you amazed. While it looks unassuming on the outside, the interior is quite a Kinfolk magazine that comes to life. The aesthetic includes rustic cement floors and wooden furniture beautified with potted plants. Even the mains and desserts like the brioche French toast, sakura ebi capellini, buttermilk waffles, and crowd-favourite berry ricotta hotcake are Instagram-worthy. Do not forget to check the variety of filter brews for your perfect cup of coffee of the day.

Another interesting cafe worth a visit is the Mind Cafe. Brimming with over 500 board games, this cafe is the perfect spot for friends and families who love to display their competitive side. Swap your Monopoly Deal for curious games like Tick Tac Moo, Voodoo Mania, Daddy Cool, and Sushi Go Party. The Mind Cafe also offers meal and gaming packages with a free flow of drinks and snacks if you have worked out an appetite.

How about we mix delicious meals and art? Arteastiq DePatio is the answer! This hybrid art jamming studio and cafe is synonymous with relaxed afternoons and chi-chi high tea meals. First, unleash your inner Picasso at a freestyle painting sesh. You will be provided with a canvas, brushes, paints, and sponges to create your masterpiece. Once you have worked up an appetite, perch yourself on one of the plush chairs for an afternoon of dainty delicacies.

Other eateries in Dhoby Ghaut that you should visit include Five Guys, The Assembly Ground, Kooks Creamery, Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ, L’eclair Patisserie Cafe, and Red House Seafood. If you are looking for a great drink instead, head to The Auld Alliance! Known for its massive selection of whiskey brands, The Auld Alliance offers exemplary bottles from every whisky region in Scotland. No wonder the charming bar is a popular haunt for connoisseurs. 

Dhoby Ghaut - Shop

When it comes to shopping, of course, there is a plethora of options in this neighbourhood, whether you're on a grocery run or out for retail therapy. The main shopping centres in the Dhoby Ghaut neighbourhood are the Park Mall and Plaza Singapura. Park Mall is a high-end shopping centre, with retail shops selling branded furniture and goods. Plaza Singapura, just across the street from Park Mall, has a wider range of stores, including homeware giant, Spotlight, and the Golden Village Theatre.

 Another shopping centre in Dhoby Ghaut is The Cathay which is a hit among the younger crowd, thanks to its affordable eateries and The Cathay Cineplexes in the top few floors. There is also POMO Mall which will soon be revamped into GR.ID, a lifestyle and entertainment mall targeted at millennials and Gen Z.

Dhoby Ghaut - Learn

Just steps away from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, you will find the School of Arts (SOTA). It is Singapore’s first national pre-tertiary specialised arts school with a six-year integrated art and academic curriculum, culminating in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, for youths aged 13-18 years old. SOTA offers a dedicated development path for students with artistic and academic potential. The academic teachers are trained educators with several years of teaching experience, and many of them are practising artists who will offer students insights into the creative inspirations and perspectives of real-life arts practitioners.

Besides SOTA, the Singapore Management University (SMU) is one of the top universities in Singapore, located in the heart of downtown Singapore. It offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with the six schools, as well as in interdisciplinary combinations of these areas.

Dhoby Ghaut - Parks and Gardens

Dhoby Ghaut Green is an urban park in Singapore located adjacent to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, opposite the Park Mall. It was officially launched on 24 October 2009 and identified as an interim park in URA’s Public Space and Urban Waterfront Master Plan and conceived as a “City Room” for community gatherings within the city. Dhoby Ghaut Green now is a focal point for arts and cultural activities and community activities. The key landmark of the park is the sculptural open-air amphitheatre located in the central space. It functions as a showpiece for the Architectural and Urban Design Excellence demonstration project, and also as a space for public interaction. There is also a gravel area in the west section which functions as a platform for street bazaars and street performances.

Brief History of Dhoby Ghaut 

Dhoby Ghaut is a place in Singapore that often refers to the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, a major interchange station on Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit network. As a place, Dhoby Ghaut lies along the eastern end of Orchard Road. In the early 1800s, the Orchard Road area was considered to belong to the outskirts of town, as the commercial centre of Singapore was located by the Singapore River. As Dhoby Ghaut was closest to the town area and had a freshwater stream to provide water, it was the area where many of the early activities of Orchard Road took place.

The station and its surrounding area today get their name from Dhobi Ghat, which means “washerman’s place” in Hindi, in reference to people that used to wash their laundry from a clear stream in the area. Until the early 1900s, the dhobis used water from a clear stream that flowed into Sungai Bras Basah, now Stamford Canal. This stream now exists as a large drain beside Handy Road. The ghats, or steps leading down to the stream, were demolished when Sungai Bras Basah was canalised. The dhobis would then dry the laundry at Dhoby Green, the open park bounded by Stamford Road, Handy Road, Bras Basah Road, and Prinsep Street.