Grand Hyatt Singapore has partnered with Yong Min Ho from The Urbanist Singapore to launch Stories of Orchard, a 90-minute walking tour that reveals the district as a complex landscape of hidden canals, forgotten cemeteries, and the echoes of yesteryear.
The tour begins at Grand Hyatt Singapore, which serves as the starting point for a journey back to March 17, 1971. When it first opened its doors 55 years ago, Grand Hyatt Singapore held the distinction of being the largest hotel in Southeast Asia.
In its early years, the hotel was a vibrant hub for regional sporting culture, housing an International Bowling Alley that hosted major competitions. One of the tour’s most surprising revelations is that the hotel’s current parking deck once served as a premier convention space – a testament to the property’s long-standing history as a pioneering venue for large-scale gatherings.
The hotel’s guest ledger also reads like a chronicle of pop culture history. In 1972, the Bee Gees stayed at the Grand Hyatt Singapore during their performances at the National Theatre (then located at Fort Canning Park).
Perhaps the most enigmatic guest arrived in November 1976: John Lennon. Seeking a quiet escape from the global spotlight, the former Beatle checked in under the pseudonym John Girskin. Despite his efforts to remain anonymous, he was recognised by a local Singapore Airlines stewardess while shopping nearby.
Beyond the hotel’s own history, the tour traces the evolution of Orchard Road through several pioneers.
Captain William Scott was among the first to transform the area into a profitable agricultural hub, cultivating nutmeg and mace for export to Western markets. Later, Tan Choon Keng (better known as C.K. Tang) became a “first mover” who famously defied local superstitions. In 1958, he established his landmark department store, Tangs, directly across from Tai Shan Ting – a Teochew cemetery where Ngee Ann City stands today – betting correctly on the site’s future commercial value.
The tour continues toward Emerald Hill, where Lim Boon Keng co-founded the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School. The original building still stands today, marking the site where the school operated from 1924 to 1994. Lim was a staunch champion of female education at a time when such opportunities were rare, aiming to provide a secular alternative to the mission-led schools of the era.
Participants also gained insight into the Stamford Canal. Largely covered to make way for pedestrian malls like 313@somerset and Orchard Central, these hidden waterways serve as a reminder of the district’s original topography as a flood-prone valley – a challenge that eventually necessitated the massive engineering feats of the 2000s.
Designed with flexibility in mind, event planners can tweak or fully customise the tour itinerary to align with specific corporate themes or time constraints.
Stories of Orchard can also be paired with curated F&B packages at any of Grand Hyatt Singapore’s acclaimed dining venues. For a truly local flavour, groups can conclude their journey with a feast at Straits Kitchen, where the stories of Singapore’s diverse cultures are brought to life through authentic street food.
