Fort Canning Park

Rising green above the Civic District, Fort Canning Hill has been at the centre of Singapore's story for 700 years — sacred ground to 14th-century Malay royalty, then a colonial fort and, in 1942, the underground command post where Britain decided to surrender to Japan. Today its shady lawns and gardens make a tranquil escape, but most visitors come for one Instagram-famous spot: the Tree Tunnel, where a spiral staircase is framed by a perfect oval of greenery (arrive before 9am to photograph it without the crowd). History buffs can tour the restored Battlebox bunker, while the slopes host open-air concerts and an outdoor cinema. Combine it with the nearby National Museum and Clarke Quay.