Istana Singapore is not like any other tourist attractions in Singapore. It has a grave import attached to it. It is the official address of the President of Singapore and it is here that he receives and entertains state guests. Istana means palace in Malay and the building is quite true to its name in the sense that it is a sprawling mansion located in the Orchard Road.

The elegant structure of Istana Singapore throws one's mind back to the grandiloquent designs of the Renaissance architecture. To be more precise, it is a mix of the Classical, Victorian and the Gothic with Malay and Chinese touches. The well-maintained garden contains rare species of plants that a taken good care of. A closer look will reveal ornamented pelmets, elegant, ventilated shutters, Corinthian pillars and wide verandahs. If you are planning to meet the President at his residence then it might not be a far-fetched idea after all. Istana Singapore is open to public for five days. Normally these five days coincides with the public holidays. On the first Sunday of every month, the change-of-guard ceremony takes place at six in the evening. The building is situated on a raised position overlooking the Domain or the stately grounds that are remindful of the great gardens of England. The Istana Singapore compound also contains;

· Sri Temasek, the official address of the Prime Minister
· The Istana Villa
· The Annexe
· The Lodge
· The Japanese Gun, that was presented to Louis Mountbatten after Japan surrendered in 1945
· Marsh Garden
· Lily Ponds
· A nine hole golf course
· A burial place for the Bencoolen Muslims

Travour is an international travel site and a repository of useful information on Istana, and other major tourist attraction in Singapore and the world at large.