Boat Quay

Boat Quay is a historic riverside quay along the north bank of the Singapore River in the Downtown Core, within the Singapore River planning area. Developed after Stamford Raffles' arrival in 1819, it was the city's early commercial centre with godowns and shophouses. Today its conserved row of shophouses houses restaurants and bars, and the pedestrian promenade offers views of the river, skyline and sculptures, linking Raffles Place and the Civic District.

Visitors can expect a pedestrianised riverfront promenade lined with conserved two- and three-storey shophouses now occupied by restaurants, bars and cafes. The paved walkway runs along the Singapore River between UOB Plaza and Elgin Bridge, with outdoor seating, public sculptures, and views across the river to the Civic District and Marina Bay skyline. The area is active for sightseeing, photography, dining and boarding river cruises, with easy connections to Raffles Place and Clarke Quay.

Designated by Sir Stamford Raffles in his 1822 Town Plan as the commercial centre on the south side of the Singapore River, Boat Quay became the hub for trade, godowns and coolie quarters through the 19th and early 20th centuries. The shophouses were conserved by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 1989 as part of the Singapore River conservation area.

Boat Quay reflects Singapore's early entrepot trading history and multicultural commercial heritage, with conserved shophouses showing Chinese, Malay and European architectural influences. The riverside sculptures and conserved streetscape illustrate traditional river life and the evolution from trading port to modern financial district.