Istana opens for Chinese New Year

Istana opens for Chinese New Year

SINGAPORE - In celebration of Chinese New Year, the Istana grounds will be open to the public on Friday, Feb 20.

From 8.30am to 6pm, visitors can enjoy various entertainment items including Lion Dance, Acrobatic and other dance performances by Nanyang Girls' School Lion Dance Troupe, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, PA Talents and SOKA.

Members of the public can also choose to sign up for the Nature Guided Walk at the Istana, a collaboration between the President's Office and the National Parks Board which will showcase the Istana's flora, fauna and biodiversity.

Visitors can also take a guided tour of the Istana main building led by volunteers from the Preservation of Sites and Monuments division of the National Heritage Board and view selected function rooms and display of gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries.

The tours are limited to 15 persons per group, and depart every 20 minutes from 9am to 3pm.

Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents and will be via the main gate at Orchard Road.

All other visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $1 per person.

Additional fees will be applied for the guided tours. Istana souvenirs will also be on sale during the Open House.

All proceeds from the entrance fees and items on sale go to charity.

The nearest MRT station to the Istana is Dhoby Ghaut.

Besides the celebrations at the Istana, the Singapore Bird Park will be displaying macaws and parrots during Chinese New Year. Hay Dairies will also put their farm goats on show.

For more information, visit the National Heritage Board website at https://www.nhb.gov.sg/NHBPortal/.

stephluo@sph.com.sg

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