10 Spectacular Historical Places in Singapore - A slice of the past of the sparkling City for the curious history buff

While it may not be as towering as the modern skyscrapers that make up Singapore's glimmering skyline, at 68 metres, the Civilian War Memorial still wouldn't fail to catch your eye. Erected in 1967, the monumental landmark commemorates the civilians killed during the Japanese occupation of Singapore during the Second World War.

Once a small fish market, now a hawker centre, Lau Pa Sat or Telok Ayer Market, is the place to be to feast on a wide assortment of mouthwatering street foods and tidbits. The bustling marketplace takes place in an octagonal iron structure, which is one of the oldest Victorian structures in the whole of Southeast Asia.

Sitting right in the heart of the CBD, the picturesque St Andrew's Cathedral is the oldest place of worship for Anglicans in the vibrant island city-state. The snowy white structure boasting stained-glass windows and a Neo-gothic architectural style is a true treat for the eye. You could also find a fine City Hall hotel in Singapore in the vicinity, such as Grand Park City Hall, for your stay in the metropolis.

A well-preserved coastal fort dating back to the late 19th century, Fort Siloso has been a key base of Singapore's defences during the Second World War. Now serving as a war museum, Fort Siloso offers you a glimpse of how the invasion of Singapore by the Japanese went down with the use of an interactive video documentary and wax models of Japanese and British troops.

Sitting nine metres underground, the Fort Canning Bunker, popularly known as the Battlebox, is an emergency, bomb-proof command centre used during World War II. Guided tours to the Battlebox takes you through a labyrinth of rooms and corridors, of which the "Surrender Conference Room" is the highlight, as it was here that it was decided to surrender to the Japanese army, thus the name of the room.

An architectural masterpiece well worth laying your eyes on, Thian Hock Keng Temple is the oldest and the most sacred religious site of the Hokkiens in Singapore. The striking temple has been built in honour of a Chinese sea goddess, Mazu, which attracts quite a crowd even to date, who would pay their respects to the goddess in exchange for a safe journey.

Shimmering golden domes, imposing pillars and remarkable Islamic architecture—Sultan Mosque or Masjid Sultan is another historical place in Singapore that's brimming with architectural magnificence. The Sultan Mosque that you see today was erected only in 1932, as the first mosque that stood there from 1824 had become too small to accommodate the country's growing Islamic community.

Dating back to 1827, Sri Mariamman Temple isn't only the oldest Hindu temple for the Hindus in the city-state, but also one of the oldest structures for all Singaporeans. Taking a Dravidian-inspired architectural style, the highlight of the temple is the remarkable roof tower boasting colourful sculptures and ornaments. The breathtaking beauty of the temple attracts not just Hindus, but also tourists as well as Singaporeans of other ethnicities.

History buffs looking forward to indulging in a dose of art, culture and history, make your way to the National Museum of Singapore. With a history that dates back over 170 years, the National Museum is a must-visit.

Nestled away in serenity, the hillside Kranji War Memorial Park is another monumental site that pays tribute to the fallen heroes of World War II. Surrounded by some 4,400 gravestones, the highlight of the memorial park—the Stone of Remembrance—takes centre stage, depicting the joint efforts of the 3 branches of military—Army, Navy and Air Force—who fought for Singapore's freedom.