The Secret Of Chijmes

April 1, 2004 Established as a girls’ convent school in 1854 by four French nuns, today the Chijmes compound is a vibrant mix of restaurants, bars and shopping For any visitor to Singapore, a trip to Chijmes is essential. Inside the compound the borders are lined with an amazing array of shops that will have you poking around for hours. Venture further inside and you’ll find a range of restaurants and bars to suit every taste. Probably the reason for its popularity amongst visitors and Singaporeans alike is that while Chijmes is actually in the heart of the city (across the road from Raffles City and a short walk from City Hall MRT Station), its walls create a quiet ambience, cutting it off from the hustle and bustle outside. Inside, the shopping provides everything a visitor needs to complete their gift list for those back home, while lazy afternoon drinks on the lawn give way to sumptuous dining in the evening and fun-filled partying in one of the many nightspots Chijmes offers. Dominated by its beautiful chapel, Chijmes began life as a girls convent in 1854. The school was founded by four French nuns that had traveled overland from their homeland to Penang, before finally settling in Singapore. Amazingly, just 10 days after arriving in Singapore they began classes and the school continued on the site until 1983 when it was moved elsewhere. In 1996, after a $100 million renovation and five years of conservation and construction, the Chijmes compound was reopened as one of Singapore’s premier entertainment complexes. Today Chijmes houses 17 bars and restaurants and 16 shops to tempt you. Chijmes is not just a great spot for sightseeing, it's also a good place to end your day with a few drinks. Chijmes really is the perfect place to finish your day at one of its restaurants or bars. Most of the dining is done al fresco, so you can make the most of Singapore’s balmy evenings. On street level, take a seat overlooking the lawn where a gentle breeze eases you into the comfort zone. The surrounding buildings and chapel provide a thought-provoking glance back into history of those who built the city, while the quiet ambience gives you a chance to reflect on the day. Downstairs, in the sunken courtyard, restaurants and bars ease themselves into the evening, before becoming one of the top nightspots in the city after dark with popular bands and DJ’s. Surrounding the outside boundary of the Chijmes compound are 16 shops supplying all sorts of local and regional products from jewelry and clothing to household ornaments and cultural artifacts. For anyone who likes something a little different to take home after visiting Singapore, the stores at Chijmes will have you enthralled for hours. More information GETTING THERE: Address: 30 Victoria Street, Singapore. Tel: +65 6337 7810 Getting there: MRT: City Hall. Bus: 2, 12, 33, 81, 147, 190, 520, 851, 960. REAL DESTINATION LINK: see Chijmes in the Singapore River & City Hall section.