Orchard Road got its name from the many nutmeg and pepper plantations that lined the street during the 1840s. Thinly populated, its only residents were plantation owners like Scotts, Cairnhill, and Cuppage whose names are familiar as street names today.

For decades, not much was thought of a plantation often plagued by natural disasters. In the 1900s, a mysterious disease swept through the nutmeg plantations, wiping them out within a year. Because of its location in a valley, floods were also common. They were only controlled in 1965 when Stamford Canal - part of which runs below the pedestrian mall fronting Wisma Atria Shopping Centre today - was deepened and widened.

In the 1970s, pioneering landmarks like C. K. Tangs, Plaza Singapura and the Mandarin Hotel came up and led the way for entertainment complexes. Brick by brick, and block by block, towers of glass and steel lined what used to be mud-tracks to make Orchard Road the upbeat lifestyle hub it is today.

Centrepoint
176 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6737 9000
Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)
Centrepoint is among the largest and most popular shopping centres in Singapore, meeting virtually every need of tourists and locals alike. Here you'll find the award-winning Robinsons & Co, regarded by many as Singapore's premier department store and a legend for quality and service since it began trading in 1858. Robinsons & Co was the winner of the Tourism Awards 2002, Best Shopping Experience - Retail Outlet. There are also stores specialising in classical music, casual clothing, optical equipment, electronics, furnishings, Oriental rugs, sporting goods, fine arts, Asian antiques and artefacts, a major bookshop and much much more. The complex also has a good selection of restaurants and fastfood outlets.

Delfi Orchard
402 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6732 1605
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
A good place to browse for household items like Waterford crystal and Wedgwood china. Numerous upmarket clothing and accessory stores are also located here.

Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road Tel: (65) 6734 2325
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
You'll find yourself coming back over and over again to this fun, mixed bag of sorts. This is the place both local and expatriate, young and the not-so-young love to hang out at. The bustling shopping centre sells everything from the most fashionable and outrageous shoes and clothes, to precious gems, eyewear and compact discs. Make sure you check out Level One, which boasts a wide array of street fashion, unique accessories & knick knacks !

Far East Shopping Centre
545 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6734 5541
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Another large complex on Orchard Road with a host of shops from small jewellery stores, inexpensive clothing and tailor shops to health equipment and computers. Established Kwok Gallery on level three specialises in rare porcelain, jade sculptures and fine old ivory carvings. House of Hung on the ground floor is a popular jewellery store for gold, diamonds and precious stones.

Forum the Shopping Mall
583 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6732 2479
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
The giant Toys "R" Us anchor store located here is a magnet for kids. Other shops sell a range of goods - children's clothing, quality fashion, jewellery, optical goods and electronics. Designer label stores including Song + Kelly 21 concept store, Calvin Klein and Max Mara stores are also located here.

The Heeren
260 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6733 4725
Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)
Here's where you'll find mega music store HMV, the largest music superstore in South East Asia. Found in this shopping mall is also the Japanese One.99 Shop where all products are attractively priced at that price. Check out the restaurants on Level 5 which offer a mouthwatering selection of Asian food ranging from Peranakan to Japanese cuisine or head down to Movenpick Marche at basement one which offers a casual dining experience. At levels 4 and 5, Annex, a new and exciting shopping concept awaits your exploration. Similar to Harajuku in Tokyo or Island Beverly in Hong Kong, Annex has everything from street and vintage fashion wear to unique accessories, quirky toys to comics

The Shopping Gallery at Hilton
Hilton Hotel, 581 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6734 5250
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Yet another firm favourite for designer items. Take your pick from the three levels of exclusive brands of Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Paul Smith, Valentino, to name a few. The link bridge to The Four Seasons Hotel also provides shoppers with more exquisite choices at The Four Seasons Shopping Gallery which also houses Notices, The Gallery, a treasure trove of fine art and paintings from around the world.

International Building
360 Orchard Road
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Just across the street from Liat Towers is International Building. Drop into its many boutiques and tailor shops, then sit down to a good meal at either of the Thai, Chinese or Japanese restaurants.

Liat Towers
541 Orchard Road
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
The Esprit boutique is located at one end of the ground floor, and the American coffee chain, Starbucks, at the other.

Lucky Plaza
304 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6235 3294
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
This shopping centre contains an enormous selection of shops. Everything from watches to kimonos.

Meridien Shopping Centre
100 Orchard Road
Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)
Drop by the many fashion and accessory boutiques here, including a food court at ground floor.

Midpoint Orchard
220 Orchard Road
Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)
Houses numerous outlets, including a hobby shop which sells sporting goods, gold jewellery, bridal gowns, fur coats and jackets.

Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6739 9323
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
This massive centre (winner of the Tourism Awards 2002, Best Shopping Experience - Shopping Centre), which will take you more than a day to browse through, houses Japanese giant chain store, Takashimaya, and over 100 specialty stores retailing sports items, stationery, jewellery to designer clothes. Popular US Guess?, Hugo Boss Woman, Spain's Zara and Mango fashion labels and Australia's Country Road are just some of the many boutiques you would want to drop into. And when the shopping gets a little exhausting, revitalise yourself at one of the many restaurants and eating outlets, including the little Harrod's tea room. Do drop by Kinokuniya, the largest bookstore in Southeast Asia. There's also a full-facility sports centre, an art gallery and a culture centre you can visit.

OG Building
228 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6737 4488
Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)
OG Department Store, carries a good range of affordable footwear and clothing for the whole family, including a wide range of business and casual ladies' wear in larger sizes.

Orchard Emerald
218 Orchard Road
Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)
Some of the better known goods sold in this small green centre include Sony electronics and a mix of branded sportswear. You wouldn't want to miss Icon, a boutique with some of the hippest clothes in town.

Orchard Plaza
150 Orchard Road
Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)
This complex is full of good value tailors, hair salons and make-up specialists. Custom-made ladies shoes can also be ordered from several shops.

Orchard Point
160 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6737 9595
Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)
There is a wide range of clothing stores here, together with a miscellany of reasonably-priced stores. Check the fourth level for art galleries. Spotlight, which occupies the entire third level, offers an extensive range of household products, home furnishings and linen.

Orchard Towers
600 Orchard Road
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Jewellery, Thai silk, antique and leather shops vie for space here with tailors, electronic stores, several restaurants and a gourmet food and wine supermarket Jasons.

Pacific Plaza
9 Scotts Road Tel: (65) 6733 5655
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Pacific Plaza houses some of Australia's most popular clothing lines like Stussy, Mambo, Billabong and Quiksilver. Drop into The Vintage Place and have fun going through the racks of used designer clothing - Gucci, Prada, Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabanna and many many more. For something different, head to Lifestorey which sells unique home and soft furnishings sourced from the world over.

Palais Renaissance
390 Orchard Road
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
This imposing complex is worth a visit whether to splurge on beautiful designer brands, or if only to admire the splendid interior. It houses a superb range of prestigious designer boutiques including DKNY, Gianni Versace, Prada, The Link and Jim Thompson.

Park Mall
9 Park Mall Tel: (65) 6339 4031
Nearest MRT station: Dhoby Ghaut (NE6 / NS24)
With over 45 shops, the merchandise mix comprises home furniture and furnishings for every room in the house.

Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6332 9298
Nearest MRT station: Dhoby Ghaut (NE6 / NS24)
Plaza Singapura was the first multi-storey shopping mall to be built in Singapore in 1974 and through the years, it has been popular amongst tourists and locals alike. This one-stop lifestyle shopping mall features cinema entertainment, fashion, music, home furnishing and a wide range of food and beverage outlets. Plaza Singapura will soon be linked with the existing Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, the new north-east MRT-line interchange and LRT line to the downtown Civic and Business District.

The Paragon
290 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6738 5535
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Men's quality fashion is particularly well-represented here, with labels like Alfred Dunhill, Gucci and Ermenegildo Zegna. Home-grown Metro department store is also located here along with Mont Blanc and Marks & Spencer. Golfers are in for a real treat with the Pan-West retail store. For steak lovers, do not miss Lawry's Prime Ribs.

Scotts Shopping Centre
6 Scotts Road Tel: (65) 6734 7560
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Yet another shopping complex popular for its shops selling a mix of clothes to suit all tastes and ages. You'll find designer boutiques like Pois Pois, lingerie boutique - Blush, and boutiques by local designers such as Esther Tay. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, just one of the trendy cafes making their mark in Singapore, is on the ground floor. Scotts Picnic, the basement food court, will satisfy your tastebuds with a range of Asian and local delights.

Shaw Centre
1 Scotts Road Tel: (65) 6737 9080
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Not to be confused with Shaw Towers on Beach Road, Shaw Centre is located along Scotts Road. Tourists are usually drawn to this complex for interesting curios at Ming Blue and rosewood furniture at Singapore Woodcraft. Also in the same building are two local boutiques, Avana and Tyan, offering a mixed range of imported designer clothes, and two elegant furniture shops, Monticello, and the designer store of Rolf Benz. Lola collection carries imported European wear and Foot Fetish is a favourite women's store for shoes. Les Amis, a French restaurant, is an award-winning outlet.

Shaw House
350 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6235 1150
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
The Japanese department store, Isetan, occupies four floors of this complex including a well-stocked supermarket packed with Japanese snacks, noodles, sushi and other delicious items. Designer shops like Max & Co and Trussardi share the same premises, along with one of Singapore's most popular cineplexes, Lido.

Specialists' Shopping Centre
277 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6737 8222
Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)
A veteran in the Orchard Road scene, this centre is now home to John Little, one of Singapore's most established department stores. Speciality shops sell everything from Famous Amos cookies to winter coats and golf equipment. The Korean restaurant on level five was the first Korean restaurant in Singapore.

Tanglin Mall
163 Tanglin Road Tel: (65) 6736 4922
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
This trendy shopping mall features a pleasant blend of boutiques, speciality shops and restaurants for the young and young-at-heart. You will find a fairly wide selection of products from beadwork, clothes and accessories to home furnishings and ethnic collectibles. There's also a well-stocked supermarket at the basement.

Tanglin Shopping Centre
19 Tanglin Road Tel: (65) 6737 0849
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Frequented for Asian antiques and curios, this centre also houses several shops specialising in exquisite Persian, Pakistani and Afghanistan rugs, and a variety of tailors and eating places. C. T. Hoo on level one sells Mikimoto pearls from Japan. Antiques of the Orient on the second level specialises in handmade antique maps and prints. Just next door at Orchard Parade Hotel is Manchester United's Theatre of Dreams' merchandise store.

Tangs
320 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6737 5500
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Tangs has been providing quality merchandise at fair prices since 1932. Five floors stock a wide range of products from household goods to fashion wear and cosmetics, electronics to stationery and shoes to fabrics for all the family. The silk and batik outfits are particularly popular with visitors looking for gifts to take home.

Tudor Court
131 Tanglin Road
Nearest MRT station : Orchard (NS22)
This charming row of Tudor-front shops offers the shopper a variety of antiques and home furnishings.

Wheelock Place
501 Orchard Road Tel: (65) 6738 8660
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
Marks & Spencer with its range of quality clothes and food occupies two floors of this building. Home-grown restaurant, Olio Dome is located at the same premises. The second biggest US bookstore chain, Borders, stocks a wide range of books at the ground level.

Wisma Atria
435 Orchard Road Tel : (65) 6235 2103
Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)
The Japanese department store, Isetan, fills one end of this bright blue complex while a mix of boutiques fills the other end. You'll also find designer boutique Anteprima on the ground floor. Shop for the latest high street fashion at favourite UK fashion stores such as Topshop and Warehouse.