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The Battle Box is the popular name of the Fort Canning Bunker, formerly known as Headquarters Malaya Command Operations Bunker, constructed under Fort Canning Hill, Singapore, as an emergency, bomb-proof command centre during the Malayan Campaign and the Battle of Singapore. The Battle Box is currently a museum and tourist attraction.
Given its position in the western Pacific ocean, Singapore had long been recognised as being strategically important for the Royal Navy to counter the growing influence of the Japanese, who were regarded as being the logical threat to Britain's interests in the Far East and the Pacific. To counter this, the Admiralty devised the Singapore strategy, which required a well equipped naval base. Accordingly, the Singapore Naval Base was constructed on the north shore of Singapore Island. The base, and its associated defences, required a large British military presence on the island.
A place to visit! You get to learn new things about the WW2 that are important and interesting that usually are left out of the history books. You get the chance to visit the bunker. Recommend you to take the one hour tour in the bunker and then walk around in the Fort Canning Park on your own. Our guide was really good, so friendly and knowledgeable.
Robert MäkitieNov 29, 2017
The Battlebox tour is a must for anyone with an interest in history and WWII. The guided tour was excellent, the guide bringing to life the events that led up to the surrender in 1942. Walking through the underground tunnels, seeing the conditions in which people lived and worked, hearing and seeing the events unfold made this a truly unforgettable experience and one NOT to be missed.
BarracudaxJan 20, 2018
A really interesting place to learn about the fall of Singapore in WW2. It has a nice little store as well. The only problem is that you can only see it if you go on a 90 minute guided tour.
Steve MecredyFeb 15, 2018
Really excellent tour. We have previously been to the national museum and changi, but this was a very engaging and detailed explanation of the days leading up to the surrender, as well as good overview and context of the Pacific War.
Rebecca KershawJan 1, 2018
Intresting place to learn about the history of singapore. the guide was very friendly during the trip in the museum. i only gave 4 stars as i think that place is abit scary and not very suitable for kids. The battlebox is also not very stuffy when there is alot of people around. overall, i really enjoyed the trip
Jolyne ChenFeb 3, 2018
A must if you’re a history buff and want to learn about Singaporean WW2 history. You get to learn how the British Empire got stuffed by the Japanese Empire. The surrender of Singapore was a huge turning point in the war for Japan, and helps Americans better understand the context of the Pearl Harbor bombing. My tour guide was the man! He was very polite and patient, answered every question I had with enthusiasm and accuracy. Highly recommended!
Andy EApr 23, 2018
We took the Battlebox tour and were very happy with it as it was so informative. The guide was excellent and obviously well trained. I came out of there feeling I knew so much more about what happened in Singapore during WW2. It is underground and there are confined spaces so if you're claustrophobic you may be a bit uncomfortable. The tour deserves 5 stars as being in the bunker really makes you remember the experience.
CatherineApr 13, 2018
Our tour guide Sha, did an incredible job educating us about the history of Singapore, specifically the Battlebox. He made history very entertaining, not at all like your boring text books when you were a kid! I would highly recommend this tour, it was worth every penny. 2 1/2 hours zipped by! The tour does not take place every day, so check ahead when it’s available and hopefully you’ll have Sha as your guide!
Todd OsbornMar 29, 2018
Got the 1,5 hour tour and can advise it. The guide really knows the story, the details and masters her English. One minor point: it's mostly an empty bunker. Autjentic artifacts from WW II are missing a bit. I'm used to the European WW II museums and this one doesn't come close.
Karel NijsMar 24, 2018
Very informative tour would recommend to any one interested in learning about this tragic part of Singapore & the commonwealth's history.
graham teerApr 22, 2018
Although it's a bit pricey, the money is well worth it for people interested in WWII history. They hire an outside history consulting firm that organizes the tour, hence the hire price. But their guides are incredibly professional, articulate, and knowledgeable. You may ask them many questions, and they can usually provide an answer. The tour consists of detailed explanations by the guide, three educational films about the context of the Battle of Singapore, and lastly, a tour of the bunker itself. There are numerous life-sized figurines inside the bunker, recreating what daily operates looked like inside the bunker. The history presented is well sourced, as are the documents. Overall, it's an excellently curated historical monument. Unfortunately no photography inside the battle box. So you'll have to see for yourself. There are bathrooms and free WiFi.
Brian LongMay 23, 2018
Absolutely world class. And the guide was enthusiastic knew her stuff and was utterly professional.
Pieter WilliamsMay 26, 2018
Very fascinating and interesting. You can only visit as part of a tour. You can buy tickets on the day usually. Tour guides help you understand the story and history behind the fall of Singapore. It is air conditioned. There is a bathroom nearby. You can dress casual according to the weather. A moderate walk from the MRT.
Stephanie NguiJun 12, 2018
You can only explore the Battlebox as part of a tour. The tour, however, is very informative and the history shared is not biaised. The WW2 era was crucial to Singapore, as this was when Great Britain began to lose it's influence here.
Tom HlavacJun 23, 2018
A place to visit! You get to learn new things about the WW2 that are important and interesting that usually are left out of the history books. You get the chance to visit the bunker. Recommend you to take the one hour tour in the bunker and then walk around in the Fort Canning Park on your own. Our guide was really good, so friendly and knowledgeable.
Robert MäkitieNov 29, 2017
The Battlebox tour is a must for anyone with an interest in history and WWII. The guided tour was excellent, the guide bringing to life the events that led up to the surrender in 1942. Walking through the underground tunnels, seeing the conditions in which people lived and worked, hearing and seeing the events unfold made this a truly unforgettable experience and one NOT to be missed.
BarracudaxJan 20, 2018
A really interesting place to learn about the fall of Singapore in WW2. It has a nice little store as well. The only problem is that you can only see it if you go on a 90 minute guided tour.
Steve MecredyFeb 15, 2018
Really excellent tour. We have previously been to the national museum and changi, but this was a very engaging and detailed explanation of the days leading up to the surrender, as well as good overview and context of the Pacific War.
Rebecca KershawJan 1, 2018
Intresting place to learn about the history of singapore. the guide was very friendly during the trip in the museum. i only gave 4 stars as i think that place is abit scary and not very suitable for kids. The battlebox is also not very stuffy when there is alot of people around. overall, i really enjoyed the trip
Jolyne ChenFeb 3, 2018
A must if you’re a history buff and want to learn about Singaporean WW2 history. You get to learn how the British Empire got stuffed by the Japanese Empire. The surrender of Singapore was a huge turning point in the war for Japan, and helps Americans better understand the context of the Pearl Harbor bombing. My tour guide was the man! He was very polite and patient, answered every question I had with enthusiasm and accuracy. Highly recommended!
Andy EApr 23, 2018
We took the Battlebox tour and were very happy with it as it was so informative. The guide was excellent and obviously well trained. I came out of there feeling I knew so much more about what happened in Singapore during WW2. It is underground and there are confined spaces so if you're claustrophobic you may be a bit uncomfortable. The tour deserves 5 stars as being in the bunker really makes you remember the experience.
CatherineApr 13, 2018
Our tour guide Sha, did an incredible job educating us about the history of Singapore, specifically the Battlebox. He made history very entertaining, not at all like your boring text books when you were a kid! I would highly recommend this tour, it was worth every penny. 2 1/2 hours zipped by! The tour does not take place every day, so check ahead when it’s available and hopefully you’ll have Sha as your guide!
Todd OsbornMar 29, 2018
Got the 1,5 hour tour and can advise it. The guide really knows the story, the details and masters her English. One minor point: it's mostly an empty bunker. Autjentic artifacts from WW II are missing a bit. I'm used to the European WW II museums and this one doesn't come close.
Karel NijsMar 24, 2018
Very informative tour would recommend to any one interested in learning about this tragic part of Singapore & the commonwealth's history.
graham teerApr 22, 2018
Although it's a bit pricey, the money is well worth it for people interested in WWII history. They hire an outside history consulting firm that organizes the tour, hence the hire price. But their guides are incredibly professional, articulate, and knowledgeable. You may ask them many questions, and they can usually provide an answer. The tour consists of detailed explanations by the guide, three educational films about the context of the Battle of Singapore, and lastly, a tour of the bunker itself. There are numerous life-sized figurines inside the bunker, recreating what daily operates looked like inside the bunker. The history presented is well sourced, as are the documents. Overall, it's an excellently curated historical monument. Unfortunately no photography inside the battle box. So you'll have to see for yourself. There are bathrooms and free WiFi.
Brian LongMay 23, 2018
Absolutely world class. And the guide was enthusiastic knew her stuff and was utterly professional.
Pieter WilliamsMay 26, 2018
Very fascinating and interesting. You can only visit as part of a tour. You can buy tickets on the day usually. Tour guides help you understand the story and history behind the fall of Singapore. It is air conditioned. There is a bathroom nearby. You can dress casual according to the weather. A moderate walk from the MRT.
Stephanie NguiJun 12, 2018
You can only explore the Battlebox as part of a tour. The tour, however, is very informative and the history shared is not biaised. The WW2 era was crucial to Singapore, as this was when Great Britain began to lose it's influence here.
Tom HlavacJun 23, 2018
A place to visit! You get to learn new things about the WW2 that are important and interesting that usually are left out of the history books. You get the chance to visit the bunker. Recommend you to take the one hour tour in the bunker and then walk around in the Fort Canning Park on your own. Our guide was really good, so friendly and knowledgeable.
Robert MäkitieNov 29, 2017
The Battlebox tour is a must for anyone with an interest in history and WWII. The guided tour was excellent, the guide bringing to life the events that led up to the surrender in 1942. Walking through the underground tunnels, seeing the conditions in which people lived and worked, hearing and seeing the events unfold made this a truly unforgettable experience and one NOT to be missed.
BarracudaxJan 20, 2018
A really interesting place to learn about the fall of Singapore in WW2. It has a nice little store as well. The only problem is that you can only see it if you go on a 90 minute guided tour.
Steve MecredyFeb 15, 2018
Really excellent tour. We have previously been to the national museum and changi, but this was a very engaging and detailed explanation of the days leading up to the surrender, as well as good overview and context of the Pacific War.
Rebecca KershawJan 1, 2018
Intresting place to learn about the history of singapore. the guide was very friendly during the trip in the museum. i only gave 4 stars as i think that place is abit scary and not very suitable for kids. The battlebox is also not very stuffy when there is alot of people around. overall, i really enjoyed the trip
Jolyne ChenFeb 3, 2018
A must if you’re a history buff and want to learn about Singaporean WW2 history. You get to learn how the British Empire got stuffed by the Japanese Empire. The surrender of Singapore was a huge turning point in the war for Japan, and helps Americans better understand the context of the Pearl Harbor bombing. My tour guide was the man! He was very polite and patient, answered every question I had with enthusiasm and accuracy. Highly recommended!
Andy EApr 23, 2018
We took the Battlebox tour and were very happy with it as it was so informative. The guide was excellent and obviously well trained. I came out of there feeling I knew so much more about what happened in Singapore during WW2. It is underground and there are confined spaces so if you're claustrophobic you may be a bit uncomfortable. The tour deserves 5 stars as being in the bunker really makes you remember the experience.
CatherineApr 13, 2018
Our tour guide Sha, did an incredible job educating us about the history of Singapore, specifically the Battlebox. He made history very entertaining, not at all like your boring text books when you were a kid! I would highly recommend this tour, it was worth every penny. 2 1/2 hours zipped by! The tour does not take place every day, so check ahead when it’s available and hopefully you’ll have Sha as your guide!
Todd OsbornMar 29, 2018
Got the 1,5 hour tour and can advise it. The guide really knows the story, the details and masters her English. One minor point: it's mostly an empty bunker. Autjentic artifacts from WW II are missing a bit. I'm used to the European WW II museums and this one doesn't come close.
Karel NijsMar 24, 2018
Very informative tour would recommend to any one interested in learning about this tragic part of Singapore & the commonwealth's history.
graham teerApr 22, 2018
Although it's a bit pricey, the money is well worth it for people interested in WWII history. They hire an outside history consulting firm that organizes the tour, hence the hire price. But their guides are incredibly professional, articulate, and knowledgeable. You may ask them many questions, and they can usually provide an answer. The tour consists of detailed explanations by the guide, three educational films about the context of the Battle of Singapore, and lastly, a tour of the bunker itself. There are numerous life-sized figurines inside the bunker, recreating what daily operates looked like inside the bunker. The history presented is well sourced, as are the documents. Overall, it's an excellently curated historical monument. Unfortunately no photography inside the battle box. So you'll have to see for yourself. There are bathrooms and free WiFi.
Brian LongMay 23, 2018
Absolutely world class. And the guide was enthusiastic knew her stuff and was utterly professional.
Pieter WilliamsMay 26, 2018
Very fascinating and interesting. You can only visit as part of a tour. You can buy tickets on the day usually. Tour guides help you understand the story and history behind the fall of Singapore. It is air conditioned. There is a bathroom nearby. You can dress casual according to the weather. A moderate walk from the MRT.
Stephanie NguiJun 12, 2018
You can only explore the Battlebox as part of a tour. The tour, however, is very informative and the history shared is not biaised. The WW2 era was crucial to Singapore, as this was when Great Britain began to lose it's influence here.
Tom HlavacJun 23, 2018
| Monday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
Wander is a travel search engine that allows you to find the perfect travel destination that fits your budget and preferences.