Climb the only preserved coastal fort in Singapore
One of twelve, the only one left
Fort Siloso stands at the western tip of Sentosa, built in 1878 to guard the harbour approach. Gun emplacements, tunnels, and a 181-metre elevated skywalk through the canopy to reach it.
Why it's unique
Twelve coastal batteries made up Fortress Singapore at the outbreak of war. Fort Siloso is the sole one restored and open — the rest were dismantled, built over, or left to the jungle. It was gazetted as Singapore's 74th National Monument in 2022.
Its war is a specific and uncomfortable story. The guns faced seaward and the Japanese came overland through Malaya, which is the origin of the enduring myth that Singapore's guns pointed the wrong way. Afterwards the fort became a prisoner-of-war camp twice over: first holding British and Australian prisoners, then, after the surrender, holding Japanese ones.
Before you go
The fort is free; getting onto Sentosa is not. The Fort Siloso Skywalk is also free and is the best way to arrive — a lift and an elevated walkway through the treetops rather than a climb.
Allow two hours. The tunnels are open and worth going into. Go late afternoon when the heat drops, and the western tip is a good sunset position.