The east end of Orchard Road is known as Dhoby Ghaut, which literally translates to the "Washing Place". The area takes its name from the Ghauts (or stairways) that led down to the Stamford Canal where workers cleaning laundry would go down to draw water. The canal is now underground, and the large washing areas that gave the area its name have been replaced by a park named Dhoby Ghaut Green.
Dhoby Ghaut Green opened on 24 October 2009 as an interim park in URA’s Public Space and Urban Waterfront Master Plan 2003 and conceived as community gathering space within Central Singapore.
The park features an architecturally impressive open-air amphitheatre in the centre of the park. It served as a showpiece for the Architectural and Urban Design Excellence demonstration project and a performance venue.
The park is located close to a number of shopping complexes (Plaza Singapura, Park Mall and Cathay) and hotels. The park is also accessible from Dhoby Ghaut MRT which is the interchange for the North-South, North-East and Circle Lines.