Singapore never fails to impress its visitors for its very modern and sleek look. Impressive man-made structures dot the landscape, with picturesque parks and a variety of activities to keep the sophisticated traveler entertained. This top ten list gives you places to visit in Singapore that may be out of the usual guidebooks. Some familiar, some not, but guaranteed to give you more to like about Singapore.
1. Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Bandstand, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore is one of the two countries in the world where a tropical rainforest is found within city limits, and it is located in the Botanic Gardens. This 74 hectare garden is home to thousands of plant species and is open to the public for free. Here you can find the famed National Orchid Garden (but this area requires an admission fee) that houses more than a thousand orchid species. Several attractions inside the park include the Saraca Stream, the Symphony Lake and Evolutionary Garden that features the story of how plant life on Earth has evolved through time. For a respite from the city’s fast pace, head to the Botanic Gardens.
2. Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo
Locals call it the Mandai Zoo, and it houses the worlds biggest captive colony of orangutans. Managed by the Wildlife Reserves of Singapore, the zoo has over 300 species of animals, none of which are behind bars or cages. The Singapore Zoo follows the principle of displaying the animals in spacious, open exhibits that closely mimic their natural habitats. Using moats, hidden barriers and often glass effectively separates animals from each other and from the guests. Around 16% of the animals on display are considered to be endangered species. The zoo also pushes the conservation of these animals.
3. Night Safari
Fire Dance Show in Night Safari
The Night Safari is managed by the same group as the Singapore Zoo, and functions on the same basic principles of open exhibits that are non-threatening to the animals. As the name suggests, the animals here are nocturnal. The lights around the Night Safari mimic moonlight, and each area of the zoo represents one of the world’s seven geographical zones. Guests can take a walk around the several trails, or ride the tram safari for a guided tour. Like the Singapore Zoo, the Night Safari houses some endangered species and the conservation of them is encouraged.
4. Jurong Bird Park
The entrance of Jurong Bird Park
The Jurong Bird Park has various bird species that come from all over the world. One of the biggest attractions is the flock of flamingos (whose number echoes a very popular Disney movie about dogs). In 2006, it went through a renovation that includes a new African wetlands exhibit, a bird hospital and some amenities for the visitors. Guests should catch one of the several shows that showcase the majesty of the birds in Jurong Park (the Birds of Prey show is particularly captivating), or take a walk through one of the many exhibits in the park.
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5. Pulau Ubin
Coastal boardwalk at Chek Jawa
This is a small island in the northeast of Singapore. It used to be a thriving community with its residents making a living off quarrying granite during the British colonization period. The industry died down, and on only a few hundred villagers reside there now. It is considered to be one of the last rural areas of Singapore, and gives visitors of how Singapore was like before it grew into an industrial superpower. While many plans have been made to modernize Pulau Ubin, it has remained as it is for years because of its draw to tourists who want a change from Singapore’s sleek city. Some ecological projects are being pushed to protect the island’s natural flora and fauna, and is home to Chek Jawa, a coral reef that is home to quite a number of marine wildlife. Pulau Ubin can be reached by a bumboat ride from the Changi Village.
6. Sisters’ Island
The Sister’s Island
The Sisters’ Island are two islands off the south of mainland Singapore. One is called Pulau Subar Laut, which faces the sea and is fondly referred to as Big Sister’s Island. The other one is Pulau Subar Darat faces the mainland is tagged as Little Sister’s Island. A narrow channel with strong currents separate the two islands. Legend has it that the islands grew from the bodies of the two sisters who drowned in a storm as they tried to escape the pirates who wanted to take them away. The islands are a favorite getaway for people who want an escape from Singapore’s urban life. Camping and snorkeling are favorite activities, and the island is home to the richest reefs in Singapore.
7. Mount Faber
The cable car line connects Mount Faber to Sentosa Island
This 105 meter tall hill overlooks the business district of Singapore’s Central Area. Originally named Telok Blangah Hill, it was renamed Mount Faber for Captain Charles Edward Faber who made the original road that allowed access to the top of the hill. There were plans of turning it into a fort after the Indian Mutiny but it never pushed through. Today, it is a popular tourist destination and is connected to HarbourFront and Sentosa via a cable car and the HarbourFront MRT station.
8. Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands
The Marina Bay Sands stands as an integrated resort in the Marina Bay. Here you can find hotels, shops, restaurants and food stores, a convention center, a yacht club, casino and even a museum. But what makes Marina Bay Sands an unforgettable and must-visit place is the Sands Sky Park, a seemingly long structure perched on top of three skyscrapers. In length, it is longer than the Eiffel Tower, and claims to be about the size of four and a half Jumbo Jets laid side by side. The use of the infinity pool is limited to hotel guests, but tourists can visit the SkyPark by participating in a guided tour or buying a ticket. You can also explore The Shoppes below for the ultimate shopping experience. For an educational experience, check out the ArtScience Museum located within the resort’s grounds, an impressive structure resembling a lotus flower. It houses permanent exhibits relating to Singapore culture, it is also home to many touring exhibitions.
9. MacRitchie Reservoir
MacRitchie Reservoir Park
Singapore’s oldest reservoir has been around since 1868, build as a demand to supply fresh water for the growing population of settlers. Much of the forest has been cleared, and today only a little over one square kilometer of primary forest remains. The MacRitchie Reservoir is a popular place for people who want to take scenic walks through the forest. A boardwalk goes around the perimeter of the reservoir and allows you to go through the secondary forest in the area. There is also a tree top walk that spans the highest points in MacRitchie. It is also a popular place for school field trips for water sports.
10. Gardens by the Bay
The Supertrees and Cloud Forest
Gardens by the Bay is a nature park that is located near the Marina Reservoir. Built with the idea of enhancing the city’s greenery, it is also a move of the Singapore government to change from a “Garden City” to “City in a Garden”. It has three gardens fronting the bay, and allows visitors to take scenic routes from one to the other. The biggest garden of the three is the Bay South Garden and it has the biggest collection of tropical plants and amazing landscaped gardens. The curving structures that from afar look like giant waves are conservatories, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. Dotting across the landscape are Supertrees, structures built to resemble trees are are actually vertical gardens that house various plants, offer shade and help cool the conservatories. At night, these Supertrees become part of a light and music show called the OCBC Garden Rhapsody.
Photos by chooyutshing, ‘Brizio, Jo Munday, chooyutshing, Schristia, Thaejas, chooyutshing, Jeffery Goh, edwin.11 and chooyutshing
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Article by Chris
Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.
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