Singapore has much to offer their tourist population. It’s got everything for everyone, whether you be looking something for the urbane and cosmopolitan, or rustic and homegrown, Singapore has it all within reach. Here are ten things you can do in Singapore.
1. Get a bird’s eye view of the city
View from Singapore Flyer (Photo by Tomoaki INABA)
A relaxing and low-key way to get a quick glimpse of the city is to get on the Singapore Flyer. With a total height of 541 feet, it’s even taller than the London Eye. You can also experience the Journey of Dreams, an interactive multi-media display about the Flyer’s history. The capsules you ride on can fit 28 people, and its clear glass walls allow you a stunning 360 view of the city, and you can even spot islands in Indonesia and Johor, Malaysia.
2. Explore the Airport
Kinetic Rain at Changi Airport (Photo by Choo Yut Shing)
For most travelers, the airport is nothing more than a mere blip on the radar. Singapore’s Changi Airport makes you want to spend hours there. It has been consistently named the “World’s Best Airport” because of its innovative designs, superior amenities and world class service that improve over time. Millions of passengers go through its three terminals each day, and a fourth one is being renovated for better service. The Changi Airport has areas that are open to non-passengers, including shops and food outlets, garden spaces and beautiful art installations. Flight delays will never be a good experience, but at least in the Changi Airport, it isn’t so boring.
3. Night Safari
Fire Dance Show in Night Safari (Photo by Marc van der Chijs)
The Night Safari is the first of its kind in the world, where nocturnal animals are on display in the most natural way possible. No cages, bars or boxes hinder their movement, but instead are kept in their respective area by moats, trees and other unobtrusive barriers. Lighting mimics moonlight, allowing visitors to see the animals but not disturb their habits. You can explore the Night Safari by foot by taking one of the several trails available. The tram safari is a guided tour around the 99 acre zoo that represent the world’s seven geographical zones. Be sure to catch the Creatures of the Night, an interactive and informative show starring many of the zoo’s animals. The Night Safari is also promoting the conservation and care of these animals, particularly those that are on the endangered list.
4. Shop
Paragon Shopping Center at Orchard Road (Photo by Choo Yut Shing)
Mention Singapore and most tourists will think of “shopping”, and it’s true. Singapore is home to many shopping centers that have stores, boutiques and shops of various brands that range from local names to international brands. Unique products, handicrafts, clothes and the like can be found in places like Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India, but for designer goods check out Orchard Road. I went a little crazy at the IKEA and the outlet shops along Alexander Road, and I fairly drooled at the selection of books at Kinokuniya at Takashimaya. Imagine how I was able to take them home. For those who want to shop electronics, Funan Digital Life mall is for you.
5. Learn
ArtScience Museum (Photo by Choo Yut Shing)
Despite being a small country, Singapore has a rich cultural history that you can learn about by visiting its museums. Take a tour of the country’s oldest museum which is the National Museum of Singapore. Learn about modern art and science at the Marina Bay’s ArtScience museum and if you love letter-writing and stamps, the Singapore Philately Museum is for you. On a side note, most of the museums in Singapore are housed in fabulous buildings that are not only historical, but also works of art in themselves. Additional knowledge and history can be gleaned from other architectural beauties like the Raffles Hotel and the once Catholic convent compound along Victoria Street, CHIJMES.
5. Eat!
Maxwell Food Hawker Center (Photo by JesusAbizanda)
When it comes to eating in Singapore, you will wish that you have a bottomless stomach. Begin by checking out hawker centers that are scattered all over the city, the most popular ones being at the Old Airport Road, Chinatown and Little India. There are also smaller hawker centers scattered all over the city, perhaps even one at the corner of your hostel. Hawker stalls offer affordable and delicious meals, and the choices are endless. You can choose from traditional Chinese cuisine, flavorful Indian dishes and memorable Malay entrées. Even along the streets you will find something to munch on. Check out the dollar ice cream stands. Blocks of variously flavored ice cream cut into thick slabs and placed in between two slices of bread. I’m pretty traditional and stuck to the flavors that sounded familiar, but the adventurous can try the durian flavored ones. Definitely acquired taste, in my opinion.
6. Join the Festivities
The decorations for the Deepavali (Festival of Lights) in Little India. (Photo by Choo Yut Shing)
Because of Singapore’s diverse roots, the country celebrates festivals that are mostly cultural and religion based. If your trip coincides with a holiday, don’t be shy in joining in. Among the more popular holidays in Singapore is the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated not just by the Chinese community, but the whole country. Then there is the Hindu holiday of Thaipusam, and the Muslim holidays of Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Hajj, among others. These various holidays give you a look into the individual cultures that form Singapore. It’s not just fun and celebration, it’s also educational and somehow, spiritual.
7. Take a walking tour
Chinatown Shophouses (Photo by alantankenghoe)
Singapore has several walking tour services that you can try out. These tours mostly take you to places that are off the map, and often places that the average tourist won’t even think of going to. The Original Singapore Tour is the most popular, and it explores different historical places each day. Another tour is the Changi Museum War Trails, where trained specialist guides walk you through Singapore’s history during World War II. While pre-registrations are not needed for the former, guests are encouraged to do so with the latter. Group tours and customized tours are also available.
An interesting note for travelers who are in Singapore for a layover of at least five hours. The Changi Airport offers a free, two-hour tour around the city. You can take the Heritage Tour that will allow you to see the best places in Singapore, while the City Lights tour are for those who have a layover in the evenings. It’s a great introduction to the city and will give you an idea where to go when you’ve got a longer stay in Singapore.
8. Identify the Language
Singapore Women (Photo by Simon Jones)
This may seem like a rather silly suggestion, but it’s a fun one to do while you are sitting at a cafe or having some down time. Because of Singapore’s diverse culture and steady economy, it has become the choice to move to in Southeast Asia for many expatriates of other countries. Therefore it is not unusual for you to hear not just the language of the locals, but also other languages of other people. I heard English, Chinese, Tamil, German, Japanese, Filipino and Malay while I was at the train heading to Chinatown. While I didn’t understand what they were saying, it was very interesting to know that you are truly in a city of melding cultures.
9. Explore the Singapore Botanic Garden
Eco Lake at the Singapore Botanic Garden (Photo by Choo Yut Shing)
Singapore’s Botanic Garden is unique from all other similar gardens because not only does it stay open all year round, it is the only botanical garden in the world with a tropical rainforest inside it. It’s about six hectares, and is much older than the garden, which you can say was probably built around it. The Singapore Botanic Garden is a lovely oasis of calm from the hustle and bustle of the city. One of the biggest attractions here is the National Orchid Garden, which has a collection of over 1,000 orchid species and 2,000 hybrids. The garden is impressive in its size and the variety of flora that thrives in it and is well worth the visit.
10. Get lost
Get lost? (Photo by Erwin Soo)
The people I went with during my first Singapore trip were pretty limited to where they wanted to go (shopping mostly). I had other ideas, so I one day I left them so I could explore on my own. Armed with my map and my list, I was ready… but I got lost. Was I scared? Yes, but it was also the best thing to happen to me. It allowed me to see spots that I would normally had missed if I followed tour guides and recommendations from fellow tourists. Getting lost also allowed me to somehow see the city from a local’s point of view. And when I needed to get back, all I had to do was ask directions for the nearest train station. This adventure combines the suggestions on this list, and then some.
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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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