Best Cultural, Nature and Leisure Tourist Attractions of Singapore
From Hanging Gardens to Unique Neighborhoods, Our Must-Sees in The City-State
The answer to this question is yes or no. Cool! Visit one of the most fascinating megacities in Asia. Every one of these things has something to offer. Here are a few ideas you might want to consider.
More tranquil than Bangkok, more exhilarating than Dubai, and larger than New York City, Los Angeles… Singapore, a city-state on the Malacca Strait, has rapidly grown in popularity as a tourist destination in Asia in the last few years. The megalopolis, which is constantly in motion, is always working on new environmental, health, and entertainment initiatives.
One of the first things we want to do is make nature more central to the city. There are a plethora of green spaces to be found, including parks, natural reserves, hanging gardens, and more. For the benefit of both tourists and locals, Singapore has a plethora of up-to-date leisure and tourist attractions to offer. Finally, the city-state takes great pride in its unexpected multiculturalism, which is on full display throughout the metropolis. Islanders are a diverse mix of ethnicities and cultures. There are only a few steps between an Arab souk and an Indian market, a Hindu temple and a Chinese shophouse. For those of you who love to eat, there’s good news: our chefs are multilingual! With its rich cultural diversity, the island serves as a unique tourist destination.
Cultural Attractions in Singapore
Katong Joo Chiat
Explore the fascinating Peranakan culture of Singapore by staying in this neighbourhood. First-generation Chinese immigrants who arrived after the British colonised the Malay Peninsula and its straits assimilated some of the local traditions and kept others. As a result, a refined art of living has emerged, fusing everything from architecture to cuisine to furniture and everything in between. One of the most beautiful examples of this cultural and artistic influence is the alignment of the bright shophouses on Koon Seng Road. The tiled pastel facades depict Peranakan aesthetics on these well-preserved 1920s residences, which are typical of the period.
Travel tip:
Do not miss the chance to eat “laksa,” which is a soup made with spicy coconut milk and coconut. Po restaurant, the temple of Peranakan cuisine, serves delicious popiah (spring rolls).
Little India
Indians have lived in this area since the 19th century. On Singapore’s main thoroughfare, Serangoon Road, one is sucked into a vortex of sounds, smells, and tastes. The saris and gold bangles, as well as the smells of spices and incense, all set to Bollywood film soundtracks, line up behind each other in the brightly coloured kiosks.
The Mustafa Centre stands out among Indian bazaars because it is a massive retail complex open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where you can find anything. When you visit the Tekka Market, you’ll feel as if you’ve flown from Paris to Mumbai. Don’t miss Hindu temples such as Kali Aman, dedicated to Shiva’s goddess wife, and Sri Veeramakaliamman, one of Singapore’s oldest temples, because they are open to the public. The vibrant murals painted by Colombian artist JABA, as well as the neighborhood’s street art, are all must-sees.
Travel tip:
One of the island’s most colourful structures, Tan Teng Nih’s residence is a historic Chinese mansion. It’s perfect for showcasing on social media platforms like Instagram.
Kampong Gelam
Islamic Kampong Gelam, dominated by the Sultan’s Mosque’s golden dome, has long been a commercial hub, home to shops selling Persian carpets, colognes, and exotic home decor alongside art supplies and graffiti-related gear. Those who venture into the neighborhood’s back alleys will be pleasantly surprised to discover a series of open-air art galleries created by a group of thirty local artists.
Haji Lane, despite its diminutive size, is one of Singapore’s most well-known thoroughfares for its stylish shops, concept stores, artisanal cafes, and music clubs. A popular spot for street art in Singapore, it features large-scale Central American-inspired pieces as well as portraits honouring the neighborhood’s early Arab merchant history There is a mosque and a Malaysian palace not far from here on Arab Street, which has a souk-style feel to it.
Travel tip:
At Turkish Handicrafts Grand Market, a contemporary Turkish bazaar with a hipster vibe, you can find Chink. In addition, the independent perfume shop Sifr Aromatics, which is well-known among Singaporeans and considered one of the best custom perfume designers in the region, is well worth a stopover.
Chinatown
Back alleys in Chinatown are no longer home to coolies. The neighborhood’s Far Eastern ambiance is preserved by its maze of narrow alleyways, vibrant red paper garlands, and colourful shophouses where garments, handicrafts, and antiques are sold. Cultural landmarks in the city include the 1827-founded Sri Mariamman Temple and the ornately decorated Budda Tooth Relic Temple. Among the neighborhood’s traditional small crafts are poets, sculptors, and rickshaw drivers (rickshaw). Hawker centres are great places to get cheap food for foodies. With the recent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these traditional Singaporean food courts are serving up multi-ethnic meals to suit all budgets for less than 10 euros. A plethora of chic rooftop bars and restaurants come alive in the evening, some of which are more private than Marina Bay Sands.
Travel tip:
Crowds will form in front of Hawker Chan, a humble street vendor with a Michelin star for his delicious chicken rice with soy sauce. To test their mettle, those who are willing to take the risk should try durian, a tasty fruit with an overpowering aroma.
Nature Attractions in Singapore
Royal Botanical Gardens
In a way, it’s Singapore’s Central Park or London’s Kew Gardens combined into one. Also, this is where Asia’s first rubber trees were planted. Since 1869, the Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has displayed its botanical treasures on 47 hectares in the city’s centre.
This park’s expansive picnic areas, palm-lined valleys, tropical tree silhouettes, lotus-fringed pools, and six hectares of primary forest, where banyan and strangler fig trees coexist, are all well worth seeing.” Nevertheless, the Royal Botanical Gardens’ orchid collection is its crowning glory, containing 60,000 plants representing more than 1,000 different species (as well as 2,000 hybrids). The collection is in motion due to the fact that it will never be possible to show them all. You don’t know where to look with all these spotted, tiger, and horned orchids in front of you… Garden where you can walk for hours without getting tired or forgetting where you are in relation to the passage of time
The entrance is free.
Travel tip:
On selected evenings, enjoy symphonic concerts on the waterside stage.
Gardens by the Bay
These Avatar-worthy 101-hectare man-made gardens have been seen by more than 50 million people and are worthy of their own movie. 18 massive solar-powered super-trees rise to a height of 50 metres in the park in Singapore’s downtown core. They are connected by elevated walkways. The garden city, which has never been more well-known, is overflowing with orchids, bromeliads, bougainvillaeas, and epiphytes.
The show is even more impressive when viewed from the two massive greenhouses, which each have a domed roof. Some of the world’s most recognisable and beautiful plant species can be found in these biodiversity conservation zones. In a space the size of 135 Olympic swimming pools, there are 250,000 rare and endangered plant species. A 35-meter-high waterfall and lush tropical vegetation can be found in the Cloud Forest Dome.
Free entrance. www.gardensbythebay.com.sg
Travel tip:
The free sound and light show Garden Rhapsody (held twice after dark) is a must-see.
Southern Ridges
Is this the city or the woods where we’re supposed to be? Would you rather live in the city or in the middle of the jungle? On this scenic 10-kilometer hike, the tracks are difficult to discern. There’s a trail that connects Mount Faber Park with Labrador Nature Reserve and winds through neighbourhoods before returning to the forest. In the midst of the towering ficus, albizia, and cardinal trees, futuristic structures appear.
Only pedestrians and cyclists are allowed on the Henderson Waves airlift, which resembles the skeleton of a serpent as it sways 36 metres in the air. Alcove niches have been built with wooden hoops. There’s a nice spot where you can sit and watch the passing boats in the strait and the dense forest below. There are 360 kilometres of green paths linking parks in Singapore, and Southern Ridges is part of the “park connectors” network.
Entrance is free. www.nparks.gov.sg
Travel tip:
Evening LED lighting transforms the Henderson Waves Bridge into a fiery dragon.
TreeTop Walk
4 kilometres from McRitchie Reservoir, this trail leads through a dense forest of palm, bamboo, and ficus trees, where we can watch macaques play freely in front of our very eyes. The azure-tailed bee-blue eater’s lightning has the ability to split the air. In their place are jungles inhabited by monkeys and pangolins. To get a better view, walk along the TreeTop Walk, a 250-meter-long canopy-spanning walkway. At sunrise and sunset, long-tailed macaques approach curious onlookers. If you see them, be on the lookout because they are notorious pickpockets and will not hesitate to attack your snack bar if you leave it unattended. A walk on the water may be continued if you so desire. Take a kayaking trip on McRitchie Reservoir’s water basin.
Entrance is free. www.nparks.gov.sg
Travel tip:
Singapore has a tropical climate, which means it is hot, humid, and rainy throughout the year.
Pulau Ubin
In the days before it became so crowded, how would you describe Singapore? Mangrove swamps cover most of this 10-square-kilometer natural island. With a short boat ride to the islands, Singaporeans can enjoy some time with their families and get some fresh air. There are numerous bicycle trails running through the tropical rainforest and along the coastline forest, making it easiest to get there by renting a bicycle. We drive through rural areas where people still live according to traditional Chinese customs. It is necessary to put down its bicycle to climb to the top of the Jejawi tower, in the middle of Check Jawa’s forest. On the way, it is not uncommon to see monkeys, wild pigs (feeding is forbidden) and pied hornbills. We are far, far away from the bustle of the city. And behind Pulau Ubin, it is already Malaysia…
From Changi Point pier, we reach Pulau Ubin by “bumboat” (small local boat). Count 3$ the outward crossing.
Travel tip:
It’s best to rent a bike to ride around the island easily and enjoy all its riches.
Leisure Attractions in Singapore
Jewel
Year after year, Changi Airport is awarded the prize for the best airport in the world. The opening in 2019 of the Jewel, a vast green complex within the airport, is bad news for its competitors! This “jewel”, which required four years of work, takes the form of a tourist resort, combining the joys of shopping (280 brands!), the pleasures of the table, an amusement park (the Canopy Park) and a tropical garden. And what a garden! Taking the four floors of the Jewel by storm, a veritable jungle of 3,000 trees and 100,000 bushy plants brings its benefits to visitors. Some of the plants have been brought by containers from China, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and the United States. At the center of this cathedral of greenery is the Rain Vortex, the largest indoor waterfall in the world (40 meters high). Relaxing, refreshing and free. In other words, the Jewel has become an attraction in itself, even for Singaporeans.
Travel tip:
Every night, the Jewel’s waterfall becomes the star of a sound and light show with optical effects. Free of charge.
Bay Sands Marina
The Singapore marina is a real eye-catcher. Overlooking the inner basin, the Marina Bay Sands hotel erects its three towers on which a huge terrace is placed, as if in balance. Climb up there at the end of the day, you will have the most beautiful panorama of the city gradually lighting up. Unforgettable! Hotel guests have the chance to bathe in front of this setting, in the world’s largest high-altitude swimming pool. The marina is also home to the exciting ArtScience Museum, whose fun-filled public exhibits merge art and science, as well as its lotus flower-shaped architecture. Since last year, a strange floating sphere has joined the waters of the marina: the firm’s new Apple store.
Travel tip:
The end of the day is ideal to marvel at the “Light and water show” at the foot of Marina Bay Sands.
Raffles Singapore
For Singaporeans, it is a national treasure. In its impeccable white livery, the “iconic” Singapore hotel reopened after two years of renovation. Inaugurated in 1887 and declared a National Monument a century later, the Raffles has seen a parade of celebrities and crowned heads, from Rudyard Kipling to Queen Elizabeth to Charlie Chaplin.
Writer Somerset Maugham saw the establishment as “synonymous with all the fables of the exotic Orient. It is true that its colonial architecture, perfectly preserved, plunges the visitor into a Romanesque setting… spacious suites, waxed teak verandas, white marble colonnades, and a small but attentive service. Here and there, lush tropical gardens remind us that we are under the equator. Of course you can enjoy the three restaurants’ gourmet cuisine, two of which are supervised by Alain Ducasse and Anne-Sophie Pic.
Travel tip:
Sip a Singapore Sling at the hotel’s Long Bar, where this famous cocktail was created in 1915.
Singapore Zoo
Orangutans, white tigers, dwarf hippos and, since last year, adorable baby red pandas… A favourite family attraction, Singapore Zoo is one of the most successful of its kind with over 3,000 animals of 315 different species. Star of the place? The white tiger… Just next door, a night zoo (the Night Safari) promises to live, on board a small electric train, an experience worthy of a night safari (from 7:30 pm to midnight). Or how to spend the evening in the company of leopards, lions and Himalayan blue sheep! The splendid bird park of Jurong, with its colorful aviaries filled with red ibis, pelicans and flamingos, and the River Safari, where giant pandas live, complete the offer of this first-class zoological complex.
Free for children under the age of three.
Travel tip:
To avoid crowds, arrive early (the zoo opens its doors every day at 8:30 am). And to avoid queuing at the entrance, buy your tickets online.
Sentosa
This island transformed into an amusement park and attracts families in search of large format entertainment, American style: oceanarium, giant slides, Universal Studio’s attractions, toboggan runs and the highest Ferris wheel in the world, the Singapore Flyer. Sentosa is also home to golf courses, casinos, hotels and some beautiful beaches. And to connect the island to Singapore, a monorail, a wooden pedestrian promenade and a cable car. You can play “Crazy Rich Asians” (box-office success in 2018) by having lunch or a drink at the Capella Hotel, the most luxurious palace in Singapore. Many celebrities such as Madonna and Lady Gaga have enjoyed its magnificent 800 square meter circular ballroom and peacock strutting gardens. More recently, the hotel played an important role in 2018 by hosting the meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.
Singapore Travel Tips
Singapore is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, and it is characterized by a great deal of cultural and civilizational diversity, which makes it a destination for tourists from all over the world. Singapore is located on the southern coast of Malaysia and is famous for being a sophisticated cultural and technical center that provides its visitors with rich experiences that are indispensable to discover. Here is a list of 10 tips for first-time tourists traveling to Singapore.
1- Use public transportation or use the Grab app
Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) metro system is any traveler’s dream. Singapore has great public transport links to all parts of the country. To save time and money, you can use the Singapore Tourist Pass that allows you to travel without limits. The one-day card is worth 10 Singapore dollars (7.50 US dollars), the two-day card is 16 Singapore dollars (12 US dollars), while the 3-day card is 20 Singapore dollars (15 US dollars). Although the Singapore metro system is efficient, sometimes it may be better to use a car. And don’t forget that taxis are very expensive, there is no Uber service, and there is the Grab app instead .
2- Get travel insurance
Sometimes, tourists may face many risks, such as losing a wallet or being injured, when they do not have travel insurance. So, you will feel very comfortable when you have travel insurance coverage. There are many insurance companies that provide many services while traveling, including, for example, covering the expenses of repairing the car, insurance of luggage and collectibles, and other services.
3- Eat the local people way
You will enjoy amazing dining experiences in Singapore without having to visit the Michelin-starred restaurants even though Singapore is known for serving Michelin-starred meals at the cheapest prices. In Chinatown and Marina Bay, there are many restaurants and food stalls serving the most delicious dishes. And don’t forget to try the famous Singaporean dishes, such as chicken rice, spicy crab and lakasa (spicy noodle soup).
4- Visit the Gulf Gardens early
The Gulf Gardens Gardens by the Bay and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore, so they are always crowded with visitors. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest receive visitors from 9 am, so it is best to go 15 minutes earlier so that you can buy tickets valued at SGD 28 (US $ 21) per person. You can enjoy visiting the gardens and the Supertree Grove for free, starting at 5:00 am. You can discover the walkway between the trees for 8 SGD (6 USD) per person.
An Arab Traveler video that provides important advice for tourists traveling to Singaporehttps://www.youtube.com/embed/tyYiZcZhPzw?feature=oembed
5- Drink tap water
The water is completely safe to drink in Singapore. And you can bring a refillable water bottle, so that you reduce the amount of plastic materials you use.
6- Take advantage of discounts on drinks
Alcoholic drinks in Singapore are very expensive, with cocktails at SGD 22 ($ 16.50 USD) at trendy bars in the city center, while beer is priced at 10 SGD ($ 7.50 USD). During the period from 5 pm to 9 pm, most bars offer heavy discounts on all types of drinks.
7- Stay in touch
In Singapore there are many restaurants and cafes that provide Wi-Fi, but the cost of food and drinks will be high. To overcome this problem, you can use the roaming service to be able to use Wi-Fi on your devices. In some countries, a SIM card can be difficult to purchase and roaming charges may be quite prohibitive.
8- Enjoy the best view in town
When you swim in the swimming pool at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, you will enjoy an unparalleled breathtaking view of the skyline. The infinity pool is only for hotel guests. You can also enjoy a great view from the viewing deck on the 57th floor for 23 Singapore dollars (17 US dollars), but it is really worth the money.
9- You do not have to tip
Tipping is not part of Singapore’s culture, and you do not have to pay tipping. But you can also tip if the service is good and you like it.
10- Carry appropriate clothes
Singapore’s weather is hot and humid throughout the year, with temperatures often reaching over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter, temperatures rarely drop below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night. So, be sure to carry light clothes and a rain jacket because the rain may rain heavily and without warning.
Famous Foods to Try in Singapore
Singapore is famous for its rich cuisine that offers many delicious dishes inspired by the Malay region, China, Indonesia and India, with western touches. You can enjoy an amazing dining experience at street food vendors or in restaurants located in malls. In Singapore, you will enjoy a great deal of diversity unmatched anywhere else in the world. Below is a list of the most famous food in Singapore.
1- Hainanese Chicken Rice
Steamed chicken, served with cooked rice in chicken broth. This delicious dish mainly depends on the quality of the chicken broth, the flavor and the wonderful aroma of the steamed rice. You can also add some dipping sauce to the chicken to add more fun to this delicious meal.
2- Chilli Crab
This delicious dish consists of crab cooked in gravy, tomato and hot pepper. Part of the crab shell is crushed and fried in a mixture of hot sauce, ketchup and eggs. And this dish is not very spicy as its name might sound. This dish is served with bread to enjoy the delicious taste of broth.
3- Laksa
This dish is rice noodles cooked in a spicy coconut curry with shrimp, fish cakes, eggs and chicken meat. This dish is inspired by Chinese and Malaysian cuisine. Sometimes tofu and cockle shells are added.
4- Char Kuay Teow
Deep Fried White Noodles With Black Soy Sauce, Bean Sprouts, Fish Cakes, Oysters And Chinese Sausage. This dish is served by street vendors and in restaurants. Some chefs add a professional touch by cooking noodles at high temperatures.
A video of an Arab traveler that takes you on a tour of Singaporean restaurantshttps://www.youtube.com/embed/r2pJFZ1LNmI?feature=oembed
5- Hokkien Prawn Mee
Fried Hokkien noodles with shrimp, chicken or pork fillet, squid and fish cakes, seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar and chili. And each meal is served with sambal sauce and sliced lemon to soften the oily taste. In Singapore, thick flat egg noodles are used.
6- Barbecued Stingray
The grilled stingray is one of the most popular seafood dishes served on food stalls in Singapore. This classic dish is made of fish meat marinated in sambal sauce, a type of spicy seasoning, chunks of tomatoes, chili peppers and shrimp, then wrapped in banana leaves and placed on the grill until cooked through.
7- Fish Head Curry
A large fish head and vegetables cooked in a curry, served with rice or bread and a cup of calamansi, a local lemon juice. This dish has its origins in southern India, with some Chinese and Malaysian touches. Sometimes, tamarind juice is added to give a sweet and sour taste.
8- Satay Satay
Grilled Meat Skewers With Rice Cakes, Peanut Sauce, Cucumber And Chili. This popular side dish is one of the most delicious appetizers, and is dominated by the smell and taste of turmeric, which is the main ingredient in the marinade. Pork, chicken, beef or lamb can be added.
9- Char siew with rice or noodles. Char siew meats on rice or noodles
One of Singaporean dishes of Chinese origin, this delicious dish consists of roast pork cooked in a sauce. Meat is sliced in front of you and placed on rice or noodles.
10- Oyster Omelette
This delicious dish consists of an egg omelette cooked with flour, topped with baby oysters, coriander leaves, crunchy bean sprouts and a sweet spicy sauce. And this dish is cooked according to your choice.
11- Bak kut teh and rice soup
Pork rib soup with Chinese herbs and spices with a light addition of dark soy sauce and simmer for hours. This dish is usually served with steamed rice for breakfast. Chicken meat can be used instead of pork.
12- Kaya Toast Kaya Toast
Spread sweet coconut jam on toast, serve with half-boiled eggs, and add some dark soy sauce to add to the delicious taste.
13- Nasi lemak
Nasi Limak is made of coconut rice, a slice of omelette, and a slice of cucumber with an addition of chili paste, and it is wrapped in brown paper or a banana leaf.
14- Roti prata and teh tarik
Roti paratha is a type of Indian bread prepared with or without eggs, served with lentil and vegetable curry. Wte tarik is a type of tea mixed with condensed milk and poured from one cup to another to create a froth when served.
15- Sweets for lovers of sweet taste
There are many varieties of sweets in Singapore, so you can have a cup of fresh fruit juice or fresh coconut water with your meals. On hot days, cool local sweets like ice kacang or chendol are a must. Ice kacang is pieces of grated ice topped with different sweet flavors of syrup with jelly, red beans and corn. Chendol is a coconut milk drink mixed with brown sugar, sliced green starch, and red beans. And if you want to discover a new experience, you can eat the rich durian, a fruit with a creamy taste that is covered with thorns on the outside and inside there is one large seed. Although it smells exotic, it tastes very delicious.
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