Last updated: 07/22/2020
In this post you will find a very complete itinerary and many tips to get to know the city-state of Singapore, one of the most innovative places in Asia! Check out all the tips on how to have an amazing trip!
THE CITY-STATE OF SINGAPORE
Singapore is a city-state made up of one main island and 62 other islets. In total, it occupies an area of 722.5 km² and a population of about 5.6 million inhabitants. A curiosity is that almost 40% of the population is made up of foreigners, most of them Chinese, Malays and Indians. For this reason, the country has 4 official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. About 1/3 of the population is Buddhist. The name Singapore is derived from Sanskrit and is a composition of words meaning “City of the Lion”, one of the symbols of the nation.
Read more: 50 facts and trivia about Singapore
Today, Singapore is a global hub for education, entertainment, finance, healthcare, human capital, innovation, logistics, manufacturing, technology, tourism, trade and transport. Being modern and plural, Singapore has attracted a large number of tourists every year. Singapore has the 2nd largest GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in the world and ranks 9th in the HDI (Human Development Index), being listed in several rankings as one of the best investment potential, one of the safest and most competitive countries in the world. Its incredible airport has been considered the best in the world for years. However, all this comes at a price. Singapore has come to be considered one of the most expensive places in the world to live. It is no wonder that, nowadays, Singapore has about 200,000 millionaires!
A LITTLE OF HISTORY…
Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles as a trading post for the British East India Company. After the company collapsed in 1858, the islands were ceded as a British Crown colony. During World War II, its territory was occupied by Japan. It was only in 1963 that Singapore was able to declare itself independent, and in 1965 it became a sovereign state. The nation developed rapidly as an Asian Tiger economy, based on foreign trade and its workforce.
NATURE IN SINGAPORE
Singapore's urbanization has caused it to lose around 95% of its original forests. Currently, more than half of Singapore's flora and fauna is present in nature reserves. In order to preserve nature, in 1967, the government began to implement a project to make Singapore a “Garden City”. Since then, almost 10% of the territory has been reserved for parks and nature reserves. Among the most famous gardens in Singapore are the Singapore Botanical Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the state-of-the-art Gardens by The Bay, one of the city's top attractions.
SINGAPORE'S CLIMATE
Singapore has a humid tropical climate with no distinct seasons, with constant temperatures, high humidity and abundant rainfall. Temperatures in the city-state hover between 25ºC and 35ºC throughout the year. Although the temperature does not vary much, there is a wetter monsoon season between the months of November and January. A warning is that high temperatures can disrupt travel plans a little. The intense heat makes any outdoor walk more difficult and tiring. We ended up changing routes a few times because the heat got in the way. Over time, it had become routine for us to walk around sweaty and our clothes sticking to our bodies. For this reason, wear comfortable clothes and shoes and drink plenty of water.
HOW TO GO FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CENTER
The modern Singapore Airport, also known as Changi Airport is one of the largest airports in Asia. Opened in 1981, it has been considered, since 2013, the best airport in the world! Singapore Airport is made up of 4 terminals passenger lines, which are arranged in a “U” shape. To move from one terminal to another, despite the four main passenger terminals being relatively close to each other, also a skytrain to facilitate faster and more convenient transfers between terminals.
Anyone who thinks that Singapore airport is the same as any other is very wrong. It is packed with attractions, and in April 2019, a new area known as jewel. It is a nature-themed retail and entertainment complex that connects three of the four terminals of the Singapore airport.
As for commuting to the city centre, Singapore Airport was built thinking about how users could get around using public transport. As it is only 20 km from the city-state center, there are various transfer options. One of the main ones is via MRT, the Singapore Metro. For this and many other tips, check out the posts below:
Read more about Singapore Airport:
How to get from Singapore Airport to the center
Singapore Airport: Guide to the Best Airport in the World
Jewel: New complex of modern Singapore Airport
HOW TO MOVE IN SINGAPORE
The city-state of Singapore has an excellent transport network and it is not necessary for you to rent a car to travel to the main attractions. In addition to the excellent MRT (metro) network, there is also a huge variety of bus lines. Public transport charges are based on the distance travelled. Calculate by clicking in this link. We recommend buying the card EZ Link, Singapore's rechargeable transport card. You can buy the card here and pick up at the airport.
WHAT TO DO IN SINGAPORE
To make planning your trip to Singapore easier, we've put all our tips on the interactive map below. Here you will find recommended attractions, lodging tips, restaurants, shopping places, transportation and much more! Next, we will talk about each of the items in detail.
DAY 1: MARINA BAY SANDS + GARDENS BY THE BAY
Book the first day to discover some of the main attractions in Singapore: the incredible complex of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the mega-tech garden Gardens by The Bay that is next to the hotel and its surroundings.
1. MARINA BAY SANDS
Opened in 2010, the Marina Bay Sands it is a complex that includes a resort, a casino, shopping areas, restaurants and diverse entertainment options. The 20-hectare resort includes a 2,562-room hotel spread over 3 towers; a 120,000 m² exhibition and convention center with capacity for up to 45,000 people; The Shoppes at Marina by Sands shopping center, with 74 thousand m²; a 19,000 m² museum; two large theaters; restaurants (including celebrity chefs); and the biggest casino in the world! The complex is covered by SkyPark, a 340-meter-long air park with capacity for up to 3,900 people and a 150-meter-long infinity pool, positioned on top of the largest platform in the world. Don't miss the nightly show of lights and dancing waters!
- Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956
Read more: Singapore: Attractions and Accommodation at Marina Bay Sands
2. GARDENS BY THE BAY
Built in 2012, Gardens by the Bay cover an area of over 100 hectares. According to the official website, “Gardens by the Bay is a piece of horticulture and artistic gardening that presents the plant kingdom in a whole new way, entertaining and educating visitors with plants rarely seen in this part of the world, ranging in species in cold and temperate climates. to tropical forests and habitats.” Here are the famous Supertrees, floral displays, greenhouses and many attractions including music concerts and movie screenings, sporting and community events, educational workshops and school programs. Don't miss the nightly light show, when the Supertrees are all lit up.
- Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
- Schedules:
- Outside Gardens: daily from 5 am to 2 am
- Ticket office: from 9 am to 8 pm
- Conservatories, OCBC Skyway and Floral Fantasy: daily from 9 am to 9 pm
- Far East Organization Children's Garden: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 7pm / Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9pm / closed on Mondays
- Entrance: free for most of the complex | S$ 28 for Flower Dome + Cloud Forest – buy online in this link with discount
Read more: Gardens by the Bay: Singapore's Tech Gardens
3. MARINA BARRAGE
This dam was built at the entrance to the Marina Canal, creating a large reservoir, the Marina Reservoir, with a catchment area of 10,000 hectares. The Marina Barrage is used for three purposes: a source of water supply, flood control and a place for sports and relaxation. As it is not affected by the tides, the water level in the reservoir is always constant throughout the year. This is ideal for the practice of various types of recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, among others. Above the dam there is a pedestrian walkway that connects Gardens By the Bay to Gardens By The Bay East.
- Address: 8 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018951
- Schedules: open 24 hours a day
- Entrance: free
4. HELIX BRIDGE
Helix Bridge is a 280 meter long pedestrian bridge that opened to the public in 2010. It was built with 650 tons of duplex stainless steel and 1,000 tons of carbon steel to help it get the shape of helix, named after the shape of DNA. The bridge has 4 observation decks located in strategic locations that offer breathtaking views of Singapore's skyline. Canopies (made of fritted glass and perforated steel mesh) were incorporated along parts of the inner spiral to provide shade for pedestrians.
At night, the bridge will be illuminated by a series of lights that highlight the double helix structure, creating a special visual experience for visitors. Pairs of colored letters C and G as well as A and T are illuminated at night in red and green to represent cytosine, guanine, adenine and thymine, the four bases of DNA.
5. SINGAPORE FLYER
Singapore Flyer is a Ferris wheel that sits on the shores of Marina Bay. It opened in 2008 after two and a half years of construction. It consists of 28 air-conditioned capsules measuring 26 m², each of which can accommodate up to 28 passengers. At 165 meters tall, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world until the construction of the high roller in Las Vegas, which is 167.6 meters. A curiosity is that, initially, the wheel rotated counterclockwise, shortly after this was reversed on the advice of Feng Shui masters. From the top, you can enjoy a beautiful view of modern Singapore.
- Address: 30 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039803
- Schedules: daily from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Entrance:
- Singapore Flight: S$ 33 adults | S$ 21 children (from 3 to 12 years old) | S$ 24 elderly
- Singapore Sling Flight: S$ 69 adults (over 13 years old) | S$ 31 children (at 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm) – buy in this link with discount
- Ticket + lunch: S$ 62 – buy in this link with discount
- Lunch: S$ 28 – visit this link | Dinner: S$ 36 – visit this link
- Premium Champagne Flight: S$ 79 (at 1 pm, 3 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm)
- Singapore Flyer Sky Dining: S$ 328 special dinner for two
- Promotions:
DAY 2: DOWNTOWN + CHINATOWN
DOWNTOWN
This is the historic center of Singapore's main commercial and financial district and the city, which is known as the Downtown Core or Central Business District (CBD). This region is home to tall buildings such as Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar and Mariana Bay Sands. Here are offices of many companies and government institutions, including the Singapore Parliament and Supreme Court and the Singapore Stock Exchange.
1. MERION
Merlion, the official mascot of Singapore, is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. Its name is composed of the combination of two words: “mer”, which means sea and “lion”, which means “lion”. The fish body represents Singapore's origin as a fishing village. The lion's head represents Singapore's original name, which means "lion city". The statue was erected in 1972 and was initially located at the mouth of the Singapore River. In 2002, it was transferred to the current Merlion Park, which faces Marina Bay and the The Fullerton Hotel.
2. ESPLANADE PARK
Esplanade Park is a 2.4 hectare historic park that was built in 1943. In 1991, it was completely redesigned to improve the identity of this area. Surrounding the park are many historic landmarks such as Queen Elizabeth Walk, The Cenotaph, Lim Bo Song Memorial, Tan Kim Song Fountain, among others. Northeast of the park is St. Andrew's Cathedral. At the far end of the park, behind the Asian Civilizations Museum on Boat Quay, is the Raffles Landing Site, the place where Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore, landed in 1819.
3. MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
In just 3 or 4 days it is impossible to visit all the museums in this area. For this reason, our recommendation is to choose the one whose collection you are most interested in. To start exploring, perhaps the best is the National Museum of Singapore. Next, we'll talk more about it and about other options you'll find in this region.
Founded in 1849, this is the oldest museum in Singapore. The National Museum of Singapore has a permanent gallery space of 2,800 m² and focuses on exhibits relating to the history of Singapore since the 14th century. The museum's collection features precious artifacts such as the Singapore Stone, the gold ornaments of the Sacred Hill of East Java, one of the first photographs of Singapore, among other items.
- Address: 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897
- Schedules: daily from 10 am to 7 pm
- Entrance: S$ 15 – buy online in this link
The Museum of Asian Civilizations was founded in 1997 and is one of the pioneering museums in the region to specialize in Pan-Asian cultures and civilizations. The museum specializes in the material history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia, from which Singapore's diverse ethnic groups trace their ancestry.
- Address: 1 Empress Pl, Singapore 179555
- Schedules: daily from 10 am to 7 pm (Friday to 9 pm)
- Entrance: S$ 20
The Singapore Art Museum is housed in a building that housed a school during the 19th century. In 1996, it opened its doors as the first fully dedicated visual arts museum in Singapore. The museum houses one of the most important contemporary art collections in the world, by artists from Singapore, Southeast Asia and Asia.
- Address: 8 Queen St, Singapore 189555
- Schedules: closed for renovations (no date for reopening)
- Entrance: not informed
The Nationalize Yourself Singapore Gallery is an art museum opened in 2015 that houses the world's largest public art collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian art. The collection has more than 8,000 works of art focusing on Singapore's culture and heritage and its relationship with other Asian cultures and the world.
- Address: 1 St Andrew's Rd, Singapore 178957
- Schedules: daily from 10 am to 7 pm (Friday to 9 pm)
- Entrance: S$ 20
Built in 1827, Old Parliament House is the oldest government building in the country and where Singapore's former Parliament once stood. Since 2004, it has hosted a multidisciplinary arts space that hosts art exhibitions and concerts.
- Address: 1 Old Parliament Ln, Singapore 179429
- Schedules: daily from 10 am to 10 pm
- Entrance: free
Founded in 2008, the Peranakan Museum is a museum specializing in Pernakan culture, a technical group descended from Chinese settlers from the southern provinces who went to the Malay Archipelago (now Malaysia and Singapore) and the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). The permanent collection is arranged in 10 galleries, which exhibit the main themes of Pernakan life. There is also a space for special exhibitions.
- Address: 39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941
- Schedules: closed for renovations (scheduled to reopen in mid-2021)
- Entrance: not informed
This is a museum about the history of Singapore's postal service and its stamps. The museum was founded in 1955 to promote interest in and appreciation of Singapore's history and heritage in philately. In addition to the permanent galleries, the themed galleries offer a range of varied exhibitions throughout the year.
- Address: 23-B Coleman St, Singapore 179807
- Schedules: closed for renovations (expected to reopen in late 2020)
- Entrance: not informed
4. FOUNTAIN OF WEALTH
The Fountain of Wealth is a fountain located in the Suntec City, a huge shopping, dining and entertainment hub in Singapore. The was built in 1995 and is listed by the Guinness Book as the largest fountain in the world! The fountain is made of silicon bronze, and consists of a circular ring with a circumference of 66 meters supported by four large inclined columns. The fountain's bronze ring is designed based on the Hindu Mandala which means universe and is a symbolic representation of unity in spirit and unity and further symbolizes the equality and harmony of all races and religions in Singapore. During certain periods of the day, the fountain is turned off and visitors are invited to stroll through a small fountain in the center of the fountain's base. At night, the fountain is the setting for laser musical performances.
- Address: 3 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038983
- Schedules:
- Touch Water: from 10 am to 12 pm, from 2 pm to 4 pm, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, from 9:30 pm to 10 pm
- Laser Show: at 20:00, 20:30 and 21:00
- Entrance: free
5. FORT CANNING PARK
Once used by the British Armed Forces, Fort Canning Park is a public park that offers a variety of recreational, historical and educational activities, entertainment and cultural experiences, and is also used as a place for social events. It is a big green lung in the city center and mixes historical relics, lush vegetation and cultural activities. It comprises nine historic gardens: Pancur Larangan, Artisan's Garden, Sang Nila Utama Garden, Jubilee Park (Phase 1), Raffles Garden, First Botanic Garden, Farquhar Garden, Spice Garden and Armenian Street Park. check out here the park attractions map. At the southeastern end of the park is an iconic building known as Old Hill Street Police Station (Address: 140 Hill St, Singapore 179369). It has colored windows that provide a beautiful view. Currently, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth works there.
- Address: River Valley Rd, Singapore 179037
- Schedules: open 24 hours a day
- Entrance: free
6. SRI THENDAYUTHAPANI TEMPLE
Built in 1859, the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, better known as the “Temple of the Chettiars” or the “Temple on the Tank Road”, is one of the most important monuments of Singapore's Hindu community. The main deity of this 23-meter-tall temple is Lord Sri Thendayuthapani, also called Murugan. Today, the temple has a library, offices, and a spacious, well-decorated stage for cultural performances on special occasions.
- Address: 15 Tank Road, Singapore 238065
- Schedules: from 8 am to 12 pm and from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
- Entrance: free
7. CLARKE QUAY
Clarke Quay is a historic quay on the banks of the Singapore River. The place is named after Sir Andrew Clarke, the second governor of Singapore. The site has been converted into a large area for entertainment, shopping, restaurants, cafes, pubs, after 5 blocks of old warehouses were restored to house them. The area is exclusively open to pedestrians and is very lively and colorful at night, making it a good option to enjoy the warm Singapore nights.
- Address: 3 River Valley Rd, Singapore 179024
- Schedules: most attractions are open from 10 am to 10 pm
CHINATOWN
Singapore's Chinatown is an area that is characterized by a number of Chinese cultural elements. Major streets in the neighborhood include Mosque Street, Pagoda Street, Spago Lane, Smith Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street.
8. MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
The Chinatown Heritage Center is the gateway for all visitors to follow in the footsteps of Singapore's early pioneers and discover the personal stories of the people who made Chinatown their home. The original 1950s interiors have been recreated to showcase the lives of Chinatown's early residents.
- Address: 48 Pagoda St, Singapore 059207
- Schedules: daily from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
- Entrance: S$ 18 (with audio guide) | S$ 25 (with guided tour in English at 11:30, 13:30 or 16:30)
This 3-story gallery houses a massive model of downtown Singapore, also showing the physical transformation the city has undergone over the years. Singapore City Gallery, the only permanent exhibition that tells the story of the country's physical planning efforts, has 10 themed areas and more than 50 audiovisual and interactive exhibits. The 1st floor is reserved for temporary exhibitions such as urban planning and architecture. The 2nd floor houses a model of downtown Singapore, called the Central Area Model. The 3rd floor comprises permanent exhibitions on topics such as the preservation of historic buildings, sustainable development and urban design.
- Address: 45 Maxwell Road The URA Centre, Singapore 069118
- Schedules: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
- Entrance: free
9. TEMPLE AND RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
Opened in 1827, this is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Mariamman, known for her power in curing epidemic diseases and was built to serve immigrants from South India. The main festival celebrated at Sri Mariaman temple is Theemithi (fire walking ceremony), held annually between October and November.
- Address: 242 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058791
- Schedules: daily from 5 am to 11:30 am and from 5 pm to 8:35 pm
- Entrance: free
This impressive building is a complex that houses a Buddhist temple and a museum. Established in 2007, the temple is based on the architectural style of the Bang dynasty and was built with the aim of housing relics of the historic Buddha. The Tooth Relic of Buddha is housed in a giant stupa weighing 3,500 kg and made from 320 kg of gold, of which 234 kg was donated by devotees. Only monks are allowed in the relic chamber, but visitors will be able to view the tooth relic from the public viewing area. The complex's interiors are lavishly designed and the temple features comprehensive exhibits on Buddhist art and history, telling stories of the culture spanning thousands of years.
- Address: 288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840
- Schedules: daily from 9 am to 7 pm
- Entrance: free
- Guided tours: Saturdays at 2pm (in English)
Thian Hock Keng, also known as the Tianfu Temple, is a temple built for the worship of Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess. This is the oldest and most important temple of the Hokkien people in Singapore. Thian Hock Keng is not only a living monument and architectural masterpiece, but also an important stakeholder in Singapore's 19th century history. The temple was built in the traditional southern Chinese architectural style. The entire structure was assembled without nails. It is an architectural masterpiece of stone, tiles and wood, dragon and phoenix carvings, intricate carvings and towering columns.
- Address: Telok Ayer St, 158, Singapore
- Schedules: daily from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Entrance: free
Completed in 1855, this is one of the first mosques built in Singapore. The building's design is based on Indo-Islamic architecture with two tall minarets in front. The minaret towers that define the narrow facade are devoid of decorative elements, except for a small onion dome at the top of each tower. The building, however, also includes neoclassical elements such as Doric columns inside. Originally a single floor, the prayer hall was expanded to two floors, with a gallery on the upper floor and covered with a huge ceiling.
- Address: 192 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068635
- Schedules: Saturday to Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm / Friday from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2:30 pm to 6 pm
- Entrance: free
The Nagore Dargah is a shrine built by Muslims in southern India between 1828 and 1830, and was originally known as Shahul Hamid Dargha. The building's most interesting visual feature is its facade: two arched windows flank an arched doorway, with columns in the middle. Above them is a “miniature palace” – a huge replica of the facade of a palace, with small cut windows and a small arched doorway in the middle. The white plaster cutouts make the facade look like lace. From the corners of the facade, two 14-level minarets rise, with three small vaulted indentations on each level and onion domes at the top. Inside, the prayer rooms and two shrines are painted and decorated in bright colors.
- Address: 140 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068604
- Schedules: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm / Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm
- Entrance: free
10. BOAT QUAY
Boat Quay is a historic pier in Singapore, which was the busiest part of the city's old port. Currently, Boat Quay is situated in the heart of the CBD (Central Business District) and houses several bars, restaurants, pubs and shopping areas in old buildings that have been renovated. The area is exclusively for pedestrians and is frequented by tourists and locals alike.
- Address: Bonham Street, Singapore 049782
DAY 3: KAMPONG GLAM + LITTLE INDIA + BOTANICAL GARDEN + ORCHARD ROAD
On this day, our suggestion is to visit the attractions that are in the northern region of Singapore, the friendly neighborhood of Kampong Glam, Little India, visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the botanical garden that is listed as a World Heritage Site due to its wide variety of plant life and end the day on Orchard Road, the most famous shopping area in Singapore, with many shopping malls, modern shopping centers and many designer stores and luxury brands.
KAMPONG GLAM
Kampong Glam is a Malay and Arab enclave that has its origins as a thriving port area and is Singapore's oldest urban neighborhood. In the neighborhood it is possible to buy clothes, Persian rugs, typical costumes, handicrafts, among others. Kampong Glam also has several interesting dining options.
1. STREETS
- Arab Street: As the name implies, this street reflects the Arab influence and has a number of restaurants with typical cuisine.
- Haji Lane: Super lively and stylish street with charming cafes and friendly bars.
- Muscat Street: Muscat Street is home to the famous Masjid Mosque, the area's main attraction.
- Baghdad Street: This street reflects the Arab influence in this area of Singapore. It is full of traditional shophouses.
- Bussorah Street: Exclusive pedestrian street that has many super colorful old mansions that house shops, Arab restaurants, cafes, and super charming tea houses.
- Bugis Street: Commercial street, which sells a little bit of everything, including trinkets and souvenirs, fridge magnets, key chains and souvenirs at very friendly prices. There are also food stalls with excellent prices.
2. MASJID SULTAN
In the early 1900s, Singapore became an Islamic center of commerce, culture and art. Originally, there was a small mosque on the site, but on its 100th birthday, it was decided to build a larger mosque to house the thriving Islamic community. The “Sultan Mosque”, as we know it today, was built between 1924 and 1932 by Sultan Hussain Shah, who signed the treaty with Great Britain to found modern Singapore. The mosque has a Saracen style, incorporating minarets and balustrades. It has remained essentially unchanged since it was built, with only repairs carried out to the main hall in 1968 and an annex added in 1993. In 1975 it was proclaimed a national monument.
- Address: 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833
- Schedules: from Saturday to Thursday from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 4 pm | Friday from 2:30 pm to 4 pm
- Entrance: free
3. MALAY HERITAGE CENTER
The Malay Heritage Center is a cultural center and museum that features exhibits on the culture, heritage and history of Singaporean Malays. The center also organizes Malaysian cultural programs and workshops.
- Address: 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501
- Schedules: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
- Entrance: S$ 6 adults / S$ 4 seniors / free for children under 6 years old
LITTLE INDIA
In the past, Little India was a place where there were several cattle ranchers, brick production and even a racecourse! In the mid-19th century, cattle trade was mainly done by Indians and many Hindu temples. In addition to typical restaurants, you can find many shops selling ethnic products, jewelry and even electronics.
4. TAN TENG NIAH
Built in 1900, Tan Teng Niah's former home is the last surviving Chinese residence in Little India. It is believed that Tan built the house for his wife. The house embodies an often forgotten history of the days when small Chinese industries operated alongside the cattle and wicker businesses in Little India. Tan Teng Niah was a Chinese businessman who owned several candy factories along Serangoon Road. Tan Teng Niah's former home has eight rooms. The second floor overhangs the first to create a five-foot-long walkway where there used to be an entrance portico. In the 1980s, it was restored for commercial use.
- Address: 37 Kerbau Rd, Singapore 219168
5. TEMPLES
The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore. It was built by the first and second generation of Indian Singaporeans who settled around Little India. In 1908, workers took over the administration of the temple, built the main hall and shrine, installed statues of all major Hindu deities, and imported the Kali statue from India. The old Temple was demolished in 1983 and rebuilt in 1987. A unique feature of the temple is the abundance of free food for devotees. It underwent extensive renovation between 1999 and 2000, and in 2014 the gold-plated main dome of the temple was inaugurated.
- Address: 141 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218042
- Schedules: Monday, Thursday and Sunday from 5:30 am to 12:15 pm and from 4 pm to 9:15 pm | Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30 am to 12:15 pm | Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
- Entrance: free
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple is one of the oldest temples in Singapore. This large complex, dedicated to Vishnu, dates from 1855. Within the inner courtyard of the temple, a well marks the spot where water used to flow. There is also a Tulasi (basil) plant, the symbolic sacred bush of the Hindus. Inside the temple is a statue of Perumal, or Vishnu, his consorts Lakshmi and Andal, and their mount bird, Garuda. The Perumal Temple is at the center of the Hindu trinity made up of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. The temple is dedicated to Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu. Perumal is another name for Krishna and statues of him are everywhere in the temple.
- Address: 397 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218123
- Schedules: daily from 6:15 am to 12 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm
- Entrance: free
Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, also known as the Temple of 1,000 Lights, is a Buddhist monastery that was founded in 1927 by a Thai monk named Vutthisara. The presence of Thai influences in architecture and decoration is notable. Inside the temple, there is a 15-meter tall statue of a seated Buddha, which weighs around 300 tons, as well as many smaller Buddha images and murals depicting the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. The large central statue is surrounded by a stylized aura made of numerous lamps, often lit at night, from which the temple derives its nickname.
- Address: 366 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218638
- Schedules: daily from 8 am to 4:45 pm
- Entrance: free
Leong San Temple is a Buddhist temple built in 1917 by Reverend Zhuan Wu. The temple's name translates as Dragon Mountain Temple, and both its wooden beams and gable are decorated with animated dragons, chimeras, flowers, and human figures. It is considered one of the most ornate Buddhist temples in the city. The temple was initially called Leong San Lodge and consisted of a few huts where Reverend Chun tended to the sick, with the central hut housing the Goddess of Mercy. The current temple, a preserved building, was built in 1926 with building materials imported from China and funds from prominent merchant and philanthropist Tan Boon Liat. The reconstructed temple has an altar with an image of Confucius, which is popular with parents who bring their children to pray for intelligence and filial piety. On certain days, free vegetarian food is served to devotees in the ancestral hall.
- Address: 371 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218641
- Schedules: daily from 6 am to 6 pm
- Entrance: free
SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDEN
O Singapore Botanic Gardens It is a tropical garden, founded in 1859, which has about 82 hectares of extension. Currently, the garden is home to more than 10,000 plant species and receives around 4.5 million visitors annually. It is one of three gardens designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Inside the Botanical Garden is the National Orchid Garden, a garden famous for the studies of orchids and a pioneer in the cultivation of hybrids. Due to the equatorial climate, the place houses the largest collection of orchids, with 1,200 species and 2,000 hybrids, providing a stunning view.
- Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
- Schedules: Singapore Botanic Gardens: daily from 5 am to midnight | National Orchid Garden: daily from 8:30am to 7pm
- Entrance: Singapore Botanic Gardens: Free | National Orchid Garden: S$ 5 adults | S$ 1 elderly | free for children under 12
Read more: Singapore Botanical Garden: Incredible World Heritage Site
ORCHARD ROAD
End the day visiting the Orchad Road region. Around 1830, this area was a road that housed fruit orchards, nutmeg plantations and pepper farms. However, in the late 1950s, everything changed. The first department store, known as Tangs, settled there (and is there to this day). From then on, the place began to attract many retail stores, and today, the area is a shopper's paradise, with around 5,000 commercial establishments, including shops and restaurants.
One of the highlights of this area is the ION Orchard, one of the most amazing shopping complexes in Singapore. This huge mall features futuristic architecture and houses eight floors of stores, including many luxury brands and famous designer brands. On the 5th floor of the complex is the The Grande Whiskey Collection, an exhibition of over 4,500 bottles of whiskey from around the world, including some rarities. It is worth getting to know ION Art Gallery, on the 4th floor, which is an art gallery that features a variety of exhibits and has free admission. Another place worth visiting is the mall. Far East Plaza, which houses several clothing stores, beauty services and electronics with more affordable prices (your pocketbook will thank you!). See more tips for malls and shopping centers on Orchard Road at the end of this post.
DAY 4: SENTOSA ISLAND
Sentosa is an island located half a kilometer from Singapore and has an area of less than 5 km². About 70% of the island is covered in forest that is home to lizards, monkeys, peacocks, parrots and other native species. In the past, it was used as a British military base and as a Japanese POW camp. In fact, it only came to be called Sentosa in 1972, when it was planned to turn it into a tourist resort. Today, Sentosa has 3 km of white sand beaches, Fort Silos, golf courses, several hotels and resorts, a casino and Universal Studios Singapore theme park.
Read more:
- Sentosa Island: What to do in Singapore's most fun spot
- Singapore: Attractions and Tips at Resorts World Sentosa
SAVINGS TIP: ACTIVITIES CARD
Who is planning to include several activities in the itinerary in Singapore, a good request can be the iVenture Card Singapore, a card with which it is possible to save up to 50% in the main attractions of the city-state! The card has 3 options (2, 3 and 5 days) and includes entry to 35 main activities in Singapore. Among the attractions are Universal Studios on Sentosa Island, the Singapore Night Safari, Madame Tussauds wax museum, SEA Aquarium. See the full list of attractions and get yours by visiting this link. There are also specific cards for attractions on Sentosa Island (see more details in the post “Sentosa Island: What to do in Singapore's most fun spot“.
TOURS IN SINGAPORE AND SURROUNDINGS
Check out some options for tours and excursions in and around Singapore. Some of them can be good options for those who don't want to worry about transportation to attractions that are further from the center. Check out some tips below.
EXCURSIONS
- Singapore Guided Tour in English
- singapore big bus hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour
- Half Day Singapore City Tour
- Singapore: Private Customizable Tour with a Local Host
- Singapore Walking Tour: Secrets of Marina Bay
- Singapore War and History Tour with Lunch
- Singapore walking tour cityscapes
- Singapore Walking Tour: Harmony of Senses
- singapore 3hour private little india tour
- Singapore Full-Day Tour with a Local
- Chinatown, Singapore: Guided Walking Tour
- Crazy Rich Asians: Singapore Icons and Car Tour Filming Locations
FOOD TOURS
- Singapore: Katong Walking Food Tour
- singapore iconic attractions and food bike tour
- singapore local food tour
- singapore chinatown food tour
- Singapore: Evening Hawker Center Food Tour
- singapore guided food tour with tasting
OTHERS
- Singapore Supercars: Street Circuit (15 Minutes)
- Night Safari w/ Priority Tram and Transfer Ticket
- singapore 3hour segway tour of marina bay
WHERE TO EAT IN SINGAPORE
Singapore is a very democratic city that manages to cater to all tastes. Of course, the restaurants focus on Asian food, including Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Thai. But, there are many options for western cuisine dishes. Some of them are worth mentioning:
- Central Perk Cafe: A Café that recreated the atmosphere of Central Park, the iconic cafeteria of the series Friends, which was the meeting point of the characters.
- DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe: Located at Marina Bay Sands, it offers many dishes themed after the heroes of the DC Universe, such as Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and The Flash.
- Marina Bay Sands: Inside the Marina Bay Sands complex there are about 50 restaurants offering the best dishes of local and international cuisine. There are many restaurants in renowned bosses worldwide.
- Chinatown Food Street: Chinatown Food Street is one of the best places to eat local, cheap and authentic food. The place is covered and even has an integrated cooling system. There are many food stalls and restaurants and the options have expanded over the years.
- Kampong Glam: Neighborhood where the Masjid Sultan mosque is located. There are several options of Lebanese and Arab restaurants to suit all budgets.
- Michelin star restaurants: According to 2018 data, Singapore has 39 very high quality Michelin-starred restaurants. There are 34 with 1 star and 5 with 2 stars. You can see the updated list by going to this link and filtering through the starred options.
Check out some of our gastronomic experiences in Singapore through our special post on the subject:
Read more: 10 restaurant tips in Singapore
WHERE TO BUY IN SINGAPORE
Singapore is not a cheap city, but it is a shopper's paradise, as it has a huge variety of stores, malls and shopping centers. As we mentioned earlier, one of the main places to shop is the Orchard Road region. Check out this and some of the main options:
ORCHARD ROAD
LITTLE INDIA
- Little India Arcade (traditional stores)
- Mustafa Center Singapore (market that offers a little bit of everything)
- Tekka Market (typical clothing upstairs)
- City Square Mall
MARINA BAY SANDS
- The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (see all details in our post about the hotel)
DOWNTOWN
- chijmes (super luxury mall)
- Raffles City
- Suntec City (office and shopping complex)
- Peninsula Shopping Center Singapore
FURTHER
WHERE TO STAY IN SINGAPORE
During our visit to the city, we stayed in two hotels: the Marina Bay Sands it's the Pan Pacific Singapore. Both are incredible 5-star hotels, with wonderful infrastructure and an excellent location. Pan Pacific Singapore provided us with an incredible view of Marina Bay Sands, at a much more affordable price. See our tips and experiences in the posts:
- Singapore: Attractions and Accommodation at Marina Bay Sands
- Singapore: Accommodation at Pan Pacific Singapore
In addition, there are other very interesting, well-located and well-reviewed options for staying in downtown Portland. Check out some of them:
3 STARS
- The Quay Hotel
- Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen
- YMCA @ One Orchard
- Strand Hotel Singapore
- Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road
- Q Loft Hotel1929@Chinatown
- Mono Hotel
- Hotel 1888 Collection
4 STARS
5 STARS
- The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
- Carlton Hotel Singapore
- Grand Hyatt Singapore
- Raffles Hotel
- Royal Plaza on Scotts Singapore
- Grand Park City Hall
- Carlton City Hotel Singapore
- Mandarin Orchard Singapore
- Conrad Centennial Singapore
- The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
- JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
BOOK NOW your hotel and save up to 50%. Travelers readers are with a SUPER DISCOUNT! And the best, with FREE CANCELLATION*!
Booking.com
*check the hotels with free cancellation on the website
Save this tip on Pinterest!
Read more about Singapore:
- How to get from Singapore Airport to the center
- Singapore Airport: Guide to the Best Airport in the World
- Jewel: New complex of modern Singapore Airport
- Singapore: Attractions and Accommodation at Marina Bay Sands
- Gardens by the Bay: Singapore's Tech Gardens
- Singapore: Accommodation at Pan Pacific Singapore
- Singapore Botanical Garden: Incredible World Heritage Site
- Sentosa Island: What to do in Singapore's most fun spot
