BEST THINGS TO DO IN SINGAPORE
Is Singapore worth a visit? What are the best things to do in Singapore? These are the most common questions of all tourists at all time. Many might think there is nothing much to see & do on such a small island. In fact, Singapore is the 2nd most visited city in Asia-Pacific just after Bangkok. But of course, Singapore is not a best place to stay long, it is a best place to stop by before heading to other part of the destinations in Southeast Asia. Merely 3 days 2 nights’ stay is just perfect for the visit. The only setback to visit Singapore is the limited size of the country and prices are relatively high in almost every aspect especially accommodations.
31 Best Things To Do in Singapore
Orchard Road, located in the south-eastern part of the Central Region is the most popular upscale shopping area of Singapore. You could find most of the internationally renowned department stores, restaurants, and coffee-houses all at this street. At least more than 20 shopping malls where you can shop until you drop along the road. Among the popular malls; The Centrepoint, ION Orchard, Lucky Plaza, Orchard Central, Paragon, Plaza Singapura & Palais Renaissance.
02 Little India
Little India, located within 2.5 km East of Orchard Road is an ethnic Indian district and is commonly known as Tekka in the Indian Singaporean community. Little India isn’t just an Indian neighborhood nowadays, Chinese clan associations & shops are neighboring with various businesses ranging from electrical equipment , hardware, second hand products to conventional spice grinders and groceries. There are also 2 landmarks nearby worth for a visit; Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple & Tekka Centre (a wet market, food centre and shops).
03 Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, about 1.5 km South of Little India is a traditional Chinese temple and home to the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin). The temple has existed since 1884 at its present location with a reconstruction in 1895. This temple remains as one of the most important temples among the Chinese. Generally, devotees believe that they will be blessed after worshiping at the temple, thus making it one of the most visited temples in Singapore.
04 Singapore Zoo – Best Thing To Do in Singapore with Family
Singapore Zoo, about 25 km North of Orchard Road with 28 hectares (69 acres) was opened on 27 June 1973. There are more than 300 animal species in the zoo, some 16% of which are considered endangered species. Besides displaying animals, the zoo also offers various modes of rides within the premises like trams, animals, boat, pony, and horse carriage. They even have some animal show like “Breakfast with an Orangutan” where it allows visitors to interact closely with the orangutans.
05 Night Safari
Night Safari, neighboring Singapore Zoo claiming the world’s first nocturnal zoo. The Night Safari currently houses more than 900 animals representing more than 100 species, 41% of which are endangered species. The tram is the Night safari’s most popular attraction and is a 40-minute drive through six geographical zones. There are 4 walking trails along the ride where visitors could take a walk and a get closer encounter with the animals. Most importantly, nocturnal can only be seen at the walking trail.
06 River Safari
River Safari, a river-themed zoo and aquarium located in the same area of Night safari & Singapore Zoo. It is Asia’s first and only river themed wildlife park features freshwater exhibits and a river boat ride as its main highlights. The park consists of a total of 10 different ecosystems worldwide, including the Nile River, Ganges River, Yangtze River, Mississippi, Amazon and Tundra. This is also the home for a pair of male & female giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia.
07 Jurong Bird Park
Jurong Bird Park, is about 20 km from Singapore Zoo. This is a bird zoo which focuses mainly on birds from Africa. This 4.9-acre walk-in aviary is the second largest in the world. It has one of the world’s tallest man-made waterfall with 30 meters height. There is also a suspension bridge in the park allows visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, and a hiking trail allows visitors to see some of the more reticent birds in motion.
08 Singapore Discovery Centre
Singapore Discovery Centre, is an “edutainment” centre where you can learn more about Singapore’s history. It evolved in its first step into a story telling interactive experience showing the recent history of Singapore-living under the flags of Britain, Japan, Britain, Malaysia before becoming an independent country. Besides this, the centre has a lot of activities to offer like 3D mini-theaters, 4D simulation rides, Crossfire Paintball game, 30-meter long panoramic wall, 3rd Generation SAF game, Digital Dance Studio, pedal boat & many more.
09 Chinese Garden
Chinese Garden, just within 20 km from Orchard Road is a popular garden for picture-taking. It was built in 1975 by a Taiwan architect based on Chinese gardening art concept. The gorgeous garden has a pair of marble stone lions at the main gates, a 7-storey pagodas, bonsai garden and a lake where you can go kayaking & ride a dragon boat during mid-autumn festival (usually in September). There is also a 13-arch White Rainbow Bridge at the garden making the place a picturesque landscape.
10 Japanese Garden
Japanese Garden, is next to Chinese Garden just within walking distance which is connected by bridge. Along with the above mentioned Chinese Garden, the two gardens are collectively known as the Jurong Gardens. The designs and techniques used in garden layout are taken from Japan with traditional arched bridges, stone lanterns, traditional house and rest house, ponds and gravel chipped pavings. Large number of lizards also can be seen near the Koi pond area.
11 Science Centre Singapore
Science Centre Singapore, very close to Jurong Gardens is a scientific institution specialized in promoting scientific and technological education to the general public in Singapore. It has over 850 exhibits spread over eight exhibition galleries. This is not just a simple science centre, it has a KidsSTOP area where you can celebrate your child’s birthday, a 3D Digital Dome Theatre Show (Omni- Theatre) & a Snow City which is nearby where your children will definitely love it. – Best thing to do in Singapore with family.
12 Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, just about 12.5 km from Orchard Road is a small nature reserve with total area of about 400 acres. This is the only rain-forest left in Singapore. Start your exploration at the Bukit Timah Hill Visitor Centre, Singapore ‘s highest hill stands at 163.63 meters above sea level, and parts of the surrounding area. The main activities here are strolling, jogging, hiking, rock climbing & mountain biking. There are a few specially allocated mountain-bike trails around the area for bikers.
13 Singapore Adventure
14 National Museum of Singapore
National Museum of Singapore, lies in the middle of the town area just about 1.5 km from Orchard Road. The museum was established in 1849 & it is the oldest museum in Singapore with amazing architecture. This multiple stories building has a few different themed exhibition halls, showrooms and galleries where you can learn the history of Singapore from pre-colonial times from the 14th century through colonial times and up until today. The museum is also a custodian for most of its “national treasures” of Singapore.
15 Peranakan Museum
Peranakan Museum, a great museum to learn the history Peranakan cultures in Singapore and other former Straits Settlements in Malacca and Penang and other Southeast Asian Peranakan communities. There are total 10 Galleries in the museum where each of them introduces various cultures & story of Peranakan communities like wedding ceremonies, arts and crafts of Nonyas, religion, commerce, politics, social affairs, food & feasting, etc. You could easily spend a few hours in this museum.
16 St Andrew’s Cathedral
St Andrew’s Cathedral was constructed in 1856–1861. It is the Anglican Diocese ‘s primary Cathedral Church in Singapore, and serves as the mother church of 27 parishes and over 55 congregations. The logo of the Cathedral is the St Andrew’s Cross. 2006 marked the 150th anniversary of the St Andrew’s Church Mission, which was initiated in 1856.The church was gazetted as a Singaporean national monument on 28 June 1973.
17 National Gallery Singapore
National Gallery Singapore, 2 km away from National Museum, is Singapore’s largest visual arts venue and museum with total floor area of 64,000 square meters (690,000 sq ft). The Gallery consists of modern and contemporary art and focuses on showing Singapore and Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to the present day and it has more than 8,000 works of art. The building itself is also a piece of art with the unique design of both inside and outside decorations.
18 Arab Street & Haji Lane
Arab Street & Haji Lane are next to each other within walking distance of about 200 meters and 3 km away from National Gallery Singapore. These are the popular shopping street among the Muslim where you can get spices, textiles, basketry items, fashion boutiques & songkoks. Halal street food, restaurants & cafes are something that you couldn’t miss here. Most people will visit 2 landmarks nearby; Sultan Mosque (beautiful historical architecture) & Malay Heritage Centre (cultural centre and museum).
19 Singapore Flyer
Singapore Flyer, is a giant Ferris wheel situated in Downtown Core just within 2 km from ArtScience Museum. The Flyer is 165 meters (541 ft) tall and claiming the tallest Ferris wheel in Asia. It has 28 capsules, each with capacity for 28 passengers, and has a three-story terminal structure. High Flyers the Bloomberg Television series is filmed in one of the capsules of the Flyer. Experience a breathtaking 360 degree views of Singapore City. A must visit place in Singapore.
20 Helix Bridge
Helix Bridge, an amazing & beautiful pedestrian bridge linking Marina Center with Marina South in Singapore’s Marina Bay area. Canopies are incorporated along parts of the inner spiral to provide shade for pedestrians. The bridge has four viewing platforms which built at strategic locations that offer amazing views of the skyline of Singapore and events taking place in Marina Bay. The entire bridge is illuminated at night by LED lighting ribbons providing visitors a special visual experience.
21 ArtScience Museum
ArtScience Museum, the world’s first ArtScience museum located within the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort in Singapore ‘s central downtown core area about 3.5 km from National Museum of Singapore. The lotus flower shape architecture referred to as “The Welcoming Hand of Singapore”. The museum has 21 gallery spaces measuring 50,000 square feet in total, exhibits interactive creativity, futurism, disney animation, and more. It is an excellent place for family to visit.
22 Marina Bay
Marina Bay, the famous landmark of Singapore which built on reclaimed land with a 360 hectare extension to the adjacent Central Business District. The bay was surrounded by the perimeter of four other areas, the Downtown Core, Marina East, Marina South and Straits View. It has futuristic building & breathtaking view especially during the evening. Among the iconic buildings in this area include the Marina Bay Sands, The Merlion, Marina Bay Financial Centre and Asia Square. A must visit place at night.
23 Gardens By The Bay
Gardens By The Bay, is a futuristic park with a total area of 101 hectares (250 acres) in the Central Region of Singapore consisting of three gardens on the waterfront (Bay South Garden -in Marina South, Bay East Garden – in Marina East and Bay Central Garden – in Downtown Core and Kallang). It has giant artificial trees that glow in the night time and two domed conservatories. There is also rhapsody light show which is free and takes place twice every night.
24 Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market)
Lau Pa Sat (means old market) formerly known as Telok Ayer Market is a historic building which was first built in 1824 as a fish market & then relocated and rebuilt at the present location in 1894. The building covers an area of 55,000 square feet and used cast-iron pillars to support the building. In 1972, this wet market was converted into a hawker centre (food court). However, Telok Ayer Marker’s historical and architectural value was recognized, and on 6 July 1973 it was gazetted as a national monument.
25 Thian Hock Keng Temple
Thian Hock Keng Temple, is the oldest and most important temple of the Hokkien (Chinese from Southern Fujian, China) people in the country. The temple originated as a small joss house first built around 1821–22 on the waterfront serving the local community of Hokkien, where seafarers and immigrants could give thanks to the Sea Goddess Mazu for a secure sea passage on their arrival in Singapore. The temple was rebuilt in 1839, completed in 1842 & it was also gazetted as a National Monument in 1973.
26 Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Mariamman Temple, is an oldest Hindu temple in Singapore which was founded in 1827. Located in the downtown area of Chinatown about 1 km from Thian Hock Keng. The temple serves the majority of Hindu & Tamils of Singapore. This temple features a gopuram that rises above the main entrance, embellished with six tiers of sculptures of Hindu God statues and other ornamental decorations. The temple has been recognized as a National Monument due to its architectural and historical value, and is a major tourist attraction nowadays.
27 Chinatown Heritage Centre – Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Chinatown Heritage Centre, is a kind of museum to learn the history of Chinese immigration to Singapore & to experience the contrast between the past and present living conditions. The famous Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is just about 250 meters away where it is the home for the tooth relic of the historical Buddha. The tooth size-measuring 7.5 cm-is much too long for a human tooth & it can be viewed by the public at the 4th floor of the temple. A must visit place & view the amazing architecture of the temple.
28 Bike Tour
29 Sentosa
Sentosa Island, one of the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia where it receives more than 20 million visitors per year. Located in the Southern part of Singapore and is connected to the main island by Sentosa gateway & cable car. Sentosa offers a variety of attractions and other facilities like Universal Studios, Madame Tussauds, Marine Life Park, Fort Siloso, two golf courses, casino, Mega Adventure Park, 2 km long sheltered beach & many more. You could easily spend at least a day on this small island.
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