singapore travel essay

Trip To Singapore Essay

Singapore is undoubtedly one of the most amazing cities in the world. Whether you want a slice of high life, shop at glitzy malls, test your limits with mind-blowing adventure, eat mouthwatering food, roam around for some street fun or simply have tons of exhilarating moments, you can have it all at Singapore . Often referred to as the gateway to South East Asia, this city has emerged as one of the financial hubs of this region apart from being a major tourist destination. There are numerous things to do in this city and it can be pretty confusing for a first timer to create a to-do list. This article is an attempt to guide all those visitors who are planning to visit Singapore but are not sure about what all do to do. Read on and gear up for …show more content…

You can also shop for souvenirs, eat authentic Chinese food at restaurants and hawkers, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Thian Hock Keng Temple, etc. and experience China’s heritage at its best. You can book your travel to Singapore through Expedia Singapore for the best deals. 4. Universal Studios A Hollywood based theme park must be on every traveler’s itinerary. One of the first of its kind in South East Asia, the park has more than 20 themed zones based on popular Hollywood movies and TV shows. You can also be up and close with your favorite Hollywood characters, buy souvenirs, eat at themed restaurants and have a different experience altogether especially if you have children accompanying you! You can also stay at any of the hotels there by using Hotels.com Promo Code at discounted prices. 5. Sentosa Island An artificial island at the southern tip of Singapore, you can find beaches, dining options, theme parks and several other attractions. You can either drive to the island or even reach by a cable car whichever suits you more. You can spend an entire day here doing a lot of stuff with numerous entertainment options of all

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The world’s happiest place, a place where everyone and the kids want and need to go to, the place where families spend that valuable time together. #Going to Disney World is like unwrapping gifts on Christmas with family, friends, and loved ones. It’s a great feeling being able to go and experience that. There’s plenty of rides, games, sites to see, and walking at Disney. * It’s every little kid’s dream to go to Disney World and meet the one and only Mickey Mouse.

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Loud Disney theme music and gorgeous colors are flaunted on every corner. There is not one person in the place that is not having a great time. Booming laughs and bright smiles fill the park on a daily basis. Disneyland is broken up into different sections in correlation to the theme. Disney has Fantasyland,

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Hence, the name itself will increase consumer trust and attract a large amount of customers to visit the theme park and resort. • The theme park will also have a great range of ages in relation to the target customers, i.e., it will not only attract children but will also attract those who have previously played and experienced the game of monopoly. • Dubai as a city has a lot of land that is unused and hence any expansion plans for the theme park and resort can be carried out with negligible difficulties. Expansions can be carried out based on the popularity of the theme park and resort.

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More about Trip To Singapore Essay

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Singapore Travel Guide

A majestic ode to modernity, Singapore stuns the senses. From its iconic skyline—swaying toward the heavens beneath outsized infinity pools—to its cutting-edge cuisine and cocktail culture, its dazzling nightlife to its incomparably efficient transit systems, this is a city of the future. Yet, beyond the obvious Instagram outposts, Singapore holds a strong connection to its past, honoring its history by drawing from the eclectic cultures that combined to create it. Small in size, Singapore offers visitors an experience improbably vast. — Brad Japhe

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55 Reasons why everyone should visit Singapore at least once in their life

By: Author Swedish Nomad

Posted on Last updated: July 2, 2018

Categories Singapore

Home / Asia / Singapore / 55 Reasons why everyone should visit Singapore at least once in their life

Do you want to Visit Singapore?

I’ve been here several times, and each time I find something new and more interesting than the last time. A lot of travelers are just going here for 2-3 days, and some even just as short as 1 day or a layover. This is something that I would like to change because Singapore has way more to offer, and it isn’t as expensive as some suggest either.

There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in Singapore, and if you haven’t yet been, here are 55 reasons why I think everyone should visit Singapore at least once in their lifetime!

So, from my understanding, the food is an essential part of Singaporean culture and rightly so I think. Few kitchens in the world have such a broad and diverse range of foods being served. Due to the great mixture of cultures, you can find everything from Malay dishes, Indian food, Arab dishes, Chinese food, Japanese food and also international food and much more.

If you’re a foodie, then this is probably the ultimate reason why you should visit Singapore. Here are some traditional Singaporean dishes:

• Fried carrot cake
• Hokkien Prawn mee

2. Joo Chiat

Colorful neighborhood with iconic shophouses. Definitely another good reason to visit Singapore as you get history and beautiful colorful building at the same place.

3. Fantastic architecture

Singapore might be the greatest mix between the old and new when it comes to architecture. There are many cultural buildings and historical places, yet there are stunning innovative skyscrapers and attractions all over the place.

4. Little India

Ever wanted to visit India? Well, in Singapore you have an area called little India where most of the people with Indian origin reside. Here you’ll find temples, shops and lots of Indian restaurants. And since I’ve been to India, I can tell you that it’s quite similar and very authentic!

5. Arab Street & Masjid Sultan

One of my favorite places in Singapore. The Masjid Sultan mosque is breathtaking and reminds me of the palace in the Disney movie Aladdin, and the Arab street is filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants serving delicious food and drinks!

Thanks for 5 awesome days Singapore! ??? We just arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, and on Saturday we're traveling to Bali ☺️? So excited to be back in this beautiful country! ❤️❤️❤️ . . ?: @swedishnomad . . #women#lifestyle#blogger#girl#girly#inspiration#dametraveler#wearetravelgirls#sheisnotlost#fashionaddict#digitalnomad#girlslovetravel#ootd#outfitoftheday#girlpower#influencer#blogger_de#travelblog#fashionista#portrait#womanstyle#swedish#swedishgirl#sweden#blonde#lifestylephotography#travelphotography#girlstrip#girlsfashion A post shared by Christine Abroad ?? (@christineabroad) on Sep 5, 2017 at 4:10am PDT

6. Sentosa Island

The leisure island of the Metropolis. Here you can find plenty of theme parks and fun things to do with kids. For example, Sentosa Island is where you’ll go if you’re visiting Universal Studios. Sentosa is also home to some great beach spots, and you can get here either via cable car or taxi/bus.

7. Hawker centers

Food is a big part of the Singaporean culture, and there are so many hawker centers that I’m sure you won’t have time to visit all of them unless you live there. However, you should visit one of these hawker centers and try several foods that are being sold there daily.

Locals go to these for socializing and eat delicious food!

8. Chinatown

Did you know that there are many Chinese descendants living in Singapore? A lot of them live in Chinatown, where you can experience some real Chinese culture. Look at temples, experience Chinese New Year, Eat Chinese food and of course buy endless amounts of Chinese products!

9. Pandan Cake and a cup of hot Milo

Want to indulge yourself with some Singaporean desserts? Then Pandan Cake is a great start, which is best enjoyed with a cup of hot Milo!It’s really delicious and definitely something you should try when you visit Singapore!

10. It’s super clean!

The Singaporean streets and public transport stations are probably the cleanest ones I’ve ever seen, even cleaner than Japan. If you come here as a tourist, you should also know that you could get some hefty fines for littering.

This is basically dried noodles with a flavor that you eat raw.

12. It’s a melting pot of cultures

Malay, Chinese, Indian and also a Eurasian mix from the colonial times have all lived together here for centuries, which has created a really cool mix where cultures from all over Asia and also Europe meet and mix.

13. Clarke Quay

This historical and colorful riverside quay is worth a visit. Nowadays it has turned into a lively nightlife area, so if you’re going clubbing, this is a great place to go!

14. Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is probably one of my favorite man-made tourist attractions in the world. The supertree grove is impressive and cool, and each night they also offer a free incredible light show!

15. The world’s tallest indoor waterfall

At the Gardens by the Bay, you can also visit a place called the cloud forest, where you can stand in front of the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. It’s pretty spectacular, and the cloud forest itself is a cool experience.

16. Changi Airport

So, normally I wouldn’t list an airport as a reason to visit a country, but Changi Airport is different. It has been selected as the best airport in the world several times. So, don’t worry if you have a long layover because you’ll have plenty things to do.

17. Street Art

There are a few really cool spots where you can see street art in various forms. Singapore is a really creative place!

18.  Tau Huay

Whether you like it hot or cold, done traditionally or in the modern pudding form, this is one dessert that you should try!

19. It’s one of the greenest cities in the world

Yes, Singapore is very modern and has a lot of skyscrapers, but they have kept big chunks of green scattered across the country!

20. Marina Bay Sands

The whole Marina Bay is stunning, but the most striking building is, of course, the boat resembling skyscraper with the most incredible infinity pool ever. The hotel of Marina Bay Sands is reason enough to visit Singapore!

Nothing better than a swim in the sky. Tag a friend you'd want to #swiminthesky with! Thanks @doyoutravel for sharing this amazing shot! #sandsstyle #marinabaysands #sandsskypark #infinitypool #singapore @visit_singapore A post shared by Marina Bay Sands (@marinabaysands) on May 6, 2017 at 8:54pm PDT

21. Shopping

If I were to mention 3 shopping destinations in Asia, I would probably say Bangkok, Singapore and Tokyo. You can find almost anything in here and the shopping center at Marina Bay is super cool!

Yes, this is inside the shopping center of Marina Bay Sands, WOW!

22. Lazarus island

Another stunning island where you can find a lovely paradise beach. Perfect to go for a day trip.

23. Helix Bridge

Probably one of the most creative bridges ever made.

24. Formula 1

Like fast cars? Every year, you can enjoy the Formula 1 in the Singaporean streets.

25. Universal Studios

So, not every city has its own Universal Studios, but here in Singapore, you can enjoy all the fun this theme park has to offer! Like the muppets for example.

26. Fountain of Wealth

How about watching the light show at the World’s largest fountain?

Photo: Zairon

27. Chapteh

A traditional game that’s still quite popular today.

28. Sri Mariamman Temple

The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, and an important attraction. The Gopuram is especially beautiful and worth seeing.

Photo: Terence Ong

29. Ice gem biscuits

Photo: Andrew Russel

30. There are so many Instagram worthy places

If there is one destination to choose as the most Instagram worthy, then I would say that Singapore is a really great contender. There are so many colorful and cool spots to take photos at, and it’s not just the major tourist attractions, there are so many more cool places to see!

31. Nightlife

The Singaporeans know how to party and the presence of expats from all over the world has also resulted in an impressive nightlife scene.

32. Singapore Flyer

33. Palau Ubin

An island on the eastern coast that’s considered the last “kampung” (village).

34. Raffles Hotel

One of the most iconic hotels in Singapore.

35. Singapore Sling

The iconic drink is, of course, something you should sip on at least once!

36. It’s really cheap with Uber and Grab

While Singapore is probably the most expensive South East Asian destination, somehow the Uber and Grab, and also general taxis are quite cheap and they’re an easy way to get around this metropolis.

37. Pulau Hantu

One of the Southern islands, that is actually made up of two islets called “Big Ghost Island” and “Small Ghost Island”. At low tide you can walk between the two islets, and the name is thought to come from the fact that Malay warriors used to duell over there, so it’s said that their ghosts is still wandering around the island.

38. Orchidville

If you like orchids, then Orchidville is another good reason to visit Singapore. Here you can see plenty of rare and exotic orchids, which also the Singaporean national flower.

39. It’s a really safe country

Crime levels are very low here, and even if you walk home in the middle of the night, you won’t have to worry about being robbed or assaulted.

40. Siloso Beach/Palawan Beach

Probably the best beach to go to if you want to do some tanning and have a lazy day on the beach while you visit Singapore.

Photo: dronepicr

41. Merlion Statue

The iconic Merlion is a great symbol and totally one of the tourist spots you have to see.

42. Wild Wild Wet

A water adventure park if you want to get wet and have some fun in the water when you visit Singapore!

43. Interesting Wildlife

There are plenty of animals to see in the wild here in Singapore, such as pink dolphins, hawksbill turtles, dugongs, flying lemurs, the stink bug, porcupines and many more!

44. Pink Rose Tutu Kueh

A small cake that is steamed and filled with either coconut or crushed peanuts.

#PinkTutuKueh #QueenswayLauTanTutuKueh #女皇道老陳嘟嘟糕 @queenswaytutukueh A post shared by thedeadcockroach (@thedeadcockroach) on Oct 19, 2016 at 11:25pm PDT

45. Orchard Road

Probably the most famous shopping street in Asia where you can definitely shop til you drop. Orchard road is a shopaholic’s paradise!

46. Mofo Chili

Like Chili? This Singaporean brand makes a very special kind with 3 levels of spiciness.

47. Tiong Bahru

A charming neighborhood with plenty of eateries and cafés as well as local shops.

48. Bukit Timah Railway Station

Perfect spot to take cool railway photos as you don’t have to worry about trains coming.

Take me back to sg ?? A post shared by 제시 L (@_wyue_) on Feb 13, 2018 at 2:42am PST

49. Singapore Botanic Garden

A huge garden where they showcase the best and most spectacular tropical flora.

50.  Ice Kacang – A good reason to visit Singapore

A syrup flavored shaved ice dessert with various toppings. After talking with some Singaporeans almost all agreed that Ice Kacang was one of their favorite desserts.

Photo: Marco Verch

51. Rooftop bars

With skyscrapers usually comes some cool rooftop bars, and Singapore is not an exception. If you like to sit high in the sky and sip on drinks, there are plenty of hip places to choose from such as 1-Altitude, Ce La Vi, Level 33 and Kinki Rooftop bar.

52. Art Museum

At this museum, you’ll find the largest collection of modern South East Asian art, and also lots of cool contemporary art.

53. Buddha Tooth Relic

54. Thian Hock Keng Temple

An important part of Singapore’s history. This temple was built to worship the Chinese sea goddess – Mazu.

55. The mix of culture and people

I’ve already mentioned the diverse culture of Singapore, but the Singaporeans themselves is another good reason to visit Singapore! They’re friendly, progressive, tolerant and modern.

And most importantly, despite their different ethnic backgrounds they live in peace and harmony, and that’s something I admire a lot!

My Instagram Photos from Singapore

Hope you like my photos, and feel free to follow and say hi to me on Instagram! :D

Have you ever been to Singapore? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This place is called the Cloud Forest, and it's also home to the tallest indoor waterfall in the world! Pretty cool ? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Model: @alienchrisblog A post shared by ALEX – SWEDISH NOMAD ?? ?? ?? (@swedishnomad) on Feb 12, 2018 at 2:06am PST

Singapore is amazing and so diverse, and today we explored Little India and some other places like here at Koon Seng Road with @momondo . #momondoambassador #myworldmomondo . Model: @alienchrisblog . . #singapore#visitsingapore#asia#tlpicks#singaporean#bestvacations#living_destinations#aroundtheworldpix#iamatraveler#ourplanetdaily#beautifuldestinations#beautifulmatters#stayandwander#earthpix#travelphotography#Travelblogger#digitalnomad#backpacker#iamtb#swedish#travelphotographer#fantastic_earth#yourshotphotographer#worldplaces#Nikon#thisistravel#bestplacestogo A post shared by ALEX – SWEDISH NOMAD ?? ?? ?? (@swedishnomad) on Sep 1, 2017 at 5:39am PDT

Masjid Sultan, Singapore . . . #Travelblog#singapore#visitsingapore#goasean#ig_eurasia#exploresingapore#digitalnomad#wanderlust#travelblogger#globetrotter#backpacker#vagabond#reise#swedish#travelinspiration#blogg#bucketlist#photographers#scandinavian#photographer#nikon#gapyear#resa#adventure#roadtrip#일상#데일리#여행#사진#日本 A post shared by ALEX – SWEDISH NOMAD ?? ?? ?? (@swedishnomad) on Oct 9, 2016 at 5:41am PDT

Think Good Thoughts, Say Nice Things, Do Good To Others, Show Compassion and Remain Humble When your intentions are pure, good things happen ❤ Happy Monday to you! . . . . #swedish #travelblogger #singapore #monday A post shared by ALEX – SWEDISH NOMAD ?? ?? ?? (@swedishnomad) on Dec 18, 2017 at 11:28am PST

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I’m sure there are more than 55 reasons to visit Singapore, it’s a really cool country, so if you know some more good reasons why everyone should visit Singapore, feel free to share in the comment section below :)

Tania Gromenko

Friday 14th of December 2018

You got everything covered up!! Like you said why would someone list an airport in a blog like this but changi airport is really different, its like a big mall that has a hotel inside it (lol), also Universal Studios, its a must to visit if you are in Singapore with your family.

• 10 Reasons Why You Should...

10 Amazing Reasons to Visit Singapore

Many travellers avoid Singapore because of its infamously high costs, it’s cleanliness (although we’re still not sure why that is a bad thing) and its perceived lack of attractions for tourists. However, skipping Singapore on your SE Asia tour is a huge mistake! Here are ten reasons why you should include Singapore on your SE Asia itinerary.

Cultural diversity.

Singapore ranks up with other culturally and religiously diverse nations making it quite different from its neighbouring countries. The island has four official languages; English, Tamil, Malay and Mandarin and it also celebrates the national holidays of many different religions. Visitors can enjoy culinary experiences from different countries as well as visiting many different places of worship.

Cleanliness

Another great reason for visiting Singapore is that it is one of the cleanest cities in the world. Thanks to rules about spitting and littering, Singapore is free of unpleasant smells or unsightly litter. Though some may accuse Singapore of being rather clinical, we think its clean streets are a real plus.

The Marina Bay Sands infinity pool

Hawker centres

Singapore is full of hundreds of hawker centres where you can get a delicious meal for under $10. A hawker centre is similar to a food mall court except most of them are significantly larger. Hawkers like Newton Food Circus and Maxwell Hawker Centre have dozens of offerings ranging from fresh seafood to laksa as well as fresh fruit and local style desserts.

Restaurants

For such a small island, Singapore has an extensive array of restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world at different price points. The Michelin guide rated Singapore last year, which is a good starting point if you’re struggling to choose between the seemingly endless options of restaurants. In the past few years, there has also been a big emergence of local chefs creating modern Singaporean food.

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Singapore has a proven record for the best (albeit expensive) bars in Asia. When the World’s Best 50 Bars list was released last year, Singapore was the top contender in Asia with three bars on the list. Speciality cocktail speakeasy 28HKS earned the top spot on the list of Asia’s Top 50 Bars with Manhattan Bar , Operation Dagger and Jigger & Pony all also in the top 10 of the Asia list.

Gardens by the Bay and Haw Par Villa

These two outdoor attractions are unlike anything else in the world. Gardens by the Bay is dominated by its Supertree Grove , a collection of giant metal vertical gardens that are covered in thousands of species of flora and fauna. Gardens by the Bay has the atmosphere of a friendly and futuristic alien landscape. Visit at night for the full effect. Haw Par Villa is a former amusement park built by the Haw Par brothers who invented Tiger Balm. The park is full of life-sized sculptures and dioramas depicting Chinese mythology. The Haw Par brothers wanted to create a fun way for parents to teach their children about morality through these folk stories.

Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo is world famous for its ‘open’ captivity design where animals are kept in large enclosures that are surrounded by moats or other non-intrusive barriers. The Singapore Zoo makes it easy for visitors to get around regardless of the equatorial climate by offering a variety of methods of transportation within the park including trams, boats and even horse carriages.

Orchard Road

It’s hard to believe that this street was once lined with orchards, but today it is the number one place to go to shop until you drop. With nearly two dozen malls lining the two kilometres between Orchard MRT and Somerset MRT, you can wander the malls and shop for various designer goods. This is a great activity if the weather is poor because the malls are connected by an underground tunnel network.

Architecture

From the colonial-era Raffles Hotel to hyper modern futuristic condos and from classic Peranakan-era shophouses to Art-Deco inspired buildings, Singapore is an architecture lover’s dream. Create a DIY tour with our lists of Singapore’s Architectural Highlights and Singapore’s Hidden Architectural Gems.

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18 best things to do while you're in singapore.

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The Best Restaurants in Little India, Singapore

The Best Luxury Resorts to Book in Singapore

The Top Things to See and Do in Sentosa Island, Singapore

20 Fun and Unique Things to Do in Singapore

Historic Hotels in Singapore to Book if You Want to Travel Back in Time

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Things you need to know about durian fruit: the world’s smelliest snack.

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11 things to know before visiting Singapore

Mar 9, 2024 • 6 min read

Plan for your trip to Singapore with these things you should know and insider tips © Jakub Zajic / Getty Images

Singapore has a well-cultivated image of being a safe country .

Too safe perhaps for some, who balk at its infamously strict rules and fines for flouting them, and find the gleaming modern city too sanitized for their liking. Others appreciate the clean streets and manicured gardens amidst the tall buildings along with the intriguing mix of people that make up Singapore’s multifaceted culture.

As a Singaporean who’s lived here all her life (and who has always had to explain the country to fellow travelers in foreign hostel common rooms) here’s what you need to know about Singapore, its cultural landscape, and its local customs and quirks, to help you plan your trip to the Little Red Dot.

1. Singapore is small, but with lots to see and do

Compact Singapore takes less than an hour to drive from end to end but there’s a lot packed into this small country. For a first-time visitor, three to four days is usually sufficient to see the main highlights and get a feel of the top things to do in Singapore . 

If you’re really short on time, plan a layover with at least 5.5 hours and you can join one of three free transit tours organized by the excellent Changi Airport for a quick taster of what the country has to offer.

2. Pack for the tropics

Practically located on the equator, expect hot tropical weather ranging from 25 to 35ºC (77 to 95ºF) every single day in Singapore. A small umbrella is essential in case of scorching rays or sudden downpours.

What can be tough for those used to temperate climates is Singapore’s high humidity – 60 to 90% on average throughout the year, so be prepared to sweat it out. Pack light materials or bring a small fan or hankie around with you. Anyone basking under the afternoon sun who’s not on the beach is definitely a tourist – be sure to slap on the sunblock!

Funnily enough, it tends to be a lot colder indoors than outdoors because shopping malls and central cooling overcompensate for the heat.

A scarf or a light jacket will keep you warm, offer extra sun protection and are the perfect cover-up if you plan to visit religious buildings.

3. Singapore is an independent country 

With a majority Chinese population, some people mistakenly assume that Singapore is a part of China, which is not the case. Most Chinese Singaporeans are descendants of southeastern Chinese immigrants who sailed across the seas decades ago. 

Singapore may be hard to spot on a map, but you’ll find it just south of the Malaysian peninsula in Southeast Asia, four hours away from China by plane. On that note, despite its proximity and commonalities in shared culture and history, Singapore is also not a part of Malaysia, though it was very briefly back in 1963 before Singapore became fully independent in 1965, making next year – 2025 – the 60th anniversary of the republic.  

4. Most Singaporeans speak excellent English

Singapore is an easy place for Western tourists to explore on their own because of the widespread use of English here. Fun fact: Singapore actually has four official languages: Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu and Tamil represent the three major ethnic groups found here (Chinese, Malay and Indian respectively), and English is the main language used in schools and for business, which also allows for conversation across ethnicities.

5. Natural disasters are unlikely in Singapore 

Singapore may not have scenic mountain ranges or awe-inspiring topography, but it’s also out of the path of any major tectonic movement. You are unlikely to face any major natural disasters – no earthquakes, volcanos, typhoons or sandstorms here.

In the worst case, there may be flash floods during particularly rainy periods or haze blanketing the island from forest fires around the region, but these are usually temporary and minor inconveniences.

6. Singapore is a safe and stable place to visit 

Singapore is also well-known for its generally stable political and business climate, often ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Strikes that can disrupt travel plans are practically nonexistent here.

The crime rate in Singapore is also relatively low with lots of surveillance and a police force that people trust in. As a single woman, I’ve never been too worried about wandering around Singapore on my own even at night, but do maintain some common sense for your own safety as one of our popular slogans here goes: low crime doesn’t mean no crime.

7. Carry both cash and credit cards

How many Singapore dollars you change before your trip largely depends on where you plan to go . Most major tourist attractions and shops in shopping malls will accept credit cards, and other cashless options like contactless payments and smart wallets are also common.

Those planning to take public transport in Singapore can use their credit cards on the public buses and MRT card readers for convenience, but purchasing a local EZ-Link card or transport pass may be more worthwhile depending on how much travel you plan to do. However, do carry some cash around with you as it remains the prevalent method of payment for most small businesses, eating at hawker center stalls, or taking a taxi. Try to break notes of larger denominations ($50/$100) into smaller ones ($2/$5/$10) when possible.

8. Prebook attractions to avoid waiting in line

There’s a joke that a Singaporean’s favorite pastime is to queue for things, but that’s not something you want to waste time on. If there is an option to prebook tickets online or make a reservation, just do it. This is key on busy weekends and peak vacation periods like the mid- and year-end school holidays.

An attraction’s official website is usually the best place to get tickets, but browse other booking platforms before you check out as these sites may offer special seasonal discounts or multi-bundle prices. Also check the Visit Singapore website as it sometimes runs incentive programs for tourists.

9. Tipping is not expected

Tipping is not expected in Singapore. If you’re eating out in a restaurant or cafe, there is usually a 10% service charge included in the bill. Some places may have a tip box but otherwise, additional tips are not mandatory or expected, though they are appreciated in the service line.

10. Understand the art of "chope-ing"

If you are eating at food centers or working at co-working spaces, particularly within the central business district, you may notice empty tables with strategically placed items like umbrellas, tissue packets or lanyards on the seats. This is a local practice to "chope" or reserve a seat while everyone is queuing up at the stalls. Most people honor this informal reservation system and will look elsewhere for available seats.

11. Yes, you can drink the tap water

There's no need to buy bottled water in Singapore. The tap water here is treated and perfectly safe to drink. You'll find that most attractions have water coolers where you can refill your reusable bottles while you're out and about during the day.

This article was first published Sep 22, 2023 and updated Mar 9, 2024.

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20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Singapore

Written by Diana Bocco Updated Dec 24, 2023

Singapore has been described as a playground for the rich, and it's true that the small city-state does have a certain sheen of wealth. But Singapore offers more than just high-end shopping malls, luxury hotels, and fine dining (though it's worth indulging in those a bit if you can). There is also a vibrant history and diverse ethnic quarters to discover, along with many family-friendly attractions and lovely public spaces that make exploring this slightly futuristic city worthwhile.

Singapore has an excellent public transportation system that makes sightseeing convenient and easy. Once you've gotten a sense of the metro map, you'll have no problem zipping from one part of town to the next. English is spoken everywhere, and signs are in English as well. In fact, Singapore is one of the easiest and most comfortable countries to navigate in Southeast Asia. And as long as you're not comparing prices to nearby Thailand or Vietnam, you're in for a lovely stay.

For ideas on things to see and do, read our list of the top attractions in Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands

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The opulent Marina Bay Sands resort complex includes a high-end luxury hotel , a mall with a canal running through it, the ArtScience Museum , and the Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck –a vantage point for taking in the entire city. The Skypark's viewing deck and infinity pool are found in the ship (yes, ship) that tops the hotel. Only hotel guests are allowed to use the infinity pool, but anyone can visit the observation deck.

From the Skypark, you can see the innovative double helix bridge , the port, the Gardens by the Bay (101 hectares of land converted into waterfront gardens), and the impressive skyline.

While up there on top of the city, guests can grab a snack or a coffee at the rooftop restaurant or pick up some keepsakes from the souvenir stand. You can purchase a photo of yourself green-screened in front of the massive hotel as it's all lit up at night, but the cost is steep at 50 Singapore dollars–better to ask a fellow tourist to snap a photo of you if possible. The elegant opulence of the Marina Bay Sands exemplifies Singapore's style and status as a major international city in Southeast Asia.

Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore

Official site: http://www.marinabaysands.com/

Once you've glimpsed this beautifully designed green space (from the top of the Marina Bay Sands, perhaps) you won't be able to stay away. Wander through the Bay East Garden , perfect for enjoying the vibrant plant life and escaping the city bustle for a moment.

You won't want to miss Supertree Grove , where you'll find a cluster of the iconic, futuristic structures designed to perform environmentally sustainable functions. Then, head to the Cloud Forest Dome to see the world's tallest indoor waterfall and learn a bit about biodiversity. Check the website for ticket sale prices and tour times.

Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore

Official site: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.html

Not to be confused with the Gardens on the Bay , the Botanic Gardens are also worth a visit. Singapore received its first UNESCO World Heritage nomination for its botanical gardens, and with good reason. The city can sometimes feel like a concrete jungle, albeit a clean and comfortable one, but the botanic gardens preserve pieces of Singapore's wilder heritage.

Here, a walking trail leads to the gardens' heritage trees, which are conserved as part of an effort to protect the city's mature tree species. Make sure to visit the impressive National Orchid Garden as well.

Other popular things to do include visiting the eco-garden, eco-lake, bonsai garden, sculptures, and several other formal gardens.

Address: 1 Cluny Road, Singapore

Official site: www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg

Billing itself as the world's best rainforest zoo, the Singapore Zoo is a pretty impressive place. The facility is clean and inviting, and the animals appear well treated, with plenty of lush vegetation and habitat space.

The orangutans are particularly impressive, and visitors can watch as babies and adults alike swing high above their platforms and snack on fruits. There is also a large chimpanzee family, zebras, meerkats, a komodo dragon, mole rats, white tigers, kangaroos, and many other creatures.

Guests can observe feedings for some of the animals. Allow at least three hours to make your way around the zoo.

If the zoo doesn't satisfy your need for getting close to wildlife, there's also the Night Safari , River Safari (including a giant panda forest), and the Jurong Bird Park . Park hopper passes are available if you plan to visit more than one of the wildlife parks.

For a unique and personal wildlife experience, try the Singapore Zoo Breakfast with the Orangutans. This hassle-free tour includes transportation from and to your hotel, allows you half day to explore the zoo, and has an optional upgrade to enjoy breakfast in the company of the zoo's much-loved orangutans.

Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore

Official site: www.wrs.com.sg/en/singapore-zoo

One could be forgiven for coming to Singapore and doing nothing but shopping, as this is a world-class city for style and designer chic. The Orchard Road area is a great place to start a shopping spree, as there are high-end stores at every turn. You'd expect nothing less from a neighborhood that boasts 22 malls and six department stores. There are also four movie theaters, including an IMAX cinema, and a KTV karaoke establishment.

If you get hungry while burning through all that cash, there are plenty of eateries in the neighborhood serving international food.

Official site: http://www.orchardroad.org/

If the observation deck at the Marina Bay Sands doesn't quite do it for you, try taking in high tea while looking out over the city from the Singapore Flyer, the world's largest giant observation wheel. Choose from several different packages that allow you to be served and pampered while enjoying a view that encompasses not only the Singapore skyline but as far away as the Spice Islands of Indonesia and Malaysia's Straits of Johor.

There are several different ticket packages to choose from, and each includes access to the multimedia Journey of Dreams exhibit, which delves into Singapore's history and the creation of the Singapore Flyer.

Flights last 30 minutes and run from early morning until late at night, so you can choose which view of the city you want to enjoy: the beginning of another bustling day or when Singapore is aglow after dark.

Address: 30 Raffles Ave, Singapore

Official site: www.singaporeflyer.com

This colonial building is one of the world's last grand 19th-century hotels, once visited by literary luminaries such as Rudyard Kipling and Joseph Conrad, as well as movie star Charlie Chaplin.

Built in 1887, the property has served as a city landmark for well over a century and continues to live up to its tony reputation with excellent food and service. The classical architecture and tropical gardens provide a refined setting and represent another facet of Singapore's varied and rich history.

The Raffles Hotel Singapore is located in the city's Colonial District , which is also home to several other historic sites, and a good place to base yourself in the city. Here, you'll find the Raffles Landing Site , where Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, is said to have stepped ashore in 1819. The story has it that he saw the small fishing village but recognized its potential as a port, so he purchased the land from the Sultan of Johor and invited Chinese and Indian immigrants to move here. And so the seeds of Singapore's multi-ethnic identity were sown.

Address: 1 Beach Road, Singapore

Official site: www.raffles.com/singapore

If you've ever visited China, Singapore's Chinatown neighborhood will bring you right back here. From the small mom-and-pop stores and authentic Chinese food to the bright red lanterns, there's excitement and hustle in this district. You can visit the Chinese Heritage Centre and see the impressive and beautiful Sri Mariamman Hindu temple.

Another temple worth seeing is the Buddha Tooth Relic temple. If you're up early enough (think 4am), you can hear the morning drum ceremony. Or you can just check out the closing ceremony in the evening after viewing the relic.

Heritage markers have been installed throughout the neighborhood in English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese, so visitors can better understand the significance of the area. But this neighborhood is not just a testament to the influence of the Chinese throughout Singapore's past. This is a progressive neighborhood (with free Wi-Fi for all), and it's home to the trendy Ann Siang Hill area, where the quaint bistros and upscale boutiques could be at home in any Western city.

Official site: www.chinatown.sg

Singapore isn't exactly known as a beach destination, but if you're really craving some fun in the sun, Sentosa Island is the place to find it. Siloso Beach is a good spot for getting in beach time, and visitors can play volleyball on free courts or go kayaking and skimboarding. There are several other beach attractions as well, plus an Underwater World aquarium, where you can swim with dolphins.

A must-see on Sentosa Island is the Merlion , Singapore's famous statue that has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. You can take an escalator to the top of the statue and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. Adventurous types will want to check out The Flying Trapeze and the SeaBreeze Water-Sports @ Wave House, where you can try your hand at flying strapped to a water-propelled jet pack.

Official site: www.sentosa.com.sg/en

The "center of commerce during the 19th century," Clarke Quay lives up to its legacy as a busy hub. Today, it has a more polished sheen, so after a long day of shopping on Orchard Road, visitors can happily head to Clarke Quay for an evening of waterfront dining and entertainment.

River taxis and cruises also depart from here, giving tourists the chance to admire some of the city's historic bridges and view landmarks like the Merlion from the water. The Quay's biggest hit with younger tourists is a giant bungee-jumping attraction , an adrenaline-packed thrill ride.

Nearby attractions include the Asian Civilisation Museum ; the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery located in Singapore's oldest fire station; and the Hong San See Temple , a picturesque century-old Buddhist place of worship.

Universal Studios Singapore occupies 49 acres of Resorts World Sentosa. The park is arranged thematically, with each area paying tribute to a location, film, or television show. Destinations include New York City, Hollywood, Madagascar, and a trip back to Ancient Egypt. Fiction-themed areas include Shrek's Far Far Away, Lost World, and Sci-Fi City, where Battlestar Galactica -themed dueling roller coasters and an indoor dark coaster, Revenge of the Mummy , dominate the thrill rides.

In addition to the many rides–that range from kiddie-friendly to daredevil –the park also has diverse dining options, shopping, and live shows throughout the day and night.

Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore

Night Safari Singapore puts a new twist on the traditional zoo experience by introducing visitors to the nocturnal lives of the residents. The park's habitats are divided into four sections, each with its own trail that lets you observe these elusive creatures as they go about their "day."

The Leopard Trail has, as expected, leopards, as well as lions, flying foxes, civets, and porcupines among other animals. The Fishing Cat Trail tours the habitat of animals native to Singapore, including the fish-loving felines, pangolin, binturong, and other species both common and endangered. East Lodge Trail features Malayan tigers and spotted hyenas, and the Wallaby Trail introduces visitors to the marsupials of Australia.

Private tours, buggy rides, and educational sessions are available, as well as once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as an Asian elephant feeding session.

Official site: www.wrs.com.sg/en/night-safari

Singapore's Merlion is just what it sounds like–the figure of a mythical creature that has the head of a lion and the body and tail of a fish. The Merlion represents the city's humble start as a fishing village combined with its traditional Malay name Singapura, "lion city."

The structure, which was relocated to Merlion Park in 2002, where it can overlook Marina Bay , weighs 70 tonnes and stands at 8.6 meters tall, spouting water from its mouth in a fountain.

The "Merlion Cub" sits nearby, only two meters tall but a hefty three tonnes, and there are five additional official Merlion statues throughout the city. Merlion Park is an ideal spot for photo-ops, whether you are taking a selfie in front of the iconic creature or capturing the magnificent views from the park as it looks out over the bay.

Address: One Fullerton, Singapore

If the Raffles Hotel and Fort Canning Park haven't satisfied your taste for colonial architecture, pay a visit to the Empress Place Building . It was constructed in 1865 and built in the Neoclassical style, and was named in honor of Queen Victoria. It now houses the Asian Civilisations Museum, which delves into the many Asian cultures that helped form Singapore.

The museum's collections focus on the themes of trade and spirituality, both of which heavily influenced Asian cultures. Exhibits cover topics such as the Indian Ocean trade, stories of faith and belief, and a look at the important role that scholars played in Chinese culture for centuries.

Address: 1 Empress Pl, Singapore

Official site: http://acm.org.sg

For a look at what life in Singapore was like before it was all about glamor and skyscrapers, visit the small island of Pulau Ubin, where fewer than 100 people still live in the same simple way as they did in the 1960s. The island's name is Malay for "Granite Island," a moniker given due to its past prominence as a quarry town.

Today, it is a peaceful, rustic place where tourists can enjoy unspoiled forests and diverse wildlife. The island is also home to the Chek Jawa Wetlands , which contain a coral reef teeming with sea life.

The island is easily reached by boat, a 10-minute ride that departs from Changi Point Ferry Terminal .

As military strongholds go, Fort Canning has had a long and varied life. Built in 1859, the fort was originally meant to defend Singapore against attacks but it became a bunker during World War II and was eventually surrendered to the Japanese in 1942.

Now in peacetime, the original building is home to modern performing arts troupes, and the park regularly sees picnics, concerts, theater performances, and festivals.

Other attractions at the park include relics from Singapore's early history, from as far back as the 14th century, and Sir Stamford Raffles' personal bungalow. Guests can also see a replica of the spice market Raffles established in 1822, as well as ASEAN sculptures that were erected in the 1980s.

Address: 51 Canning Rise, Singapore

This indoor-outdoor museum is located right on the water, and it's a great way to explore Singapore's maritime history through fun, interactive exhibits. Before you even enter the building, you'll be able to see several ships anchored here.

Inside, the highlight of the museum is the Jewel of Muscat, a replica of a sailing vessel that sank in 830 CE while traveling between Africa and China. You can also see large-size models of trading ships that traveled the Silk Route, learn navigation skills and how to read nautical charts, and experience a 9th-century shipwreck at Typhoon Theater in a special-effects simulation.

Fort Siloso, the country's only preserved fort and a military museum, is located on Sentosa Island. You can reach the fort via the Fort Siloso Skywalk trail , a massive steel bridge towering 11 stories up. Surrounded by lush tropical canopy, the bridge is accessed by either a glass elevator or simple stairs–though taking the elevator means sweeping open views of the Keppel Harbor, which you can't really see if you choose to walk your way up. The 181-meter-long bridge offers great views of the nearby islands, as well as the jungle floor below.

Once at the fort, visitors can join guided tours to learn more about the history of the area–although it's also possible to explore on your own, just walking around and seeing the sights.

Highlights inside the fort include the many massive cannons on display, three tunnel systems used to move ammunition around, and special exhibits showcasing daily life in the fort for the soldiers living there in the 1800s.

The entire fort is a beautiful shaded park, where you can spend a couple of hours exploring.

Address: Siloso Road, Singapore

Official site: http://www.fortsiloso.com/

Home to the largest modern art collection in Southeast Asia, the National Gallery mostly focuses on the works of local and Asian artists starting in the 19 th century. The 9,000-plus works of art are divided between two buildings – City Hall and the former Supreme Court – over more than 64,000 square meters.

In addition to the permanent collection, the gallery hosts temporary exhibits in unique aspects such as Vietnamese lacquer painting, modern photography, and Chinese calligraphy.

Free tours are available in English and Mandarin, and the gallery also offers workshops, open performances, and special presentations for both adults and children.

Address: 1 St. Andrew's Road, #01

Official site: https://www.nationalgallery.sg

Often voted as the best airport in the world, the 10-story-high Jewel Ghangi is not your ordinary transportation hub. In fact, you should put it on your list of must-see places to visit while in Singapore.

In addition to over 300 shops, the airport's most famous feature is the 40-meter-high HSBC Rain Vortex, an indoor waterfall surrounded by over 2,000 trees. Each of the airport's three terminals (all seamlessly connected) also has its own garden. There's a cactus garden in Terminal 1; a sunflower garden in T2; and a very famous butterfly garden at T3, home to more than 40 species of butterflies, a six-meter grotto waterfall, and plenty of flowering plants.

The airport is also home to two movie theaters, an entertainment corner with vintage arcade machines, an indoor canopy park with garden mazes and stunning viewing decks, and a 12-meter-tall (that's four stories high) slide both children and adults are welcome to use.

Official site: https://www.changiairport.com

Singapore Getaways: If you're based in Singapore and looking for some time outside the city, or if you're thinking of adding something on to your holiday, consider one of our ideas for weekend getaways from Singapore . Flights connect the city to beautiful destinations around SE Asia in just two or three hours. There are also several interesting places you can reach by bus or ferry.

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Descriptive Essay: Singapore

Singapore is an island country in Southeast Asia, just off the Malay Peninsula and 85 miles north of the equator. The country is young but well developed with leaning skyscrapers, diverse communities and unique buildings. Singapore has many cultures living within it, as a result there is a very diverse way of life with people speaking many languages and worshiping a number of different religions. Such a wide range of cultures makes the country very accepting of others.

In 1963 Singapore gained independence from the United Kingdom. Many of the people who lived in Singapore went there from India, Malaysia and China in seek of labouring work to earn money. After independence was granted the process of finding a single Singaporean identity began. The country has been called a society in transition because of the fact that the people who live there do not speak the same language, share religious beliefs or even come from the same culture. English is declared to be the nation’s first language, however in a census by the government, just 80% of Singaporeans were literate in English. The diverse culture can be noticed when you walk the streets to see mosques, synagogues and churches.

The main streets in Singapore are busy, colourful and filled with the inviting aromas of street food. It is here where you can devour delicious prawn noodles or a bowl of Wee Nam Kee chicken. Food from the street vendors is bursting with local flavours and is irresistible after a long day walking through the streets and shopping in the malls.

The island is small and the population is large at 5,312,400. The large population means that things can feel rather crowded in the main streets. Pedestrians and drivers have to keep to the left to ensure a smooth travel for everyone, whether on foot or in a car. There are not too many private cars in Singapore, however taxis flood the roads. Car prices are much higher in the country and the cost for just obtaining a Singaporean certificate of Entitlement would buy you a Porsche Boxter in America. Just one in every 10 people own cars due to the expense, many choose the cheaper alternative of traveling by bicycle, on foot, bus, train and taxis.

In the dark of night the city of Singapore lights up. The stunning skyline reflects off of the Singapore River and illuminates the sky. On the river there aren’t just straight up skyscrapers, there is even a quirky building which has curved sides and looks as though a space ship has landed on top of its roof.

Singapore is warm and wet. The tropical rainforest climate means that there are no actual defined seasons. The geographical location means that the country has high humidity and lots of rainfall, with around 92.1 inches each year. The sun shines strongest in March, with the highest recorded temperature at 36 degrees. Singaporeans dress in clothes suitable for the heat and humidity, wearing T-shirts, shorts and slippers.

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It was an early morning in antioch california where I was vast asleep at my grandma’s house. Until my father suddenly woke me up and said “we have to go” and that's how it all started. So I got up and got dressed, ate little bit of cereal and hopped outside with my bags. “Oh my god” I said as loud as I could without waking anyone up around us. There it was A LIMO FOR ME I almost fainted until grandma said “this is just the beginning. We got in the limo and started our adventure. About a 2 hour nap later we arrived at the SFO airport around 8am. I got my bags and said goodbye to our amazing driver, then walked right through those electric airport doors with the biggest smile ever.

Personal Narrative: Moving To The US

Our flight was scheduled to leave in 5 hours and we had to check in 2 hours before that, which left us with 1 hour to travel to the airport and to spend 2 hours at the party. Suddenly my uncle came up the stairs and exclaimed “ Who wants cake?!” My reaction was almost instantaneous, I jumped towards the cake, oh how amazing that cake was! The first slice melted on my tongue, it seemed as if the cake had been a mixture of molten chocolate and vanilla ice cream. The cake allowed me to escape my worries about being forgotten, even if it had been only for a moment. The cake took me back to my fifth birthday party, everyone had just been so happy and normal! I remember the smiles that seemed to be a staple of a Sethi family

Commitment To Afghanistan

We were crammed into a C130 passenger aircraft like a can of sardines. Barely able to move with my gear on my lap, I heard the announcement that we were preparing to land. My emotions were running high like everyone else around me.

The American Dream And The American Dream

On March 20, 2011, my family and I moved to America after our immigration documents were processed. Immediately before the departure back in Vietnam, I was about 12 years old, back then I had never boarded a plane, and it was my desire travel by plane when I grow up. Come the day of traveling and while at the airport standing next to a window a saw what seemed like a colossal bird approaching, moving closer I realized it was a plane touching down. It was so huge; it was my first time to set my eyes on a plane close to me, the aircraft was very slim and painted blue with a very eye-catching look. It had two wings when it flew the wing of the plane opened like a bird ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey. The tail of the aircraft had a tiny fan to help it move back and forth. The two sides of the aircraft had two things like the rockets with colorful flashing lights. Moreover, the head of the plane was designed to look like a bird's head to help it fly faster. After a while, still staring at the plane the receptionist was so smart, and so welcoming. Announcements could be heard from all corners at the passengers waiting launch “Welcome to Asiana Airlines, Flight number NTPL98 is now processing, all customers please report to gate 412”

Personal Narrative Essay : A Trip To New York City

My family and I were so excited that we didn't even sleep the night before. We spent our Thursday night watching movies and talking about what are plans were for the trip. Once the clock hit 4 o'clock in the morning , we left our house and were on our way to the airport. The airport was quiet and peaceful. I could smell the freshly brewed coffee once I set foot in the airport. We checked in, then waited patiently for our flight to board. Suddenly we heard on the overhead speaker, “Flight to New York, New York is now boarding, Flight to New York, New York now boarding.” Once we boarded the plane, we settled in and got comfy. The flight was fairly smooth with little turbulence and the sweet sound of babies crying filled my ears. Once we heard the pilot's voice telling the crew to prepare for landing, my excitement grew big.

Essay on Singapore

How might the Singapore society differ were it not for these technologies – would the society be more or less heavily regulated? Lee recommends analysing politics and society by addressing how power struggles and relations were played out in the pre-Internet era, namely the maintenance of political control via public support (2005: 74). Foucault defines ‘governmentality’ as the point of contact where the technologies of power interact with the governed. This spurs Lee to postulate that, in order to retain power in the Internet era, 'governments need to be actively involved in shaping the design as well as the societal, cultural and regulatory environment in which the Internet and other new media technologies operate' (2005: 75).

Personal Narrative

I woke up to the sound of clapping and cheering. I turned to see everyone on the plane clapping for reasons unknown. I quickly put my seatbelt back on, as I felt the plane starting to land. Finally, no more stale plane food, sleeping in uncomfortable positions and listening to other people snore.

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Singapore Sojourn

Jump off a tall tower on a sandy shore, peek into the Malay culture’s royal past, hear the growl of a bear in the dark and indulge in some retail therapy at high-end stores. Explore Singapore with Kaira Grover, a vivacious corporate high-flyer who loves luxury vacations.

As I wait for my luggage to arrive at the slick Changi Airport, I remember how much I need this trip. Singapore had begun to lure me with its attractions weeks ago when I sat in my office cubicle, daydreaming about my next holiday. I slide out my suitcase and trot past the gleaming stores at one of the largest airports in the world, making a mental note to shop before my return flight.

Day one in Singapore is full of birdsongs and animal calls. I’m at the Singapore Zoo, feeling like a kid in a candy store. After having a memorable breakfast with the orangutans, I then join the crowd for the Elephant Show. Watching these mammals play with water in a rainforest setting, I’m reminded of my own love for water. I forget that I’m 35 and join the little children cheering in the crowd. Later this afternoon, I encounter adorable sea lions at the Splash Safari and at the end of the show, one of these slippery superstars gives me a wet kiss on my cheek! The fishy smell stays with me until I wash up before heading to the Night Safari to sight some pangolins, bears and wildcats.

My second day on the island is reserved for leisurely strolls, admiring the country’s modern architectural marvels. At Gardens by the Bay, I am dwarfed by the supertrees that mimic real plants and have ferns intertwined throughout their structures. I take the Skyway to get a bird’s eye view of this nature park. Singapore’s skyline looks splendid, especially from SkyPark at the top of Marina Bay Sands. I stand mesmerized by the sun setting over the glittering skyscrapers. Later at night, I stop by CinCin for a fruity cocktail, and the discount I get for using my Mastercard makes the drink so much sweeter [1].

It is the third day of my solo vacation, and today I check into the Japanese-inspired Onsen Suite, complete with hot tub in an alfresco patio of Le Méridien Singapore, which I had conveniently pre-booked using my Mastercard as I was getting a lucrative deal [2] for the room.

I make it a point to browse through the Mastercard website for exciting offers, so I can get the most out of my card while I travel. Next, I hop on to a cable car in Sentosa [3]. My heart threatens to burst out of my chest as I gear up for the bungee jumping experience at AJ Hackett. I survive the fall.

I then head out for some more adventure at Universal Studios Singapore™, ensuring my Mastercard is safe in my pocket to get some exciting discounts [4]. My adrenalin levels are at an all-time high as I scream through the high-speed rollercoaster rides. After an exhausting day in Sentosa, I’m tempted to jump into my flawless plush bed, but first, I soak in the traditional Japanese onsen. The hot bath relaxes my tense muscles, and a rejuvenated Kaira Grover calls it a day.

Today is another day of exploring Sentosa. I walk through the glass tunnel of the S.E.A Aquarium™ [5] to be awed by countless species of marine life swimming above and around me. I spare a couple of hours for the Maritime Experiential Museum and the Typhoon Theatre, then move on to Dolphin Island to see what tricks the playful dolphins have up their sleeve. I begin to miss the dolphins as I return to mainland Singapore.

I may be a corporate slave for the most part of my life but I relish long walks in green parks. Following the easy trail on Fort Canning Hill seems like the ideal way to spend my sixth day in Singapore. Fort Canning Park has several instances of Gothic architecture and a smattering of ancient gates and cannons that tie into the oft-forgotten Malay and British history of this nation.

By now, I have worked up a good appetite, and it’s time for me to dine at Fat Cow. I tuck into a bowl of their signature donburi. This Japanese steakhouse sure knows how to perfectly cook wagyu and serve that with foie gras and caviar! When I’m done, I set aside the chopsticks to pay for my dinner with a flick of my contactless card [1]. This has become a magic wand to me.

I’ve saved the final day of my vacation to fill my bags with retail treasures. I browse through high-end fashion brands at the malls on Orchard Road. This lane is truly inviting for anyone who enjoys splurging, thanks to the shopping festivals that are frequently held here. Later at night, I reach the airport and pick up some last-minute souvenirs from the Duty Free as I safely ‘tap & go’ with my Mastercard [6]. I still have a few hours before I can board, so I rest at The Haven, which I’ve reserved through my card [7]. I scroll through all the photos from the past few days as I laze in this lounge until it’s finally time for me to leave. It’s going to be a long flight back home, full of memories of my wonderful sojourn.

Terms and Conditions

[1] Enjoy 15% off with Mastercard across all 13 brands of Refinery Concepts. Participating brands include: Bedrock Bar & Grill, Fat Cow, The Pelican, Kinki Restaurant + Bar, The Marmalade Pantry, Oriole Coffee + Bar, CinCin, Dean & Deluca, Katong Kitchen, Saltwater, Straits Café, ColdStone Creamery and Kitchen Language Catering.

• Valid till 30 June 2019.
• Valid for all Mastercards issued globally.

[2] Get exclusive discounts for Sentosa hotels when you pay with your Mastercard card! 20% off Le Meridien Singapore’s “Best Available Rates” for accommodation.

• Offer is not applicable with other promotions, offers and discounts.
• Prior reservation is required and offer is subject to availablity. For reservations, please call +65 6818 3333 or email [email protected]
• Offer is bookable only online via: http://lemerid.ie/2CrrDxo
• Prices are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing government taxes.
• Valid till 31 December 2019.
• Valid for all Mastercards issued in Asia Pacific.
• More details on www.sentosa.com.sg/state-specials/mastercard-promotions

[3] 10% savings on Cable Car passes and Sentosa attractions tickets.

• Valid till 31 March 2019.
• More details on http://1fabergroup.com/Mastercard

[4] Universal Studios SingaporeTM Adult One-Day Ticket + SGD5 Meal Voucher at SGD79.

• Promotion is valid for purchase and park visits from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. Extension of validity is not permitted.
• Promotion is valid for purchase of dated One-Day Adult Tickets only, subject to availability.
• Promotion is valid at any onsite ticketing booth.
• Payment must be made via a Mastercard card.
• Promotion is valid for purchase of up to 6 packages per transaction.
• Promotion is not valid with any other discounts and promotions.
• Resorts World Sentosa reserves the right to amend or add to the Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice. Other general Terms & Conditions apply.

[5] S.E.A. Aquarium + Maritime Experiential Museum Adult One Day Ticket + $5 S.E.A. Aquarium Meal Voucher at SGD40.

[6] Enjoy up to 20% savings at participating outlets in Changi Airport Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 (transit and public areas) when you use your Mastercard all year round.

• Ask for the offer before the bill is generated. For offer details of each participating merchant and location visit http://www.changiairport.com/mastercard

[7] Discounted Access Program for various JetQuay services. The Haven by JetQuay Privileges: 1-for-1 on all lounge services, excluding the Nap rooms.

• For more information on Jetquay Privileges, please visit https://www.mastercard.com.sg/en-sg/consumers/offers-promotions/mastercard-privileges/jetquay-discounts.html
• For more information on The Haven Privileges, please visit https://www.mastercard.com.sg/en-sg/consumers/offers-promotions/mastercard-privileges/1-1-lounge-services-at-the-haven.html

Further reading

In this series.

Unravel the Ceylonese Wilderness

Travel with mastercard®.

With Mastercard being one of the most widely accepted card in the world, discover what’s beyond every destination you visit. Make every experience Priceless- at hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, airports, ATMs, shops and much more. Over 40 million merchants around the world accept Mastercard, across 200 countries.

Every international trip is priceless with Mastercard. With a plethora of offers and exclusive experiences around the world, it’s something you must carry on every holiday.

Essential Information

Prepare for an unforgettable journey to Singapore – get important information, tips and advice to maximize your experience and make the most of your visit.

Travel Tips

Money and payments, commuting around the island.

Voyage Scribe

For Writers Who Travel

Writer’s Travel Guide to Singapore: Best Writing Spots

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Welcome back! Interested in journals designed for writers who travel? Check out there Voyage Scribe journals here !

I strongly believe that any Sci-Fi writer (who has the means) should travel to Singapore at least once in their lives. Walking the streets of Singapore, I found new writing inspiration for my Sci-Fi book at every turn.

It’s also a very luxurious city, especially compared to the rest of Southeast Asia, so you’ll be sure to find spots to write in comfort.

Here are my recommendations.

This article contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commission at no extra cost to you. That being said, I would never recommend anything I didn’t or wouldn’t use myself.

Table of Contents

Where to Write & Get Writing Inspiration:

Changi Airport

Okay, if you’ve never been to this airport before, hear me out. If you have, you’ll know exactly why this  airport made it into this guide.

Changi Airport is- without any close competition- the coolest airport I have ever been to. It has facilities like a swimming pool, butterfly garden and cinema.

My personal favorite, and probably the crowning glory of the airport, is the new indoor waterfall, surrounded by an indoor forest.

Yeah, I know.

This futuristic area of the airport is just a taste of what the rest of Singapore has to offer to anyone writing a Sci-Fi book.

And it’s quite a good one.

And with free Wi-Fi, you can find yourself a very comfortable seat somewhere in the airport to research and write. I’d recommend either flying in early and staying the day at the airport, or planning to fly out late so that you can spend a few hours there before your flight.

You don’t even have to leave the airport to find a good writing spot in Singapore!

Marina Bay Area

But you definitely should leave the airport; there are so many other amazing writing spots in Singapore to explore.

The Marina Bay area is the easiest place to access water in the city, so sit yourself down on a bench near it if water is your ideal place to write- there’s plenty. I’d personally recommend the Starbucks near the Merlion statue . It has outdoor seating with a view of the marina and the futuristic Marina Bay Sands building.

It’s also here where, in addition to the Marina Bay Sands hotel , you’ll find the ArtScience Museum , a place I personally found very inspiring to visit. When I was there, I chose to visit the Future World exhibit and the Alice in Wonderland exhibit.

If you’re in the area at night (which you should be), don’t miss the free Spectra show . It’s a water and light show in front of Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands , accompanied with music and is a really cool thing to experience.

Gardens by the Bay

In other Writer’s Travel Guides , I’ve recommended city parks as places to take a break from the bustle of cities and get a little writing inspiration from nature to write.

Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay puts all those city parks to shame.

It’s hands down the coolest park I’ve been to, and I was surprised by how much of the gardens you can see for free. You could walk through the whole park, and only have to pay to enter the Skywalk and the two conservatories.

I decided to skip the Flower Dome and only buy a ticket for Cloud Forest. I’m so glad I chose that one, because as a forest lover, it was an amazing experience. It was very immersive and most probably the coolest greenhouse forest in the world.

There were also lots of educational exhibits, and of course I used them as research for my book! (Though I can’t guarantee everyone will find the exhibits as useful as I did.)

After you soak up all the inspiration you can hold, let those ideas explode on your page as you write them all out. You can either sit outside on a bench, or you can grab some food at the food court and eat there while writing.

[Mosque 37]

This place is located in Chinatown, and it wasn’t an easy place to leave. In addition to being a café, it’s also a bookstore.

Before entering, you are greeted with signs such as “Enter door on right to leave Earth,” “Landscapes, cityscapes, dreamscapes; to where do you escape?” and “Here on Earth for the love of books.”

And when you enter, the inspiration for this bookcafé’s name is revealed: “With freedom, books, flowers and The Moon, who could not be happy?”

They have a great selection of books, many I never heard of, and it was a struggle making myself leave and reminding myself I was backpacking and didn’t have room in my backpack for physical books.

The place was perfect for writing, with seating both inside and outside.

Platform 1094

[1094 Serangoon Road]

A Harry Potter-themed café and restaurant. Need I say more?

I’ll add in a few more words: the food was great, there were both alcoholic and non-alcoholic magical drinks and they had Hogwarts robes and other props to dress up in take photo shoots with.

Oh, and there was free wi-fi and they didn’t kick me out even though I spent almost the whole day there (though granted, it was a weekday and they had very few customers).

If you’re a Potter fan, there’s no better place for writing in Singapore than Platform 1094.

Where To Stay:

For the starving artist.

While extremely luxurious, this also means Singapore is very expensive. It’s not much in comparison to the prices of Europe and the U.S., but if you’re a starving artist, that still means expensive.

I ended up at NNV by accident, and I’m very happy I did. I will admit the rooms were not ideal. They were outdated and the bunk beds were shaky with uncomfortable mattresses.

But they were renovating while I was there, and even so, the rest of the hostel made up for the not ideal beds.

The staff was extremely pleasant and helpful, there was free laundry and, my personal favorite, there was a quiet rooftop. It was on that rooftop where I not only dried the laundry that desperately needed washing, but where I spent many hours sitting at a table and writing.

It’s also in a great location, across the street from a mall’s food court, near public transportation and within walking distance (though a long walk) to most places I recommended in this guide.

For the Bestselling Author

Marina Bay Sands Hotel

It almost feels like cheating to choose this one, because it’s such an obvious choice.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel is  the  place to stay in Singapore- writing or not. It’s probably the most iconic building in the city, and if you’ve seen pictures of Singapore before, you’ve probably seen it. It’s the three high rises upon which a spaceship-shaped structure balances.

I didn’t even stay at this hotel and was inspired by it. It’s one thing to see it in pictures, but it’s a totally other thing to look up and see a space ship hovering over you.

It’s also in the center of the coolest part of the city. On one side, you have the bay, the Spectra water and light show and the ArtScience Museum. On the other side, you have Gardens by the Bay.

It also has a shopping mall, which is probably the coolest one I’ve been to. It has features like the canal running along one part of it, on which you can take a boat ride pretending you’re in Venice.

On the top of the hotel, in the spaceship part, there’s a garden, bar and infinity pool, the latter of which you can only access if you’re a guest.

Find me a better place to write a Sci-Fi book. This place absolutely has it all.

And if I had the money to stay for a week, I bet I’d have my entire Sci-Fi book finished.

Okay, probably not; I’d be spending too much time in that infinity pool overlooking this amazing city.

Books to Read for Inspiration:

As a writer, it’s crucial to read other’s writing to improve your own. And what better way to learn more about Singapore’s culture and history before going than by reading a book set there?

Who knows, maybe one of these will even inspire you to write your own book set in Singapore. At the very least, these books will definitely convince you to visit the country if this guide hasn’t already.

Singapore Noir by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan

This is an anthology of 14 stories from different writers telling a darker side of Singapore. You’ll likely be enamored by the luxury and beauty of Singapore, but these stories will show what many tourists don’t see.

Including some award-winning writers from Singapore, this book is a must-read before, during or after your visit to Singapore.

How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee

For a look at Singapore during World War II, read this historical fiction novel. It tells the story of the women forced into sexual slavery as comfort women for the Japanese troops who invaded the land.

Did you find any other great writing spots in Singapore that didn’t make this list? Share with other traveling writers in the comment section below!

Check Out Related Posts:

I love this! What a unique idea for a post. I’ve never been to Singapore, but for whatever reason it seems so hustle and bustle to me. Great to know you can find some spots to get creative!

I wasn’t expecting to love Singapore as much as I did- there were so many cool things to see there! 🙂

Singapore looks so unique and interesting! I love the writing theme, very cool!

This was such a unique and creative post, loved how you framed it and it bought back memories of my trip to Singapore, thank you! 😉

I have never been to Singapore. This post definitely inspires me to travel to Singapore and write about it. 🙂

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Why you should visit Singapore – Info and tips to plan your trip

Singapore is a unique destination in Southeast Asia: futuristic, modern and multicultural. These are some of the words that best describe this country/city. Some people find it boring, superficial, expensive but I think there are many reasons why you should visit Singapore and experience the city for yourself.

In this post you will find :

How to get to Singapore

• Singapore Visa information

Getting around in Singapore

• Why you should visit Singapore
• Where to stay in Singapore

Things to do in Singapore

• How to save money in Singapore

Singapore is a group of Islands which is city and country at the same time . It is the smallest country in Southeast Asia and also one of the most expensive. This modern city leaves you speechless with its surreal gardens, its modern architecture and its order.

At times Singapore doesn’t feels like Asia at all. If you’ve been to Thailand or Cambodia, visiting Singapore will be like traveling to the future!

If you’re travelling around Southeast Asia, the best way to get to Singapore is by plane. There are several low cost airlines that have flights to Singapore, some of them are: Jet Star, Tiger Airways, y Lion Air. As usual, I recommend to book flights via skyscanner .

Flights arrive to Changi Airport which is one of the greatest airports in the world. From there you can take different transports to get to the city centre:

• Taxi : An expensive option but also convenient if you’re travelling with a group of people. The cost of a journey from the airport to the city center is around $20/30 SGD.
• MRT : Changi airport is well connected to the city center by MRT , the metro system in Singapore. The journey lasts 30 minutes and it costs $2 SGD.
• Bus : Another cheap option is to take bus number 36 which takes you to Singapore center. The journey lasts 1 hour and costs $2 SGD.
• Official airport shuttle : The best option to save money on expensive taxis but at the same time be confortable is to book a transfer to the city in the official Changi airport shuttle for just $8.4 per person.

Find out more about the Official Airport Shuttle here

Visa information

People from some countries need to get a VISA for entering Singapore. You can read the list of countries that need a VISA and the application process here . If you have a passport from some of the following countries, you don’t require a VISA: United States, Australia, UK, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and more.

The city centre is connected by MRT (mass rapid transit) system. As the city, Singapore’s public transport system efficient, clean and punctual. Operating hours are from 5:30 am to 00: 30 in the evening and fares vary between $1 and $3 (SGD) each way.

You can also use the Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off bus to move around the city for 24 or 48 hs. More information about Singapore Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour here .

Information about the city and why you should visit Singapore:

• Laws in Singapore

Singapore is the cleanest and tidiest city I’ve ever been (so far). The reason why the city remains clean and tidy is because of the strict laws imposed.

These are some of the prohibitions: Chewing gum, spitting, feeding pigeons, not flushing a public toilet, carrying durian (fruit with awful smell) in the subway, etc. If you break a law, it can lead to imprisonment or big fines. Drug Trafficking is punished by death and spanking is a legal form of punishment. It is not surprising that Singapore is one of the countries with the lowest crime rates in the world . This makes it a safe destination for travelers and one of the biggest reasons why you should visit Singapore.

• A multicultural city

Even with its strict laws, Singapore is one of the countries with the best quality of life and one of the most popular countries among expats. Singapore has the best quality of life among all Asian cities and that’s why many people choose to live here.

The mix of cultures and people make it a very interesting place to visit and this is the thing I liked the most about Singapore. Within the same city you can find the colorful neighborhood of Little India, Kampong Glam (Arab quarter) with its beautiful mosque and Chinatown, of course. Different cultures and religions living under the same flag .

Language : the four official languages of Singapore are Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English.

• How much does visiting Singapore costs?

It is true that Singapore is much more expensive than other cities in Southeast Asia. You will notice this mainly in accommodation prices, which are much higher. I suggest you book your hotel with time to find good prices. If you’re with a partner or group,you will always get good deals through Airbnb.

-A taxi from the airport to the city centre should cost around $20 (SGD) = $15 USD.

-As for food, it is still relatively cheap. In the hawker center s (food courts), you can get a plate for between 2 and 6 SGD (between $1.5 and $4.5 usd).

Where to Stay in Singapore

One of the most famous attractions in Singapore is Marina Bay Sands Hotel , an icon of the city. On the 57th floor you’ll find the famous infinity pool, which is the world’s largest elevated one. It is a great experience to stay here and finally see what the famous pool is really like.

Other places to stay in Singapore are:

• Raffles Singapore : a historic hotel built in 1887 which survived the war.
• Ritz Cartlton Millenia Singapore : a luxury hotel with incredible views of the city).
• Zen Rooms : a capsule hostel in downtown.
• Porcelain Hotel : modest hotel with good location.

The famous infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands

Not only the famous hotel is located in the marina area. A visit to Marina Bay is not complete without seeing:

• ArtScience Museum : shaped as a lotus flower, hosts art, science and design exhibits. Book your ticket here .
• Singapore Flyer : one of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels.
• Helix Bridge : a pedestrian bridge which architecture fans should not miss.
• The Gardens by the Bay : one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore, keep on reading for more details.

• Marina Bay Sands

You might not stay at the hotel, but you can still visit it. Marina Bay Sands does not go unnoticed in the city’s skyline. The hotel is an attraction for itself. Inside the hotel there is a luxury shopping mall with a Venice style canal, including the gondolieris! You can visit this for free.

The hotel also has an observation terrace, the SkyPark Observation Deck , located on the 57th floor, where you get 360-degree views over Singapore.

Book Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Skip-the-Line ticket here

• Raffles Place

Raffles Place is the commercial district of Singapore, where you find some of the tallest buildings of the country and also several buildings from the colonial period. Your can have some drinks at the the historic Raffles Hotel, named after Raffles, founder of Singapore. There are two sites along the Riverside which are nice for a walk and nice restaurants: Boat Quay and Clarke Quay .

Where the river ends you’ll find Merlion, the famous fish with lion’s head that spits water and where everyone gets a picture. Singapura means “Lion City” so Merlion is a symbol of the country.

• Gardens by the Bay – “A city in a garden”

Gardens by the Bay is a natural park of over 100 hectares, created to improve the quality of life along with the flora and fauna. Within the park there are two giant conservatories: the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, which has an artificial waterfall of 35 m high. But the real magic is the Supertree Grove: trees up to 50 m high made of steel and covered with plants. Singaporeans have invented a whole new concept of what a city should look like: ‘a city within a garden’ and its result is surreal.

Singapur Gardens by the Bay day admission ticket

Book Gardens by the Bay + OCBC Skyway combo here

• Garden Rhapsody

The real magic happens every evening, when the trees light up and the Supertree Grove Light show starts. You can’t miss this show! It’s seems from the outer space. Access to the show is free and it runs twice a day: 7:45 and 8:45 pm.

• Little India

As its name suggests, Little India is the indian neighborhood, with colorful houses and Sri Veeramakaliamman temple. I haven’t been to India but people who have been there say Little India looks nothing like it. Anyway you can still visit this beautiful neighborhood and find many cheap electronics shops and indian food restaurants.

Your visit is not complete without a classic visit to Chinatown. It is a neat and clean version of Chinatown though,but you will find shops that sell cheap souvenirs and all kinds of objects as in any Chinatown. Some of the Buddhist temples you can visit in this area are the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Thian Hock Keng (oldest temple in Singapore).

• Kampong Glam

The Muslim Quarter, with its Arabic food restaurants, shops, shisha bars and the beautiful Masjid Sultan mosque . You can spend a couple of hours visiting the mosque, the textile stores and enjoy an Arabic plate. It is a very pretty neighborhood

• Bugis Street

I’m not a big fan of shopping but Bugis Street Market is one of the largest and cheapest Singapore markets. You can get anything: clothing, souvenirs, electronics. The food is also very cheap and even if you don’t want to shop, it is a fun place to visit. In the Bugis area you’ll also find stores like Uniqlo and Topshop.

• Changi Airport

You’re probably wondering why I added the airport to the things to do list and it’s because this airport is an attraction by itself. The installations include an entertainment deck, various gardens, a movie theatre and even a slide! Isn’t it awesome? You can actually have fun while waiting for your flight.

Jewel Changi Airport is the airport’s recent opening. It is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex on linked to three passenger terminals which contains the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

Cactus Garden at Changi Airport

• Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is an island resort home to Universal Studios Singapore , beaches, gulf courses and the Merlion (yes, another one). Visiting Sentosa is one of the top things to do in Singapore with kids .

Another great thing to do in Sentosa is to take the Singapore Cable Car Sky Pass which connects Mount Faber with Sentosa offering unique views of Singapore’s southern precinct.

• Other things to do in Singapore:

iVenture Card Singapore – Attraction Pass

If you plan on visiting many of the city’s attractions, it might be a good idea to buy the iVenture Card Singapore. This pass combines the best attractions, tours and activities into one pre-paid attractions pass to save you time and money. It allows you to save up to 45% on Singapore’s top attractions and activities.

Read more about iVenture Card Singapore

These are some of the main reasons why I suggest to visit Singapore and not let it out of your route around Southeast Asia .

Need more tips for visiting Southeast Asia? Check out these posts:

• Useful websites and discounts to plan your trip
• Tips for planning a trip to Thailand
• What to do in Bangkok in 3 days
• Visiting the temples of Angkor in Cambodia

This post contains affiliate links. That means, if you click on certain links within this post and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read more about it here .

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Singapore is high on my wishlist. A planned, systematic and beautiful place.

Exactly! Hope you visit soon 🙂

I love the order and cleanliness of Singapore! Such a great place to spend some time and so much to do. The public transport as you have mentioned makes it so easy to get around. There are some amazing chefs here too, especially pastry chefs leading the world in cutting edge cuisine. Thanks for all the tips.

You’re welcome Kerri! I need to go back and try some special food from the chefs

The lotus museum is new? I don’t remember to have seen it when I was in Singapore, in 2014. I wish I could stay at Marina Bay Hotel but it is too expensive for me. Is it any other way to enjoy its swimming pool? Thanks

I know, it really hurt to pay my night there! haha Unfortunately staying there is the only way to access the pool. You can still enjoy the views from the observation deck or from the fancy restaurants . The ArtScience museum is there since 2011, maybe you passed it by.

I loved Singapore when I visited. I was lucky enough to stay with friends in their apartment 5 minutes from Marina Bay Sands. I got to watch the light show there and the one in the Gardens by the Bay a few times. I really loved Singapore, so much to see and do and I loved eating in the food markets too with the locals rather than in restaurants.

Food markets are the best, I always choose to eat there. It’s so convenient to have friends in such an expensive city like Singapore haha !

While we have never been, I simply cannot fathom considering Singapore as boring!! It is stunning, and I’ve always wanted to see the Supertree Grove. The view from the hotel is incredible, I could spend all day there!

I know! I can’t understand people who find it boring. The Supertree Grove is the best experience in this city, I loved it!

I love that you added other information instead of just things to do. Laws/costs, etc is SO important, and really a main factor on whether someone visits another country or not

That is true Miranda. Specially in Singapore where you can even get a fine for chewing gum! Thanks for reading 🙂

You have to admire Singapore for its cleanliness. I didn’t know spanking was a legal form of punishment! I wonder how often that happens…Would love to check out those amazing gardens!

The gardens are the best attraction. I know.. it’s kind of scary.

A canal with gondoliers! Wow! That is cool and ostentatious. I haven’t been yet, but I’d love to see the Supertree Grove at night.

Haha yes! That’s way too much, Vegas style. The Supertree Grove was my favorite experience, you definitely can’t miss it.

I just love Singapore. Such a wonderful city. There is always so much going on. I definitely encourage you to try some fine dining and some of their great, healthy cafes as well as the hawker centres. You will pay more but the food is really great and that’s what Singapore is about – lots of eating!

It is true! I really enjoyed the food, Can’t way to visit again and try the cafes

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Essay on Singapore

Students are often asked to write an essay on Singapore in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Singapore

Introduction to singapore.

Singapore is a small country in Asia. It is very clean and has lots of skyscrapers. People from all over the world live there, making it very colorful and diverse. Singapore is famous for its good food, beautiful gardens, and strict rules that keep the country tidy.

Places to Visit

In Singapore, you can see the Merlion, a statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The Gardens by the Bay is another cool place with huge tree-shaped gardens. The Singapore Zoo is also fun, where you can see many animals.

Food in Singapore

Singapore has yummy food that comes from many different cultures. You can eat Chinese, Indian, Malay, and even Western food there. Hawker centers are popular spots where you can try lots of dishes at affordable prices. Chicken rice and chili crab are must-try foods.

Education and Technology

Singapore is known for its good schools and high-tech gadgets. Students from Singapore do really well in math and science. The country also makes a lot of cool technology that is used all over the world.

Singapore is a unique and interesting place. It’s small but has a lot to offer, from delicious food to high-tech innovations. It’s definitely a great place to learn about and visit someday.

Also check:

• Paragraph on Singapore

250 Words Essay on Singapore

Singapore is a small country in Southeast Asia. It is an island, meaning it is surrounded by water. Many people from different parts of the world live there, making it a place with lots of different cultures and foods.

Location and Size

Singapore is located near the equator, which means it has warm weather all year. It is very small compared to other countries, but it has a lot of people living in a small area. This makes it one of the most crowded countries in the world.

Language and Culture

In Singapore, people speak many languages including English, Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin. This shows how many different kinds of people live there. They celebrate festivals from many cultures, like Chinese New Year, Diwali, and Hari Raya, making it a fun place with lots of celebrations.

Singapore is known for having a strong economy. It is a place where many businesses do well because it is easy to start and run a business there. The country is also famous for its port, which is one of the busiest in the world. This means a lot of goods come in and out of Singapore, helping its economy grow.

Nature and Environment

Even though Singapore is a city, it has beautiful parks and gardens. The government works hard to keep the city clean and green. Places like the Gardens by the Bay show how nature and the city can exist together beautifully.

Singapore is a unique and interesting place with a mix of cultures, languages, and people. It is small but has a big heart, making it a special place in the world.

500 Words Essay on Singapore

Singapore is a small country located in Southeast Asia. Despite its small size, it is known around the world for being very clean, safe, and modern. Imagine a place where the streets are always clean, the parks are beautiful, and buildings touch the sky. That’s Singapore for you. It is an island, which means it is surrounded by water. People from all over the world come to visit Singapore to see its beauty and experience its culture.

People and Culture

Singapore is like a big mixing bowl of cultures. People from different parts of the world live here, bringing their customs, food, and languages. This mix includes Chinese, Malay, Indian, and many other cultures. Because of this, when you walk down the street, you might hear different languages and smell different kinds of food. It’s like traveling to many countries at once! Festivals are a big deal in Singapore, with celebrations for Chinese New Year, Diwali, and Hari Raya, showing off the country’s rich cultural tapestry.

Speaking of food, Singapore is a paradise for people who love to eat. The food here is a reflection of its mixed culture. You can find dishes from China, India, Malaysia, and many other places. Hawker centers, which are like big open-air food courts, are the best places to try these delicious foods. They are not only tasty but also affordable. Some must-try dishes include Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and chili crab.

Singapore might be small, but it is packed with places to see and things to do. The Marina Bay Sands is a famous hotel and shopping center that looks like a boat on top of three buildings. Another must-see is the Singapore Flyer, a giant Ferris wheel that offers a bird’s eye view of the city. For nature lovers, the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Gardens by the Bay offer a glimpse into the world of tropical plants and futuristic garden designs.

Singapore is also known for its excellent education system and advanced technology. Schools in Singapore are ranked among the best in the world. Students from Singapore do very well in subjects like math, science, and reading. The country is also a leader in using technology to make life better. For example, it uses smart technology to manage traffic and even to help take care of the environment.

In conclusion, Singapore is a unique country with a lot to offer. Its mix of cultures, delicious food, beautiful places, top-notch education, and advanced technology make it a fascinating place to visit or live. Even though it is small, the experience of being in Singapore is anything but that. It is a place where the future meets tradition, and where people from all over the world come together to live in harmony.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Somalia
• Essay on Spiritual Growth
• Essay on Spiritual Health

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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The best Singapore attractions to visit that both tourists and locals will love

From dizzying rooftop retreats to wild night-time safaris, there's no shortage of amazing things to do in this metropolis

With its blend of old and new, colonial and contemporary, Singapore is a true wonder of Southeast Asia. Gleaming skyscrapers, luxury hotels, Instagrammable parks and boulevards filled with air-conditioned malls – Singapore truly has it all. Oh, and there are  loads  of attractions and great things to do to keep the hordes of visitors occupied too. It can be hard to know where to start. There's nature in abundance, and endless ways to seek out amazing views. There's galleries and shops galore too, for the less adventurous. So here's a run-down of the best Singapore attractions, as selected by our local experts just for you.

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click  here .

RECOMMENDED: 101 things to do in Singapore  and where to see interesting architecture and landmarks in Singapore

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Must-see attractions in Singapore

1.  new bahru.

• Things to do
• River Valley

New Bahru is Singapore's biggest lifestyle opening in 2024. Masterminded by The Lo & Behold Group, this new lifestyle and creative cluster will be home to at least 40 homegrown brands across dining, retail, and wellness when it fully opens in September this year. Housed in former Nan Chiau High School, classrooms and canteens are now the site of some of the most exciting local brands: Sojao, Soilboy, Curious Creatures, Kotuwa , The Coconut Club, Huevos, and more. Over the next couple of months, look forward to the likes of Beyond the Vines, PPP Coffee, OM, and concepts by Keirin Buck and Mirko Febbrile. Need more time to explore? There's even a serviced apartment called Alma House that you can clock into to stretch your Ner Bahru adventure over a couple of days. 

2.  Jewel Changi Airport

If you've just got off the plane, don't have to leave the airport just yet! Instead, entertain yourself at Jewel Changi Airport. This majestic dome is home to over 280 dining and retail outlets, with some open around the clock – think dining at ungodly hours at American fast-food chain A&W or food court Five Spice, or killing a couple of hours with a movie at 24-hour Shaw Theatres. You can also catch the hourly light and sound show at the HSBC Rain Vortex, the mall’s 40m-tall indoor waterfall, from 7.30pm to midnight. Honestly, this place is ridiculous. Arguably worth the flight just to see this. Not a sad pasty shop in sight. There's even play attractions for the little ones – including trampolines! Hell, you could even add a day onto the stay and use the on-site hotel. Sure makes checking in a little sweeter. 

3.  Singapore Zoo

With 26 awe-inspiring hectares to explore, it's unlikely that you'll be able to cover Singapore Zoo in its entirety in a day. But give it a good go. Unlike traditional zoos, which keep its animals in cages, this place was the first in the world to implement the 'open concept', which has animals in individually landscaped enclosures. There are more than 4,200 animals to see across 12 zones, including Wild Africa, Primate Kingdom and Frozen Tundra. There's over 300 species, so honestly, all sorts of things you'll never see anywhere else. Visit the world's largest captive colony of orangutans, feed the friendly Asian elephants and see the rare white tiger. You can also feed giraffes, if you're tall enough. It's a zoo done properly. 

4.  Gardens by the Bay

The stuff of nature-lovers’ dreams, Gardens by the Bay is a truly magnificent site. The 250-acre green haven is filled with huge, flora-wreathed towers connected by ‘skyways’ and two enormous conservatories. Opened in 2012 as part of a drive to bring more greenery into Singapore, the gardens are free for guests to explore but you'll need an admission ticket for access to the flower domes that house rotating floral exhibitions. Needless to say, this is a non-negotiable must-see. There's also membership passes so you can visit its key attractions again and again. You'll want to, as it's absolutely massive. And beautiful. 

5.  Bird Paradise

• Attractions
• Zoos and aquariums

A sad goodbye to Jurong Bird Park and an enthusiastic hello to Bird Paradise. This new 17-hectare park has eight stunning, walk-through aviaries modelled after the different biomes of the world. Think African rainforests, South African wetlands, and Australian dry eucalypt forests. This is where you can walk among free-flying birds, including some of the world's most threatened species and one of the largest populations of Hornbills under human care. 

The new park comes with refreshed programmes too. Visitors are in for a treat at new avian shows like Predators on Wings and Wings of the World, as well as behind-the-scenes tours at the Avian Healthcare and Research Centre and the Avian Breeding and Research Centre (with more to come). Otherwise, get up close with bird friends at special feeding sessions; the $8 fee will go to conservation programmes across the region that are supported by Mandai Wildlife Group. 

6.  Singapore Botanic Gardens

• Parks and gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a jewel among the many beautiful parks and gardens in Singapore. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features attractions like  a swan lake where visitors can feed the black Australian swans and  the Evolution Garden Walk, a well-landscaped plot containing the fossilised remains of ancient trees. It's also home to the world's largest collection of orchids – some 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, plus the national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim – at the National Orchid Garden.  During weekends, tours to its rainforest patch are available, while outdoor concerts are often held at Symphony Lake. And with the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, where children can run wild and explore the  farm, orchard, and forest which has its own stream and ponds, this nature spot is family-friendly.  

7.  Night Safari

Set in lush secondary rainforest, the Night Safari is a must-see for visitors. The world’s first night zoo (opened in 1994) allows you to witness what 900 nocturnal animals from close to 100 species get up to after dusk, in naturalistic habitats and without barriers, via the use of special lighting techniques. Lions? Check. Rhinos? Check. Leopards? Check. Flying squirrels? Check! There's animals from seven geographical regions, and you get to see the lot without much work (you'll ride a tram all the way through). 

8.  Pulau Ubin

Take a walk on the wild side as you step foot on one of Singapore’s most popular off-shore islands. A sprawling 1,020 hectares, Ubin boasts lush greenery and abundant wildlife, drawing nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to explore the many wonders of the granite island. There are plenty of activities to get up to here: go birdwatching at Pekan Quarry, wander through nature trails, and hike 75 metres up Puaka Hill for a breathtaking panoramic view of the islet. The sea-and-mangrove route will be a breeze for moderate kayakers (it's a word) and will be an accessible challenge for beginners. So go on, enjoy the chill vibes on this throwback offshore island. 

9.  MacRitchie Reservoir

• Walks and tours
• Central Water Catchment

Singapore’s oldest nature park is continuously filled with joggers, families and weekend strollers. You can get into the reservoir’s rainforest via the MacRitchie Trail, which offers straightforward boardwalk treks and more ambitious, longer hikes. There’s plenty of wildlife here, from flying lemurs to tree frogs and pangolins – but they do tend to hide out of sight. The one exception are the long-tailed macaque monkeys that hang about. Be warned, though: having been fed by less responsible visitors, they can be aggressive little terrors. Don't feed them, or wave about snacks. They're cute when behaving though, so do come along to the big green lung right at the heart of Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It's one of the most significant, untouched, bits of land on the entire island. 

10.  Haw Par Villa

Opened in 1937, this weird and wonderful park was named after its owners, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, the brothers who made their fortune from the acclaimed cure-all ointment Tiger Balm. Multicoloured statues and tableaux – some looking rather neglected – depict scenes from Chinese mythology. The highlight is the Ten Courts of Hell (responsible for childhood nightmares for generations of Singaporeans) where dioramas showing human sinners being punished in a variety of hideous and bloodthirsty ways – in extremely gory and graphic detail. It’s a safe bet that you will never see anything like it anywhere else. There is the infamous 10 Courts of Hell to navigate, but don't worry, it's not too scary. You can go in groups of up to 25 if you believe the whole 'strength in numbers' thing. 

11.  National Gallery Singapore

The former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings have been refurbished to become Singapore’s National Gallery. It is the largest visual art gallery in the city-state and is mostly dedicated to local and Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to the present day. So all the pretty modern and contemporary stuff then. Many of the works on display are drawn from the permanent National Collection but there’s also a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions to check out. So, there's always something new to see, even if you've been before. 

12.  Esplanade Theatres on the Bay

Few buildings have created such a stir in Singapore as the Esplanade. Opened in 2002, the eye-catching bayfront complex has been dubbed ‘the durians’ by locals because of its resemblance to the spiky (and stinky) tropical fruit. It’s the city’s most prominent performing arts centre and the programme bears an eclectic mix of Western and Eastern influences. Book a gig, concert or theatre show in advance and make a cultural evening of it. There's usually around 3,500 events at this venue every year, so you'll find something you like. There's also a lovely park nearby for those of you who enjoy a post-production stroll. 

13.  Universal Studios Singapore

This outpost of Universal Studios' theme park empire on Sentosa Island has an array of world-class rides across its various regions. There's Transformers: The Ride (a 3D adventure where you have to protect the Allspark), Battlestar Galactica (twin roller coasters that are sure to get your heart racing), Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure (everyone's favourite water ride), Enchanted Airways, Canopy Flyer and Revenge of the Mummy. Your kids will obviously never forgive you if you don’t let them run amok here. There's fun for all the family here though, whether you like thrill-seeking rides or chilling with the cast from Madagascar, it's all going on. 

14.  River Wonders

Another animal exploration! This time it's the watery (and other) ones. Manatees, crocodiles, flamingos and monkeys are just some of beasties (numbering over 11,000 specimens!) you’ll encounter in this river-themed wildlife park, which boasts the world’s biggest freshwater aquarium and a panda exhibit housing the cuddly couple Kai Kai and Jia Jia. So good they named them twice, twice. River Wonders is split into two zones: the Rivers of the World, which showcases animals from eight rivers including the Congo and Yangtze, and Wild Amazonia, where you can come face-to-face with over 30 animals from the rainforest on a boat ride aptly named Amazon River Quest. You can also see ancient-looking creatures, from a time long before we all started visiting zoos and stuff. 

15.  Chijmes

Once a convent school, CHIJMES has transformed into a hip lifestyle enclave brimming with bars, restaurants and cafés. It’s currently undergoing a revamp – and it’s more than just a cosmetic update. A fleet of new F&B joints are flocking to the old school, including El Mero Mero and Prive. Whether you want to just chill on the lawn, get your yoga on, or just eat and drink basically everything you've ever eaten, you can do it here. An essential stop while you're in Singapore really. Especially if you want to just be in a place doing stuff. 

16.  Marina Bay Sands

The 2,500 rooms at this hotel offer views of the South China Sea or Marina Bay and the Singapore skyline, but let’s be honest: the Moshe Safdie-designed SkyPark is the real crowd-puller, sitting atop the three hotel towers 200 metres above ground level (that's high up, that is). Non-hotel guests have to pay for the privilege of enjoying unfettered views from the Observation Deck across the city – but it’s definitely worth it to take that selfie to make all your friends seethe with envy, if nothing else. We're talking proper panoramic views, from the Gardens by the Bay to the Supertree Grove sculptures, and of course that skyline. You can see the lot from up here. Well worth catching at various times of day. 

17.  Changi Airport

An airport doesn’t sound like much of an attraction – more a series of interminable queues filled with tetchy flyers and shrieking babies. But Singapore’s Changi Airport is consistently voted the top airport in the world – and there’s much to marvel at here. Butterfly habitats, Balinese-style rooftop pools, 24-hour cinemas, spa centres, and the highly-raved Jewel Changi Airport – trust us, this ain’t your average airport. There are far worse stopovers during a long-haul flight. I mean, you read about Jewel Changi Airport, didn't you? This is the airports-are-a-great-place epicenter of the world. A lot of the long-haul flights go out of here too. You can just rock up very early, get a massage, have a little swim, the obligatory pre-flight drink at any ridiculous hour, and then you're jetting off. Stress free. Alternatively, when you turn up to the airport just forget the hotel for a few extra hours and chill. It's a holiday no? 

18.  Orchard Road

Once home to an orchard of fruit trees, this area of Singapore is now widely known as the shopping district. Stretching out over two kilometres in the centre of the city, Orchard Road is home to numerous coffeeshops, beauty salons, art galleries, hotels, designer and discount outlets, restaurants and nightclubs. Come armed with cash, and plenty of it. This is a 1.6 mile road full of amazing places to part-take in the old retail therapy. Whether you're looking for fantastic dining, beautiful shops (such as The Grande Whisky Collection, which has a nice 4,500 of the oldest whiskies in the world), and more. There's also some decent hotels, like the Four Seasons. 

19.  Singapore Flyer

Marina Bay’s giant, 42-storey, 165m observation wheel continues to pull a mix of tourists and locals who come for the breathtaking, 360-degree views of the city available from one of its capsules. Each flight lasts 30 mintues and on a clear day the panorama from the top of the wheel stretches into neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. If you fancy pimping your experience a bit, take a look at the dining and cocktail packages that are available. If you'd like to soak up some sweet sweet knowledge also, you're in luck – these 30 minute adventures come with an in-capsule audio guide and interactive screens designed to help you discover the past, present, and future of Sinapore. 

20.  National Museum of Singapore

After an $118 million refurb and rebranding job, the Singapore History Museum reopened as the National Museum of Singapore: the largest museum on the island. There are two main galleries: the Singapore History Gallery, which traces the history of Singapore from its beginnings in the fourteenth century to the present day and the Singapore Living Galleries, which focus on four lifestyle themes – food, fashion, film and photography.  That's over 700 years of Singapore to get stuck into, and over 1700 artefacts.  It’s worth a visit just for the building, an imposing neoclassical structure, complemented by modern glass additions. 

Check out more great things to do in Singapore

The 101 best things to do in singapore.

The best free things to do in Singapore

The best hiking trails and spots in Singapore

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My Singapore Travel Experience

Travel makes you a storyteller. Every time you travel, you keep getting a premise to build a story on. Being in the tourism industry, I am fortunate to have travelled to a few places. Every time, each trip has given me memories to tell stories. In August of 2019, my friends, my sister and I decided to go to Singapore to take a break from our daily routine.

We started the planning to book our Singapore Tour Package . It was very shaky, uncertain. It came to a point where our trip almost didn't happen. But, determined and persistent, we kept planning. The plan was finally on. For some, it was the first-ever flight, whereas, for others, it was their first international flight. Personally, it was my second time travelling to Singapore. To say we were excited would have been an understatement.

The visa documentation, the bookings and reservations were all happening enthusiastically. The tour was for 5 Nights and 6 Days. We booked the flight tickets, accommodations, tickets for selective sightseeing in Singapore and did the visa procedure from Veena World. And the team gave us the best help. We were going to manage the internal travelling and the remaining sightseeing on our own on arrival in Singapore. And just like that, on August 21st 2019, we were on our way to the 'Lion City'.

Once we landed at the Singapore Changi airport, we went to the travel help desk to understand how things work and things to do in Singapore . They suggested we take the Singapore Tourist Pass, also known as the STP. The STP enabled us to use all public transport systems, including the bus and the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT). MRT is their underground train tube line that connects every corner of Singapore through a network.

We were staying at a hotel on Rangoon Road near Little India. It was the best decision. Since we were close to Little India, we could easily access the MRT stations or buses and travel all through Singapore. And boy, did we make full use of it! We used to spend the whole day exploring and having fun. And even though it was a customized tour, and we were on our own, never once did we feel unsafe or uncomfortable. From strolling at the banks of the Singapore River eating the Bingsu (shaved ice with syrups on it), going on a heritage walking tour to Chinatown and visiting the only water well in Singapore, we did many offbeat activities. We used to plan the day to do the decided sightseeing and then later explore random places. One of the best experiences was watching the light-and-sound shows at the Marina Bay Waterfront, Gardens by the Bay and Sentosa Island, respectively. We also took a Bum Boat ride from Marina Bay Waterfront to Clarke Quay. Clarke Quay is one of the most happening places, especially if you love good food, good music and chilling by the riverfront. They also have some amazing Asian dishes from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia and more. Honestly, the food in Singapore is so good, you just want to keep eating. As an amusement park lover, going to Universal Studios made me the happiest. The roller coasters, the food and the overall experience never fails to make me feel like I am at the top of the world. Speaking of the top of world experiences, Marina Bay Sands Sky Deck was one of the most memorable experiences. The Marina Bay Sands is an icon of Singapore. And going on its sky deck and getting a bird’s eye view of the stunning city was a surreal experience. To keep the spirits high, we also had the famous Singapore Sling. Even to this date, I sometimes reminisce about the wonderful experience and long to go back. We decided to stay on Sentosa Island for one night. And for the whole day, we went to do several activities like the Luge Ride, Cable Car Ride, exploring the Madame Tussauds Museum and more. The stay in Sentosa where our hotel was facing the beach and we got a beach view from our rooms is a picture I want to treasure forever.

I still remember the last evening that we had at Sentosa Island. We had just finished watching the spectacular light&sound show, had stuffed ourselves with delicious food (I had the best Korean Fried Chicken and Singaporean Curry) and were almost on the verge of sleeping. But since we didn't want the time to go to waste, we decided to take a stroll on the beach. It was probably one of the best evenings of my life. The beach was full of people yet somehow it didn't seem crowded. Since the weather was amazing, some people were having late-night picnics. And then there were some with their families and some were by themselves. There was music coming from some speakers at a distance, the refreshing breeze was blessing everyone after a hot day. I was surrounded by the chatter and laughter of my favourite people and also many strangers. It is a feeling that I could probably never describe in words but all I knew was at that moment, I was the happiest. I realised how wonderful travelling to different places is. How enriching it is to our soul. We were all unaware of the future, but we were all very hopeful about life always taking us on many such wonderful journeys.

During the walking tour, we literally walked ¼th of the city. Interacting with locals, getting to know their stories and experiences gave us insight like no other. One of our walking Singapore tour guides told us that she feels sad that Singaporeans are often perceived as rude people even when they are not. And I totally agreed with her. We had several experiences where the local people have been very sweet and helpful. They are passionate about their country and their culture. And I will forever be thankful for those people who made the holiday more memorable than we ever expected.

The return was with a heavy heart! But Singapore being the generous host it is, did not let us go without showing us one of the most breathtaking sites - The Jewel Waterfall at Changi Airport. For probably the billionth time, I was awed by the beauty of this jewel. There is so much to speak about this holiday and fitting it in just one blog is not possible. Maybe one day, I will be able to do it!

A part of my heart will always be in Singapore. In just 2 different trips to this Garden City, I saw such varied sides of it. And for this wholesome experience, I will always be grateful! Singapore is a place that stays with you long after you have returned home. I like to say that even after you leave Singapore, Singapore never leaves you.

A history, culture and music enthusiast with tremendous love for travel! My love for writing comes from my love for reading and exploring various topics.

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Welcome to 5-Minute Travel Tips with Neil Patil, your friendly and caring companion for all things travel! Hosted by the seasoned traveller and https://www.veenaworld.com/'s co-founder https://www.instagram.com/patilneil/, this bite-sized podcast shares https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilpatil1612/'s travel experiences and the best tips, hacks, and insights he's gathered over the years. Whether listeners are frequent flyers or just planning their first adventure, https://www.facebook.com/neil1612 aims to make their trips smoother, more enjoyable, and truly unforgettable. Every Thursday, https://twitter.com/ineilpatil brings a new episode packed with practical advice, from smart packing and finding the best flight deals to discovering hidden gems and ensuring travel safety and comfort. Each 5-minute episode is designed to give listeners useful tips that they can apply right away to enhance their travel experiences. This Podcast is brought to you by https://www.veenaworld.com/ 5-Minute Travel Tips with Neil Patil is here to help listeners become smarter and savvier travellers. Subscribe now and become smart traveller one destination at a time!

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'आपला महाराष्ट्र' ही पॉडकास्ट मालिका म्हणजे महाराष्ट्राची झलकच. गौरवशाली इतिहास , वैविध्यपूर्ण परंपरा आणि आकर्षक भूगोल लाभलेल्या महाराष्ट्राची ओळख करून देण्यासाठीच वीणा वर्ल्डने ही मालिका सुरू केली आहे. या मालिकेतून महाराष्ट्राच्या रोमांचक इतिहासाचे साक्षीदार असलेल्या गड - किल्ल्यांचा थोडक्यात परिचय करुन दिला जाईल. मग दर गुरुवारी न चुकता ऐका ' आपला महाराष्ट्र ' आणि तुमच्या भटकंतीला द्या नवीन दिशा. Looking to explore the wonders of Maharashtra, India? Tune in to 'Aapla Maharashtra', a podcast series that takes you on a journey through the state's rich history, captivating culture, and breathtaking geography. Join us every Thursday for a new episode and discover the many forts that bear witness to Maharashtra's majestic past. Take your travel experience to the next level with 'Aapla Maharashtra'.

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‘Exchange a coin and you make no difference but exchange a thought and you can change the world.’ Hi! I’m Veena Patil... Fortunate enough to have answered my calling some 35 years ago and content enough to be in this business of delivering happiness almost all my life. Tourism indeed moulds you into a minimalist... Memories are probably our only possession. And memories are all about sharing experiences, ideas and thoughts. Life is simple, but it becomes easy when we share. Places and people are two things that interest me the most. While places have taken care of themselves, here’s my podcast, which I consider to be a great platform, through which I can share some interesting stories I live and love on a daily basis with all you wonderful people out there. I hope you enjoy the journey... Let’s go, celebrate life!

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• Hospitality and Restaurant Management: Singapore Words: 3893
• Hospitality and Restaurant Management in Singapore Words: 3886
• Singapore and Malaysia Economic Relationships Words: 2021

Singapore as a Touristic Destination in Asia

Introduction, literature review, tourism in singapore and analysis.

Tourism plays an important role in the economy of a country including foreign exchange earning, source of employment, cultural preservation, providing an avenue for development of a country’s infrastructure among others. Countries which have faced challenges in the field of agriculture and other areas can capitalize on tourism as a source of alternative income. Tourism has largely been applied all over the world as an alternative source of income generation. Regardless of the aforementioned benefit, Jeffreys & Munn, (1997; cited in Blackman, et al., 2004), Murphy & Murphy (2002; cited in Blackman, et al., 2004) view that the realities of tourism are not always clearly understood. Blackman et al. have brought the idea of peripheral and core areas while analyzing tourism in the peripheral areas. The authors have posited that peripheral nature of a country may emanate from its political, economic or societal problems or challenges as well as geographical periphery.

The tourists’ expenditure from tourism activities including local transportation, sight-seeing, entertainment, accommodation as well as shopping, play a key role in generating revenue for any country. In addition, many countries have focused on developing tourism as a major source of generating foreign exchange. Therefore, there has arisen among various countries in attracting this revenue from tourist attractions. While looking at tourism, two aspects of it are important, namely domestic and international tourism. Domestic tourism is tourism activities among the citizens of the same country while international tourism refers to tourism activities by visitors from other countries. Domestic tourism can play a major role in the tourism sector of a country, for example when there are travel restrictions for citizens from certain countries in cases where a country is termed as a security threat. Tourism has received a major threat since the September 2001 attacks on the United States soil. This has raised more interest into the issue of secure travels as well as security in the places of travel. In general, peace and harmony of a country plays an important role in tourism industry of that country.

The peace and harmony may be judged either in terms of domestic war and struggles as well as international problems and political inclination of the government in the country. There has been a move by the United States to influence countries to join it in joint war against terrorism which has taken a centre stage in tourism in the recent past. A country may be favored in terms of economic, cultural and geographical factors to attract more tourists than another. Countries may attract tourists because of many reasons, which may be grouped into two majors; natural or man-made factors. Natural factors are those that occur naturally such as the geographical location of a country and the climate, suitability for wildlife and other things. Man-made factors are those that can be made by man designed purposely to attract tourists.

The tourism industry of a country is related to the hotel industry because the latter plays an important role in containing visitors within the country. Bookings are also made sometimes at the same time.

Singapore is a country located in the South-East Asia and attracts tourists as a result of many favorable factors. It was projected in 2006 that the number of tourist visitors to Singapore would continue to improve as the trend in the past years. Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of Singapore. Singapore had projected to reach a target of 9.4 million visitors into the country in the year 2006 and attained a level of 4.7 million visitors from January to July the same year. Singapore has become a centre of tourism, communication as well as trade partly because of its geographical location-between Indian Ocean and South China Sea. This location can be termed as strategic and helps in attracting tourists from around the world. The most popular tourist attractions in Singapore are Night Safari, Singapore Zoo and Sentosa.

The country enjoys tourist or visitors from the Asian region as well as away. In 2005, the country received 1.8 million visitors from Indonesia as the main source of visitors coming into Singapore, followed by China with 0.86 million visitors. The country registered a growth of 7.2% in the number of visitors received over the month of August in 2005 as compared to a number of 870,000 visitors received in August 2006 (Fact Sheet, 2006). The location of Singapore as bounded by some of the world major sea-lanes such as Singapore Strait at the south and Johor Straits at the north making it to enjoy a climate with tropical rain forest with uniform high temperature throughout the year. This may attract people from those areas with too cold climates or winter seasons as they may come into Singapore to enjoy the comfortable climate. In the year 2008, Singapore recorded an increase in the length of days of stay for visitors of 9.1% as compared to the average length of stay in the year 2007. Although there was a 1.6% decline in the number of visitor arrivals (10.1 million in 2008), there was a 7.4$ increase in the tourism receipts (S$15.2 billion) as compared to the receipts in 2007.

Cultural factors have also played an important role in ensuring that the tourism industry is sustained or improved in Singapore. Singapore enjoys being a multicultural country in contrast to Malaysia, because there are three main races, namely Indian (8.69% of the population), Malay (13.6% of the population), and Chinese (75.5% of the population). The cultural diversity reflects the history of Singapore since colonial times. Cultural diversity in a country is very essential because different cultures have a different taste including different foods, clothing, language and festivals. Differences in food tastes for example have made it possible for the local cuisine to avail different foods with different prices for all budget categories. In addition to this variety of food tastes, the government arranges for celebration of multicultural cuisine in Singapore annually in the Singapore Food Festival held in July every year. This festival has helped attract tourists in the country. In addition, organizing a project to light up the cities in Singapore during festivals like the Chinese New Year and Christmas, has played a role in attracting tourists in the country. Cultural flavors represent the taste of a certain country.

Singapore had unique market policies which were different from the surrounding the time when it was under British occupation while the rest of neighborhood was under Dutch control. Various segmentations to enhance the country’s economic growth since 1970, including technological upgrades, town planning, public housing and economic zones were put in place. The country’s road to modernization was also enhanced by various things including successful demographic transition, cleanliness, traffic management and effective environmental management (Haley & Low, 1998; Dutta, 2008). Culture would, according to Zukin (1995) provide to a country a unique competitive edge in tourism, a basis for a city’s tourist attraction and a business hub for cities. Singapore has scored a major goal in attracting immigrants from other countries which has contributed to the culture enrichment of Singapore. Many people lost their lifestyles through modernization by the western culture. This affected individuals and then their families. Modernization trend in Singapore nearly encourages traditional nuclear families. As compared to western teenagers who are more rebellious, closer family ties play an important role in ensuring that Asian teenagers are lesser rebellious. Although multicultural diversity has helped Singapore to boost its tourism business, the business has of recent past received challenges from the multicultural society itself because of change of societal and ethnic Asian cultural values in recent years. The change is as a result of Singapore becoming a destination of tourism among the Asian countries. Before the decline in the number of tourists in 1983, Singapore had a set of policies that sought to promote the country as a multicultural character of the city. The Singapore Tourism Board used the slogan “Instant Asia” to promote the country by emphasizing the multi-cultural character of the city. These policies were changed after the aforementioned decline in the number of tourists. The new policies focused on investing in improvement of old attractions and restructuring the country with modern infrastructure. Through the urban renewal policies, the government has helped in building ethnic neighborhoods and preservation of historic places. According to Lew (1992; cited in Dutta, 2008), Singaporeans believe that redevelopment has led to the loss of much of the old charm of the neighborhoods. Two trends have led to increase of multi-cultural status of Singapore, namely inter-racial marriages and incoming foreigners who take up Singapore citizenship.

Singapore has faced competition in the aspect of tourism from the nearing countries including Malaysia which had surpassed Singapore to become a leading destination in Southeast Asia. Other countries that would give Singapore competition in tourist activities are Indonesia and Thailand. With rising competition, Singapore had planned in 2008 to promote tourism by making it a tourism business center, a memorable destination and a Tourism Capital of the region. Factors that have made the country perform well as a location for tourism activities include strong financial services, its good location, and the excellent supporting infrastructure. The government has also invested or planned investment in tourism through existing tourism development programs including the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2008 (STB, 2008), National Art Gallery to be launched in 2012 (will add refinement culture and history of Singapore’s attractions), Sports Hub, developed gardens by the bay, the great Singapore Flyer, and through the two integrated resorts-the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa island.

The position of Singapore as a developed country has also played an important role in attracting tourists. This is because the country has invested in important structures that promote or are related to tourism. The infrastructure includes the Changi Airport which was rated as the best airport during 2006 by skytrax. In 2005, the airport connected Singapore to 57 countries and 179 cities through a network of 81 airlines, according to Airport of the Year result (2006). In addition to the network is the low cost and budget airline which makes it possible for the people to afford flights. Singapore has also invested in a convenient road network which has assisted transport. In addition, there are transport means provided to travel around the country – Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), buses and cabs. A good transport system may encourage people to travel to many places around a country for example. The economic and planning ability of a country may play an important role in developing or boosting tourist activities within a country. In 2006, the government was developing about 10 tourist destinations at Maringa Bay. Construction of an aquarium reported in October 17, 2006 would also play a role in boosting tourism in Singapore. This aquarium would contain robotic aquatic creatures and a mixture of live marine animals which would be visible from underground viewing tunnel. This would be part of the country’s bid to build Singapore’s second casino resort. This was targeted as reported to be the world’s largest aquarium.

The increase in the number of tourist arrivals in the September/October 2008 could point to the importance of man-made activities in the tourism sector. This is because the reason availed for the increment in the 2008 annual report by the Singapore Tourism Board is due to the 2008 FORMULA 1 TM SingleTel Singapore Grand Prix and the pre-Hari Raya traffic from neighboring countries. The country received visitors also from Europe (an increase of 4.5%), Oceania (an increase of 6.6%), South Asia (an increase of 5.6%) and West Asia (an increase of 15.5%). The country’s largest source of visitors in the year 2008 was Southeast Asia, with a percentage of 35 and the least was Africa recording a percentage 1%. The country also received a percentage of 3 of the visitors in the same period, from the United States. Statistics available from the 2008 Annual report by the Singapore Tourism Board indicate that the country has experienced an increase in the number of visitor arrivals every year since 2004 but the figure for 2008 fell than that of 2008. During the year 2004, the country recorded 8.3 million, 8.9 million in 2005, 9.8 million in 2006, 10.3 million in 2007 and 10.1 million visitors in 2008.

There was an increase of 13.1% in the hotel room revenue (S$2.1 billion) for the year 2008 as compared to that of 2007. The average hotel room recorded an increase of 21.7% to reach S$245. However, the said economic downturn may have had impacts to the tourism industry as noted in the annual report on tourism statistics by the Singapore Tourism Board in that there was a decline in the visitor arrival from the month of June 2008. This is in contrast with the growth of the visitor arrival of 4.6% during Jan-May 2008. Malaysia, India and Australia were the only ones who reported a positive growth among the top ten markets for the Singapore’s tourism industry. Malaysia reported a positive growth of 0.3%, India 4.0% and Australia a growth of 8.4%. Also, there was positive growth registered among the emerging markets like Vietnam (17.8%), Russian Federation (28.5%) and UAE (24.6%) for the year 2007 as compared to 2007.

Tourists or visitors have different reasons why they visit countries. Some may travel for business interests, others for leisure or holidays while others will do so to visit their families and friends. According to the data presented for Singapore in the 2008 Annual report by the Singapore Tourist Board, there was an improvement in the number of people who traveled to Singapore for holiday reasons from the year 2005 until 2007 before a decline in 2008. In 2005, the percentage of those people traveling for holiday was 30%, in 2006 they formed 37%, in 2007 40%, but the figure dropped to 39% in 2008. According to the data for the number of those traveling for business or MICE for the same period, there was improvement up until 2008. In 2005, the percentage was 27, then 28, 29 and 30 during 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. For those people traveling into Singapore to visit friends and relatives, the percentage recorded were 15%, 13, 10 and 12% for the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. Those traveling for other reasons recorded 28%, 22%, 21% and 19% for the same period from 2005 to 2008. This data reveal that the number of those people traveling for holiday purposes was highest throughout, followed by those traveling for business/MICE. This means that the country could have gained more from holiday travels though business travels are also significant. The percentage of those visiting for holidays went up by 9% (39% in 2008 from 30% in 2007). It has been shown in the 2008 annual report by the Singapore Tourism Board that majority (always more than a half) of the visitors from 2005 to 2008 traveled with companions. The percentages of those traveling with companions were 58%, 58%, 56% and 53% in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. In addition, data reveals the type of companion accompanying the visitors. During the year 2005, those accompanying children above 19 years were 13%, 5% in 2006, 3% in 2007 and 3% in 2008. In addition, those traveling with their partners/boyfriend/girlfriend were 6%, 4%, 3% and 4% for 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. Those people traveling with their spouses formed the greatest percentage for all the years.

Because the number traveling for purposes is more than others, the country may gain more income from these tourists in the future or present and therefore the government need to continue improving in investing in the resources promoting tourism in this respect. This includes improvement of the existing as well as building of new facilities such as resorts, hotels and accommodation facilities. However, business activities also attract a good number of visitors and therefore the government must continue ensuring that the business environment is improved to woo more people to come in and do business. Investment in all aspects of tourism and improving in areas where boost in the number of tourism will be realized is certainly the solution. However, diversity is also important as you cannot woo all people to travel for one reason.

The type of accommodation sought by those who traveled into the country also varied maybe according to the needs. The percentage of those choosing hotels remained between 58%-61% from 2005 to 2008. It was 59%, 61%, 61% and 58% in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. This indicate that the number of those who had hotels as their accommodation were more than a half of the visitors from 2005. Those choosing residence of friends and relatives were 18%, 18%, 20% and 21% in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively while those choosing other types of accommodation were 16%, 14%, 10% and 15% in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 respectively. Those who did not state the accommodation type remained low between 6% and 8% for the period 2005-2008.

The importance of information exchange and advertisement of the country’s tourism sector among potential customer is very important as it can influence them. Moreover, the importance of the method of transaction with the tourist cannot be underscored in the recent competitive market. The customer wants simpler means of acquiring services with minimal disturbance, ease of use, lesser time for transaction, cheaper and convenient means. It is in this respect that customers are getting into using technology to book for holidays, travels, and even accommodation as compared to traditional means of travel agents. The interactive component between the customer and the offering company through technology like the internet has seen reduction of time, increased convenience, reduction of procedures of transaction because it has eliminated the travel agents as middle men in the business. The 2008 Singapore Tourism Board report has given information which indicates the impact of the various information channels on the influence of tourists. The number of visitors who has obtained information on Singapore prior to their coming into the country was 26% in 2008. Internet websites appear to have performed best in letting out information to travelers into Singapore because those who received the information via websites was 53% in 2008 up from 34% in the previous year. From speculation, some of the factors that could have led to such an increase include the rise of the number of those having access to the website, and increase of spreading of the information by the agency (agencies) concerned following threat of competition. However, the number was higher than 2006 (46%) as compared to 2007 (34%) while in 2005 it was 42%. There is also a possibility that the internet was preferred because it eliminated some difficulties presented by the conventional means such as need for physical contacts with agents, need for traveling to seek information, and because of the ease of acquiring the information from the internet. The growth of the internet information spreading has posed a danger to other conventional means of winning and serving customers. It has for example encouraged payment of tickets and booking of travels as well as booking for check-ins and holidays on the internet which can be done at home.

Travel agent/tour operator method has been declining in terms of popularity and as indicated in the report, it has been performing poorly since 2006. The percentage of those who acquired information about Singapore declined from 2006 (38%), 2007 (36%) and 2008 (21%). However, the report notes that this type of information spreading was the most common source of information on Singapore. A substantial percentage of people acquired information about Singapore because of the friends and relatives who had visited the country before. Other types of sources of information spread to the people included travel guide books and friends/relatives living in Singapore.

With the internet becoming a common means to deliver and sell hotel information across the market following the use of information sources by guests wanting to evaluate alternatives and the need for hotel practitioners to look for effective channels to communicate with their markets and guests (Armijos et al., 2002; Gregory & Breiter, 2001; cited in Mohamed, 2006 : 47), Singapore may gain more from the usage of internet through the many customers who acquire information about the country’s resources.

The importance of diversity in the tourism attraction sites should always be emphasized. This is in consideration that various people have different interests and even attachments to places and features. More diversity will ensure that more people get to visit the country for different type of fun. More diversity may also be used in tourism to boost a country’s competitive position against the rest in the region. However, such a competitive edge can be achieved by making sure that the country invests in those attractive sites which are not farmiliar in the region or peculiar in nature.

The Singapore Tourism Board has given data in their 2008 report concerning what attractions were visited. The most visited place among the Paid-Access places was Sentosa with 31%, 38%, 32% and 30% percentages of people visiting Singapore in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. However, there was a drop in the share percentage of the people visiting the place as can be seen in the aforementioned data. Night Safari was the second most visited but did not end with as many people as Sentosa. Other places included Jurong BirdPark, Singapore Cable Car and Singapore Zoo. Among the Free-Access attractions, the most visited was Orchard Road with 73%, 73%, and 69% of visitors in the years 2005, 2006, and 2007 respectively. Other places visited were Chinatown and Little India. All the data excluded 2008 Formula 1 TM visitor profile.

Satisfaction of customers in any business is very important because it may make the customer come back at the same place. Even in the tourism industry, the investors must ensure that customers expectations are met by the services provided. Satisfaction can be gauged from different types of services offered in the whole travel package components including airport facilities and services, immigration clearance, travel agent services, shopping, hotel facilities, and public transport among others. There was recorded increase in the number of those customers who were satisfied with their visit to Singapore from 71% in 2007 to 75% in 2008. However, the overall satisfaction in the year 2008 remained at 5.9.

Tourism plays a major role in a country’s economy through provision of employment, generation of foreign exchange and other benefits as well. Countries whose agricultural field is performing poorly can boost their economies through diversification by increasing interest or focusing on developing tourism more. It has been found out that in most countries the realities of tourism are not always clearly understood (Jeffreys & Munn, (1997; Murphy & Murphy (2002); cited in Blackman, et al, 2004).

There are various factors that contribute to the excellence of a country in tourism. A country’s political, economical and social environment as well as geographical location is important in the country’s performance in tourism. Two aspects of tourism, namely domestic and international tourism have been mentioned in this paper. Development of both forms of tourism is important to ensure stability of tourism for example during times of ban in travels for certain reasons such as terrorism.

Singapore’s strategic location as well as its economic power and cultural diversity have helped in its performance in tourism. The country has a good performance as a tourist destination in South East Asia. The country’s economic power as a developed country has made investment in development of infrastructure as well as development of tourist attraction sites possible. The cultural diversity has offered diversity in terms of, for example, the food that is served in local areas. The country’s location places it at a better place to receive visitors who are willing to come and enjoy a climate with tropical rainforest with uniform temperatures throughout the year. Citizens from cold climates or those areas being faced by winter seasons may come to enjoy the more favorable climate in Singapore. Singapore has enjoyed tourist visitors both from the Asian region as well as from other regions such as America. In the year 2008, Singapore recorded an increase in the length of days of stay for visitors of 9.1% as compared to the average length of stay in the year 2007. Although there was a 1.6% decline in the number of visitor arrivals (10.1 million in 2008), there was a 7.4$ increase in the tourism receipts (S$15.2 billion) as compared to the receipts in 2007.

Singapore has enjoyed tourists coming in for various reasons, but mostly they came for holidays in the year 2008. In the year 2008, 39% of the tourists visited the country for holiday purposes, a drop from 40% the previous year. However, this value was higher than those who came for business reasons in 2008 (30%) and those who visited for other reasons. This means that the country has possibility of earning more from tourists visiting for purposes of holidays than for other reasons and therefore may need to invest more in the facilities promoting tourism in this respect. However, business is the reason why a large number also come to Singapore and it is necessary for the government to allow the development of the business climate to woo more people traveling to do business in the country.

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StudyCorgi. (2021, October 30). Singapore as a Touristic Destination in Asia. https://studycorgi.com/singapore-as-a-touristic-destination-in-asia/

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Singapore Travel Guide 2024

Singapore has been in the top ten list of the most visited cities in the world for years. Our small yet beautiful island deserves it as the city has everything to satisfy any need of visitors: a green and safe environment, cultural diversity, delicious food, world-class shopping malls, the latest fashion and electronics, vibrant nightlife, cheap and convenient public transport, and many more.

You are reading the most comprehensive Singapore travel guide [2024 Guide], which covers everything you need to know to have a satisfying trip. Scroll down to discover them all.

How to Get from Changi Airport to City Centre?

You can ride a taxi, airport shuttle bus, mrt train or limousine. find out which one is the most suitable option for you..

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10 things you can learn about Singapore tourism through literature!

Written by: samantha.

In Tusitala’s latest project, BOOK TRIPS, go on a wild book trip around Singapore with a literary map to discover what our local authors have written, in short stories, essays and poetry!

For Book Trips, we chose 15 attractions in Singapore that we love. Every place has its own history, and people are often more familiar with the socioeconomic or political sides of our country’s past – but did you know that there is also a book trail to be discovered? 

Many people have written about Singapore’s attractions over the years – not only contemporary local authors, but also early residents during the colonial era as well as travelers visiting the island. These works raise interesting questions: How did authors write fiction set in old Singapore? What locations concerning Singapore did they mention in their novels  or poems?

It is fascinating to look at it all. Here’s what we found!

1) It cost just 25 cents to dance with a “taxi-girl” at The Great World

J.G. Farrell’s 1978 novel The  Singapore Grip , we learn about the years before the war when sailors would visit the Great World Amusement Park. There,  “for twenty-five cents, you could dance with the most beautiful taxi-girls in the East, listen to the loudest bands and admire the glorious dragons painted on the walls.”

2) The Raffles Hotel has hosted and inspired writers like Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham, and Noël Coward! 

Wong Yoon-wah’s 2013 essay, “Feed at the Raffles”, describes a visit to the hotel’s Tiffin Room – a restaurant which served variations of Indian curries with multi-cultural influences to suit Western palates. This became a speciality of the hotel and “swept many famous writers of the British Empire off their feet.” 

3) The Malay Heritage Centre at Kampong Glam used to be the Istana of Singapore’s first Sultan.

Isa Kamari’s novel 1819  imagines  daily life at Kampong Gelam in early Singapore. The book depicts the lives of key Malay figures in the early 19th century such as Sultan Hussein and Munshi Abdullah, and describes how the kampong was a resting place for Haj pilgrims from the Malay peninsula, Sumatra and Java before they boarded ships owned by Arab merchants living in Singapore to visit the holy land. 

4) In early Singapore, you could go to Indian parrot astrologers at shophouse walkways to have your fortune told.

In Meira Chand’s 2010 novel A Different Sky , we come across a scene featuring a parrot astrologer. Parrot astrology is an ancient Indian tradition, and these fortune tellers use green parakeets which pick a “lucky card” that is then read. They were popular amongst the immigrant Indian community in early Singapore.

“When a customer stopped, Subramanium at once picked up a pack of dog-eared cards depicting Indian deities and opened the cage for a parrot to emerge. Strutting about in an ungainly dance the creature cocked its head flirtatiously whenever a fortune had to be told. Subramanium fanned out the cards on the tabletop and the bird dipped its head to choose one, picking it up in its beak.” 

5) The Singapore Racecourse used to be a popular attraction in pre-independence Singapore.

From the historical accounts in Travellers’ Tales of Old Singapore (1934), J. Douglas Graham’s diary entry, “The Daily Double” notes how the Singapore Racecourse used to be popular among tourists. There,  “Betting was done on the tote on a 4 dollar unit basis and there were 24,000 members.” 

Today the racecourse is situated at the Turf Club, and its former location at Bukit Timah has now been developed into The Grandstand, a lifestyle destination. 

6) We get to imagine Singapore Botanic Gardens during World War II where survivors created brandy from tapioca!

Another interesting excerpt is from anthropologist Nigel Barley’s novel  The Devil’s Garden , a work of historical fiction in which he imagines the Singapore Botanic Gardens during World War II as a “self-supporting country estate”.

“Tapioca, it had been discovered, fermented and distilled, yielded a brandy that revived the dead and almost killed the living and a steady trickle was coaxed from an apparatus housed in a lesser potting shed to raise the morale of administrative staff and soothe the semi-alcoholism of expats.”

7) We are a country that loves to spend weekends in the Changi Airport to eat, shop and play. 

Ng Seow Hwee’s short story “Ramblings of a Trolley Uncle”, published in the anthology  In Transit ( 2016), contemplates how one can buy just about anything from Changi Airport. 

“Do you know you can buy a fridge from Changi Airport? Third floor of T3, to be precise. I never understood why an airport can also double up as a shopping mall. Changi must be the only airport in the world where you can buy a fridge or a portable airfryer.”

8) At Sentosa’s Fort Siloso, machine gun pillboxes pointed South but Singapore was invaded from the North. 

Neil Humphreys’ Final Notes from a Great Island (2006) describes the military installations as well as his  late uncle Johnny’s wish to visit Sentosa after his time there as a British WWII veteran.

9) Change Alley used to be a bustling market selling all kinds of necessities.

In R. N. Walling ’s 1931 travel story “An Eastern Petticoat Lane”, Change Alley is likened to an Eastern version of London’s Petticoat Lane Market: it was a “dense crowd of Jews, Arabs, Chinese, Japanese, and Indians, bartering and selling in an atmosphere cool in comparison to the tar-macadam roads outside but delightfully stuffy, smelly, and dirty” , yet “ invigorating and faintly exciting”. 

10) The Lion King was the first musical to launch at the Marina Bay Sands

In Chew Yi Wei’s 2018 essay, “Two Harbours”, we are brought back to the early days of Esplanade almost ten years ago. The author describes walking along the promenade after a performance, and looking over at the upcoming Marina Bay Sands which had just presented The Lion King musical and other international best-sellers. 

Fast forward to 2022: the Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay is celebrating its 20th anniversary, with a year-long celebration and initiatives to become even more inclusive as an arts centre for everyone. Look out for celebrations of popular local music, specially commissioned new works by Singapore and Asian artists, and the opening of Singtel Waterfront Theatre, the Esplanade’s newest venue! 

Throughout the process of searching for and finding these various writings, whether fiction or non-fiction, we were compelled to relive the experiences of the authors and discover surprising facts about Singapore’s past.

Can’t travel literally? Travel literary

Join us on these Book Trips, and rediscover Singapore’s past and present attractions in Singapore through the eyes of local writers.

Play simple mini-quizzes as you explore the island anew, and take touristy photos with instagrammable AR filters created by local artists.

BOOK TRIPS by Tusitala A programme of the Singapore HeritageFest 2022 2 – 29 May 2022 https://booktrips.tusitalabooks.com

About Tusitala Tusitala is a digital storytelling studio that reimagines the future of reading where tech meets art. We use our expertise in technology, user experience, and design to transcend the traditional boundaries of print and digital.

About Singapore HeritageFest The Singapore HeritageFest (SHF) is the National Heritage Board’s signature annual outreach event that celebrates the many facets of Singapore’s diverse heritage and culture. SHF works with individuals, groups and communities to co-create programmes and offerings. This allows the festival to uncover lesser-known stories and narratives, engender a greater sense of ownership, and empower Singaporeans to safeguard and promote our shared heritage. The inaugural edition of SHF was staged in 2004, and since then, the festival has continued to provide on-site and online experiences with yearly themes that focus on different aspects of Singapore’s heritage.

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Editor’s Note: We know that many of you are looking for help writing travel experience essays for school or simply writing about a trip for your friends or family. To inspire you and help you write your next trip essay—whether it’s an essay about a trip with family or simply a way to remember your best trip ever (so far)—we enlisted the help of Professor Kathleen Boardman, whose decades of teaching have helped many college students learn the fine art of autobiography and life writing. Here’s advice on how to turn a simple “my best trip” essay into a story that will inspire others to explore the world.

Welcome home! Now that you’re back from your trip, you’d like to share it with others in a travel essay. You’re a good writer and a good editor of your work, but you’ve never tried travel writing before. As your potential reader, I have some advice and some requests for you as you write your travel experience essay.

Trip Essays: What to Avoid

Please don’t tell me everything about your trip. I don’t want to know your travel schedule or the names of all the castles or restaurants you visited. I don’t care about the plane trip that got you there (unless, of course, that trip is the story).

I have a friend who, when I return from a trip, never asks me, “How was your trip?” She knows that I would give her a long, rambling answer: “… and then … and then … and then.” So instead, she says, “Tell me about one thing that really stood out for you.” That’s what I’d like you to do in this travel essay you’re writing.

The Power of Compelling Scenes

One or two “snapshots” are enough—but make them great. Many good writers jump right into the middle of their account with a vivid written “snapshot” of an important scene. Then, having aroused their readers’ interest or curiosity, they fill in the story or background. I think this technique works great for travel writing; at least, I would rather enjoy a vivid snapshot than read through a day-to-day summary of somebody’s travel journal.

Write About a Trip Using Vivid Descriptions

Take your time. Tell a story. So what if you saw things that were “incredible,” did things that were “amazing,” observed actions that you thought “weird”? These words don’t mean anything to me unless you show me, in a story or a vivid description, the experience that made you want to use those adjectives.

I’d like to see the place, the people, or the journey through your eyes, not someone else’s. Please don’t rewrite someone else’s account of visiting the place. Please don’t try to imitate a travel guide or travelogue or someone’s blog or Facebook entry. You are not writing a real travel essay unless you are describing, as clearly and honestly as possible, yourself in the place you visited. What did you see, hear, taste, say? Don’t worry if your “take” on your experience doesn’t match what everyone else says about it. (I’ve already read what THEY have to say.)

The Importance of Self-Editing Your Trip Essay

Don’t give me your first draft to read. Instead, set it aside and then reread it. Reread it again. Where might I need more explanation? What parts of your account are likely to confuse me? (After all, I wasn’t there.) Where might you be wasting my time by repeating or rambling on about something you’ve already told me?

Make me feel, make me laugh, help me learn something. But don’t overdo it: Please don’t preach to me about broadening my horizons or understanding other cultures. Instead, let me in on your feelings, your change of heart and mind, even your fear and uncertainty, as you confronted something you’d never experienced before. If you can, surprise me with something I didn’t know or couldn’t have suspected.

You Can Do It: Turning Your Trip into a Great Travel Experience Essay

I hope you will take yourself seriously as a traveler and as a writer. Through what—and how—you write about just a small portion of your travel experience, show me that you are an interesting, thoughtful, observant person. I will come back to you, begging for more of your travel essays.

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