Travel+Experiment: Backpacking: Great Tourists Destinations in Singapore

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Singapore

The English name of Singapore is derived from the Malay word, Singapura, itself derived from (Sanskrit: Sinha=Lion, pura=City, literally Lion City), hence the customary reference to the nation as the Lion City. However, it is unlikely that lions ever lived on the island; hence, the animal seen by Sang Nila Utama, who founded and named Singapore, was most likely a Malayan tiger.

Singapore is one of the world's major commercial hubs, the fourth-largest financial center and one of the top two busiest container ports in the world for at least the past ten years. Its globalized and diversified economy depends heavily on trade, especially manufacturing, which accounted for around 30 percent of Singapore's GDP in 2013. Singapore places highly in international rankings with regard to standard of living, education, healthcare, and economic competitiveness. Singapore has one of the highest per capita incomes and one of the longest overall life expectancies in the world.

Official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil

Travel Tip:

1. Check the Weather

2. Prepare to handle money overseas

If you're traveling international, be sure to check and withdraw your own bank before leaving for your trip; that way you won't arrive short on cash (local currency) and have to immediately search for an ATM. Go to your bank's website and map out any available ATM locations near your destination so you are not forced to use other banks' machines. Furthermore, you will save on ATM fees/ withdrawals at machines located outside the country. There’s no guarantee that there will be one (or that it will be working properly).

3. Check and understand the exchange rate before you travel.

4. Do not flash large amounts of money when paying a bill.

5. Have Photocopies of Your Itinerary and Travel Documents

Make two photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency or if your documents are lost or stolen.

· Passport ID page

· Foreign visa (if applicable)

· Itinerary

· Hotel confirmation

· Airline ticket

· Driver's license

· Credit cards brought on the trip

Singapore’s activities and attractions must see.

Destination: Introducing Singapore!

1. Universal Studios

Opening Hours: Daily from 09:00 AM – 18:00 PM

Universal Studios Singapore was the latest addition to Singapore’s attractions list. Opened in 2010, Universal Studios Singapore has seven themed sections with countless rides and shows, all related to major hit movies. The park is part of the US$4.5 billion Resorts World Sentosa Development.

The Seven Distinct Zones

Guests at Universal Studios Singapore will get to experience seven distinct zones in the park: Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar. All total the park boasts 24 rides and attractions, 18 of which are unique to Universal Studios Singapore. Visitors will also enjoy a plethora of dining options and gift shops to satisfy even the most discerning tastes.

Universal Studios	One-Day Pass	Two-Day Pass	Price
Adult (Aged 13 to 59)	$74	$118
Child (Aged 4 to 12)	$54	$88
Senior (Aged 60 and above)	$36	$58
Universal Express			$30
Universal Express Unlimited			$50

Additional ticketing information, admission passes and seasonal packages

Recommended for Family Fun, Experiential Learning, Corporate & Private Events

Wheelchair accessible
Stroller and wheelchair rental available
Halal and vegetarian meal options

How to get there:

By Public Buses

1. RWS 8
Take the public bus and you will be dropped off outside of VivoCity mall. You may take any of the following buses to reach this bus stop: 10, 30, 65, 80, 93, 97, 100, 131, 143, 145, 166, 188 and 855. The fare for a round trip is S$2. Operating hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM.

2. 963R
Take the public bus and you will be dropped off at Woodlands Regional Interchange, which is directly below Woodlands MRT Station. The fare is about S$2. This service is only available on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. The first and last buses at Woodlands Interchange are 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM respectively. At the Resorts World Sentosa, the operating hours are from 8.30 AM to 11:30 PM.

By Sentosa Express
Take the MRT train to HarbourFront MRT Station, which is link to VivoCity Mall, then transfer to the Sentosa Express train located at level 3 of VivoCity (Lobby L). Align at Waterfront Station. The fare is S$3 inclusive of Sentosa Island admission charge.

By MRT Train
Take a North-East Line train to HarbourFront Station. You may then transfer to a public bus RWS 8 or the Sentosa Express train to reach Universal Studios Singapore.

By Taxi
The same charges apply; please refer to the above section 'By Car'. In addition, all visitors departing from Resorts World Sentosa IR will be required to pay a surcharge of S$3. You can save on the surcharge if you take a Yellow-Top taxi instead.

2. Singapore Zoo

Opening Hours: Daily from 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Zoo Ticket Prices: Adult Ticket S$32, Child Ticket S$21 (3-12 years old) and Senior Citizen Ticket S$14(aged 60 and above). I would recommend you to buy the zoo's tickets online to avoid long queue at the ticketing counters. Besides, you save 5-20% of the ticket prices depending on the types of credit card you are holding.

The Singapore Zoo was formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens and commonly known locally as the Mandai Zoo, occupies 28 hectares (69 acres) on the margins of Upper Seletar Reservoir within Singapore's heavily forested central catchment area. The zoo was built at a cost of $9M granted by the government of Singapore and opened on 27 June 1973. It is operated by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, who also manages the neighboring Night Safari and the Jurong BirdPark. There are about 315 species of animal in the zoo, of which some 16 percent are considered threatened species. The zoo attracts about 1.6 million visitors each year. The facility is clean and inviting, and the animals appear well treated with plenty of lush vegetation and habitat space. There is also a large chimpanzee family, zebras, meerkats, a komodo dragon, mole rats, white tigers, kangaroos, and many other creatures.

How to get there:

By MRT Train

1. From Choa Chu Kang MRT Station
Take the MRT train to Choa Chu Kang Station and walk to Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange. While at the interchange, look out for bus service number 927. It takes about half an hour to arrive at Singapore's Zoo, which is the ending point of the service.

2. From Ang Mo Kio MRT Station
Take the MRT train to Ang Mo Kio Station and walk to Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange. While at the interchange, look out for bus service number 138. It takes about 45 minutes to arrive at Singapore's Zoo, which is also the ending point of the service.

By Private Bus
This direct bus service between Singapore Zoo and the City is provided by the Singapore Attractions Express. The following are the pickup points: Orchard Hotel, DFS Galleria, Sheraton Towers, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Mandarin Orchard, Concorde Hotel, Hotel Rendezvous, Little India Arcade, Gemini Travel, Farrer Park MRT, Quality Hotel and Ibis Singapore Novena.

Charges: S$6/Adult and S$3/Child.

Daily pick up time at Orchard Hotel: 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. The journey takes about one hour to arrive at the Zoo.

Daily departure time from the Zoo: 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM.

3. Sentosa Island

Sentosa is a popular island resort in Singapore, visited by some twenty million people a year. Attractions include a 2 km (1.2 mi) long sheltered beach, Fort Siloso, two golf courses,The Merlion,14 hotels, and the Resorts World Sentosa, featuring the theme park Universal Studios Singapore.

Sentosa Island is a man-made themed park-like recreation island just south of the Singapore city center. Siloso Beach is a good spot for getting in beach time, and visitors can play volleyball on free courts or go kayaking and skim-boarding. 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. Fort Siloso, the country's only preserved fort, is also located on Sentosa Island. Adventurous types will want to check out The Flying Trapeze and the SeaBreeze Water-Sports at Wave House, where you can try your hand at flying strapped to a water-propelled jet pack.

There are many attractions including the Resorts World, Universal Studio, Carlsberg Sky Tower, Singapore Butterfly & Insect Kingdom, and Underwater World, continues to draw repeat visitors from all over Asia.

The Newest Attractions in Sentosa are more adventurous attractions for thrill-seekers. They include: Madame Tussauds Singapore, iFly Singapore, Crane Dance and Lake of Dream, Flying Trapeze, Megazip Adventure Park, GoGreen Segway, Wave House Sentosa.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take the MRT train to Harbour Front station; look out for signage for Exit E (to Vivocity/Sentosa Express). Once you arrive at the entrance of Vivocity Shopping Mall, turn left and take the escalator to level 3 where you will find Sentosa ticketing booths. The 12-minute cable car ride from Vivo City to the resort of beaches and rainforest is not only convenient, but has the added bonus of providing astounding panoramic views.

How to Get to Universal Studios Singapore
Take the MRT train to Waterfront Station (Sentosa Express 1st station) if your destination is Universal Studios Singapore or the Resorts World Sentosa Integrated Resort.

How to Get to Sentosa Beach
Take the MRT train to Beach station (Sentosa Express 3rd or last station). When you are out of the station, you will be able to see a tram station. Join the blue line queue to take the tram to Palawan and Tanjong beach or the green line to Siloso beach.

Sentosa Island Admission Charges

By Bus
Admission charge of $2 applied, in addition to the $2 bus fare.

By Sentosa Express
Express ticket admission charge of $3.

4. Night Safari

Opening Hours: Daily 7:30 PM to 12:00 MN, restaurant and retail shops open from 6:00 PM

Ticket Prices: Rates for Adult Ticket S$42, Child Ticket S$28 (3 to 12 years old). Senior Citizen S$18 (Singaporean or Singapore PR aged 60 and above). Refer to Night Safari Tickets official website for the most updated ticket prices. The tour is led by a local guide.

The Night Safari is the world's first nocturnal zoo and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore. Constructed at a cost of $63 million, the Night Safari was officially opened on 26 May 1994 and occupies 35 hectares (86 acres) of secondary rainforest adjacent to the Singapore Zoo and Upper Seletar Reservoir; the landscaped gardens are home to 130 different animal species, over 2,500 animals representing over 130 species. . The Night Safari is managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, and about 1.1 million visitors visit the safari per year.

The awards received by the Night Safari Singapore include being the Best Theme Attraction, one of the 10 Most Popular Experiences in Asia, Best Natural and Man-made Attraction worldwide, Best Leisure Attraction Experience and Top 10 Best Family Experiences.

You have to take the tram and walk the trails in order to see the most part of Night Safari. Sitting in the tram can't take you close enough to the animals. They are still too far to be seen clearly in a dimly light environment. Walking in the dark is also fun and a good experience to have, especially for couples and family with children.

How to get there:

By Bus

As Night Safari is located just next to the Singapore Zoo.

SAEx® Bus Schedule

To Singapore Zoo – From Orchard Road and Little India

1st Service	2nd Service	3rd Service	Location	Pick-Up Point
9.00am	10.00am	12.00pm	Orchard Hotel	Bus-stop B20 (09169) outside Delfi Orchard on Orchard Rd
9.03am	10.03am	12.03pm	DFS Galleria	Bus-stop B07 (09212) outside DFS on Scotts Rd
9.05am	10.05am	12.05pm	Sheraton Towers	Outside Hotel lobby
9.10am	10.10am	12.10pm	Grand Hyatt Hotel	Outside Hotel on Scotts Rd
9.12am	10.12am	12.12pm	Mandarin Orchard	Bus-stop B12 (09037) opposite Mandarin Gallery on Orchard Rd
9.15am	10.15am	12.15pm	Concorde Hotel	Taxi Stand at Kramat Lane
9.20am	10.20am	12.20pm	Hotel Rendezvous	Bus-stop B01 (08079) opposite Hotel on Prinsep St, outside SOTA
9.25am	10.25am	12.25pm	Little India Arcade	Outside The Little India Arcade on Serangoon Rd (next to the 7-11 Store)
9.27am	10.27am	12.27pm	Gemini Travel	Outside No.30 Roberts Lane
9.30am	10.30am	12.30pm	Farrer Park MRT	Bus-stop B01 (50251) outside Farrer Park MRT along Rangoon Road
9.35am	10.35am	12.35am	Quality Hotel	Outside hotel on Balestier Rd
9.37am	10.37am	12.37am	Ibis Singapore Novena	Outside hotel on Balestier Rd
10.00am	11.00am	1.00pm	Singapore Zoo

To Singapore Zoo – From Beach Road, Suntec and Chinatown

1st Service	2nd Service	Location	Pick-Up Point
9.00am	12.00pm	Lavender MRT	Bus-Stop B02(01319) opposite V Hotel Lavender on Kallang Rd
9.04am	12.04pm	Landmark Village Hotel	Outside Hotel on Arab Street
9.08am	12.08pm	Shaw Towers	Bus-stop B04 (01629) outside Shaw Towers on Beach Road
9.11am	12.11pm	Pan Pacific Marina	Bus-stop B01 (02089) outside Pan Pacific Singapore
9.15am	12.15pm	Singapore Flyer	Coach Bay taxi stand
9.17am	12.17pm	Mandarin Oriental	Outside Hotel Lobby
9.20am	12.20pm	Swissotel The Stamford	Outside Hotel Lobby
9.23am	12.23pm	Peninsula Excelsior Hotel	Outside Hotel on Coleman Street
9.25am	12.25pm	Swissotel Merchant Court	Opposite Hotel on New Bridge Rd & Junction of Hong Kong St
9.27am	12.27pm	Hong Lim Park	Bus-stop B03 (05059) outside Hong Lim Park on New Bridge Road
9.30am	12.30pm	Hotel Miramar	Outside Hotel lobby
10.00am	1.00pm	Singapore Zoo

From Singapore Zoo – To Orchard Road, Little India, Balestier Road, Lavender, Beach Road, Suntec and Chinatown

Time	Pick-Up Point
2.30pm*	At the Bus stop outside Singapore Zoo / River Safari / Night Safari
4.30pm*	At the Bus stop outside Singapore Zoo / River Safari / Night Safari
5.30pm	At the Bus stop outside Singapore Zoo / River Safari / Night Safari
6.30pm	At the Bus stop outside Singapore Zoo / River Safari / Night Safari

*With drop off at Singapore Flyer for 2.30pm & 4.30pm run.
Return to Beach Road, Suntec & Chinatown only at 2.30pm, and 4.30pm.

5. Botanic Gardens

Opening Hours: Daily 5:00 AM-12 MN

Admission: Free (some attractions may have an admission fee)

Admission to the National Orchid Garden is:
                    $5 for adults;
                    $1 for senior citizens
                    $1 students (please produce your student pass)
                    Free for children 12 and below of age

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a 74-hectare (183-acre) botanical garden in Singapore. It is the only botanic garden in the world that opens from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight every single day of the year, and does not charge an admission fee, except for the National Orchid Garden. The garden is bordered by Holland Road and Napier Road to the south, Cluny Road to the east, Tyersall Avenue and Cluny Park Road to the west and Bukit Timah Road to the North. The linear distance between the northern and southern ends is around 2.5 km (1.6 mi). In December 2012, an application for it to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was made. On 4 July 2015, the Botanic Gardens was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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 the botanic 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. Indeed, you can visit the gardens' heritage trees via walking trail, 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. Other attractions include an eco-garden, eco-lake, bonsai garden, sculptures, and several other gardens and unique sites.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take the MRT train to Circle Line NE1 CC29 HarbourFront via CC20 Farrer Road. Walk 15 minutes from Exit A going to Botanic Gardens.

6. Jurong Bird Park

Opening Hours: Daily 8:30 AM-6:00 PM

Admission to the Park Tickets:
                    $28 for adults;
                    $12 for senior citizens
                    $18 for child 3-12 years old

Jurong Bird Park is a tourist attraction in Singapore managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore. It is a landscaped park, built on the western slope of Jurong Hill. It is located within the Boon Lay Planning Area of the Jurong district and has an area of 202,000 square metres (50 acres).

Exhibits

African Waterfall Aviary: The African Waterfall Aviary is the second largest walk-in aviary in the world, covering 2 hectares (4.9 acres) and including more than 600 free-flying birds from over 50 species. The aviary is named after the 30-metre (98 ft) tall Jurong Falls, one of the world's tallest man-made waterfalls. Species include the golden-breasted starling, turacos, and the hoopoe.
Dinosaur Descendants: In one corner of the zoo there is a section full of flightless birds. Ostriches, emus, rheas, and cassowaries are the residents of this exhibit.
Southeast Asian Birds Aviary: Visitors can view the largest collection of Southeast Asian birds, which has over 200 species. There are large, central walk-in aviaries and peripheral aviaries that house the more delicate or territorial birds. A daily simulated mid-day thunderstorm is followed by a cool, light drizzle. Territorial species are kept in large cages, while species that can coexist with each other (fruit doves and pigeons being two examples) are left to fly free in the aviary.
Lory Loft covers 3,000 square meters (32,000 sq ft), is about 9 story’s high, and is the world's largest walk-in flight aviary for lories and lorikeets, with over 1,000 free-flying lories. The ambience is similar to that of a rainforest valley in tropical Northern Australia. Visitors can offer the lories a special nectar mix and the birds will flock to them.
Penguin Coast houses five species of penguins within 1,600 square meters (17,000 sq ft). Featuring a 21-metre (69 ft) tall Portuguese galleon facade designed to resemble a ship, the interior of Penguin Coast is constructed with timber beams and wooden flooring. Penguin Coast is home to the Humboldt, rock hopper, macaroni and king penguins, which live in an indoor, climate-controlled den as well as an outdoor penguin enclosure showcasing African penguins, one of the few species that are adapted to the tropics. Joining them are cape shelducks and gulls.
World of Darkness: Asia's first nocturnal bird house features a system of reverse lighting, converting day to night and vice versa. On display are 60 birds from 17 species, like the night herons, fish owls, boobook owls and snowy owls. It is akin to a quiet nocturnal walk along a starlit jungle path; watching birds in their nocturnal surroundings and hearing them beckon.
Pelican Cove: Visitors can catch a glimpse of all 7 species of pelicans, including the endangered Dalmatian pelican. There is a boardwalk, where visitors can stroll along and observe these birds. Visitors can also see the pelicans at the world's first underwater viewing gallery for pelicans, where the birds scoop for fish at feeding time.

Shows

High Flyers Show: This bird show showcases the world's largest number of performing birds in a single act. Besides highlighting the antics of talented birds like the mimicking cockatoos, this show is also a window for visitors to the natural behavior of birds like pelicans, flamingos and hornbills.
Kings of the Skies Show: Visitors can watch birds of prey such as eagles, hawks and falcons, which will fly in aerial loops and soar above the treetops. Visitors will also learn about falconry as these birds are put through their actions in a simulated hunt.
Lunch with the Parrots: Visitors can enjoy an entertaining parrot show over lunch, with a beautiful view of the Flamingo Lake in the background.

How to get there:

By public transport
Jurong Bird Park can be accessed on SBS Transit Service 194 or 251 from Boon Lay Bus Interchange, which has connections to the Mass Rapid Transit at Boon Lay MRT station. The nearest MRT station to Jurong Bird Park is on the East-West (Green) line. Catch these connecting public buses that will take you right to the Bird Park.

Nearest MRT stations	Connecting buses
Boon Lay (EW27)	Bus No. 194 or 251 From Boon Lay bus interchange

7. Underwater World

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-7:00 PM

Admission to the Park Tickets:
$29.90 for adults;
$20.60 for child 3-12 years old

Underwater World also known as Underwater World Singapore Pte Ltd, is an oceanarium located on the offshore Singaporean island of Sentosa. Opened in 1991, it has more than 2,500 marine animals of 250 species from different regions of the world Aquarium featuring underwater sea life displays, live dolphin & seal performances & shark dives. The oceanarium is mostly underground and it is owned by the Haw Par Corporation. The Underwater World's ticket includes admission to the Dolphin Lagoon at Palawan Beach.

Underwater World is also involved in several environmental and educational projects, such as the Living in the Ocean Programme, Ocean Ambassador Programme and the Coral Club.

How to get there:

By Public Buses

1. RWS 8
Take the public bus and get off outside of VivoCity mall. You may take any of the following buses to reach this bus stop: 10, 30, 65, 80, 93, 97, 100, 131, 143, 145, 166, 188 and 855. The fare for a round trip is S$2. Operating hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM.

2. 963R
Take the public bus and get off at Woodlands Regional Interchange, which is directly below Woodlands MRT Station. The fare is about S$2. This service is only available on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. The first and last buses at Woodlands Interchange are 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM respectively. At the Resorts World Sentosa, the operating hours are from 8.30 AM to 11:30 PM.

By MRT Train
Take a North-East Line train to HarbourFront Station. You may then transfer to a public bus RWS 8 or the Sentosa Express train to reach Universal Studios Singapore.

Getting to Sentosa Underwater World
As Underwater World is located in Sentosa Island, then take the Sentosa Express and get off at the Beach Station. From there, take Bus 1 to the Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon.

8. Singapore Flyer

Opening Hours: Daily 08:30 AM-10:30 PM

Admission to the Park Tickets:
$33 for adults;

$24 for adults;
$21 for child 3-12 years old

Buy Singapore Flyer tickets online to enjoy 10% discount.

The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel in Singapore. Described by its operators as an observation wheel, it opened in 2008, construction having taken about 2½ years. It carried its first paying passengers on 11 February, opened to the public on 1 March, and was officially opened on 15 April. It has 28 air-conditioned capsules, each able to accommodate 28 passengers, and incorporates a three-story terminal building. The Flyer has an overall height of 165 meters (541 ft) and a ride on the Flyer would last an estimated 30 minutes. The Singapore Flyer lets you wine, dine, shop, relax and best of all, feast on a 360-degree panoramic view of some of the famous sights and sounds of Singapore.

While basking in the allure of luxury, style and comfort of the Flyer, you'll get a panoramic view of the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, Collyer Quay, Raffles Place (Singapore's main Central Business District), The Fullerton Singapore (probably the most prestigious 5-star hotel you'll find in this country), Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay (our very own performance arts hall), the Merlion Park (an iconic 8.6m tall tourist attraction), the Asian Civilizations Museum, a popular nightlife line-up which includes Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay; Fort Canning Park, and saving the best for last, the Floating Stadium - known as the world's largest floating platform performance stage on water.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take a Circle Line MRT train to Promenade Station and take Exit A. When you are out of the station, you will see a junction on your left. Cross the junction and take on Temasek Avenue. When you come to the next junction, you will see the flyer on your left. It shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes to reach there.

By Public Buses
Marina Centre Bus Terminal, which is located at Raffles Boulevard, is only two blocks away from the flyer. You may take any one of the following bus service numbers to the bus terminal and take a slow walk to the flyer: 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, NR2, NR5, NR7, NR8, 56, 75, 77, 171, 195, 960.

From Orchard Road to the Flyer

From Orchard road, the bus service number 106 will take you to the bus stop along Temasek Avenue opposite of The Ritz-Carlton. The journey should take less than 20 minutes and cost less than S$1.50. From there, it's only a 5 minutes’ walk to the flyer. You may board from the following bus stops along Orchard Road:

Delfi Orchard
Royal Thai Embassy
Lucky Plaza
Midpoint Orchard
Concorde Hotel Singapore
Dhoby Ghaut MRT Sation (Outside Plaza Singapura)

If you board at the bus stop at Tang Plaza (or subsequent bus stops), you may also take 77 and 171, which ends at the Marina Centre Bus Terminal, just two blocks away from the flyer.

9. Shopping Districts: Chinatown, Little India, Orchard Road Chinatown

Chinatown

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-10:00 PM

Admission: Free

Chinatown, with its colourful Peranakan shop-houses and handful of historical attractions, makes for a pleasant stroll. It is divided into four main districts, namely Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Pasoh, but the centre of activities revolves around Smith and Pagoda Streets. Chinatown offers a lot more than just the restored shops and ethnic places of worship, such as the old Hokkien temple Thian Hock Keng, Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple and James Mosque, it’s a haven for hawker food lovers.

If you’re keen on unique and interesting souvenirs, don’t miss Ann Siang Road and Club Street, where you can explore chic local boutiques such as The Little Drom Store and egg3. Many shopping centers can also be found in Chinatown. Some of the more significant ones worth visiting include Chinatown Point, People’s Park Complex and the Chinatown Complex. These malls not only sell a wide selection of Chinese products but also offer affordable electronic goods, textiles and discounted cosmetics and clothes. 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 4 am), you can hear the morning drum ceremony. Or you can just check out the closing ceremony in the evening after viewing the relic

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take an MRT train on the North-East Line and get off at Chinatown Station NE4. Take Exit A which brings you right smack into the bustling Pagoda Street filled with pre-war shop-houses that boast ethnic design and wooden shutters.

Little India

Opening Hours: 24/7

Admission: Free

Little India is the center for the large Indian community in Singapore. It retains its distinct identity without degenerating into a mere tourist attraction, multi-colored shop-houses that line the streets, the spiritual chants from the various mosques and temples, smells of the aroma of Indian food and is one of the most colorful and attractive places to visit in Singapore.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take an MRT train on the North-East MRT line and get off at Little India or Farrer Park stations, near Serangoon Road, are convenient entry points into the area. Bugis station on the East-West line is also within walking distance.

Orchard Road

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-11:00 PM

Admission: Free

Orchard Road is world famous as the island's most-visited shopping destination and not only boasts top-rate shopping facilities but also leisure amenities and fine-dining options, beauty salons, cafes - in short just about everything you'll need during a stay in Singapore. 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, and a KTV karaoke. If you get hungry while burning through all that cash, there are plenty of eateries in the neighborhood serving international cuisines.

How to get there:

10. Marina Bay Sands
Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Opening Hours:
Mondays to Thursdays: 9:30 AM-10:00 PM
Fridays to Sundays: 9:30 AM-11:00 PM
There is no time limit as how long can the guests stay in the Skypark.
Sands SkyPark Ticket Prices: Book tickets online

Sands SkyPark tickets are sold at S$23/adult, S$17/child and S$20/senior citizen (aged 65 years and above). If you are a hotel's guest, you are allowed to enter the Skypark free of charge with unlimited access and no time limit. As a guest, you can even bring your 'guests' to the Skypark as long as you are holding the valid hotel's room access card.

The Marina Bay Sands integrated resort or Marina Bay IR is a development operated and managed by the leading casino developer, Las Vegas Sands - the same group responsible for the many of the world's hottest casino developments. This integrated resort is built with the objective of it being the premier entertainment destination, famous for its diversified range of attractions and facilities.

The hotels also boast something uniquely different. The 2500 over rooms make up the three 57-storey towering hotels, which are artfully connected by a uniquely designed architecture that lets you get a panoramic view of the spectacular sights of Singapore. Known as Sands SkyPark, the rooftop landscape sits 200m in the sky, housing swimming pools, restaurants and bars, and decorated with rich lush greenery.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take an MRT train on the North-South MRT line and get off at Bayfront MRT station.

Bayfront Station (Circle Line) - 10-minute walk
Promenade Station (Circle Line) - 15-minute walk
Marina Bay Station (North South Line) - 15-minute walk

By Public Buses
Take a North-South Line MRT train to Marina Bay Station. Currently, there's only one exit. Once you are out of the station, you could see a junction on your right. Cross the road and walk along Central Boulevard. On the right there's a bus stop with services 133, 133M and 106 which will take you to Marina Bay Sands IR with just one stop.

From Orchard Road
You may board the bus service number 106 at any one of the following bus stops along orchard road to Marina Bay Sands IR, the journey takes about 15 to 20 mins and the fare cost about S$1.50:

Delfi Orchard
Royal Thai Embassy
Lucky Plaza
Midpoint Orchard
Concorde Hotel Singapore
Dhoby Ghaut MRT Sation(Outside Plaza Singapura)

11. Clarke Quay Central

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-10:00 PM

Admission: Free

Clarke Quay, Singapore’s choice dining and entertainment destination, is a colorful kaleidoscope of buildings housing antiques, restaurants, hip cafes, jazz clubs and more. At night, the entire zone is a sight to behold with all five blocks of restored warehouses lit up and beamed with an array of quirky alternative to mainstream clubs separated by short walks along the river or through the beautiful covered streets of Clarke Quay. Make your way down to the mouth of the river and delight in the splendid architecture and monuments of colonial Singapore. River taxis and cruises also depart from here.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take the North-East Line and hop off at the Clarke Quay MRT (NE5) Station. Located conveniently above the Clarke Quay MRT Station, there is a host of transport options to get you to Central.

12. Gardens by the bay
Opening Hours: Daily 05:00 AM-02:00 AM for outdoor gardens; Daily 9:00 AM-9:00 PM for conservatories and OCBC Skyway; Garden Cruiser: Mon - Fri 09:30 AM- 06:00 PM (Last ride), Sat - Sun & Public Holiday 09:30 AM- 04:00 PM.
Admission: Free for outdoor gardens; S$28 for adults, S$15 for children for conservatories; S$5 for adults, S$3 for children for OCBC Skyway

Please refer to the following table for special discounted tickets for locals and residents. Book Your Tickets Online to avoid long queue at the ticketing booth.

Rates	Non-residents (Two conservatories)	Residents (Two conservatories)	Residents (One conservatory)	Aerial walkway
Adult	$28	$20	$12	$5
Senior citizen(over 60)	$28	$15	$8	$5
Child(3-12)	$15	$12	$8	$3

Gardens by the Bay are a huge, colorful, futuristic park in the bay area of Singapore. The famous Supertree structures offer an impressive skywalk over the gardens, over-sized seashell-shaped greenhouses recreate chilly mountain climates and there are hundreds of trees and plants to discover, making this destination great fun for both kids and adults.

Gardens by the Bay are one of the top 10 Indoor Gardens of the World, arguably the nation’s most beautiful masterpiece. Moreover, it was recently awarded the 2014 International Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement - Botanical Garden, by the Themed Entertainment Association.

Featuring the best of horticultural, sustainability and architectural design, Gardens by the Bay is filled with wonders from every continent except Antarctica. Explore diverse plant life from around the world displayed in its spectacular Cooled Conservatories or marvel at the Super trees - towering vertical gardens that extend into the sky. Be inspired by nature and let your wonder bloom and experiences flourish.

This award-winning horticultural attraction houses over 500,000 plants. The two cooled conservatories - Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, feature rare and unique plants from around the world.

Free Outdoor Gardens

The free outdoor gardens showcase the Heritage Gardens - with Indian, Chinese, Malay and Colonial themes. Don’t forget about the World of Plants, featuring the Secret Life of Trees, World of Palms, the Understory, Fruit & Flowers, Web of Life and Discovery Gardens.

OCBC Skyway and Super trees

Suspended 22 meters above ground, between the vertical gardens of our Supertrees, the OCBC Skyway comes alive nightly with the Garden Rhapsody - a free light and sound show - at 7.45 PM and 8:45 PM.

Cloud Forest

Explore the highlands amidst orchids, pitcher plants and ferns from the cool-moist Tropical Montane region. Be amazed as you come face to face with the World’s tallest indoor waterfalls at 35 metres and descend through the surreal mist-filled Cloud Walk and explore the rest of the 7 discovery zones for an interactive educational adventure.

Flower Dome

The Flower Dome replicates the cool and dry Mediterranean climate featuring 9 different gardens such as Baobabs and Bottle Trees, Succulent Garden, Australian Garden, South African Garden, South American Garden, California Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Olive Grove and the Changing Flower Field Display from 5 continents namely Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Bay South

The Bay South Garden is the largest, sprawling across 54 hectares, and will serve as the heart of the Garden City. The key feature of the Bay South Garden is the Conservatory Complex, which will showcase annual plants and flowering species from Mediterranean, Tropical Montane, and temperate climates in two separate cool buildings.

Super tree Grove

There is no doubting the dominance of the steel-framed ‘tree’ plantation, towering over Gardens by the Bay with 12 of the large metal structures in the central grove and half a dozen others placed in other parts of the garden. Over 200 difference species of plants and flowers cover the exterior of these tall upright gardens and twice a night they are a centerpiece of the gardens’ light and music show (at 19:45 and 20:45), casting a glow over the park, and making you feel like you are in a modern fairytale.

For those who like a view, take the trip 25 meters up to the remarkable walkway that connects three of the trees together. For that extra special dining experience, the 50 meter tree at the center offers food and a view at Super tree by Indochine, with a 360 degree view from the lounge and a tree-top roofless bar.

The Greenhouses

If you need to cool down, head into Cloud Forest, the smaller shell-shaped building, with a 35 meter high mountain covered in plants that thrive in tropical highlands. Don’t worry if climbing feels too much, there is a lift that takes you up into the mist and gives you a great view looking down over the walls of plants and orchids. The Flower Dome is also cooler than outside, recreating the drier climes of places like California and the Mediterranean. In this gigantic conservatory you will find yourself on a journey around the world, with Baobabs from Africa, Olive trees from Spain, Kangaroo Paw from Australia.

A visit to both greenhouses will cost 28 SGD for adults and 15 SGD for children. Inside the Flower Dome you will also find Pollen, a Mediterranean restaurant that creates dishes using herbs and vegetables grown in-house.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take an MRT train on the North-South MRT line and get off at Bayfront MRT station. Then take 15 minutes’ walk to reach the gardens via an overhead bridge which is connected from the Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Level 4 to the Gardens by the Bay.

13. Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style hotel in Singapore. It was established by two Armenian brothers from Persia Martin and Tigran Sarkies in 1887; the Raffles Hotel has served as a Singapore 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 hotel is managed by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International and houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum, and Victorian-style theatre.

The Raffles Hotel is located in Singapore's Colonial District, also home to several other historic sites. Among them is the Raffles Landing Site, where Sir Stamford Raffles 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 there. And so the seeds of Singapore's multi-ethnic identity were sown.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take an MRT train on the North-South MRT line and get off at Orchard MRT Station (NS22/TE14), is located along Orchard Road, Singapore. Its platform livery is maroon, but it is mostly clad with black marble. Raffles Singapore is within walking distance to Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre – Suntec - and Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

14. Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay & Esplanade Mall
Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 AM-02:00 AM

Admission: Theater Ticket Prices varies on available selected shows. Tickets can be bought online at Esplanade.com

Singapore’s Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay and Esplanade Mall comprise a multi-purpose arts center incorporating a Concert Hall, Theatre and outdoor performance area, bringing a fantastic array of shows to the bay area of the city as well as some great shopping and dining experiences. Opened in 2002, it is the perfect place to enjoy an evening of culture, whether watching local bands on stage or enjoying traditional dancing from Malaysia and Thailand, with plenty of the performances being shown free of charge. The scale is vast, room for about 1,600 people over four levels, with an imposing organ built in the hall. As well as the regular classic concerts, popular pop and rock bands also perform here.

Locals renamed the building ‘The Durian’ after that famous smelly fruit because of the pointed metallic shades that cover each triangular glass pane, and some even say it resembles the eyes of a fly. Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay has been blessed with a very romantic location, right next to the water’s edge, with a sweeping view to the Singapore Flyer and towards Marina Bay Sands and a tree-lined promenade. All outdoor performances are free to the public and don’t need to be booked, making Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay a great place for an evening stroll with a lot more to it. The covered stage resembles a trio of white sails, and there is enough seating for over 450 people.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take the MRT train and get off at City Hall or Esplanade Circle Line station; from there it is a ten-minute walk. The building stands out, making up a pair of two large aluminum and glass domes on the riverfront.

By Taxi
The taxi stand is located at the entrance to Esplanade Mall along Raffles Avenue.

By Bus Stop No. 02061 (The Esplanade)
Buses stop outside Esplanade Mall entrance along Raffles Avenue. Bus service numbers 36, 56, 70M, 75, 77, 97, 97e, 106, 111, 133, 162M, 171, 195, 531, 700A, 857, 960, 961, 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, NR1, NR2, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8

Bus Stop No. 02111 (Esplanade Bridge)
Buses stop along Esplanade Drive. Bus service numbers 10, 57, 70, 128, 162, 196, 531, 652, 656, 660, 700, 850E, 868, 951E, 971E

15. The Merlion Statue
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Admission: Adult Ticket: S$12, Child Ticket (3 to 12 years old)/Senoir Citizen: S$9

Merlion Park, a landmark of Singapore, is a major tourist attraction at One Fullerton, Singapore, near the Central Business District (CBD). Two structures of the Merlion are located at the park. The original Merlion structure measures 8.6 meters tall, while the Merlion cub located near the original statue measures 2 meters tall.

How to get there:

By MRT Train
Take the MRT train and get off at Raffles Place MRT station on East West Line. Exit towards United Overseas Bank Plaza and from the middle of the plaza; you'll see the Fullerton Hotel. Then take a few minutes’ walk going to Merlion Park just right behind it.

Happy Travels!

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