Singapore has come a long way since its early days as a tropical backwater, vice den and then diverse colonial trading post, and has transformed itself into a high tech metropolis and financial powerhouse. Often unfairly dubbed as clean, sterile and boring, Singapore may not have the frenetic party fuelled energy of Thailand or the relaxed natural beauty of Malaysia, but is one of the cleanest, efficient and pleasant cities in South East Asia.
Grand colonial buildings provide an elegant and aesthetically pleasing backdrop amongst the gleaming glass and chrome high rises and award winning gardens and beautiful city parks, stylish bars and clubs attract world class DJ’s and audiences and superlative gourmet food is the national obsession, rightly making Singapore one of the world’s top epicurean destinations. This small city is a working model that every city – and country – in the world should aspire too.
Singapore is one of my favourite cities in the world. It truly is amazing. No amount of superlatives could describe how at home I am here.
It is a truly stunning destination yet for such an important regional hub it is a country that is also extremely underrated by travellers. Many people simply use it as a short layover stop on their way to another destination, but it deserves so much more than that and there is enough to see and do here to keep you interested for at least a week. It is the ideal fusion of West and East, making it an ideal decompression stop for those about to immerse themselves in the alien culture of Asia. It boasts some of the best Westernised attractions in the world, from the famous zoo and night and river safaris to Universal Studios and Sentosa island, shopping on Orchard road that matches anything found in Fifth avenue in New York, Bond street in London or the Champs Elysees in Paris.
The country is a symbol of colonial opulence and modern luxury, and all this whilst still retaining much of the imported cultural heritage of generations of people from all over thw world in Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam. Singapore also boasts a second to none infrastructure, one of the most efficient public transport networks and lowest crime rates in the world, what isn’t there to love about Singapore?
Culture And Etiquette.
Singapore is a generally conservative but extremely polite society. Respectable Western dress and cultural conventions are the norm and casual to smart casual is more than fine. Normal accepted rules on removing shoes and covering shoulders is still expected in religious buildings and places of worship.
It is worth remembering that Singapore has a reputation for severe penalties for breaking the law and it is not undeserved. It is known locally as the ‘fine city’ for the severe fines handed out for even the most minor of infractions, so suffice it to say, just don’t break the law.
What You Need To Know.
Visas.
No prior Visas are required for citizens of many countries including the UK, much of Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. A 30 day pass is issued on arrival for these and many other nations and can be extended online or at any embassy. Citizens of India, Myanmar and certain other countries must obtain a visa before arriving. Check with the Singapore embassy online for a full list.
Health.
There are no specific vaccinations needed for visits to Singapore according to the Centre of Disease Control and WHO, but it is still recommended that you are up to date with your routine vaccinations. Malaria is not present in Singapore but it is still wise to take precautions against mosquito bites as Dengue fever is still an issue as it is across most of Asia.
Singapore’s health facilities are world class, and medical tourism rates are extremely high here. Pharmacies and clinics are plentiful, easily accessed and are well stocked with anything you may need. English is spoken widely and you will not have any problems if you need medical advice or attention.
Note that it is important to protect yourself against the sun and dehydration in Singapore, even more so than the rest of south east Asia, as the sun is extremely strong on the equator, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen if you spend anytime outdoors.
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Crime And Safety.
Singapore is perhaps one of the safest countries in the world, with a crime rate far lower than any Western country. Penalties are severe for lawbreakers so most people don’t break the law, it really is that simple! With no specific risk factors beyond what you will find anywhere else in the world you really have nothing to worry about beyond basic common sense precautions in Singapore.
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Costs And Money.
The Singapore dollar is the unit of currency and there are 100 cents in 1 dollar. Singapore is extremely expensive by Asian standards, closer to Western prices than anything else but still a great bargain compared to London or New York.
Accommodation will probably be your greatest expense in Singapore, with even a basic hostel running at around £10 – £20GBP. You can get a very basic budget hotel for around £40 GP per night but this means basic, if you want to stay in this level of hotel you will be better off staying off in a high quality hostel for half the price. Most good boutique hotels start at around £70 GBP a night upwards, and the sky really is the limit for some of the more luxurious hotels. The one thing that you will notice about the accommodation in Singapore is that you generally get a lot for your money. Yes it is expensive, but a comparable quality room in the UK or Australia for example will cost you a lot more.
Food costs can be expensive if you stick to the restaurants, especially those attached to hotels, but there are plenty of extremely cheap food courts around in any of the malls. Maxwell road food court and Smith street are two of the most popular, and you can easily get an amazing meal for just a few pounds.
Transportation is extremely cheap in Singapore because the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) public transport system is so efficient there is generally no need to use anything else. Single use tickets are about £1 or £2, but it is cheaper to buy an EZ link pass if you are here for a few days or more. The tourist passes are rarely value for money. Taxis are a lot more expensive but still good value by Western standards and can be handy for getting too and from the airport if you don’t fancy carrying your pack on the MRT.
Activities are generally not cheap in Singapore but they are amazing value for money. The zoo, Sentosa island, Universal studios and other attractions all cost a fair amount of money, but at around half the price of their counterparts in the Western world they are really good value. There are plenty of things to do for free in Singapore too if you want to keep the costs down, including the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the Bukit Timah nature reserve and the botanical gardens.
When To Go.
Singapore’s climate is generally stable, hot and humid all year round thanks to the proximity to the equator. The monsoon seasons run from May to September and then from November to March, but it can rain at any time and the rains don’t often last long. Generally it is just sunny, hot and humid. The air conditioned malls, public transport and underground station links mean that it is easy to escape the heat anytime.
Places To See.
Chinatown.
Singapore’s Chinatown has been refurbished to within an inch of its life, but that doesn’t in any way mean that the character and culture has been lost. Chinatown is Singapore’s beating cultural heart, with the slightly gloomy but interesting Perankan or Asian Civilisations museums, the Chinatown Heritage Centre or even the strangely placed and kooky Tin Tin museum, there is plenty here to keep you entertained, and that’s even before you get to the market stalls. Scratch beneath the touristy surface for charming old shophouses, generations old businesses specialising in Chinese medicine and wellness, frenetic shrines and temples and some of the best food courts you will find in Singapore. Chinatown is a great place to pick up a bargain and grab a great spot of lunch at the same time.
Little India.
Singapore’s cultural quarters are one of the best things about Singapore and Little India doesn’t disappoint with a sense assaulting taste of India. Colourful rows of shop front windows, brightly coloured shrines and temples, teeming markets filled with the smells of spices and the blaring sounds of the latest Bollywood music.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
More of a gentle, pedestrianised hike than an intrepid trek, this vast swathe of primary rainforest in the middle of Singapore gives a glimpse into what the amazing country used to be like. The nature reserve is a huge eco tourist attraction and is great for wildlife spotting, with macaques being one of the most oft spotted animals.
Chinese And Japanese Gardens.
This spacious and serene space is a pleasant place for a stroll or a picnic away from the city and a nice way to spend a few hours. The seven storey pagoda provides excellent views around the gardens and the pavilions. The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum is also on the grounds and makes for an interesting diversion, although unfortunately it is due to move as the lakes are developed in mid 2014.
MacRitchie Reservoir.
MacRitchie Reservoir is Singapore’s oldest reservoir and one of the most picturesque places in the country. The reservoir is a great place for a few mild to moderate level hikes on the 12 km circular jungle trail, set around the reservoir itself in the middle of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.
Labrador Nature Reserve.
Another one of Singapore’s many natural beauty spots, the short and pedestrianised jungle hikes are broken up with historical looks at old British WWII sites, famous restaurants and luxury spa resorts.
Singapore Botanical Gardens.
Open from 0500 through to 0000 hours, the botanical gardens are superlative showcase gardens in a city filled with beautiful countryside escapes. Filled from the early hours with joggers, picnickers and Tai Chi practitioners, you still won’t have to walk far to find a haven all to yourself. The massive collection of orchids is a highlight.
Pulau Ubin.
Pulau Ubin is a small island just off Singapore’s shore and is a lush, protected wetland paradise and one of Singapore’s last surviving Kampongs. There are pedestrianised roads and walkways that allow you to see the wetlands and its abundant wildlife in all its unspoilt glory.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
Sungei Buloh is a huge protected wetland reserve in Singapore’s north western coastline. It is home to vast mangrove swamps and lakes, and a huge diversity of wildlife and birds, and is recognised as a crucial reserve for migratory birds. There are three specific nature trails to enjoy as wll as observation hides where you can rent binoculars for a small fee.
Gardens By The Bay.
The spectacular Gardens by the Bay is increasingly an iconic attraction in Singapore. These huge superstructures are located near the Marina Bay Sands area and are a perfect escape from the city. There are minimal entrance fees to the two domes – the cloud forest and the flower dome – but you are under no obligation to enter them. The best part is simply walking around the grounds and the themed gardens, which you can do for absolutely free, not to mention enjoying the views of the grand super trees themselves! There is even a new children’s garden with a playground and adventure trail for those travelling with young ones. If all this isn’t enough for you, then as a bonus you even get a light show every evening at the supertree garden for absolutely free! There are two shows, one at 19.45 and another at 20.45, with plenty of strategic spots around the garden for you to enjoy them!
East Coast Park And Beach.
East Coast Park is Singapores own 15 km stretch of gentrified coastline and golden sandy beach where locals flock to eat, relax, play and exercise. This is Singapores favourite place to come and jog, cycle and rollerblade with dedicated paths and skateparks, as well as an outdoor gym or two. The beach has a gentrified seaside area full of restaurants and cafes, and there are plenty of family friendly areas for picnics too. The East Coast Food Lagoon is an amazing food court here that does perfect seafood and saty chicken!
Asian Civilisation Museum.
The Asian Civilisation museum is Singapore’s largest, most impressive and one of its oldest museums with seven galleries across three floors that showcase art and artefcts from the region, chronicling the stories of civilisations from China, south east Asia, south Asia and west Asia.
Sentosa Island.
Sentosa Island is Singapore’s resort playground. Located off the southern coast and connected to the mainland by road, cable car and pedestrianised walkway, Sentosa has it all for any traveller who just wants to spend a bit of time indulging in some pure relaxation, a beasch side getaway and unadulterated entertainment. From Adventure Cove Waterpark and Singapore’s Madame Tussauds to Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa has dozens of beach resorts, theme parks, entertainment and shows to keep everyone entertained.
Haji Lane.
Haji Lane is Singapore’s secret hipster hideout, filled with colourful shoiphouses, independent local cafes and bars, boutique shops, galleries and street art. Located in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood, it is just a short, easy walk from Bugis MRT. If you want to really experience Haji Lane come in an evening when all the street food and hipster bars come to life.
Singapore Zoo.
Quite simply one of the best zoo’s in the world. The world renowned Singapore zoo is set amongst a vast wildlife reserve and holds over 2,800 animals in amazing, spacious and healthy environments, including the worlds first free ranging Orang Utan exhibit. It really is an absolute pleasure walking around the amazing habitats, seeing the animals treated with respect and cared for properly, the way it should be! The grounds are huge as well, so although it gets a lot of visitors, it never feels crowded. It is well worth putting aside an entire day to visit here if you can, it is possible to see the zoo and the night safari in the same day, but it will be an exhausting experience. Bring water or stop regularly for refreshments as the sun can get to you, especially the young or old.
Night Safari.
On the same grounds as the Singapore zoo but separate from it are the excellent Night Safari Ride, which showcases a range of nocturnal animals in their natural habitats and has a tram ride that takes you around the entire park, or you can choose to walk and go at your own pace. To be honest it is worth doing both! If you walk around the grounds first you will get a great glimpse of some of these amazing animals at night, and then the tram ride will be much less busy later as most people rush to get on it as soon as it opens. The selection of restaurants at the entrance are a little pricey but absolutely delicious, and are perfect for having your evening meal there as you wait for the park to open. If you want to couple an evening visit here with one of the other parks, you are best doing so with the newly opened river safari which is much smaller than the zoo and can be seen in an afternoon, so it will not be as tiring.
River Safari.
Singapore’s newest addition to the Wildlife reserves family, the River Safari promises a wild ride through several water based environments around the world, from the Nile to the Amazon, and even holds two of the Zoo’s newest inhabitants, two Giant Pandas. To be honest this attraction is a little bit of a let down after the frankly world class Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, and they are a victim of their own marketing ploys a little. All the marketing shows a boat ride through river themed environments, yet in reality the boat journey is a very poor 10 minute theme park ride that can barely keep up with capacity, a very poor show and not worth bothering with. The main reason for coming here however is the main attraction, the Giant Pandas, and they really do make the trip worthwhile. Enjoy a slow walk around the walkways and themed enclosures, then couple a visit here with the Night Safari.
The Jewel, Changi Airport.
With so many world class and amazing attractions in one city it can be easy to dismiss the city’s airport in the rush to see them all, but Changi Airport is an award winning destination in and of itself! With a multitude of green spaces, gardens, a butterfly garden, art installations, restaurants, relaxation areas, gyms, spas, a swimming pool and much more to ease tired travellers bones after long flights, the four terminals converge on the grand, 10 storey Jewel Changi, a lifstyle hub and eco dome with a jungle oasis and the rain vortex, the worlds largest indoor waterfall, surpassing Singapores own Gardens By The Bay!
Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay.
Even if you don’t come here to see one of the world class theatre performances, you can come to enjoy the excellent shopping or dining experiences in the mall or simply see one of Singapore’s unique skyline additions in its architect designed ‘durian’ exterior on the already beautiful Marina Bay.
Merlion Park.
The Merlion is Singapore’s famous mascot, half fish, half lion, the huge statue gazes out to see amidst a pleasantly gentrified tourist area with great views over the bay of the Esplanade and the Marina bay. It is a pleasant place during the day with a few nice eateries dotted about and is within walking distance to other attractions such as the Singapore flyer, but is fun to visit later on too as the sun sets over the bay and Singapore’s skyline comes to life with a glittering array of lights.
Things To Do.
Shopping.
The world class shopping experience on Orchard Road is comparable to 5th Avenue in New York, Ginza in Japan, the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris or Bond Street in London, but still at a fraction of the price. The shops are as glitzy, the designer labels are as eye wateringly expensive and haute couture as the other famous shopping streets, but you can still pick up a huge bargain here if you are used to shopping in the West.
In recent years Singapore has had a growth of vast, world class shopping malls spread throughout the country that match anything found on Orchard road, from the Marina Bay mall with its canal that runs through the central area to Suntec City, you will never be short of a space to spend your cash in Singapore.
Eat At Every Hawker Stall And Food Court You Can Find.
If there is any city in the world that is famous for its street food, it is Singapore! This famously foodie city is filled with street stalls and food courts selling some of the tastiest traditional and fusion food in the world, including some of the worlds only Michelin starred street food, and there is nowhere better to eat your way through as many meals and snacks as you can.
Hawker stalls and food courts can be found all over the city and are easy to get to thanks to the cities impeccable public transport system. You really don’t have to walk far to find somewhere amazing to eat! Start the day alongside Singaporean workers with some Kaya toast, slices of toasted bread with butter and kaya, a coconut jam, with some strong coffee and a soft-boiled egg, and then round off the day with some Hainanese Chicken Rice or Char Kuay Teow from the famous Maxwell Road Food Court.
Let Your Inner Art Critic Out.
From world class galleries to cutting edge street art, Singapore is an art critics (or lovers) paradise. The National Gallery is housed in the former supreme court and city hall buildings and is an architectural wonder as much as an artistic one, and the ArtScience museum is an iconic lotus shaped museum in the Marina Bay Sands that showcase high tech artworks. There are even famous art galleries in some of the hotels, with one of the more ritzy held in the Ritz – Carlton, with pieces specially commissioned by world famous artists for the public galleries and spaces. Considering most of these galleries are free, you can’t complain.
Get Pampered, Get Healthy.
Singapore is famous for its health care and is one of the world’s top health tourism attractions, with plenty of people heading to the world class facilities for plastic surgery or medical treatments. Singapore’s seeming cultural obsession with health and wellbeing goes far beyond the clinical however. You can barely walk more than five minutes without coming across a massage centre, health spa or beauty parlour and it is always worth treating yourself.
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Getting Around Singapore – Public Transport.
Hidden Singapore: The Top 10 Off The Beaten Track Attractions.
How To Travel Overland From Singapore To Malaysia.
My Top 10 Favourite Foods And Dishes In Singapore.
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