Best Travel Tips & Excursions of Singapore
About Singapore
Singapore is a sunny, tropical island in Southeast Asia, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Singapore is a city, a nation and a state. It is about 275 square miles, smaller than the State of Rhode Island, and inhabited by five million people from four major communities; Chinese (majority), Malay, Indian and Eurasian. Since its independence in 9 August 1965, the country has adopted a parliamentary democracy system. Currently, the government and the cabinet are led by Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong while President Halimah Yacob is the Head of State.
Singapore is known as a City in a Garden and nearly 50 percent of the island is green space. It is a thriving metropolis offering a world-class infrastructure, a fully integrated island-wide transport network, dynamic business environment, vibrant living spaces and a rich culture largely influenced by the four major communities in Singapore with each offering different perspective of life in Singapore in terms of culture, religion, food, language and history.
One of the reasons that Singapore proves to be such an attraction as a home is the ease of living, particularly in terms of residence, transportation and governance system. Over the years, Singapore has made significant strides in many areas and has attracted an encouraging number of international accolades which recognize the city as vibrant and world-class.
So whether it's the arts and cultural exchanges, the creation of cutting-edge innovation to enrich the lives of the communities at home or abroad, or the coming together of world-class minds to spark new business opportunities locally and internationally, Singapore is simply, the place where worlds meet.
Capital – Singapore
How to Travel within in Singapore?
By Bus
Public buses are cheap, easy to take and cover virtually every corner of Singapore. They operate from 6am to midnight every day and fares are often the cheapest mode of transport. There are also several bus routes especially useful to sightseers. Singapore has 2 main bus companies plying its roads – the Trans-Island Bus Services and the Singapore Bus Service.
Most fares depend on distance travelled and range from SG$.80 for a non-air-conditioned bus, and SG$ 1.50 for air-conditioned routes. There are also buses charging a flat rate to the destinations displayed on the front of the bus. For a comprehensive guide on bus time-tables, routes and fares it's a good idea to buy a copy of the TransitLink Guide, which is sold for SG$ 1.50 at most bookstores. Like travel on the MRT, you can buy tickets for each individual journey or get a stored value card, allowing you to make multiple trips.
By Train
By Train. Singapore is connected to Malaysia, Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur by rail, with a route to Bangkok. There are three trains per day, including a sleeper. Trains depart from and arrive at the Tanjong Pagar MRT station Singapore.
When Singapore split from Malaysia in 1965 the latter's national railway, KTMB, retained control of the corridor of land on which the tracks ran over the Causeway from Johor Bahru to the Singapore terminus at Tanjong Pagar. In 2010, the neighbouring countries agreed a land swap deal that saw the Singapore terminus shift to Woodlands in the north of the island.
Singapore's old Tanjong Pagar Station, protected as a national monument, is an elegant 1932 building sporting a striking design by Serbian architect D S Petrovitch with both art deco and neoclassical flourishes. The site is currently being redeveloped as Cantonment MRT station on the new Circle Line, set to open in 2025. Over the construction site barriers you can glimpse the heroic relief sculptures on the station facade representing agriculture, industry, commerce and transport
Public Transport
Public transportation in Singapore is efficient and clean, which makes getting around the city-state a breeze. Singapore's transportation network offers access to every corner of the island, either by bus, MRT underground or taxi.
A useful tip for travellers is to avoid rush hour traffic between 8-9am and 5-7pm. Any time outside these hours still remains a pleasure to roam about in Singapore. Transitlink Guides are available at MRT stations, bus interchanges, and major bookstores. These handy guides outline every MRT and bus route in detail, so you won't get lost with one of these in hand at only SG$ 1.40.
Singapore Gastronomy & Restaurants
Singaporean cuisine is as ethnically diverse as its people, blending Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and western influences. A visit to one of the hawker centres or shopping mall food courts will be as eye-opening as gastronomically gratifying.
This list covers what we believe are the finest examples of Singaporean food available across the city-state, from humble street food carts to swanky rooftop restaurants and everything in between.
Singaporeans are obsessed with food. We can expound ceaselessly on where to find the best bak chor mee (minced meat noodles) and will queue for hours for a good yong tau foo (surimi-stuffed tofu and vegetables). Perhaps because most of us are descendants of immigrants thrust into an artificial construct of a nation, or maybe because we live in a country that is constantly renewing and rebuilding, one of the few tangible things that connects us to the past and our cultural identity is food.
There are many facets of Singaporean cuisine: Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian (a fusion of European and Asian dishes and ingredients) Peranakan (combining Chinese and Malay food traditions), and catch-all Western, which usually means old-school Hainanese-style British food—a local version of Western food adapted by chefs from the southern Chinese province of Hainan, who worked in British restaurants or households.
Singapore Whether and Climate
Singapore residents do not have the traditional four seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall; they experience hot and humid conditions year-round. There are two specific monsoon seasons -- the northeast monsoon season, from December to the beginning of March, when northeasterly winds prevail, and the southwest monsoon season from June through September, when southeasterly or southwesterly winds blow.
Temperatures in Singapore are quite uniform, since they only vary by a few degrees between the coolest and the warmest months. The minimum temperature ranges from 23 °C (73 °F) in December and January to 25 °C (77 °F) in May and June, while the maximum ranges from 30 °C (86 °F) in December and January to 32 °C (90 °F) in April and May.
Travel Adaptors and Plugs
All power sockets in Singapore provide a standard voltage of 230V with a standard frequency of 50Hz.
You can use all your equipment in Singapore if the outlet voltage in your own country is between 220V-240V. This is the case in most of Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom and most countries in Africa and Asia.
Currency of Singapore
Singapore dollar is the official currency used in Singapore. The Singapore dollar is denoted as $. 100 cents make 1 Singapore dollar. The dollar notes are in the denominations of 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000 and 10,000 and the coins in use are in the denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, and $1.
The Singapore dollar (symbol: S$; code: SGD; also abbreviated SG$; referred to as the dollar, SG dollar, or Singaporean dollar) is the official currency of Singapore. It is divided into 100 cents. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or S$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies.
Location and Geography
Singapore has an area of 692.7 sq kilometers, considerably 3.5 times larger than the actual size of Washington, DC. The island is situated at the narrow point of Strait of Malacca off southern tip of Malay Peninsula in between South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. This equatorial island is geographically located 96 km north of the equator between latitude 1° 09’ North and 1°29’ North and longitudes 103° 36’ East and 104° 25’ East.
Singapore lies between Malaysia and Indonesia. Singapore is linked to Malaysia by two man-made causeway bridges, the Causeway in the north that links Singapore’s Tebrau Straits and Malaysia’s state of Johor and the Tuas Second Link also known as Linked Express in Malaysia, a bridge that connects the western part of Singapore to Johor. Indonesia’s key island of Riau is just a quick ferry trip. Singapore is comprises of one main island and 63 offshore islets. The main island has a total area of 617.1 sq kilometers. The larger off shore islands are Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin and Sentosa.
The island mostly lies within 15 meters above sea level. The center of the island is comprises of rounded hill, gentle spurs and valleys which are made up of igneous rocks and granite that ascends the peaks of Bukit Batong with 106 meters, Bukit Panjang with 132 meters, Bukit Gombak with 139 meters and the highest point of Singapore Bukit Timah at 166 meters. The valley of sedimentary rocks dominates the northwest part of the island, while on the west and southwest region the sedimentary rocks mount a series of narrow ridges that includes Mount Faber, Pasir Laba, and Pasir Panjang. To the eastern region of the island are sandy and flat lands where the streams have cut steep gullies.
Time Zone in Singapore
Time zone in Singapore (GMT+8)
Singapore Standard Time (SST), also known as Singapore Time (SGT), is used in Singapore and is 8 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+08:00). Singapore does not currently observe daylight saving time.
Currently observing SGT – Singapore Time. Currently has same time zone offset as SGT (UTC +8) but different time zone name. Singapore Time (SGT) is 8 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Population of Singapore
Singapore is an island and city-state located off the southern tip of Malaysia that consists of one main island and 62 islands and islets. Since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1963, Singapore has established itself as a global financial center and technology hub with a diverse and multicultural population of 5.6 millions residents. Official citizens account for approximately 60% of Singapore's population; the remaining 40% are permanent residents or foreign students and workers.
Singapore 2020 population is estimated at 5,850,342 people at mid year according to UN data. Singapore population is equivalent to 0.08% of the total world population. Singapore ranks number 114 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population.
Singapore Languages
The official languages of Singapore are English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. The national language is Malay, and the national anthem, ¨Majula Singapura¨, is sung in this language. This mix of linguistic cultures means communication is a cosmopilitan affair.
Most Singaporeans speak a localized dialect of English called Singlish or Singaporean English, which can be difficult for foreigners to understand at first. Singlish is based on standard English with influences and loan words from Chinese, Malay and Indian languages. Singapore is a multilingual society, which is why Singlish developed over time. Singlish phrases are most common in the informal aspects of the English language, such as casual conversation. In school, every student learns English and a second language of their choice. Mandarin is the second most popular language, with over 70% of the population speaking it as a first or second language.
Shopping where and what?
Shopping in Singapore is second only to eating as a national pastime. From iconic malls in all shapes and sizes to the curated local boutiques and local shopping centres, the Lion City is known for its burgeoning shopping scene. While there are many shopping belts here, Orchard Road proudly stands as the queen of shopping malls with high-street brands, fashion houses and few discount outlets thrown into the mix. However, the most popular shopping in Singapore is done in the flea markets where you get souvenirs, fashion items and even salon services. Most of the street markets in Singapore are located in the center of the city with the popular ones being centred around Chinatown, Pasar Bella and Bugis Street Market.
Little India’s main strip, Serangoon Road is lined with jewellery shops, traditional Indian tailors, everything-must-go fashion outlets, fresh produce stalls, Chinese liquor stores, and long-running curry houses. The best time to go shopping in Little India is in the morning or evening, as it can get rather hot during midday (especially if you’re not carrying an umbrella).
Surrounded by local and international department stores, boutiques, and mega malls on both the ends, Orchard Road is the most famous spot for best shopping in Singapore. From budget apparel and electronics to high-end fashion labels and housewares, you can find everything under one roof. The alfresco spots along the road, and the buskers and performing artists on the sidewalks add on to the vibrancy of this place, making it a unique experience for you.
Most of the stores and markets open from 9 or 10 AM, and close by 10 PM. But on every Saturday, almost all the shops extend the Singapore shopping hours till 11 PM.
Phone and Emergencies in Singapore
Police – 999
Fire & Ambulance – 995
Non- Emergency Ambulance – 1777
Police Hotline - 1800 255 0000 (non-emergencies) +65 6255 0000
Traffic Police – 6547 0000
Popular Tours & Excursions
Marina Bay Sands
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.
Gardens by the Bay
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.
Botanic Gardens
A testament to Singapore’s reputation as a City in a Garden, the Botanic Gardens is the country’s first UNESCO Heritage Site, joining the ranks of iconic landmarks such as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and The Great Wall of China.
Established in 1859 by the Agri-Horticultural Society, 60 acres of land were transformed from a disused plantation into the popular recreational garden you see today.
As well as being a favourite recreation venue for jogging, dining or just lazing about, the sprawling grounds are also a leading centre for botanical and horticultural research.
Highlights include The National Orchid Garden, which boasts the world’s largest orchid display, with over 60,000 plants and orchid plants.
Meanwhile, the SBG Heritage Museum features interactive and multimedia exhibits and panels that detail the Gardens' rich heritage, while the CDL Green Gallery displays botanical-related exhibits.
Kids will have a blast at the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden where they can play and learn all about plant life. A host of restaurants and cafes are also available to satisfy thirsty and hungry visitors after a day out in the sun.
Singapore Zoo
Located on the north-western side of the island, the Singapore Zoo is a haven for wondrous wildlife and a must-visit for animal lovers.
This beloved establishment first opened its gates to the public in 1973, and has since become one of the best rainforest zoos in the world.
Besides being home to over 2,800 animals from 300 species—including crocodiles, Malayan tapirs and white tigers—the zoo has won a trove of international and local awards.
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.
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.
Orchard Road
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.
Orchard Road’s humble beginnings date back to the early 1830s, when it was an unnamed road home to fruit orchards, nutmeg plantations and pepper farms. In 1958, Orchard Road’s first department store TANGS was set up by local merchant C.K. Tang.
Orchard Road’s bustling boulevard is now a retail and dining paradise, with thousands of establishments offering the ultimate lifestyle experience to tourists and locals alike.
Singapore Flyer
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.
Raffles Hotel Singapore
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.
Although Raffles Hotel Singapore opened in 1887, its layout continued to evolve, with hotel wings, suites and other facilities added over the years.
Chinatown
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.
Sentosa Island
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.
The best attractions in Sentosa Island all share one thing in common: fun, and lots of it! This manmade island, accessible via a small bridge from the main Singapore island, is jam-packed full of entertaining things to do, many of which are geared towards families with young kids.
Sentosa Island is famous for the massive Resorts World, which in itself contains many fun things to see and do. Sentosa is also home to all of the best beaches in Singapore. All featured attractions are easy to get to, thanks to a free bus service that runs around the island as well as a free monorail service.
Clarke Quay
The best attractions in Clarke Quay offer visitors a great range of alternative things to see and do, which doesn’t purely revolve around nightlife. Surely, Clarke Quay is famous for its stunning waterside restaurants and exciting collection of bars and clubs, but the area has so much more to offer.
Most of the top-rated attractions around Clarke Quay are walking distance from MRT stations, and our carefully chosen selection includes a host of family-friendly activities and cultural visits that are perfect for the day time hours. This would leave you plenty of time to enjoy that thriving Clarke Quay nightlife when the sun goes down.
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.
Universal Studios Singapore
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.
Southeast Asia's first Hollywood movie theme park, Universal Studios Singapore, features an enticing selection of attractions, rides and entertainment for families and thrill seekers.
Indeed, 18 out of the 24 movie-themed rides were designed just for the Singapore park.
There are seven uniquely-designed zones, each themed after icons of the movie world. You will find the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame at the Hollywood zone. As you venture into New York, the landscape evolves into impressive city skylines, including a mock-up of a subway entrance. Here, you can step onto a movie set and experience the destructive force of a hurricane, with special effects produced by Steven Spielberg.
Night Safari 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.
As dusk falls, the shutters open at the Night Safari, welcoming you into a world of nocturnal creatures and their mysterious habitats.
Your eyes will take a while to adjust to the darkness here, but once they do, you’ll be greeted by close to 900 animals from over 100 species in this world’s first nocturnal wildlife park. 41% of these species are threatened, including many indigenous to the region, such as the endangered Asian elephant, Malayan tapir and Malayan tiger.
Merlion Park
Merlion Park, which is completely free to visit, includes several cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops, and onsite restrooms. You can get up close to the statue or walk along the purpose-built jetty that sticks out into the bay, which presents the best position for that all-important holiday snap. Bonus points if you can position yourself so it looks like the fountain of water from the Merlion is falling into your own mouth!
It’s said that the fish’s body of the Merlion represents Singapore’s humble beginnings as a small fishing village at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula. The Lion’s head is derived from the country’s original name, Singapura, which means Lion City in Malay.
Whilst nowadays most locals regard the Merlion to be more of a shrewd marketing tool rather than holding any deep mythical or historical significance, the statue remains an iconic symbol of the country and certainly is a must-see Singapore attraction. Come early enough in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds, and enjoy the particularly pleasant view across the bay.
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.
Asian Civilisations Museum
Asian Civilisations Museum has over a thousand artefacts spread throughout its 11 galleries on 3 levels. Being the only museum in the region dedicated to Asian civilisation, the museum offers an extensive selection of relics on Southeast Asian, South Asian, Chinese, and West Asian cultures – most of which date back to more than 5,000 years ago.
The vast Southeast Asian exhibits are spread over 3 galleries, categorized into different themes such as pre-history, tribal history, vernacular Buddhism, the Malay world, and Javanese history. The West Asian artefacts that largely reflect Islamic culture can be seen in galleries 5 and 5a. A tour to gallery 6 with exciting displays like Dragon Robe, imperial porcelains, white Dehua porcelains, and 7th-century Buddhist statues lets you peep into ancient Chinese civilisations.
You can indulge in 5000 years of history and traditions at this attraction where exquisite artefacts dazzle your eyes. From the glittering Sumatran and Javanese ceremonial jeweler to Thai tribal textiles, Chinese silk tapestries to astronomical objects from 14th-century Iran and 16th-century Egypt; the displays are magnificent. Among the macabre objects is a Tibetan ritual bone apron made of human and animal bones. There are also multimedia and interactive zones for both children and adults here providing in-depth knowledge of the things showcased at the museum.
The museum’s 7th and 8th galleries are occupied by a huge ensemble of South Asian objects collected from early civilizations, such as terracotta figurines, coins, wall-hanging panels, Indian bronzes, Buddhist stupas, and stone sculptures of Hindu gods. Above all, a must-see is the Singapore River Gallery that displays items excavated from the mouth of Singapore River.
Pulau Ubin (Granite Island)
Nature and history intertwine on Pulau Ubin, located off Singapore’s north-eastern coast. Just a 15-minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, this tranquil island sanctuary is a popular haunt of nature lovers and day trippers unwinding from the bustle of the city.
Originally known as Pulau Batu Jubin (Granite Stone Island in Malay), this 1020-hectare island’s granite quarries once provided the stone used to construct structures like the Istana and the Singapore-Johore Causeway.
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.
Fort Canning Park
The Fort Canning Park, situated atop a hill in the Civic and Cultural District of Singapore, is a popular recreational, educational and historical spot. This place was once the headquarters of the British Army Barracks and Far-East Command Centre. Some iconic historical decisions have been made on the Fort Canning Hill, including the one to surrender Singapore to the Japanese in 1942.
The reason for its popularity during ancient and medieval periods was its elevation. It is within walking distance of Downtown Core, the main commercial center of Singapore. The Fort Canning Park is known for its lush green lawns that sprawl over an area of 18 hectares. There are trails amidst the sweeping greenery which lead to various points of entertainment throughout the park. A total of nine historical gardens make up this place. They are:
Fort Canning Park, an iconic hilltop landmark has witnessed many of Singapore’s historical milestones. The hill once sited the palaces of 14th century Kings and served as the Headquarters of the Far East Command Centre and British Army Barracks. The decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942 was also made on the hill, in the Underground Far East Command Centre, commonly known as Battle Box.
Today, Fort Canning Park features nine historical gardens - the Pancur Larangan, Artisan’s Garden, Sang Nila Utama Garden, Jubilee Park (Phase 1), Raffles Garden, First Botanic Garden, Farquhar Garden, Spice Garden and Armenian Street Park.
Accompanying these gardens are wayfinding and trail guides which will allow visitors to plan their own trail and explore the hill at their own pace. Visitors can also download the augmented reality trail, BALIKSG: The Fort Canning Trail. The app will bring park visitors on an interactive journey through Fort Canning Park, revisiting the hill back when it was known as Bukit Larangan or Government Hill. The total length of the trail is about 2.5km, with eight checkpoints placed throughout the park including the various gardens. Visitors can look out for the AR marker in the park and start the app at any point.
The Maritime Experiential Museum
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.
The museum’s mission is to be a platform for artist to showcase their art to a global audience. Both local and international aspiring artist, in and beyond Indonesia will have a chance to be curated for their outstanding works in contemporary art realm.
Education through art, cultural exchange and professional development for flourishing art-professionals are some of their tailored support for Indonesia’s growing art community.
Fort Siloso
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.
Fort Siloso is Singapore's only preserved coastal fort converted into a military museum containing World War II memorabilia like guns, remains of fortified military structures and tunnels. The main attraction of Fort Siloso is the Skywalk. Eleven storeys high, it provides visitors with a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
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