The popular question in regards to Singapore is if Singapore is a city or a country. The Republic of Singapore is an island city state found in southeast Asia. The capital of Singapore is Singapore and the Singapore dollar is the currency. Singapore Changi Airport is the main airport in the city so accessing the city is very easy. It is not a surprise it receives countless tourists yearly as there are numerous things to do in Singapore. While touring the beautiful city you can either go on guided tours or hire a car and just drive yourself around. The city is filled with hotels that have splendid views of the city’s landmarks that you can stay in. To make it easier to choose where to go, I’ve listed the 10 must see places.
1) Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a nature park with 3 waterfront gardens: Bay Central Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay South Garden. It is found in the vicinity of the Marina reservoir. It is designed to resemble an orchid which is the country’s national flower. At the Bay East Garden you get unobstructed views of the Singapore skyline. The cloud forest gives you a unique view of rare plant species and mountains. While taking a stroll you’ll also get the chance to see the Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes. OCBC Skyway, 22 meteres above the ground, gives tourists a closer look of the supertrees. Also don’t forget to soak yourself in the beauty of the supertree grove and the flower dome. Remember to get your ticket early to avoid long lines.
2) Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is found along the Singapore river and near the central business district. At the quay you get scenic views of Singapore River and because of it’s location you, also get an insight into the city’s nightlife activities. You can go on an enjoyable Singapore River Cruise on a bumboat while at Clarke Quay. If you’re looking to have a more relaxed trip you can head to Boat Quay as the place is rich in restaurants and pubs for a calm yet enjoyable time. If you are more of an adrenaline junkie then make your way to the G-Max Reverse Bungy, an extreme swing. As you walk it’s impossible to miss the eye catching rainbow painted Old Hill Street Police Station. Art and history enthusiasts can make a stop at the Asian Civilisations Museum where you can see ritual items, sculptures and paintings. Accessing the Clarke Quay is free but individual activities require tickets.
3) Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Located in Chinatown, it was constructed to house the tooth relic of Buddha. The tooth is 7.5 cm long in a giant stupa and visitors can see it on the 4th floor. A vegetarian dining hall and a theatre are found in the basement of the temple. Built in 2007, the design of the building is inspired by the Buddhist Mandala, a symbol representing the universe. The temple has a beautifully designed interior and plenty of Buddhist art that are rich in history. On the 3rd floor, is the Buddhist Culture Museum that displays a variety of artifacts like bone and tongue relics. The 4th floor contains the Sacred Light Hall with the Temple’s centrepiece.
4) Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
If you enjoy performances from local musicians, themed festivals and exhibitions gather here. There are programmes that happen daily at the Concourse absolutely free, weekly programmes happen at the Outdoor Theatre and monthly at the Concert Hall. Apart from all the nice sounds and sights the place has to offer, there are also many restaurants to dine in. You can also go for a soothing spa at the Esplanade Mall or make your way to the rooftop for a spectacular view of the city.
5) Singapore Flyer
Embrace the elegance of this unique city state from one of the biggest observation wheels in Asia. The Marina Bay is where we find this huge wheel that stands 165 metres above the ground. Singapore Flyer has 28 capsules each with air conditioning to make the 30 minutes you spend on it worth while. You can choose to go for a ride during the day or at night but I recommend going while the sun is setting. Empress Place, Merlion Park, Singapore River, Raffles Park and Padang are some of the landmarks whose view you’ll be treated to. Get your tickets early to avoid long lines.
6) Sultan Mosque
Sultan Mosque or Masjid Mosque located in Kampong Gelam is the core of the Muslim Community in the state. The stunning religious building has big golden domes with glass bottle ends at the base and a large prayer hall. In 1824, the mosque was built for Sultan Hussein Shah who is the first Sultan of the state. The huge prayer hall can hold up to 5,000 worshipers. Its size and beauty is why Sultan Mosque is regarded by many as one of the most gorgeous religious buildings.
7) Mount Faber Park
There are plenty of things to do at Mount Faber Park that are good for kids also, so don’t be scared to bring them along. As you’re walking you’ll notice the Baby Merlion standing 3 metres tall on Faber Point. Make your way to the top of Mount Faber to see the famous Bell of Happiness. There’s a belief that if you ring the bell you will be blessed with happiness and peace so be sure to ring it with your loved ones. Not so far from the Bell of Happiness, there are fences with multiple locks. Purchase a lock then write your wishes and lock them in at Wishing Bells. Don’t forget to take a walk along Henderson waves and catch the sunset. The cable car experience is to die for and a must do. Get your early tickets and avoid long lines.
8) ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum’s unique architecture is lotus inspired. The stunning landmark has 21 galleries where exhibitions embody science, culture, art and technology. There are 4 exhibitions in the museum currently Future World: Where Art Meets Science, Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes, Wind Walkers: Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests and Into the Wild: An Immersive Virtual Adventure. Future World Exhibition is where your senses of touch, sound and sight come to life. Here you will go on a journey through 5 environments: Sanctuary, Space, Park, Nature and Town. I can not praise the experience enough so just purchase a ticket to see for yourself.
9) Helix Bridge
Helix Bridge is just a 3 minute walk from ArtScience Museum. The famous DNA strand inspired structure opened in 2010, and is the largest pedestrian only bridge in Singapore. Running from one side of Singapore River to the other, the Bridge is 280 metres long. At night the bridge lights up beautifully with LED lights. From Helix Bridge you are treated to marvelous views of the city due to the unique cantilevered viewing pods that were integrated during construction.
10) Fountain of Wealth
Fountain of Wealth once held the record of being the largest fountain in the world before being overtaken by the Palm Fountain in Dubai. The astonishing fountain reaches a height of 13.8 metres and covers 1683 square metres. Good luck is attributed to it and it’s said if you circle it 3 times while touching the water you will acquire blessings and good luck. In Chinese Culture, flowing water is a symbol of prosperity hence the name Fountain of Wealth.
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