So you’ve just landed in Singapore for a short weekend getaway.
Splendid choice. Singapore’s a melting pot of cultures so there’re plenty of options to choose from when it comes to food and places to try and visit.
We’ve come up with a list of must-visit places in Singapore regardless of the length of your visit in Asia’s Little Red Dot.
1. Changi Village
Hidden away in the eastern coast of Singapore, on the northern point of Changi, is Changi Village.
It is situated far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, past the industrial buildings and next to the airport runway. The main reason people even come to Changi Village is for the food, and Pokemon Go. Rare Pokemon spawn here apparently.
The place is hard to get to unless you’re driving and it might seem a bit too out of the way to travel to, but the place possesses a quiet charm.
And that’s not all, it’s also a favourite haunt of NSFs who are posted to Pulau Tekong. After all, the SAF Ferry Terminal is just 5 minutes away.
If you’re there, be sure to head to Changi Village Hawker Centre. Don’t miss the International Muslim Nasi Lemak, easily the most iconic dish of Changi Village.
Also, hit up 89.7 Supper Club. No it’s not a radio station, but a popular 24-hour halal supper spot. Heads up, they serve really good halal dim sum.
That’s not all, Changi Point Ferry Terminal is also the connecting point for a ferry to Pulau Ubin.
So if you’re looking for some greenery and wilderness, it’s just a boat ride away.
2. Gardens By The Bay
The Gardens By The Bay is one of Singapore’s most popular attractions, and for good reason too. Opened in 2012, the sprawling park is home to some of the world’s most unique plants and flowers.
The Flower Dome is a marvel. Designed to resemble a giant seashell, this cool conservatory houses exotic plants from over 5 different continents.
The Cloud Forest is another spectacle, featuring unique tropical plants as well as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 35 metres. The journey through the conservatory will take you through the mist-filled Cloud Walk and you can even marvel at the views from up top on the Treetop Walk.
That’s not all, step into the SuperTree Grove and stroll through the towering Supertrees. It’s almost as if you’re in the world of Pandora from James Cameron’s Avatar.
The Gardens By The Bay is easily one of the most prominent attraction in Singapore, opposite the iconic Singapore city skyline.
Don’t forget your camera.
Gardens By The Bay
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Opening Hours: Daily: 5am – 2am
Contact no.: 6420 6848
Website
3. Haw Par Villa
Haw Par Villa, formerly known as Tiger Balm Garden, is an Asian Cultural Park built in 1937.
It is Singapore’s largest outdoor art gallery and remains as a treasure trove of Asian culture, philosophy, history and religion.
The most iconic attraction in Haw Par Villa is the ‘Ten Courts of Hell‘.
The attraction used to be set inside a 60-metre long dragon sculpture but the dragon sculpture has been removed and replaced with grey stone walls.
Haw Par Villa is full of depictions and references to Taoism. Also, there is an urban legend about the sculptures in Haw Par Villa coming to life at night.
If you’re into spooky stuff, be sure to visit Haw Par Villa.
Admission is free.
Haw Par Villa
Opening Hours: Daily: 9am – 7pm (Last entry at 6pm)
Contact no.: 6773 0103
Website
Ten Courts of Hell
Opening Hours: Daily: 9am – 6pm (Last entry at 5.45pm)
4. Lau Pa Sat
Lau Pa Sat, also known as Telok Ayer Market, is one of Singapore’s most iconic buildings in the Central Business District.
If you’re wondering, ‘Lau Pa Sat’ is literally Hokkien for ‘Old Market’ and it was named so because it used to be a wet market when it was still situated in its original location by the waterfront, before it was moved into the financial district.
It was gazetted as a national monument on 6 July 1973 and converted into the hawker centre that it is today.
The hawker centre is a collection of the best local food. You’ll typically find tourists and executives from neighbouring MNCs having a pint here after work, with an accompanying platter of satay.
The Lau Pa Sat hawker centre also has a 24-hour Cheers convenience store, a shoe repair shop, a laundry store and a tailor.
Your Singapore experience isn’t complete without having at least one meal here.
Lau Pa Sat
Address: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
Opening Hours: Mon: 10am – 11pm, Tue, Thu – Sun: 10am – 10pm, Wed: 10.30am – 9.30pm
5. Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
In the past decade, the most prominent building to rise in the Singapore city skyline is Marina Bay Sands.
The hotel has become the most iconic building in Singapore and one of the must-visit spots is the Marina Bay SkyPark.
Sitting at 57 levels above the heart of the city, the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck offers 360 degrees of unblocked panoramic views of Singapore.
If you’re there at night, be sure to stay for Spectra, a 15-minute, free-for-public outdoor light and water show displayed at the Event Plaza along the promenade.
Be sure to bring your cameras because you cannot get any better views of Singapore anywhere else.
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Address: Level 57, Tower 3, 10 Bayfront Ave, Sands SkyPark
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 9.30am – 10pm, Fri – Sun: 9.30am – 11pm
Price: Adult: $23, Children Aged 2 – 12: $17, Senior Citizen: $20, Children Under 2, Hotel Guests: Free
Website
6. Maxwell Food Centre
Maxwell Food Centre is easily one of our favourite spots to eat.
A few minutes walk away from Tanjong Pagar MRT station, the food centre is a treasure trove of good food.
While people usually queue for Tian Tian Chicken Rice, we suggest that you ditch the queue and go for something more exciting.
Go for gravy goodness at the Hainanese Curry Rice stall or have a healthier meal with the Sliced Fish Soup from Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon.
These are our 2 favourite stalls in Maxwell Food Centre.
Maxwell Food Centre has perpetually snaking queues in majority of their stalls. So come early, come hungry, and bring a friend so you can try as many dishes as possible.
Maxwell Food Centre
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
7. Mustafa Centre
What initially started out as a store selling readymade garments in 1971 has since grown into a 24-hour, six floor, two-building shopping heaven.
Your first visit here may feel overwhelming as you’re bound to bump shoulders with tens of thousands of people squeezing their way through Mustafa’s narrow aisles.
You’ll find everything from homeware and electronics to clothes and groceries. With over 3,000 products on sale at bargained prices, you’re bound to fill your baskets with snacks, a random pair of sunglasses and perhaps a kettle that you managed to convince yourself that you’ll “eventually” need.
If you find yourself feeling a little peckish while doing your shopping, there’s a 400-seater restaurant called Kebabs ‘n Curries opened at the rooftop of Mustafa’s spanking new wing. You can enjoy everything from naan to dum briyani without the fine dining price tag.
Mustafa Centre is the one-stop place for everything. Just be sure to control your urge to buy everything while you’re here.
Mustafa Centre
Address: 145 Syed Alwi Road, Little India, Singapore 207704
Website
8. National Gallery Singapore
National Gallery Singapore is an art gallery that houses the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian art, with over 8,000 works of art.
Located in the Civic District, the National Gallery Singapore consists of 2 national monuments, namely the former Supreme Court and City Hall and is the largest visual arts venue and museum in Singapore.
The National Gallery also collaborates with international museums to jointly present Southeast Asian art in the global context.
Be sure to check out their website for updates on current exhibitions.
National Gallery Singapore
Address: 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 7pm
Contact no.: 6271 7000
Website
9. Singapore Zoo
The Singapore Zoo, formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens, was opened in 1973.
The zoo houses over 315 species of animals with about 16 percent considered to be threatened species. Look out for the white tigers!
Set in a rainforest environment, the Singapore Zoo is known for their ‘open concept’ where animals live in landscapes and environments that simulate their natural habitat.]
That’s not all, they have various live shows featuring Birds of Prey and Sea Lions!
If you’re looking for a world-class zoological experience, then you should pay a visit to the Singapore Zoo.
Singapore Zoo
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Opening Hours: Daily: 8.30am – 6pm
Contact no.: 6269 3411
Website
10. Southern Ridges & Henderson Waves Bridge
Singapore has always been known as Asia’s Greenest City and what better way to experience the natural greenery on our island city, than taking a hike on the Southern Ridges, a 10km trail that connects the parks along the southern ridge of Singapore.
The Southern Ridges trail connects Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park.
Mount Faber Park is one of the oldest parks in Singapore and is connected to Telok Blangah Hill Park by the Henderson Waves bridge.
If you’re looking for great photo opportunities and amazing views of the sunset, keep walking until you reach Henderson Waves bridge.
It is Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge with a unique wave-form design that forms alcoves that double as shelters with seats within.
The wave-forms are lit with LED lamps at night from 7pm to 2am daily, so you can pop by anytime.
It’s quite cathartic to just be there. Do pack bug spray though; mosquitoes are vicious.
Southern Ridges & Henderson Waves Bridge
Address: Henderson Road, Mount Faber Park, Singapore 099203
Website
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(Header Image Source: Unsplash)
