Top attractions in Singapore you mustn't miss
Have a taste of life as a Crazy Rich Asian. Stirring hot Macchiato downtown, overlooking a bustling city basking in all-year summer rays. Relaxingly sink into the cushioned seat of a hailed cab, riding along the smooth, busy highways. Crazy buildings, billboards, buzzing lights --- Singapore seems perfect for tourists with a high-life dream. For you travelers who are planning your next trip to Singapore, here are some top attractions in Singapore you mustn’t miss for your vacation.
1. Gardens by the Bay
A perfect blend of symphony, nature and futurism --- it’s no wonder that Gardens by the Bay continuously crowns as one of the top attractions in Singapore. While there are plenty of unique areas to explore, you simply cannot miss the Supertree Grove. Featuring tall structures depicted above, the flashy Supertree Grove encapsulates designer Supertrees that come alive after the sun sets. It’s enthralling to watch these lights liven up the dark night sky.
While you’re there, don’t miss out on Gardens by the Bay’s signature performance --- Garden Rhapsody. It’s a free synchronised light-to-music performance with 2 nightly timeslots. The first performance starts at 7:45pm, while the second begins at 8pm. Each light show lasts exactly 15 minutes. For a more enhanced experience, you can purchase a ticket to tour the 128-metres long OCBC Skyway. This is an aerial walkway that suspends between two Supertrees, lifting you 22 metres above ground for that ideal bird’s eye view.
Gardens by the Bay also holds indoor, air-conditioned glass domes for nature lovers and folks who are less acclimated to the tropical temperatures.
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The Cloud Forest --- it houses the world’s biggest indoor waterfall with towering lush greenery. For the best experience, enter during its fantasy-like misting hours at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm daily.
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Flower Dome --- like its name suggests, the Flower Dome flaunts its wide array of floral species. While the usual display is already highly aesthetic and there’d be no shortage of great photo opportunities, I would advise checking its official website for special events before your trip. As Flower Dome spices it up periodically with limited time displays, decorations and plant species, it would be an incredible experience to catch rare seasonal blooms.
My personal favourite event would forever be the Sunflower Surprise Floral Display dated in 2018 --- I will never get over those Wizard of Oz vibes.
2. Orchard Road
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Singapore has no shortage of malls. We’re spoiled for choice by heartland malls in nearly every neighborhood and flamboyant shopping centres downtown. To shopaholics from all around the world, Singapore can very well be regarded as a shopping haven. Among all these amazing places you could undeliberately max out your cards, Orchard Road has the best stores for all shoppers alike.
Pictured above is ION Orchard, our local pride. This massive mall retails world renowned brands, a wide array of food stores, and an interlinked underground tunnel that leads you to other malls located at Orchard Road. This is not the only mall with high-end retail brands though, so keep your eyes peeled!
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Digging that movie-goer experience in Singapore? Definitely drop by the cinemas at Orchard Road. We’ve got subtitles for most movies, but do check with the ticketing staff to confirm its availability for your pick.
For some budget and environmental-friendly alternatives, check out our local thrift stores. It’s absolutely not rare to find good quality clothes like formal blazers, jeans, dresses and denim jackets slashed over half the retail price. As the clothes are likely limited in pieces, ramp up your hunting mode and source for the cutest pieces --- remember, Finders’ Keepers!
Should you be wondering what’s the deal with Singaporeans and their obsession over ice cream carts --- give it a try when you see them --- you won’t regret it! Afterall, who wouldn’t want to savour thick ice cream blocks between crispy biscuits or even the highly controversial ice cream bread sandwich?
3. Singapore Flyer
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Singapore’s largest Ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer, grants a panoramic view of Singapore’s Central Business District. The prime hour to embark Singapore Flyer would be around 6:15pm to 6:30pm as the sun starts to set. This varies according to the time of the year, so it’s encouraged to do research prior.
Spot Singapore’s F1 track from the peak of the Flyer! The charming F1 track garnered Motorsports enthusiasts from countries far and wide. Also, do anticipate magnificent views of the sea and Sci-Fi style buildings.
It’s advisable to book your tickets and queue up in advance as it’s a fairly popular local destination. While the snaking queues might be boring, the stunning golden halo in your photos is surely worth the wait.
4. ArtScience Museum
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A place where all futurists and artists gather --- ArtScience Museum is where Science and Art fuses for an enchanting experience. My favourite out of this list, it’s nearly indescribable how beautiful this place can be.
The ArtScience Museum is blessed with imaginative artists and high-end technology. Let’s begin with the limited time event first --- from 2021 to 9 January 2022, we have a Virtual Reality gaming exhibit, Virtual Realms: Videogames Transformed. One can tour the realm of large scale interactive displays controlled by external sensory inputs. The behavior of these installations are responsive to real life movement, hence differentiating itself from regular museum pieces.
Another awe-striking exhibit at the ArtScience Museum is Future World: Where Art Meets Science. A large collection of physically interactive installations await. You’ll tour through rooms of spectacular visualisations like light painted waterfalls, generative artwork and story pieces responsive to touch and play. As if there wasn’t enough delight already, you can also design your own aquatic animals and vehicles. Simply scan your completed artwork and watch them come to life as part of the room-sized screen animation.
While Future World’s exhibit has so many more segments --- I shall curb my excitement and leave the rest to your exploration.
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Bonus: a gigantic lily pond with exuberant blooms all-year round. Don’t forget to check out Marina Bay Sands located right next to the ArtScience Museum too.
5. Joo Chiat Road
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For those who are no stranger to snapshots of Singapore’s colourful Peranakan shophouses all over social media, Joo Chiat Road is that one place you wouldn’t want to miss.
Rich with culture, these vibrant shophouses are not only great for photos, but also a residential conservation area. Adorned with sweet pastel colours and intricate wall embellishments, it's understandable why these shophouses steal the limelight.
After your photoshoot session, stroll down the road to find some of Singapore’s best Peranakan food. To immerse in local flavours, tantalise your tastebuds with a bowl of hot-piping Laksa from 328 Katong Laksa. Laksa is a dish with noodles cooked in coconut milk-based curry broth. If you’re a lover of spice, you might want to give it a try!
Ponggol Nasi Lemak is also a great option if you prefer the thought of rice grains and crispy fried chicken wings. Accompanied by mouthfuls of fragrant coconut rice and sambal chilli, this crowd favourite will have you order a second serving.
Alas, we’ve reached the end of our list. I hope that this list has given you some interesting ideas on where to visit in Singapore. Wishing you a pleasant journey and safe flight!