There’s only one SINGAPORE and that’s true in so many spectacular ways. Where else can you enjoy one of the cleanest, wealthiest, diverse and safest cities in the world and never run out of awesome things to do? Truly, I am not exaggerating to say this is one of my favorite cities in the world. As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I enjoyed my port days off here and love sharing my top 10 Singapore travel attractions.
Background of Singapore
The city-state, Singapore lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the South China Sea and Straits of Malacca. It consists of the main island, along with 63 smaller islands. Overall, this diverse melting pot has 4 official languages: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. Furthermore, with its strategic port location, the British empire designed Singapore as an international trading post. During WW II, Japan occupied Singapore for a while, but after their surrender it once again became a British colony. Singapore became independent in 1959, with the exception of the 2 years (’63-5) it became part of Malaysia.
This spectacular city-state has many unique qualities that make it Singapore. Firstly, it’s Asia’s cleanest city, with strict laws to enforce this, for example, gum-chewing bans, littering and spitting fines and extreme punishment for illegal drugs. This may sound harsh, but if you know the rules and abide you will enjoy clean and safe experiences in this city. Singapore is also home to some of the world’s fastest internet speeds and longest life expectancies. Additionally, unique to this city is the diverse population and multiculturalism. For example, Singapore is 1 of the 4 world cities having “Streets of Harmony” with places of worship from all the world’s religions. In Singapore the exact street is not specific, however, many recognize its China Town upholding this diversity.
Top Ten Singapore Travel Attractions
Gardens by the Bay
The urban jungle of Gardens by the Bay is the most popular tourist attraction in Singapore, both by day and night. It signifies all that makes Singapore amazing, through blending the modern city and Mother Nature. Located in Marina Bay, the colorful Supertree Grove comprises 18 electric “supertrees” supporting a long aerial walkway with spectacular views. Don’t miss out on the nighttime, when they light up the town with the full spectrum of color.
Additionally, there is the magnificent greenhouse Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. The Cloud Forest is a main attraction here, featuring a 114-foot-tall mountain with the world’s highest indoor waterfall. You can observe this on the Cloud Walk or Tree-top Walk. Furthermore, twice every night, 12 of the 18 Supertrees come alive in a neon 15-minute light and sound show called “Garden Rhapsody.” And the bonus is it’s free!
Singapore Cable Car to Sentosa Island
The Singapore Cable Car is the most scenic way to reach Sentosa, an island resort off the southern coast of Singapore. The Cable Car takes you round trip between the mainland’s Mount Faber and the island. Also, the Sentosa Express takes you by monorail. However, the epic views across the harbor are well worth the cable car ride. For me, this was fun because we literally traveled directly over my cruise ship.
Sentosa offers endless things to do for everyone. For example, it features the Universal Studios Singapore, zip lining, beaches, the Mega Adventure Park, the Sentosa Golf Club, shopping, hotels and various restaurants. Sentosa Island is also the only place that I ever posed as a Snake Charmer, with a gorgeous, yellow snake wrapped around my neck.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
The lush, tropical Singapore Botanic Gardens of 82-hectares is a relaxing way to connect with nature and learn about its diverse plant life. It features popular gardens, such as, the Ethnobotany Garden, National Orchid Garden and Jacob Ballad Children’s Garden.
However, my favorite is the Healing Garden with herbs categorized according to the body’s systems that they heal. For example, there is the respiratory, nervous system and digestion gardens. As an Acupuncturist and Herbalist, I am in heaven amongst these gardens, seeing species that I have only read about. Also, there is the gorgeous ginger gardens featuring the beautiful flowers with their therapeutic roots. Singapore Botanic Garden is the only garden deemed a World Heritage Site. Personally, I recognize the Singapore Botanic Gardens as one of the World’s Top 10 and, also, one of the must-see Singapore attractions for travelers
Orchard Road Shopping
Orchard Road is the heart of Singapore’s retail mecca. And it’s near the Singapore Botanic Gardens, so you can see them both in a day. There is everything you can imagine for shopping, such as, boutiques, departments stores and discount outlets. Tang’s is Singapore’s oldest department store, with a design resembling China’s Forbidden City, with a jade-green pagoda and red columns. Also, there is the futuristic ION Orchard, one of Singapore’s most glitzy and modernistic shopping complexes with 8 levels of shopping. Overall, my perspective is that Singapore’s Orchard Road reminded me of the Asian version of L.A.’s Rodeo Drive.
Little India – Singapore Travel Attractions
This is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Singapore. Little India is known, overall, for the colorful temples, wonderful shopping and delicious Indian restaurants. Serangoon Road is the main commercial thoroughfare with the Tekka Centre, Tekka Mall, Serangoon Plaza and Little India Arcade. I love the colorful architecture here, for example, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is a must-see attraction.
Even more, this is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore, dedicated to Kali, the Goddess and destroyer of Evil. I paid homage to Kali at her temple and engaged in a short meditation. Also, the House of Tan Teng Niah, is another flamboyantly hued building that was originally built as by a Chinese businessman. And finally, don’t miss out on the beautiful Indian flower Garlands for sale on the streets. They have many cultural symbolic meanings, such as, purity, peace and love.
Kampong Glam or the Muslim Quarter
I stayed in this upbeat district for a couple days and loved it as another expression of Singapore’s multiculturalism. This vibrant neighborhood is known for its mosques, Middle Eastern cuisine and trendy boutiques. It has many highlights, such as, the golden domed Sultan Mosque, the colorful Arab Street, Malay Heritage Center and amazing shopping.
On Haji Lane are trendy clothing boutiques, cafes and street art. Additionally, there are shophouses with textiles, spices and essential oils from the Middle East. The Gelam Gallery is an outdoor gallery, displaying 30 works of murals and street art. Overall, this is very hip and creative culture, celebrating diverse cultures and art.
Chinatown
Chinatown is home to many places of worship, including the Sri Mariamman Temple, the first temple in Singapore. One of its most popular attractions is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a remarkable 4-storey temple. It houses the famous relic inside the golden stupa. The Chinatown Street Market composes the quintessential Chinese culture, bustling with street food carts and hundreds of stalls selling goods, such as, silk, feng shui gadgets and lucky cats.
Additionally, Keong Saik Road is a hip, gentrified area with rowhouses, boutiques and trendy restaurants. Most interestingly, Chinatown is the location of “Singapore’s Streets of Harmony.” Singapore is 1 of the 4 world cities having “Streets of Harmony” with places of worship from all the world’s religions. In Singapore the exact street is not specific, however, many recognize its Chinatown upholding this diversity.
Singapore Zoo
The Singapore Zoo is dubbed, “World’s Best Rainforest Zoo.” And that is one of the main reasons this zoo is so special. In other words, the animals are living in the jungle. Additionally, the zoo takes this to an even higher level, keeping the animals in more semi-open enclosures. In comparison to other zoos that often use those horrible cages and restrained areas, Singapore Zoo makes a caring effort to mimic the animal’s native habitat as possible. Most importantly, I have never experienced animals in a “zoo’ genuinely happy.
Singapore Zoo includes many big-ticket items, such as, elephants, rhinos, monkeys, baboons, lions and tigers. My favorites at this zoo are the white tigers, orangutans, tapirs and baboons. Even more, in the outdoor café, I had “Breakfast with Orangutans.” A family of orangutans, including a baby, enjoyed their breakfast alongside us. Furthermore, the zoo has presentations and shows with the animals and a river safari. In my opinion, Singapore and San Diego are the best zoos in the world and worth seeing.
Jurong Bird Park
If you are a bird-lover, you must see the amazing Jurong Bird Park. It sprawls out over 20 hectares in western Singapore, with over 5,000 birds from 400 species.
There are many varied ways to witness the birds, such as, through feeding sessions, a waterfall aviary, Flamingo Lake, Penguin Coast and Pelican Cove. Most noteworthy, the park includes the world’s largest walk-in lory flight aviary at over 9 stories high.
My favorite bird here discovered is the flamboyant blue Western Crowned Pigeon. And my favorite section is the Wings of Asia, with more than 200 species of birds from southeast Asia. Also, they simulate a thunderstorm every day at noon. Overall, I loved that along with the colorful birds there is also colorful tropical flowers throughout the park. And just like the Singapore Zoo, you feel immersed in a rainforest.
Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling
Ok, this might be the hokiest tourist attraction, but fun, nonetheless. The historic Raffles Hotel is named after the British statesman Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the founder of colonial-era Singapore. This colonial-style luxury hotel includes the Long Bar, where the Singapore Sling was invented by its bartender. This gin-based cocktail became the national drink and also is served in bars worldwide. But there’s nothing like going to the source for your first Singapore Sling. Even though it’s a luxury hotel, I still was able to go to the bar in my casual clothes and savor my one and only Singapore Sling.
Overall, Singapore Travel Attractions
As I said before, Singapore is one of my favorite cities in the world, because it is so clean, diverse, safe, modern and sustainable. To fully enjoy my top 10 attractions in this article, you need at least 5 days to truly soak it in. However, if you only have a day or 2, try any of these 10 and you will get a taste of this incredible city that has something for everyone.
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