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Singapore

Singapore is my home country and when I can’t travel, I try to spend more time exploring this little country of mine. If you are visiting Singapore soon, welcome! You’re probably looking for some tips on things to do in Singapore, so here are some to get you started, or see all my Singapore posts.

Besides the articles on this blog, I have a whole bunch of Singapore related articles over on The Culture Trip and various other publications marked by [brackets] in this article.

You can get most of the touristy recommendations from Visit Singapore – what you’ll see here are less common things to do do that you might not find in a typical Singapore tour.

Places of Interest in Singapore

Wondering where to go in Singapore? I’ve explored some of the more interesting experiences and less touristy spots to check out around the island.

Kranji Reservoir Park Tree Reflection
Kranji Reservoir Park
  • Small quirky museums to visit in Singapore – niche museums that offer more personalised experiences
  • Haw Par Villa – I associate this park more with my childhood, and it’s definitely a lot more derelict these days, but it’s still home to some pretty bizarre Confucianist statues and the infamous 10 gates of hell, so if you want to see something weird in Singapore, this is a good place to go
  • Shuang Long Shan – this isn’t much of an attraction, more a strange curiousity to find a cemetery right in the middle of a housing estate in Clementi, surrounded by tall HDB buildings
  • Kranji Countryside – located in the far northwestern part of Singapore, this place is not the easiest to get to but hides some gems like one of the top nature reserves in Singapore and some of Singapore’s last farms
  • Street Art in Singapore – one doesn’t think of Singapore as a place for graffiti and street art, but we have some pretty cool artworks in the ethnic enclaves worth checking out:
    • Kampong Glam – this Malay/Arab heritage quarter is home to the statuesque Sultan Mosque, traditional cloth shops, and indie hipster retail, set amidst some lovely shophouses
    • Little India – the Indian heritage area honestly doesn’t feel like Singapore some days, it’s great for a look at the local Indian culture and food
    • Bugis-Bras Basah – lots of museums and cultural landmarks in this area
    • Chinatown – the Chinese enclave has added a bunch of ethnic murals to its collection of religious and heritage architecture in recent years
  • Sleeping overnight at the SEA Aquarium – the aquarium at Resorts World Singapore is quite a popular tourist attraction, but sleeping over at night in front of the giant tank was quite the experience
  • Hidden gems in Singapore as recommended by a local – is what it says it is, a sponsored post I wrote for Expedia looking at some of the less common things to do in Singapore
  • 15 Non Touristy Things to do in Singapore [Culture Trip] – I’m pretty proud of this guide on things to do in Singapore that still let you get an interesting look at the country while avoiding the tourist crowds
  • Historic places in Singapore [AccorHotels] – A little bit about what makes some of these tourist hotspots historically significant
  • Scuba Diving in Pulau Hantu – Singapore’s waters aren’t the prettiest, but you can explore offshore islands and the underwater world right here in Singapore
  • 5 places in Singapore that don’t live up to the hype [Culture Trip] – I’m not saying that you shouldn’t visit these places, but don’t raise your expectations up too high!

Food in Singapore

If there is only one thing you do in Singapore, make it to eat as much as you possibly can, whether you are a foodie or not.

Singapore Traveling Spoon Laksa
Nyonya Laksa by Grandmothers’ Recipes
  • 5 Foods in Singapore under $5 – cheap and good options if you are a traveller on a budget looking for the local meal experience
  • Cafes to check out in Singapore – my readers recommend some of the best cafes to check out in Singapore
  • The best cooking classes in Singapore [Culture Trip] – Learn how to prepare Singaporean style dishes so you can take the taste of Singapore home with you. I tried out one of these cooking classes with Rosaline from Grandmothers’ Recipes via Traveling Spoon, a site that specialises in local food experiences.
  • The 10 best hawker centres in Singapore [Culture Trip] – I always like bringing visiting friends to eat at the hawker centre to introduce them to the variety of local food for cheap, and these are some recommended spots I’d take them to

Festivals in Singapore

Eu Tong Sen Street during Chinese New Year. Photo courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board
  • Chinese New Year in Singapore – this happens in January or February every year and is the only 2-day public holiday we have. As the majority of Singaporeans are Chinese and things tend to shut down on the first day, here’s what to expect if you are in Singapore during this period. Chinatown is also the most festive and crowded during this time.

Ways to explore Singapore

Everyone has different styles of travel, here are some of my suggestions on routes to take to see Singapore in a different light.

Singapore MRT Overland - photo by awee_19 via Flickr
Singapore’s MRT. Photo by awee_19 via Flickr CC

Uniquely Singaporean Culture

What does it mean to be Singaporean, and how true are some of the stereotypes and things you’ve been told about Singapore? Some views from a local’s perspective.

Singapore Street Art Everton Road YipYC Barber
Old-school alleyway barber. Mural in Chinatown by YipYC

Where to stay in Singapore

I’ve checked out some of the hotels in Singapore and reviewed them here.

Chilling out at Yotel Singapore

East

Downtown