Sat at the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, the city-state of Singapore is not the dull destination that it can often be painted to be. Full of cosmopolitan multiculturalism, there is an intriguing blend of influences enlivening its pristine streets and a huge range of attractions, from high end shopping to old places of worship to explore.
An excellent stopover when visiting Southeast Asia or easily added to any Malaysia itinerary, we’d like to help you explore this global city with our top five things to do:
1. Chinatown
Although there isn’t much of the original 19th century settlement left, Singapore’s Chinatown is still one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Full of brightly coloured lanterns, restored shophouses and plenty of bustling shrines, stop by the Thian Hock Keng Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple for a glimpse of the past. Chinatown, along with the other ethnic neighbourhoods Kampong Glam and Little India, give an excellent insight into Singapore’s cultural mix.
2. Botanic Gardens
The excellent Botanic Gardens was founded as a pleasure garden in 1859. Today it has expanded to a 74-hectare site with much exotic flora in a number of different themed gardens, from rainforest and ornamental shrubs, to the Evolution Garden and the Ginger Garden. The perfect escape from the city, this spectacular garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also home to the National Orchid Garden.
3. Orchard Road
The Orchard Road is Singapore’s shopping mecca. Although it is a procession of modern, glitzy malls, luxurious hotels and high profile restaurants, that’s not to say that you need mega bucks to spend here, there are also plenty of malls selling highstreet brands (including M&S!) and more local products. If you really love shopping there are plenty of malls throughout the city that offer excellent deals on clothing on particular.
4. National Museum
Housed behind a neoclassical façade and under a twinkling dome, the National Museum, originally founded in 1849 as the Raffles Museum and Library, focuses on Singapore’s local history and culture. Inside you’ll find the History Gallery, full of artefacts and information about Singapore’s development into the modern metropolis it is today, and the Living Galleries, where you can learn about Singaporean culture and society.
5. Food
Singapore is something on a culinary heaven. Like the culture, dishes are a collaboration of world cuisines with deliciously distinctive and affordable street food considered a national obsession. Eat in food courts where you’ll find all the locals feasting on delights from the huge range of sizzling stalls. Chicken rice, char kway taow and wonton are among the many must tastes. The Maxwell Road hawker centre on the edge of Chinatown is considered the best food court in the city.