Being able to jet off to another country in a matter of a few hours is still pretty new to me. From Chiang Mai, it only takes about 3 hours to get to Singapore on a direct flight. I planned on being in Singapore for about 4 days, which is plenty of time to see all the popular areas of the city-state.
These are the 7 areas that I visited in Singapore and my advice about each one:
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Little India
This area is the place to go for cheap, spicy eats. Local markets are fun to walk though as well as Mustafa Center which is a 24-hour shopping hub that you can easily get lost in. It has everything that you could possibly want in a labyrinth maze of aisles. The prices are very affordable and the center carries name brand items from electronics, beauty, and clothing.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is a Hindu temple in Little India which you can visit and go inside. It is a functioning temple and the locals are very welcoming of guests.
Chinatown
Next is the popular area of Chinatown in Singapore. I went to Chinatown in the morning, and I guess it wasn’t the right time to visit because only a few stalls were open for shopping and food. That being said, I was only in Chinatown for about an hour walking around. Nan Yang Old Coffee was one of the only places that were open so I ordered one of their traditional Singapore breakfast combos with Kaya Toast and coffee.
After trying to figure out my way around the area, I visited the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, but the surrounding area was under construction. Inside the temple was an impressive display of Buddha statues that covered all the walls inside. Each of the statues had a different hand symbol called a mudra. There are four floors to explore plus the roof. Tours are given weekly free of charge. Admission to the temple is free and appropriate dress is required.
The Maxwell Food Centre is across the street from the temple which is the perfect place for lunch. I wandered around for a bit before deciding what to eat as there is an endless amount of food stalls.
Bayfront
The famous Merlion statue watches over the bayfront area. Out of all the popular areas in Singapore, this one tops the list. The Merlion is a mythical creature that is half fish and half lion. The fish part represents Singapore’s fishing village history and the lion head represents the original name of the city. There are two Merlion statues at the bayfront. The larger one is 8.6 meters tall and the smaller one is 2 meters tall.
As you can imagine there were so many people trying get the perfect picture of the Merlion. I only managed to get a decent picture of the small statue.
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is famous for its giant boat-shaped structure perched at the top of the three towers. At the top, you will find the best infinity pool looking out into the city. The pool is only accessible by hotel guests, however, I’ve heard that you can go to the bar for a drink, or go to a lookout area at one end of the roof for a fee. The cheapest room that I’ve found was about S$500 per night.
The hotel is also attached to a shopping mall and it is a station on the MRT line. In the evening, in the bay outside the mall, there is a light and water show that runs every night. It is about 15 min long and there are two showtimes which are free to attend. After the first show, you can head to the supertrees to watch another light show.
Gardens by the Bay
The supertrees are the most well-known landmark in Singapore. They stand up to 16 stories high. At night, after sunset, the trees will come to life with a music and light show. Entrance to the trees is free, but if you want to talk a walk along the skywalk, it will cost S$8.
Walking past the supertrees, you will find the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. To see both of these attractions is about S$35. When I went the flower dome had a display from The Wizard Oz with sunflowers and all the characters, with Dorothy’s house.
Continuing on into the Cloud Forest, you are greeted by a large waterfall and walls of floor to ceiling flowers. Take the elevator to the top of the waterfall where you can casually walk down the suspended bridges that wrap around the center of the dome. You will get a bird’s eye view of the entire dome and great views of the supertrees and Marina Bay Sands.
Sentosa
Just outside the main city center is Sentosa. This small island is home to many family-friendly attractions including Universal Studios, beaches, a golf course, spas, an aquarium, and of course shopping and eating. To get to Sentosa, you can walk across the boardwalk, take the free tram, or hire a taxi. I recommend the free tram, because well, it’s free.
I went to Sentosa for the sole purpose of getting a photo with the sign that says “Southernmost Point of Continental Asia.” I got lost trying to find this place because at the time I didn’t know that all the public transportation on Sentosa is free. Yes, that’s right it’s all free! So I spent an hour walking around the island in the heat which I don’t recommend.
After I got my picture, I headed to the center of the island where you can see another Merlion statue that doubles as a lookout point. Next, I headed to the center where you can find Universal Studios and the Aquarium. I decided to skip Universal and visited the aquarium instead because I was solo and felt it would be more enjoyable. The aquarium costs about S$30 and you can easily spend the whole afternoon inside the cool air conditioning exploring all the sea life.
Orchard Road
The final popular area in Singapore is Orchard Road because a visit to the city-state isn’t complete without a little shopping. This street is known as the 5th Ave of Singapore. If you’re into shopping ’til you drop this is the place for you. Hundred of stores to visit ranging from high end retailers to budget friendly options. However, one thing to look out is that prices are higher in Singapore. Some items are cheaper to buy in other countries, so do your research before you buy! Don’t just buy things because you are on vacation!
Overall, Singapore was a great place to visit. Have you been to Singapore? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments!