A great holiday destination with a selection of food, traditions, arts, architecture, neighbourhoods, nightlife, family-friendly attractions, greenery, adventures, shopping, world-class sporting events and the transportation convenience.
Singapore City Guide
Universal Studios Singapore
Experience endless excitement at Universal Studios Singapore! This is a flagship attraction theme park located within Resorts World™ Sentosa that offers 24 cutting-edge rides, shows and attractions based on your favourite blockbuster films and television series, including Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey, the world's tallest pair of dueling roller coasters that are based on the popular television series, Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON™, TRANSFORMERS The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure™, Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase. The Lost World zone features two themed regions: Jurassic Park and Waterworld. Far Far Away is based on The Kingdom of Far Far Away featured in DreamWorks Animations' Shrek. The Madagascar zone features a displaced cargo ship that houses the Madagascar: A Crate Adventure ride. It also features all of the characters from DreamWorks Animations' Madagascar. Perfect for both families and thrill seekers!
The official grand opening of the park was held on 28 May 2011. It was a star-studded event with Asian superstars Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Zhao Wei, and former "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul making an appearance at the gala event, along with some 1,600 guests. In October 2011, Universal Studios Singapore began their Halloween Horror Nights events.
Orchard Road
Visit international flagship stores along Singapore’s retail heart, Orchard Road, a shopper’s paradise that is a 10-minute drive away.
After more than a century, Orchard Road became a one-way street in 1974. The lively street starts at the junction of Orange Grove Road stretches across the Scotts Road–Paterson Hill junction, Orchard MRT Station, Bideford Road, Somerset MRT Station, Central Expressway, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station; and ends at the junction of Handy Road. It has an extensive underground pedestrian walkways between the different shopping malls. The first shop of Orchard Road was Tangs that was founded in 1934.
List of shopping centres include the duty-free shopping shopping centre - T Galleria by DFS, six double-storey flagship stores - ION Orchard. Ngee Ann City is the largest shopping complex along Orchard Road. Wisma Atria houses a 900-seat food court on the 4th floor which is run by the BreadTalk Group. The shopping centre is directly connected to Orchard station. Plaza Singapura currently houses a Golden Village cineplex, Cold Storage and Uniqlo. Lucky Plaza is known to be very crowded on Sundays for domestic Filipino workers to meet their friends during their off days. The Paragon, Orchard Central, Orchard Gateway, Orchard Towers, The Centrepoint and many more.
Photo Credit: Singapore Tourism Board
Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by visiting the wildlife attractions including Singapore Zoo, River Safari and one of the most popular tourist attractions - Night Safari.
The Singapore Zoo, formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens and commonly known locally as the Mandai Zoo, houses about 315 species of animal in the zoo, of which some 16 percent are considered to be threatened species.
The Night Safari is the world's first nocturnal zoo and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore. It is an entire open-air zoo set in a humid tropical forest that is only open at night. It is divided into seven geographical zones which can be explored either on foot via four walking trails or by tram. Cultural performances are a regular feature at the safari including tribal dances, blowpipe demonstrations and fire eating displays. Creatures of the Night Show is a performance presented by the animals in the Night Safari. Food and beverage outlets in the Night Safari include Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant, Bongo Burgers, and Casa Italia.
The River Safari is a river-themed zoo and aquarium nestled between its two counterparts, the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari, Singapore. It is the first of its kind in Asia and features freshwater attractions and river boat rides as its main highlights.
Photo Credit: Singapore Tourism Board
Keppel Bay
Keppel Bay is often seen as the place for the rich and famous.
Keppel Bay transforms Singapore’s southern shoreline into a world-class waterfront precinct with more than 2,600 homes. One of them is the Reflections at Keppel Bay, an iconic waterfront residential development designed by the world renowned architect, Daniel Libeskind and the FIABCI award-winning Caribbean at Keppel Bay. With a blend of residential, shopping, leisure, entertainment, offices and marina amenities, Keppel Bay is a vibrant, integrated waterfront hub for live, work and play. It is near to the city yet within one of Singapore’s best-loved nature and recreation areas.
Spanning 250 metres, the Keppel Bay Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Singapore. The bridge was officially opened on 3 January 2008 by the sixth President of Singapore SR Nathan. From Marina at Keppel Bay, there is a natural world full of life under the sea. The ecosystem is full of life and colour, and even from the surface it’s easy to see the beauty of the reef. Boat owners at Marina at Keppel Bay are encouraged to use biodegradable detergents when cleaning their vessels to create an environment where humans and marine life can co-exist and thrive. Marina at Keppel Bay was named Asia’s first fish friendly marina by the Marina Industries Association.
Photo Credit: Darren Soh
Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter
The Tiong Bahru air raid shelter occupying the ground floor of Block 78 Guan Chuan Street is located within one of Singapore’s oldest public housing estates. This facility is in a quiet corner of Tiong Bahru, is believed to be the last remaining World War II Civilian Shelter in Singapore during the Japanese occupation period between December 1941 and January 1942, shortly before Singapore went into World War II. It was this space that housed about 100 residents from the neighbourhood shelter during the Japanese air raids. In 1938, Tiong Bahru air raid shelter was believed to be the only public housing that had an air raid shelter. The basement shelter is about 1,500 square metres in size and could accommodate up to about 1,600 persons. It has remained much unchanged since its construction in 1939.
The first thing that hits you when you enter the air raid shelter is the musty smell. There are not many windows in this air raid shelter and only tiny windows in a few rooms. It has been used by the Housing Board as a storage space. Visitors can spot Chinese characters on the walls as well as pictures of Chinese actors and actresses.
Photo Credit: Singapore Tourism Board
Gardenasia
Gardenasia stands for the beauty of life. Nestled in the heart of the Kranji Countryside, it brings people one step closer to nature with connecting gardens of a wide variety of flora and fauna. It brings you away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Tucked within the Kranji countryside, Gardenasia provides services for farmstays, on-site bistro, events management, educational programs, eco-themed workshops and team-building activities since 2001. Gardenasiakids provides “Edutainment” programmes for children and youths to learn more about the environment. Within the Kranji countryside, there is a playground around nature. Kids can stroll through a garden with smell of the basil, curry, and mint leaves. Pluck bananas off the tree and learn more about the nature’s creatures. Gardenasia Kids programs use items found in the nature or recycled items to educate them on social responsibility. They also learn how to save the planet through energy saving techniques. Workshops include soapmaking, potting and care for indoor plants and fishing within Gardenasia’s own fish pond. Walk through herbs and spices on an educational tour.
Celebrate a blissful wedding occasion with the idyllic Kranji countryside as the perfect backdrop surrounded by lush greenery. Bistro by Gardenasia presents fine ingredients with the menu from Nature.
Photo Credit: Danny Santos
Bollywood Veggies
Bollywood Veggies is the sanctuary away from the daily hustle and bustle of city life in Singapore. Set in the rustic environment of the Kranji Countryside, unwind and recharge at this rustic place for nature or outdoor team building activities. Rejuvenate your senses and enjoy the simple pleasures of life with the quietness that brought much calmness to the souls. Known for more than just its organic produce, Bollywood Veggies includes a culinary school, a museum and a bistro that uses fertiliser and pesticide-free ingredients harvested from the backyard for a hearty home-cooked meal.
Started in 2000, the owners started this farm with the help of then Minister of State for National Development Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan. The farm is run as sustainably as possible with no pesticides or fertilizers used, making it a planet-friendly organisation. Get up close with botanical nature through the farming and conservation in a real farming environment. Learn the process of growing a pineapple. Find out how cocoa seeds or tiny starfruits look like.
The place was bustling with life with families over the weekends. The place accepts cash only. It is only open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Entrance to the farm is S$2 and parking is free.
Photo Credit: Afur Wong
Chinese and Japanese Gardens
Built in 1975 by the JTC Corporation, the Chinese Garden’s concept is based on Chinese gardening art. It is located next to Chinese Garden MRT Station and connected to the adjacent Japanese Garden by a bridge. Jurong Lake Gardens is Singapore’s new national gardens in the heartlands, to be developed in several phases. In the meantime, visitors can continue to enjoy the Chinese and Japanese themed gardens. The park is a popular spot for morning and evening strolls. It is also a great location for birds watching. There are over 100 bee species in the Garden, many of which are colourful, charismatic and completely safe around people.
Back in 1975, the Chinese Garden reflects Chinese imperial style of architecture and landscape. Climb to the top of the Seven-storey Pagoda for a magnificent view or admire the large bonsai collection in the Suzhou-style courtyard.
The Japanese Garden is a large strolling garden showcasing a landscape style from the Muromachi and Momoyama periods of Japanese history. Explore the Guesthouse along Garyuchi pond or spend some time observing the many bird species. Jurong Lake Gardens Central is steps away from Chinese Garden and Lakeside MRT Stations. It is wheelchair accessible in most areas.
Photo Credit: Singapore Tourism Board
Haji Lane
Haji Lane is in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood area in Singapore. Haji Lane is in Singapore's Arab Street district between Beach Road and North Bridge Road. Bugis MRT station is a few minutes’ walk away. During the day, the streets are usually filled with the younger generation looking for the independent fashion boutiques and Middle Eastern cafes. A trip to Haji Lane is all about the experience and the rustic. On Friday nights and weekends, the streets are temporarily closed to keep the lane car-free. Haji Lane houses a collection of narrow shop-houses featuring Singaporean designers and entrepreneurs boutiques in this buzzing area within Kampong Glam. It has been a cool shopping destination since 2005 with charming boutiques, cafés and restaurants. Singaporeans come at night to window-shop and smoke shisha in Middle Eastern joints. There are no shops that are the same. It has a very different experience from shopping in other shops and markets in Singapore.
As its name suggests, Haji Street has a Middle Eastern heritage. Haji Lane got its name because of the Arab pilgrim-brokers businesses here. In the 60s and 70s, the area was the lodging solutions for the poorer Malay families for their pilgrims on their annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Photo Credit: Singapore Tourism Board
Chijmes Hall
Once a school and a chapel, CHIJMES was originally known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), which was a premier girls’ school established in 1854 by an order of French Catholic nuns.. The three main buildings within the CHIJMES complex are Caldwell House, the orphanage and the chapel. The chapel, now a multi-purpose hall, is known as CHIJMES Hall is a perfect venue for weddings.
In 1996, CHIJMES has been restored for commercial purposes as a dining, shopping and entertainment centre with restaurants, shops and a function hall, providing a backdrop for musicals, recitals, theatrical performances and weddings. It houses more than 20 dining outlets. Located at Victoria Street, Chijmes is located diagonally opposite Raffles Hotel, five minutes’ walk from The Padang and St Andrew's Cathedral.
The Chapel was gazette as a national monument on 26 October 1990 and has been awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. It is rich in heritage and stunning in its beautiful gothic-style architecture.
The glass panels depict scenes from the Bible as well as the 12 apostles. The floor of the chapel is laid with multi-coloured terrazzo tiles. The chapel also features magnificent chandeliers, state-of-the-art technology and WiFi access to accommodate up to 300 guests.
Photo Credit: Danny Santos