First Time In Singapore

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the more fun and bustling parts of the city.

Description:

Although largely scarred by redevelopment, Chinatown today still contains pockets of genuinely old shophouses where age-old trades like clog-making and calligraphy continue to be practiced. Paper effigies of cars, houses and other material objects are still being made for the deceased. These are then burnt, in the belief that they will raise the standard of living of the deceased in the next world. For tea connoisseurs, a visit to a tea house is a must, not only to relish the flavor of Chinese tea, but also to experience the traditional art of tea-brewing.

Our Local Expert Says:

A pleasant and relaxing way to take in the sights of the Singapore River.

Description:

Singapore River Cruises offers you the ultimate cruising experience. Get the best of Singapore city while cruising along the magnificent Singapore river on the river cruises. Let the exquisite architecture of the beautiful bridges along the river captivate you as you get awed by the magnificent cityscape. Also enjoy the Bumboat Ride along Singapore River which promises to give you a cruising experience like no other. The best in the business, Singapore River Cruises is also the proud recipient of several tourism awards and are most preferred by the locals and tourists alike.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you only visit one museum in Singapore, make it this one - a great way to learn the entire history of the city-state in one go.

Description:

The National Museum of Singapore re-opened in 2006 to world-wide acclaim, its dusty archaic exhibition of old replaced by the modern, high-tech attraction that stands proudly today.

The main focus of the museum is the Singapore History Gallery, which allows visitors to walk through the country's history, starting in the 14th century, and taking you through the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles and his influence, the difficult times of World War II and the Japanese occupation, and on to the building of modern Singapore. The excellent Audio Companion provided to each visitor supplements the visual displays with interviews, dramatised scenarios and personal accounts.

Free guided tours of the Singapore History Gallery are held at 11am and 2pm on Monday to Friday, and at 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30 pm on Saturday & Sunday.

Accompanying the History Gallery, there are four Singapore Living Galleries, which celebrate Singaporean society and culture through the years through Food, Fashion, Photography and Film respectively.

The 2003-2006 refurbishment saw a new modern extension, built entirely of glass, added to double the size of the original colonial building which dates from 1887. A one-hour guided tour of the museum gives more insight into its impressive architecture – these are held every second and last Saturday of the month at 2.30pm.

OPENING HOURS
Singapore History Gallery 10am - 6pm, daily (last admission, 5.30pm)
Singapore Living Galleries 10am - 8pm, daily (last admission, 7.30pm)
Free admission from 6pm - 8pm, daily

Our Local Expert Says:

Hop aboard for the best view of the city.

Description:

Officially launched in March 2008, the Singapore Flyer is currently the world's largest observation wheel, at 165m tall – the height of a 42 storey building, or 31 male giraffes stacked on top of one another!  Each of the 28 capsules is about the size of a city bus and can comfortably carry up to 28 passengers, although you will rarely need to share your capsule with more than a handful of other people. 

The journey takes 30 minutes, and as the wheel turns at a leisurely 0.21m per second, you get to take in 360° views over the city and across to the surrounding islands. In-capsule Guided Tours introduce the surrounding landmarks and anecdotes about Singapore. A feng shui guide is available for an alternative perspective.

Other attractions at the Singapore Flyer include Fish Reflexology, a Flight Simulator, Rainforest Discovery and various food outlets and shops.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of Singapore's best hawker centres, with over 70 stalls under one roof.

Description:

Though it used to be well beloved, the locals think this place has become quite touristy -- though lunchtime finds it still packed with financial district workers. Once the happy little hawker center known as Telok Ayer Market, it began life as a wet market, selling fruits, vegetables, and other foodstuffs. Now it's part hawker center, part Western fast-food outlets.

It all began on Market Street in 1823, in a structure that was later torn down, redesigned, and rebuilt by G. D. Coleman. Close to the water, seafood could be unloaded fresh off the pier. After the land in Telok Ayer Basin was reclaimed in 1879, the market was moved to its present home. A new design by James MacRitchie kept the original octagonal shape and was constructed of 3,000 prefab cast-iron elements brought in from Europe.

In the 1970s, as the financial district began to develop, the pavilion was dominated by hawkers who fed the lunchtime business crowd. In the mid-1980s, the structure was torn down to make way for the MRT construction and then meticulously put back together, puzzle piece by puzzle piece. By 1989, the market was once again an urban landmark, but it sat vacant until Scotts Holdings successfully tendered to convert it into a festival market. At this time, numerous changes were made to the building, which was renamed Lau Pa Sat (Old Market) in acknowledgment of the name by which the market had been known by generations of Singaporeans. Lau Pa Sat is one of the few hawker centers that's open 24 hours, in case you need a coffee or snack before retiring.

Our Local Expert Says:

A great place to unwind and relax.

Description:

Just a 15 minute walk from the retail frenzy of Orchard Road brings you to the relaxing and peaceful Botanic Gardens. This 52 hectare park provides a huge variety of areas to explore, including lakes, fountains, sculpture gardens and well-manicured lawns, all linked by well signposted paths.

The highlight is undoubtedly the National Orchid Garden, where you can marvel at the largest display of tropical orchids in the world - over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, all cultivated here. In 1957, the Singapore Government began to honour state visitors and other VIPs by naming selected orchid hybrids after them. There are now over 100 of these VIP orchids, so keep a look out for the Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela, Jackie Chan and even Ricky Martin orchids!

Other visitor favourites include the Rainforest – a 6-hectare slice of the original rainforest that once covered the island of Singapore; the Evolution Garden, which takes you on a journey through time, from the era of the dinosaurs through to the modern world of flowering plants; and the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, a fun and educational area specially designed for kids, including a maze, suspension bridge, tree house and secret cave.

Our Local Expert Says:

Classy spot for sophisticated drinks with jaw-dropping views across the city.

Description:

The New Asia Bar, situated on the 71st floor of the Swissôtel the Stamford, is the tallest hotel bar in Singapore. This popular nightspot serves up a selection of cocktails and glasses of cold bubbly, which are sipped to a background of stunning city views which stretch as far as Malaysia. Revellers party every night to the sounds of resident DJ Chris Smith, while the last Thursday of every month sees the party ramped up as visiting celebrity DJs hit the decks. A happy hour daily from 3pm-9pm makes this hotspot a good option for sunset cocktails.  

Our Local Expert Says:

A fascinating glimpse into a very different side of Singapore.

Description:

Awash with scents and sights of the subcontinent, this is a microcosm of India where every imaginable Indian product can be found: trinkets, sarees, spices, sweetmeats, nose studs, flower garlands and anything else that an Indian household needs. Traces of Hinduism are found everywhere, from the elaborate temples to wall calendars with pictures of Hindu deities. On Sundays, Indian locals and foreign workers flock the streets to eat, chat, shop and worship. Hard though it is to walk through the crowds, this is a unique spectacle you should not miss.

Our Local Expert Says:

The place to head for an al-fresco, breezy atmosphere and fresh seafood - take your pick from several restaurants.

Description:

The East Coast Seafood Centre is one of the most pleasant places to sample local Singaporean seafood. Here you'll find a cluster of open-air seafood restaurants facing out to sea, all serving up a selection of local seafood favourites. Chilli Crab is the top of most visitors' to-try list, and you should also be sure to check out Black Pepper Crab, Cereal Prawns and steamed Seabass.

Most of the restaurants have tanks with live fish and seafood for you to pick your own before it is plucked from the tank and whisked away to the kitchen to be cooked to your preference. Every Singaporean has their own personal favourite restaurant here, but popular choices include Long Beach Seafood and Jumbo Seafood.

Our Local Expert Says:

The best place in Singapore for one-stop shopping.

Description:

Paris has the Champs-Elysees, New York has Fifth Avenue, and Singapore has Orchard Road. This 2.5km stretch of road is said to have the largest concentration of shopping malls in the world, and that's not hard to believe. It's all about brands here, and the newer and flashier the mall, the better.

ION Orchard at the top is one of the biggest, and it would be easy to lose yourself in this eight storey shopping Mecca for hours – its impressive food court on level B4 will offer some welcome sustenance. Other standout malls include designer brand-filled Ngee Ann City and Paragon, and the more independent boutique-laden Mandarin Gallery.

Our Local Expert Says:

A moving and humbling experience.

Description:

The Changi Museum is dedicated to the memory of all those who suffered incarceration during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore from 1942-45, and is probably the most harrowing collection of stories in all the war museums of Singapore.

This incredibly moving exhibition is put together based on interviews with former inmates, Prisoners of War and their families, with direct quotations used where possible. Personal accounts of torture and humiliation at the hands of the Kempeitei are interspersed with stories of the hardship of rationing and high inflation, and the struggle for survival. Just as shocking are the brutal statistics that accompany the personal memories – such as the 16,000 Prisoners Of War who died from hunger, physical abuse and tropical disease whilst being forced to labour on 'Death Railway', a railway line being built by the Japanese to cross the Thai/Burmese border.

Entrance to the Chapel and Museum is free, but it is well worth paying for the personal audio tour which really brings the exhibition to life with additional stories and actual interviews with survivors.

Our Local Expert Says:

Singapore's liveliest evening hang-out, there's something for everyone.

Description:

Clarke Quay, Singapore's most happening scene, received a dramatic $80 million makeover between 2004 and 2006 which saw this riverside locale transformed into an eating and drinking emporium. Clarke Quay buzzes every night of the week and you'll be spoiled for choice of restaurants – from Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai, Japanese, Indonesian, Persian – you name it, you'll find it here. For late night entertainment you'll find plenty of watering holes to wet your whistle – from sophisticated cocktail bars to rowdy sports bars, to thumping nightclubs, it's all happening here.

Our Local Expert Says:

A fascinating insight into the rich history and culture of Buddhism.

Description:

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is located in the heart of Chinatown. The magnificent temple building comprises five floors and a roof garden and was designed to incorporate the best of the Tang Dynasty and the Buddhist Mandala.

The Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic Chamber is the most revered part of the temple and can be found on the 4th floor. Its importance is evident in the magnificence of the room, complete with gold floor tiles surrounding the solid gold stupa. The roof garden houses the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion with its large Vairocana Buddha Prayer Wheel, while the excellent Buddhist Culture Museum can be found on the 3rd floor. This houses an impressive collection of rare Asian Buddhist artefacts, which accompany a display on the life story and teachings of Lord Buddha. The 100 Dragons Hall on the ground floor is where the daily ceremonies take place, when the chanting monks and congregation add to the air of reverence.

Description:

Famous for originating the Singapore Sling, The Long Bar is known to both tourists and locals alike as the place to go for this unique concoction. Like the name suggests, the interior is indeed long. Tourists generally visit this classy bar after touring the world-renowned Raffles Hotel. Similarly, many business professionals can be seen unwinding here. The dress code is smart formal. Although all cocktails sold here are generally of a good standard, most people still go for the Singapore Sling.

Our Local Expert Says:

A great fun night-time experience for the whole family.

Description:

The Night Safari is the world's first night-time wildlife park and is one of Singapore's most popular visitor attractions, with over 11 million visitors since it opened in 1994. The park is set within 40 hectares of lush secondary rainforest, and provides visitors with the unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. Subtle allows you to view over 1,000 nocturnal animals from 120 different species in their naturalistic habitat. The Night Safari uses the same open-zoo concept as the next-door Singapore Zoo, making for a thrilling visit, as visitors really feel like they are in amongst the animals.

The park is divided into eight geographical zones, which can be explored by tram and on foot via three walking trails. The 45-minute tram ride includes frequent stops and live on-board commentary ensuring you don't miss out on any of the animal highlights. Hop off the tram at three designated points to explore the walking trails, which allow you to wander at your leisure, taking in the sounds of the jungle as you go. Each trail can be covered in approximately 20 minutes.

One of the highlights of the Night Safari, particularly for children is the Creatures of the Night Show, where animals show off their prey-catching prowess and survival skills. Another show both children and adults will enjoy is the Bornean Tribal Performance, where tribal members from the rainforests of Borneo perform tribal dances, blowpipe demonstrations and fire-eating displays.