Last I was in Singapore was in 2011 whilst on holiday from my job in Korea. I was en route to Malaysia, and so I stopped in Singapore on the way and stayed maybe one or two nights there. Back then, I spent most of my time shopping and eating, but I also made a visit to Sentosa Island and the zoo. It was also the place where I met the two girls, Amy and Nadia, who were on a round-the-world trip who (to this day) really changed and shaped my travel dreams.
I had always wanted to go back to Singapore and see it properly, because I felt like I didn’t really spend my time there all too wisely. This time, I routed my trip home to tge States through Singapore and stayed there for three nights, with two nights living in comfort at the Shan-Gri La Singapore and a night in a boutique hotel called Naumi.
So many people say you don’t need to spend too much time in Singapore – that it’s a “24 hour-type of place” where you can knock off all of the major tourist destinations in just one day, but I don’t really believe that. Though this a very small country (and incredibly expensive), Singapore is definitely a place that is trendy while being original. It’s a country that boasts a ton of cultural fusions with each culture simultaneously maintaining its own identity. I quite like Singapore, to be honest, and though it was like a sauna (which is the climate 99 percent of the time), I definitely enjoyed my days there.
1. Spend a day at the Singapore Zoo
I always tell people that if they do anything in Singapore, they need to do the Singapore Zoo. I am not big into visiting zoos, and I have come across a fair few that are really quite sad (especially having lived in Korea). This particular zoo, which also offers a night safari that I was keen to go on at the time but decided to save my first safari for a proper experience in Africa, costs only $20 Singapore dollars for admission. It is also incredibly easy to get to via public transport, making it an affordable activity for most travelers.
2. Have a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel
The Singapore Sling was invented at none other than the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, so it’s almost required that you go for a drink. Beware, though: the price tag is a hefty one. This Singapore Sling will cost a little more than $20.
3. Take in the view from the Marina Bay Sands
The Marina Bay Sands opened in 2010, and it stands out amongst the rest in Singapore. Check out the enormous lobby before heading up to the observation deck, or the bar, or spend your day at the infinity pool. My friend ran into the ridiculously handsome David Beckham whilst waiting in line for the toilet, so you never know who you’re going to run into at Marina Bay.
4. Wander around Gardens by the Bay
Who doesn’t love a free activity in Singapore? Gardens by the Bay, which is just opposite Marina Bay Sands, offers a refuge from the city without really going to far. It’s quiet and calm, and you can easily spend a couple of hours walking around. There are some museums and activities you need to pay for, but there is no entry fee into the gardens.
6. Get Lost in China Town
Once again, if it’s free, it’s for me. The heart of Chinatown is a series of small streets that see only foot traffic and are lined with stalls selling all kinds of trinkets, but they are also lined with food stalls and hawker stands. While there check out the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Its colorful and intricate temple tops are something worth seeing, and the temple is best known for its fire walking ceremonies in October and November should you happen to be in Singapore at that time.
7. Go Shopping (or Window Shopping) on Orchard Road
Orchard Road is kind of like opening pandora’s box for any female backpacker who has been living her days in ratty, stained clothes. Though there are many high end designer shops that are entirely off the radar, Orchard Road is also home to H&M and Forever21, which for me at the time was beautifully refreshing. I knew that clothes and shoes at these particular stores would be in my size and not in petite Asian sizes like many of the boutiques would carry, so I was one happy little lady.
8. Take a Picture with the Merlion
The Merlion is a half mermaid, half lion statue that is iconic to Singapore. Head over there in the early evening and park a seat somewhere on the water front, as the Marina Bay Sands, which is just across the water, puts on a free lightshow every night at a couple of different times throughout the evening.
9. Visit Little India
It definitely feels like you’ve entered another country whilst wandering around Little India. Like Chinatown, Little India has tons of shops selling a variety of knick knacks, spices, fabrics and just about anything you can imagine.
10. Eat at the Hawker Stands
One of the best parts about visiting Singapore is the food, and the food is so delicious you can understand why Singapore is so famous for its street vendors and hawker stands. You’ll find plenty of vendors in Chinatown, but you can also find a variety of hawker stands throughout the neighborhoods that serve Malay, Chinese, Indian and Thai dishes among other cuisines.
It’s also worth a visit to Sentosa Island, if you can swing it, to check out the beach or a number of the other activities that could keep you busy for a few days, like golfing or spending a day in Universal Studios. Personally, I wasn’t too fussed, but if you have the time, then set some aside for a day trip at the least.
