Tradition and modernity blend seamlessly in this stunning southeast Asian city/state of just over six million inhabitants. Within its 736 square kilometres (284 sq. miles) there’s something on offer for every traveller, from iconic skyscrapers to beautiful gardens and traditional culture to outdoor adventure. When you plan a dream tour to Singapore, you balance adventure and relaxation, and here´s an outline for a comprehensive six-day itinerary that does just that!
Day 1: Arrival, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay
Morning: Arrival in Singapore
After landing at Changi Airport, head to your hotel to check in and freshen up (to make this possible, you´ll need to book the hotel the night before, as check-in times are usually 3-4 pm; otherwise, drop your bags at the hotel and spread the following out to include the morning, with a break in the afternoon to come back and check in).
Afternoon: Marina Bay Sands
Assuming you´re not already staying here, this 15-year-old, now iconic luxury hotel with 1,850 rooms (top) is a must-visit, also home to a glamorous shopping mall; an observation deck with stunning panoramic views of the city; and other attractions including sampan rides along the hotel´s own canal, the ArtScience Museum, and Digital Light Canvas,
Evening: Gardens by the Bay
Enjoy a relaxed stroll through this 260-acre (105-hectare) park just a short stroll away from Marina Bay Sands and be wowed (especially after sundown) by its "Supertree Grove" (above), with 18 towers up to 50 meters (160 feet) high and high walkways between them, the enormous Flower Dome greenhouse (the world´s largest); and Cloud Forest Dome, a mist-filled mountain-style landscape right in the heart of the city.
Night: Light Shows and Dinner/Nightlife
After night has set in, return to see the dazzling daily Spectra light and water show at Marina Bay Sands (held at 8 and 9 pm Sunday through Thursday and 8, 9, and 10 pm on Friday and Saturday) and Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay (daily at 7:45 and 8:45). And of course have a memorable dinner at one of the hotel complex´s 48 eateries and experience its marvelous shows and nightlife.
Day 2: Cultural Exploration and Local Experiences
Morning: Chinatown
Singapore is about 76 percent Han Chinese, so this is a vibrant district, with a largely Cantonese flavour, centrally located next to downtown, and its main streets include Keong Saik Road and Kreta Ayer Road, lined with shops, food stalls, and restaurants, and day and night markets (and although some smaller traditional Chinese businesses have fallen by the waysiide, many remain). And of course the atmospheric Buddhist and Taoist temples such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Siang Cho Keong, the Temple of the Heavenly Jade Emperor, and Thian Hock Keng. There´s also a visitor center, a heritage center, the Baba Museum of Singapore Chinese history and culture; and numerous walking tours (a number of them deliciously food-oriented).
Afternoon: Little India
Making up 7½ percent of the population, with its roots in young Indian workers - expecially from the Tamil areas of the south - who came here during the British-Empire days of the 19th century, this former cattle-trading district a few blocks north of Chinatown is a heady burst of vibrant colours and culture. Its main drag is Serangoon Road (which also happens to be one of Singapore´s oldest streets), on which you´ll find the Tekka Centre, a complex including a wet market, food stalls, and various shops. Other highlights include the modern Indian Heritage Centre, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, and the Angullia Mosque. You´ll be here for lunch so enjoy the traditional flavours at the Tekka Centre or one of the district´s many quality Indian restaurants.
Evening: Kampong Gelam
Another blend of tradition and modernity, this smaller district (above) a short stroll from Little India, is also known as Kampong Glam and the Malay-Muslim Quarter, is the hub of the city´s Malay community, which makes up about 15 percent of its population, and is rooted in Singapore´s early-19th-century origins as part of the Sultanate of Malacca, now part of Malaysia. You´ll want to visit the majestic Sultan Mosque, where the streets nearby are filled with trendy cafes and boutique shops. Stroll along Haji Lane, Arab Street, Baghdad Street, and Bussorah Street and discover their own many shops (including great places to browse for textiles and carpets), galleries, cafés, bars and restaurants. Also don´t miss the Malay Heritage Centre, housed in the 206-year-old former Malay palace Istana Kampong Gelam; the its nearby annex Gedung Kuning; and the Hajjah Fatimah Mosque, a mid-19th-century mix of Malay and Western influences.
Day 3: Nature and Adventure
Morning: Singapore Zoo
This cageless 28 hectares (69 acres) is considered one of the world’s best zoos, and the world´s top "rainforest zoo." With more than 4,200 animals from 315 species, its sections include Australasia, Elephants of Asia, Fragile Forest, Gibbon Island, KidzWorld, Orangutan Island (an especially popular attraction), Primate Kingdom, Reptile Kingdom, RepTopia, Tiger Trek, Treetops Trail, Tortoise Shell-ter, and Wild Africa+Cat Country.
Afternoon: River Wonders
Like the nearby zoo part of the 126ha (311-ac.) Mandai Wildlife Reserve, this is a unique, 30-acre park with aquariums and a boat cruise which teaches you about river ecosystems throughout the world, including the Amazon (above), the Congo, the Ganges, the Mekong, the Nile, and the Yangzte. Wildlife includes caimans, capybaras, giant catfish, manatees, otters, piranhas - and unrelated to rivers but very popular, a pair of giant Chinese pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia.
Evening: Night Safari
Another of Mandai´s main attractions, on the 86 acres of the world´s first nocturnal zoo you get to explore the animal kingdom under the stars, seeing 900 creatures of more than 100 species, including leopards, Malayan tapirs, flying squirrels and more that come out only in the night, via four walking trails and a "safari adventure tram." Plus there are lions and tigers here, too!
Day 4: Sentosa Island – Beach, Adventure, and Relaxation
This island - 4.7 square kilometres (just under two sq. miles) in size - off Singapore Island´s south coast, was once used for a British military base and World War II Japanese prisoner-of-war camp and since the 1970s has been developed into Singapore´s biggest leisure destination (with 14 hotels/resorts including Resorts World Sentosa, and some 25 million visitors annually), accessible via metro and cable car as well as driving from the Harbourfront district via multilane causeway. Attractions include an aquarium, a water park, and interactive maritime museum, and a Harry Potter interactive experience, among many others.
Morning: Beach, Golf, or History
There are lots of choices to kick off your day, depending on your tastes. For example, you can splash, soak up sun, and indulge in water sports at 2.5km Siloso Beach. Tee off at the 18-hole Sentosa Golf Club; or explore the late-19th-century Fort Siloso, including an 11-storey, 181-metre-long (594-foot) skywalk leading to the fort.
Afternoon: Universal Studios Singapore
Two dozen thrilling rides and shows - many based on Universal films - await at this seven-zone, 25-hectare (62-acre) park, including Battlestar Galactica, Canopy Flyer, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Revenge of the Mummy, and WaterWorld. Loads of fun for families and adrenaline junkies alike!
Evening: Wings of Time and/or Resorts World Casino
This 20-minute multimedia "fireworks symphony" at Siloso Beach combines water, fire and laser effects to create a dazzling performance. And the other of Singapore´s two casinos, at Resorts World, offers not just gaming but extensive dining, shopping, shows, and other entertainment.
Day 5: Shopping, Dining, and More
Morning: Orchard Road Shopping
Singapore is no less than paradise for those who love shopping, and its premier shopping destination is this upmarket, 2.5km (1½-mile) stretch of malls such as the futuristic ION Orchard, department stores like TANGS, luxury boutiques, along with myriad restaurants, cafés, and bars, as well as luxury hotels Shangri-La Singapore and Pullman Singapore Orchard.
Afternoon: Exploring Clarke Quay
A warehouse quay district on the Singapore River dating from the early 19th-century was beginning in the 1990s redeveloped into what is today five blocks of restaurants, shops, nightspots and other entertainment venues (above). Daytime attractions include the G-Max Reverse Bungy, nearby Fort Canning Park (with gardens and remnants of the colonial-era fort), and a number of river cruises.
Evening: Dinner and Partying at Clarke Quay
Stay on in the evening to enjoy a wide range of cuisines, from Singaporean specialities to global flavours, and hit hot dance clubs such as Zouk and Attica.
Day 6: Nature and Relaxation on Pulau Ubin and in East Coast Park
Morning: Pulau Ubin
For nature lovers, this rural island (above) of just over 10 square km (just under four sq. mi.) in Singapore´s northeast is a must. Just a 15-minute ride by "bumboat" from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (a 20-minute drive from downtown), it has just one village - Ubin Town, inhabited by just a few dozen people. As you might expect, it´s a low-key, nature packed place - enjoyed by hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and kayaking the mangroves, as well as meet friendly locals and grab a bite at several eateries in the rustic village.
Afternoon: East Coast Park
Down on the southeast coast, a ten-minute drive or 45-minute subway ride from downtown, Singapore´s largest park (185 hectares/460 acres) was built in the 1970s entirely on land reclaimed from the sea, and it´s another very laid back experience. Its centrepiece is a beach, but other activities include hiking, biking, and kayaking, as well as attractions including waters ports centre Passion WaVe @ East Coast, various playgrounds such as Coastal Playgrove, a wakeboarding centre, an area of dinosaur statues, and a skate park.
Evening: Seafood Dinner Near East Coast Park
After an afternoon of hanging out in the park and on its beach, enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner at a number of nearby eateries, such as the multi-restaurant East Coast Seafood Centre and the East Coast Lagoon Food Village. And don’t miss the local favourite here, chilli crab, annointed with a sweet-and-savoury tomato-chili sauce.
For a fantastic Travel Saga Travel Saga package including all of these fantastic sites, sights, and activities, click here.
Comments
I´ve always been intrigued by Singapore - and after reading this, now more than ever!
Covers all the best bases in my home city - kudos!