An easy entry point for first-time visitors to Southeast Asia, the absorbing city-state of Singapore has evolved from a colonial port into a slick shrine to wealth and consumerism. With fascinating Chinese and Indian quarters, excellent museums, world-renowned restaurants and great shopping, there’s plenty here to keep you occupied for days. Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Singapore.
1. Stay in Chinatown
Chinatown’s once characterful shophouses have been rendered improbably perfect by restoration, but the area is still home to many shrines and shops specializing in Chinese food, medicine and other products. Exploring Chinatown is among the essential things to do in Singapore.
Chinatown was one of the most colourful districts of where to stay in old Singapore. Unfortunately, after independence, the government chose to grapple with its tumbledown slums by embarking upon a redevelopment campaign that saw whole streets razed. Getting a taste of the old ways of Chinatown now often means heading off the main streets into the concrete municipal housing estates, where older trades linger.
The Buddha’s Relic Tooth Temple in Singapore’s Chinatown © Chris howey/Shutterstock
2. Enjoy the views of the Singapore Skyline
The towers of the Financial District are amazing viewed from the Singapore River or Marina Bay. The skyline of Singapore is a spectacular sight, featuring a mix of modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks and you should add visiting this area to your list of things to do in Singapore.
Some of the most iconic buildings in the city’s skyline include the Marina Bay Sands, a resort complex featuring three 55-story towers connected by a rooftop sky garden and infinity pool; the Singapore Flyer, a giant Ferris wheel with panoramic views of the city; and the ArtScience Museum, a distinctive lotus-shaped building that houses a variety of interactive exhibits.
Marina Bay, Singapore © Pixabay
3. Hit the dancefloor in the many clubs of Singapore
Singapore’s clubbing scene is small but seriously happening, with space-age decor and regular visits by world-famous DJs. Clubbing, or going to nightclubs, is a popular activity in Singapore, and the city has a vibrant nightlife scene with a range of clubs and bars to choose from.
Many of the clubs in Singapore are located in the central business district or in the Orchard Road area, and they generally stay open until the early hours of the morning. There are clubs that cater to a variety of musical tastes, including electronic dance music (EDM), hip hop, and pop. Some popular clubs in Singapore include Zouk, which is known for its electronic music, and Attica, which is known for its hip hop and R&B music.
There are also a number of rooftop bars and clubs in Singapore, which offer panoramic views of the city skyline and a more laid-back atmosphere. It’s worth noting that Singapore has strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol, and it is illegal to drink in public places.
Clubbing is one of the most fun things to do in Singapore © Shutterstock
4. Get to know the local arts scene
Even on a brief visit, it’s hard not to notice how much money has been invested in the arts: Singapore offers an excellent range of cultural events in all genres, drawing on both Asian and Western traditions. Prime downtown property has been turned over to arts organizations in areas like Waterloo Street and Little India, and prestige venues like Theatres on the Bay bring in world-class performers – at top-dollar prices.
This isn’t to say that all is hunky-dory: questions remain over whether creativity is truly valued when censorship lingers. Not as openly as in the 1970s and 1980s, but still within established red lines regarding party politics, ethnicity and religion that no one dares cross. More cynically, some say that support for the arts is a way to keep Singapore attractive to expats and its own occasionally restive middle class.
Esplanade © Burachet/Shutterstock
5. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Chinatown’s biggest, newest and brashest temple has its own museum, roof garden and, most memorably, thousands upon thousands of Buddha figurines. Right at the end of South Bridge Road is something of an upstart – the imposing Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the most in-your-face addition to Chinatown’s shrines in many a year.
The place simply clobbers you with its opulence – even the elevators have brocaded walls – and with its thousands upon thousands of Buddhist figurines lining various interior surfaces. It also boasts its own museum and a gallery of Buddhist art.
On this tailor-made trip to Unique Singapore you will enjoy plenty of entertainment, from visiting ethnic neighbourhoods like Little India and Chinatown, to night safaris, authentic street food and sampling the eponymous cocktail, or two. Singapore is, in short, the ideal introduction to Asia in one fell swoop.
The Buddha’s Relic Tooth Temple in Singapore’s Chinatown © Chris Howey/Shutterstock