Overview
Singapore is a city-state that is situated roughly 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of the Equator at the southernmost point of the Malay Peninsula. The main island takes up the majority of the total area, save for around 18 square miles, which is made up of 60 smaller islands and the diamond-shaped Singapore Island. The Johor Strait, a confined passageway that is more than half a mile long and is traversed by both a road and rail causeway, divides the main island from Peninsular Malaysia to the north. The Riau-Lingga Archipelago, which is a part of Indonesia, extends to within 10 miles of the main island in Singapore Strait, which serves as the state’s southern boundary.
History
Although the oldest historical records of Singapore are obscured by time, a third-century Chinese report refers to it as “Pu-Luo-Chung,” which is a translation of the Malay phrase “Pulau Ujong,” which means “island at the end of a peninsula.” When the first settlements were built between AD 1298 and 1299, the city was afterward referred to as Temasek (“Sea Town”).
The five monarchs of ancient Singapura were in charge of the city then. The city thrived as a trading center for ships like Chinese junks, Arab dhows, Portuguese warships, and Buginese schooners since it was situated near the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the natural meeting place of sea routes.
Highlights
There are a lot of reasons why we adore Singapore, and if you need some ideas, here are all the must-see attractions!
You can use Singapore’s incredibly effective and punctual public transportation by purchasing a standard EZ-Link card for the MRT or a 3-day unlimited travel tourist pass.
You should anticipate being shocked, astonished, and most surely swept off your feet!
One of the richest nations in the world today is Singapore. It is a financial hub, a triumph of urban design, and a role model for underdeveloped countries. It’s also one of our most well-liked vacation spots!
Science Museum 
Marina Bay Sands Hotel 
City views 
Sea Lion Singapore Ferris Wheel
Some highlights about Singapore are:
- There are only three surviving city-states, and one of them is Singapore. Monaco and Vatican City make up the other two.
- Sang Nila Utama, a prince from Palembang, observed what he believed to be a lion and gave the island the Sanskrit name “Singapura,” which translates to “Lion City.” Lions, however, have never existed in Singapore outside of captivity.
- The country of Singapore has 63 other islands in addition to its main island, the majority of which are deserted.
- With a total land size of just 682.7 square kilometers, Singapore is one of the twenty smallest nations in the world. About 15,000 times as large is the United States.
- The colors red and white of Singapore’s flag stand for the idea of worldwide brotherhood and human equality. The five stars represent the ideas of democracy, peace, and progress, and the crescent moon symbolizes a youthful nation on the rise.
- More tree species can be found in Singapore’s Bukit Timah Nature Reserve than there are on the entire continent of North America.
- In Singapore, buildings are limited to a height of 280 meters. Currently, OUB Centre, UOB Plaza, and Republic Plaza are the only three buildings that reach that height.
- On September 30, 2000, Singapore’s record for the longest human domino chain was established. It was 4.2 kilometers long and had 9,234 students.
- More than 3,000 kilometers of highways exist in Singapore. They would span the distance from Singapore to Hong Kong if they were laid end to end.
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What makes Singapore special?
Singapore sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland of Asia”, is home to high-rise structures clad in gleaming modern architecture, as well as a multiethnic population, an enormous variety of food, and an abundance of entertainment and events.
This is a city that is overflowing with noteworthy sights, thrilling events, and a ton of day trips for the entire family. The Merlion, the city’s emblem, and the nearby Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer, both of which provide breathtaking views of the iconic Singapore skyline, also make our list. Almost everyone has seen an image of the Merlion.
On the surface, Singapore could seem unremarkable, like simply a dot on the map. But until you actually delve into the Lion City’s workings, you’d be amazed at what’s going on there.
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6 Great Hotels in Singapore
1. JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
Trending and buzzy. A floor-to-ceiling digital display and antique tables enclosed in contemporary glass tables are just two examples of installations and furniture that serve as art throughout the lobby. For IT executives (Facebook has an office in the same complex), business people, and well-traveled couples, this Marriott is definitely unique. Phillippe Starck designed the interiors, and they show it. In conclusion, you will enjoy your time here.
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2. Andaz Singapore
It takes some searching to find the delights of this Andre Fu-designed hotel. The hotel’s pastry counter is located on the simple, little ground level, which is very sparse elsewhere. But if you take the elevator to the 25th-floor lobby, there is a flurry of activity: People are registering at the island reception offices, drinking beers created especially for Andaz in the lounge, and perusing the spread provided by the five eateries on this level.
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3. Voco Orchard
Voco Orchard is the new name for the formerly known Hilton Singapore. With 423 bedrooms, four acclaimed restaurants and bars (Opus Bar & Grill, D9 Cakery, il Cielo, and Iggy’s), a rooftop pool, a 24-hour gym, and more than 1,850 square meters of meeting and social event spaces, it has taken over a 51-year-old landmark building.
Voco Orchard Singapore honors the lengthy past of the region in which it is located, all the while gathering visitors and extending an invitation to a fun, thoughtful, and consistently endearing setting that fosters genuine, meaningful connections.
There are many different types of accommodations, including deluxe rooms, premium rooms with city views, and opulent suites with walk-in rain showers. The living and dining areas in the Presidential Suite, on the other hand, are segregated. Each of the rooms has eco-friendly features including beds constructed from recycled plastic bottles, cotton that was obtained ethically, and eco-friendly bathing products from Apotheke.
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4. Marina Bay Sands
Although it’s been said repeatedly, we’ll say it again. At Marina Bay Sands, pretend to be an extravagantly wealthy Asian for at least one night. The hotel, which is housed in a Moshe Safdie-designed structure with views of the South China Sea, has made a name for itself.
The grand Chairman Suite, which is 600 square meters in size and surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, is the height of luxury and is found on the uppermost floors. It features four opulent bedrooms, four roomy bathrooms, and three private balconies from which you can enjoy a meal while gazing up at the sparkling metropolis.
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5. Ann Siang House
It feels like you’re going to a house party when you arrive here (especially on a Friday night). People are milling about on the street, watching from the rooftop bars nearby, and swarming into the hotel’s restaurants. The hotel is actively participating in the celebration on this street, which is hot stuff. If you don’t want to appear out of place, bring your most photogenic attire. There are Culinary Studio rooms with kitchenettes for individuals who enjoy cooking, Active Studio rooms with a mini-gym inside the room, and more rooms that are tailored to fit visitors’ lifestyles.
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The Clan Hotel
The Clan Hotel brand by Far East Hospitality makes its debut with this stylish new hotel. Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar, the cultural attractions in Chinatown, Marina Bay, and famous hangouts like Gardens by the Bay are all within walking distance of the hotel, which is tucked between the Far East Square heritage sector and Telok Ayer neighborhood.
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8 Great Restaurants and Cafés In Singapore
1. New Ubin Seafood
The broad menu of New Ubin Seafood, which appears to be a mash-up of several kinds, represents modern Singaporeans’ taste preferences. However, there are also dishes like “Heart Attack Fried Rice” (rice crisped to a crisp with beef fat and dark soy sauce), perfectly cooked U.S. Black Angus rib-eye steaks, and foie gras satay. Traditional options include chili crab and various Indian-style biryanis. Despite the menu’s diversity, practically every meal is hearty and satisfying.
2. Odette
Chef Julien Royer, the son of French farmers from the Auvergne region, is in charge of Odette, a superb two Michelin-starred eatery, and he honors his pastoral history by procuring the best ingredients from regional small producers all over the world. Because Royer is skilled at fusing traditional culinary methods with contemporary interpretations, the resulting cuisine straddles tradition and innovation. Each meal is creative, intricate, and above all, delectable. Unquestionably, this is top-notch nouvelle cuisine.
3. Labyrinth
It can be simple to overlook this one-Michelin-star restaurant because it is hidden away in a mall complex that also has a theater in Singapore. However, this cannot be said of the cuisine. Fresh produce—mostly sourced from farms in and around Singapore—paired with creative dressings like tofu puree and peanut sauce is what chef LG Han refers to as the “new expression of Singapore cuisine” in his dishes. The beverages serve as liquid cultural teachings.
4. Cure
Irish chef Andrew Walsh serves his inventive brand of modern European cuisine at Cure, his first restaurant, drawing inspiration from his time working under British chefs like Jason Atherton. Walsh’s signature snack, sourdough served with whisky-brined preserved cabbage and bacon butter—a tribute to traditional Irish cabbage and bacon—showcases his origins. Cure’s food feels like fine dining, but despite its size and lack of a dress code, it manages to maintain a casual atmosphere.
5. Dawn
With its unfinished look and charm, this café is quickly rising to the top of the list of establishments that frequently appear in our social media feeds. Simple single-origin coffees from El Salvador are the only options on the beverage menu. Other options include cold brew tea, homemade sodas, and a seasonal selection of slow-pour coffees that highlight various flavors. But it’s the freshly baked pastries that keep us coming back.
6. Champion Bolo Bun
This cozy, three-story shophouse with seating for 70 boasts an Instagrammable interior that screams modern minimalism with vintage wood and rattan accents from a traditional Hong-Kong style cha chaan teng. The sizzling hot buns that are pulled out of the oven roughly every fifteen minutes are the real appeal, though. Expect to tuck into fluffy, airy buns with a sweet, buttery top crust that tastes like pineapple and has long lines of people waiting in front of the bakery.
7. Pinhole Coffee Bar
The area at Pinhole Coffee Bar is not particularly big. There are only a few tables, all of which are outdoor counter seats along the barista bar. It’s well located for adjacent office workers to grab a quick morning java because it opens at 8 am every day and is close to Bugis and City Hall. Try the “Hello, Good Morning,” a selection of their best-selling items, for $7. It comes with a single shot of espresso, 4 ounces of white coffee, and a palate-cleansing cold brew tea and is served on a wooden tray.
8. Hello Arigato
The Refinery’s creators opened this restaurant, and they applied the same philosophy to the food and drink choices to create inventive meals that are both warm and interesting. Here, a freshly made Sando, or sandwich, is the primary attraction. The thick-cut Muar-style otah burger ($20), pink-hued Angus striploin ($26), and teriyaki-glazed chicken ($15) are all popular dishes. A tea-skewed beverage menu is completed by iced filthy matcha ($8), which can be found on practically every table. Hello, Arigato provides a remarkable dining experience that will wow you with its unique menu items and chic decor.
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5 Things To Do in Singapore
Discover The Singapore Gateway Airport Jewel Changi
Singapore, which gives you a broad glimpse of their island culture even before you leave the airport, is one of the few places that truly brings the unique splendor of their location to life.
1. The Jewel Changi Airport is Singapore’s newest attraction, yet most tourist books do not feature it.
Since it welcomes you as soon as your plane lands, it makes for an easy point of interest for your journey.
Jewel Changi integrates various cutting-edge innovations that merge shopping and eating convenience with the key themes of Singaporean culture with the essential components of a high-end airport terminal
2. Singapore Botanic Gardens
The only tropical garden listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is Singapore Botanic Gardens. More than 10,000 different species of trees and flowering plants can be found in the 82-hectare landscape. The National Orchid Garden and Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden are the main draws.
3. Sands SkyPark At Marina Bay
The stunning Marina Bay Sands observation deck is called Sands SkyPark. The massive wooden deck, which is perched above the three hotel towers, gives the impression that it is hovering over the city and all of its skyscrapers. From the Marina South Pier to the Singapore Strait, Sands SkyPark’s 57th-floor location offers a breathtaking 360-degree bird’s eye perspective of the entire city.
4. Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island, a small vacation island off the southern coast of Singapore, is home to amusement parks, sun-kissed beaches, lush jungles, fantastic spas, and a few well-liked vacation hotels. The little island is crammed with attractions, including amusement parks, an incredible aquarium (Underwater World), beach bars with live music, an ethnic hamlet, and the island’s main feature, a massive Merlion Statue.
5. The Night safari
Singapore Night Safari, the first nocturnal zoo in the world, is home to over 130 different animal species. Visitors are taken on a 45-minute commentary tour of the nocturnal creatures and habitats using open-concept enclosures or trams.
5 Kids Activities in Singapore
1. Play among nature at Jurong Lake Gardens
The 90-hectare Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore’s newest national garden, is regarded as the largest natural wonderland in the country’s interior. Beyond the plants and animals, the grounds were deliberately planted and created so that the community and families may meet there to play, learn, and connect. The many obstacle courses, the sunken trampolines, the zip line, and climbing up a tower to slide down in a tube are all great ways for kids to burn off some energy.
2. Take a lil’ hike at Hindhede Nature Park
For a leisurely stroll with the family, visit Hindhede Nature Park, which is close to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and offers clear footpaths and simple routes ideal for families, kids, and novice hikers. It’s peaceful and picturesque, and it’s also a great place to view wildlife because it’s home to species like the banded woodpecker, clouded monitor lizard, and plantain squirrel, so keep your eyes out while out for a stroll. Of course, the scenic Hindhede Quarry at the park’s end is a major attraction.
3. Test your smarts at Science Centre Singapore
This family-friendly organization, which was created to cultivate everything scientific (yes, science! ), often hosts exhibitions that advance the physical, life, applied, technological, and industrial sciences. The Omni-Theatre, Singapore’s only domed theater, is located in the center and has cutting-edge IMAX technology. Additionally, it contains a 40-centimeter mega-telescope that allows young astronomers to see the starry heavens at the Science Center Observatory more clearly.
4. Get botanical with Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
The first children’s garden in Asia is located in Singapore. The Jacob Ballas Childen’s garden is separated into many areas for play and exploration with the goal of developing awareness and education; there includes a farm, orchard, and forest with streams and ponds. The trampolines, treehouses, and flying fox zipline are great places for the energetic kids to burn off some energy. Go to the nearby covered patio café with all-day brunch options for the whole family to chill off.
5. Bounce around at Kiztopia
Children 12 and under can engage in interactive play in the vast indoor playground at Marina Square. In Kiztopia, children may have fun while still picking up useful skills. Along with having fun in the trampoline park and bounce house, let them practice living in the adult world by pretending to go grocery shopping, cook, drive, and more in the role play areas. They can even take their creations from the kitchen home.
Places To Visit In Singapore
1. Trick Eye Museum
Prepare to run wild with your imagination in the museum. One of the most popular attractions in Singapore that uses augmented reality is The Trick Eye Museum, which is located there and is one of the most well-known optical art museums in Korea.
The AR function would aid in bringing the displays to life. Let 3D paintings go; thanks to the personal and exclusive augmented reality (AR) features that Trick Eye Museum has incorporated into the 80 optical illusion art installations, you can immerse yourself in the thrilling lights, sounds, and other amazing effects that create hyper-realistic illusions. This is one of the best tourist attractions in Singapore.
2. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
The best way to meet your favorite celebrity up and personal are at Madame Tussauds. One of the top Singapore attractions since it opened in 2014, the wax museum carries on a living tradition of two centuries of immaculate and bright wax arts that have been accessible to everybody.
One of the best places to visit in Singapore with friends, the wax museum features iconic wax figures of Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Madonna, Queen Elizabeth II, Geok Choo, and many more.
3. S.E.A. Aquarium
The SEA Aquarium is a sizable aquarium that houses more than 1,000 species of marine life, including hammerhead sharks, bottlenose dolphins, and stingrays. It is regarded as one of the most brilliant human inventions in the entirety of Singapore. 1,00,000 aquatic animals are shown for visitors in 49 habitats, making this aquarium one of the top attractions in Singapore for lovers of marine life.
4. Universal Studios Singapore
One of the top adventure parks in the world, Universal Studios Singapore features 24 exhilarating rides and 7 unique themed zones. There is something here for everyone, from children to adults. The park immerses you in the world of miniature Hollywood with specially designed themed areas and breathtaking city skyline vistas.
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5 Best Hikes Singapore
1. The Rail Corridor
Along with its beautiful natural surroundings, the Rail Corridor is renowned for its extensive history. From the turn of the 20th century until 2011, the railway line connected Singapore with Malaysia for travel and cargo transportation. It has since been improved for simplicity of access. Look forward to lookout decks to take in the majesty of nature, trails to immerse yourself in the rainforest experience, and the meticulous restoration of icons like the Bukit Timah Railway Station and two steel truss railway bridges.
2. Alexandra Woodland
The beautiful “Lost Ark” structure formed from enormous fallen trees next to a natural pond is the trail’s major draw. Since it’s off-trail, hike at your own risk. Always dress appropriately, wear appropriate footwear, and let someone know where you are. Most importantly, respect the environment and leave it in the same condition that you found it. Also, take care to avoid trampling on young plants and saplings.
3. Chestnut Park
Chestnut Park, which can be found near Bukit Timah and Bukit Panjang at the eastern end of Chestnut Avenue, offers an interesting trip because of its mixture of rainforest terrains, steep slopes, and diverse flora and animals. This Singapore hiking trail leads through heavily forested regions that are home to unusual plants and animals. Additionally, there are signs every 100 meters that allow hikers to keep track of how far they have traveled. The Southern loop of the trail is a challenge due to its varied topography and winding hills, in contrast to the Northern loop’s simple stroll through gentle slopes and rougher roads.
4. MacRitchie Reservoir Park
MacRitchie Reservoir is ideal for nature lovers and hikers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore and take a good break from the pavement while avoiding the traffic and heat. The “treetop walk” is beautiful; it offers a getaway to nature in the middle of a busy city. The trail is made easier by a water ranger station, where people can fill up their water bottles with drinkable water, and a suitable mobile network, which is helpful to the tourists. The tourists have a panoramic view of the spectacular MacRitchie reservoir as they travel, which is encircled by rubber trees and the remains of 19th-century plantation relics.
5. Jurong Lake Gardens
Exploring the vast Jurong Lake Gardens is lovely. This lush, west-side park is ideal for families, nature enthusiasts, and everyone in between. It is made up of the Chinese and Japanese Gardens (both undergoing renovation works), as well as Lakeside Gardens. Observe wildlife (maybe an otter or two!) while strolling across the Jurong Lake boardwalk, take in the scenery from Rasau Walk, and take the greatest photos of you gallivanting around the grasslands.
