5 Cultural Attractions in Singapore – A Look Beneath its Glitzy Façade

An art museum that can be found in the Downtown Core district of Singapore, National Gallery Singapore boasts of the largest public collection of Southeast Asian and Singaporean art. Located within a 9-minute driving distance from D'Hotel Singapore Clemenceau Avenue, this was opened to the public in November 2015 and strives to provide an understanding and instil an appreciation for art via a variety of media. National Gallery Singapore is housed within the former City Hall and Supreme Court heritage buildings, which makes this gallery the largest of its kind in Singapore.

Also known as the 'Masjid Sultan', (which is Malay for 'Sultan Mosque') this mosque is a spectacular structure that can be found in Kampong Glam. It is one of the prominent religious venues in Singapore and is one of the most impressive of its kind. It can also be described as the spiritual centre of the Muslim community around here. Featuring gigantic golden domes and a large prayer hall, it is indeed a must-see place if you're ever in this historic district of Kampong Glam. It was first built in 1824 for the first-ever sultan in Singapore – Sultan Hussein Shah.

Simply known as the 'Esplanade' or sometimes 'Esplanade Theatres' this is a performing arts centre that one may find close to properties such as D'Hotel Singapore. It is nestled on the waterfront land in the Marina Bay area. Its name comes from the Esplanade Park that's located close by. The place offers a wholly immersive lifestyle experience with opportunities to dine, wine, and shop in style. Esplanade also includes several venues including a concert hall that has the capacity to seat 1,600 individuals at once. The structure itself is a sight to behold, resembling a durian, the beloved tropical fruit of the region.

Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is the only museum in Singapore that showcases exhibits related to Southeast Asian biodiversity. The sheer variety of plants and animals, which are displayed in 16 thematic zones, will absolutely amaze you. Located at the National University of Singapore, it was officially opened to the general public in April 2015.

The term Peranakan can be translated from Malay to 'locally born', which refers to the descendants of foreign traders who married local women and settled in South Asia ages ago. If you'd love to learn about Singapore's Peranakan culture, the Peranakan Museum is where you should go. Here, you'll be able to see the world's finest collection of Peranakan artefacts including jewellery, textiles, and even furniture in three permanent exhibition spaces. Many aspects of this hybrid culture, consisting of Malay, Chinese, and Indian elements, can be observed at this museum via interactive displays. One of the most eye-catching exhibits includes a lavish twelve-day Peranakan wedding.