Joanna James
Home to some of Asia's most popular tourist highlights and theme parks, Singapore is a dream come true for travellers the world over. Here are some of the Lion City's must-see attractions for first-time visitors.
As the only Universal Studios Theme Park outside of the United States, no visit to Singapore would be complete without exploring the many activities and highlights accessible at this world-class leisure hub. Home to a host of movie-themed rollercoasters, the rides and enclaves dedicated Hollywood blockbusters such as Shrek, Jurassic Park, Lost World and countless others.
Open to all visitors free of charge, the Singapore Botanical Gardens is a nature lover's paradise in the heart of the bustling Lion City. Boasting more than 60,000 animal and plant varieties, the enclosure is also home to the globe's first-ever children's garden. The National Orchid Garden is among the many thematic horticultural spaces located in the parkland.
When it comes to splashing around on the beach and enjoying an array of family-friendly activities, there's no better location than Sentosa Island in Singapore. Adventure Cove Waterpark, Skyline Luge Sentosa and the Singapore Butterfly and Insect Kingdom are all found within this pleasure island which is also home to its very own golf club and the S.E.A Aquarium.
As one of the newest addition to Singapore's extensive list of tourist hotspots, this gravity-defying sanctuary dedicated to all things green is divided into three gardens. The Flower Dome and the Supertree Grove are the most notable points of interest in the gardens which is also where one finds the iconic Cloud Forest. Other attractions inside the compound include Heritage Gardens and the Floral Fantasy area.
Often compared to the London Eye, the Singapore Flyer is a mammoth Ferris wheel offering visitors breathtaking views across the Lion City. Having opened its doors to the public in 2008, the wheel was the highest in the globe for several years with its impressive height of 165m. Accessible to disabled travellers, the Singapore Flyer is also counted among one of the most romantic ways to watch the Singapore skyline by night. Shops, restaurants and other entertainment hubs are also found in the Flyer's main terminal.
Travellers based at the Pan Pacific Singapore or any similar hotels in Singapore will sooner or later need to head down to Clarke Quay to discover the Lion City's finest restaurants and drinking holes. Occupying the banks of the Singapore River, the restaurants, pushcart kiosks and exclusive retail boutiques located in this part of the island are an eclectic mix of Asian and European elements.
While the Singapore Zoo is one of the country's most prized tourist attractions, the Night Safari excursion is a reason nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts head to Singapore in the first place. Offering visitors a glimpse into the mysterious lives of the zoo's nocturnal creatures, this unique tour which takes place in the veil of night allows travellers to discover the habits and habitats of these nocturnal creatures.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
