Joanna James
Singapore may be compact, but it has a lot to offer for discerning travellers. You can either spend an extended stopover in the Lion City or go on a lengthier holiday. Apart from Sentosa Island where the Universal Studio awaits you, Singapore offers garden walks, fine dining, retail therapy and entertainment. In this article, we talk about the things you must not miss in Singapore.
The Gardens by the Bay is the garden escape everyone in Singapore loves. Whether you're staying at a hotel or family room in Singapore, the Gardens by the Bay is likely to be easy to access. For example, it is just 14 minutes away from the PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road, Singapore. The beloved garden is filled with exotic foliage, enchanting pathways, and a children's play area. You should visit the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome to catch glimpses of much-hued beauty. The Supertree Observatory is where you can capture vistas. There is an English rose garden in bloom, an arid South African plot and many more to explore.
A narrow lane where hole-in-the-wall cafés, bohemian graffiti and some hip bars stay open to beckon visitors, Haji Lane is in Bras Basah-Bugis district. It is in fact the original hipster hangout in Singapore. The bright shophouses sell some unique items worth checking out and cafés and restaurants sell inspired dishes and drinks. It is perfect as a watering hole for an evening with friends.
At the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, you can find a number of animal species (over 300) in a 28-hectare land. You'll spot beasts from Africa to animals from the Frozen Tundra. The reserve engages in an Open Zoo concept. Don't forget the River Wonders section where you'll encounter freshwater vertebrates. The reserve even has a couple of giant pandas. If you're a night owl, you'll enjoy their night safari.
Pulau Ubin is one of the few last surviving kampongs in the Lion City of Singapore. Here, you can see Singapore as it was in the 1960s. The island is full of green forests, gravel paths and wildlife. The wetland area is home to a thriving, rich ecosystem. You can view these creatures during low tide. Keep your eyes open for peacock anemones as you take steps along the boardwalk.
Singapore's Sea Aquarium is one of the world's largest with over 100,000 sea creatures calling it home. You can enjoy an immersive sea adventure at the aquarium. Get up close and personal with hammerhead sharks, stealthy eels, pretty clownfish, giant octopuses, dolphins, and manta rays. There is an Ocean Restaurant where you can enjoy some Mediterranean and Californian dishes.
This 66-hectare park is situated south of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. There is a pleasant boardwalk you can enjoy as you watch animals amble along on their way nearby. The Quarry Wetland is a highlight of the reserve with wetland animals thriving in the rich environs. You can also head to the Coluga Deck to look at the park from a bird's perspective. Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for long-tailed macaques flying overhead, carrying the promise of sunshine and beauty.
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.
