Joanna James
As one of the world's top travel hubs, Singapore is a dynamic island nation that truly packs in a punch when it comes to cultural heritage and impressive recreational attractions. Those who are lucky enough to be holidaying in the Lion City will find that discovering the best restaurants, shops, landmarks and heritage sites in Singapore requires both research and time. Here are a few points of interest that every visitor should explore during a getaway in Singapore.
Travellers with an interest in Singaporean culture should tour two of the island's ethnic community strongholds in the form of Little India and Chinatown. The former is the colourful neighbourhood occupied by the Indian community that calls Singapore home and it is a mesmerising area lined with sari stores, spice bazaars, authentic Indian restaurants and iconic budget shopping hotspots such as the Mustafa Centre. The country's Han Chinese heritage, on the other hand, is best discovered on an excursion to vibrant Chinatown where traditional shophouses and restaurants crowds the streets alongside Chinese medicine stalls and electronic outlets.
Orchard Road is easily accessible from Hotel 81 Tristar and countless other hubs for short term accommodation in Singapore, and there's no better location than this road to experience the island's retail culture. Orchard Road is home to some of the largest malls and department stores in the Lion City, and the best shopping venues down this road include Ngee Ann City, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, and ION Orchard although the area also houses stylish boutiques by Singapore's own fashion designers and clothing labels.
When it comes to exploring the culinary delights of Singapore, one can hardly imagine an alternative to the ubiquitous hawker centres that dot the island. Having been featured in Hollywood films such as Crazy Rich Asians, hawker centres in Singapore are known for their affordable and authentically Singaporean meals. Although the Maxwell Food Centre is one of the better known hawker hotspots on the island, it is one of a dozen food halls that provide classic Singaporean favourites such as Hainanese chicken rice, Char kway teow, Laksa, Nasi goreng and Kaya toast.
A trip to Singapore would not be complete without spending an afternoon at the National Museum or at the National Art Gallery where the evolution of the Lion City's political, economic and artistic legacies are laid bare.
Arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Singapore, the Gardens by the Bay with its Flower Dome, Cloud Forest and Supertrees is another must-visit highlight for visitors. The light and sound shows that take place nightly at the venue are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to engaging activities accessible at these futuristic gardens.
Boasting entertainment powerhouses such as the Universal Studios Singapore theme park and three beaches, Sentosa Island is an area of the Lion City that's dedicated to family fun and recreation. Sentosa Island is home to the Adventure Cove Waterpark and the S.E.A. Aquarium, and some of the best thing to do at this Island include touring its historic fortress called Fort Siloso and riding on the Sentosa Island Cable Car.
While a day time tour of Singapore Zoo is an enchanting excursion option for wildlife enthusiasts, there's nothing quite like discovering the sanctuary's nocturnal enclave on a Night Safari. This one-of-a-kind night-time journey to witness the nocturnal species occupying Singapore Zoo is what has made this award-wining wildlife activity base such a local icon.
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