6 Reasons Why You Should Stopover in Singapore

Singapore is the perfect destination in which to download after long hours spent on a plane. Think clean streets, amazing food, relaxed multiculturalism and a great variety of activities to keep you entertained. It may appear to be a small, westernised island city at first glance, but appearances can be deceiving!

Here are our top six reasons why you should stopover in Singapore:

1. Unique & Interesting Neighbourhoods

Singapore presents a fascinating mix of cultural influences from China, Malaysia and Europe. Several of the neighbourhood enclaves are must-sees for visitors.

• Chinatown is a bustling, colourful mix of dim sum restaurants, stylish bars, textiles stores, and also traditional medicine shops and tea houses
• Little India is a colourful cacophony of car horns, bike bells and vibrant chatter. Sample local and international cuisines at Tekka Market and Mustafa Centre is famous for being Singapore’s only 24-hour shopping haunt
• Orchard Road is home to world-class shopping at designer malls of Orchard Road
• Marina Bay is the location of the iconic and imposing Marina Bay Sands resort. You will also find Gardens by the Bay in this area
• Riverside is a must-visit for art, museum, history and culture lovers. This area is also home to Raffles Hotel and the Merlion, the city’s official symbol
• Sentosa Island is ideal if you are travelling with children or are after a beach escape. Easily accessed, you will find Singapore’s Universal Studios and sandy beaches here.

 

 

 

2. Nature’s Playground

Singapore has a number of stunning green spaces for nature lovers. The beautiful Singapore Botanic Gardens, the National Orchid Garden and Gardens by the Bay provide opportunities to unwind in nature. Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s most popular attractions. This horticultural wonder spans 101 hectares, contains the world’s largest greenhouse and includes the environmentally sustainable Supertrees. In the evening, you can view the OCBC Garden Rhapsody light and sound show. For those who want to explore the city closer to nature, the Southern Ridges is a 10km pathway through some of Singapore’s most popular parks and gardens. At times, the pathway suspends high above the canopy.

3. Food! Glorious Food!

One of the greatest things about Singapore is the food scene. From hawker centres to fancy restaurants, Singapore has it all. Singapore’s most celebrated dishes include chicken rice, chilli crab, fish head curry… and let’s not forget the ice cream sandwiches! Food in Singapore manifests the diverse ethnic groups that inhabit the island but adds a local twist.

The hawker’s centres will give you a true ‘taste’ of Singapore. Don’t let appearances put you off. Some of the hawker’s stalls are established local favourites for over 40 years and long queues form early. Food is very much a favourite pastime of Singaporeans. Consider a stop by Chinatown; Makansutra Gluttons Bay; the Maxwell Food Centre; and Lau Pat Sat, situated in a 19th-century building in the CBD.

4. Efficient Public Transport

Getting around Singapore using public transport is simple and efficient. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network of trains is the most time-efficient and cheapest way of navigating Singapore. Taxis in Singapore are metred, air-conditioned, drivers speak English and fares are generally quite reasonable in comparison to taxi-travel in Australia. Taxis are a great way to access parts of Singapore inaccessible by MRT.

5. Shopping, shopping, shopping!

It’s a shopper’s paradise and most importantly – sales are generally year-round. Singapore’s Great Singapore Sale happens annually between 25 May and 22 July, with huge discounts on offer.

The world-famous Orchard Road has an impressive selection of shopping options. Large malls like ION Orchard and Paragon are home to international luxury brands. At Marina Bay, more high-end brands are in The Shoppes. Bugis Street and Haji Lane have a selection of trendy, eclectic stores. The Mustafa Centre in Little India is open 24 hours a day and you will find anything and everything there!

6. Iconic Singapore Skyline

The construction of Marina Bay Sands, a multi-billion dollar boat-shaped resort has created a stunning and iconic skyline. From the ground, the silhouette of the resort makes for amazing photos. From the top, the Sands SkyPark, perched 200m above the ground, offers unrivalled 360-degree views of the city. A ticket is required to visit the public Observation Deck or you can enjoy a meal or drink in KU DÉ TA, a multi-sensory experience with incredible views, music and a delicious menu. A popular time to visit is at sunset for cocktails and glistening panoramic views.

The Singapore Flyer also provides magnificent views of the city. Asia’s largest observation wheel takes you 165m high and is located at Marina Bay. The 28 air-conditioned glass capsules take you on a 30-minute journey with views of the city’s landmarks, and on a clear day as far away as 45km to the airport, Sentosa and even parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.

Visit our Singapore webpage for more information.

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