It might be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but the sovereign island city-state
of Singapore has developed quite the glowing reputation among travelers for a handful of
reasons.
It's a city that's known for being extremely clean, well-planned, and exceptionally entertaining.
The Lion City, as it's sometimes called, is home to the world's first nocturnal animal
safari park, several ancient temples that date back to antiquity, and of course, some
of the finest cuisine on planet Earth.
Regardless of whether you're an adventure seeker, foodie, or urban explorer, Singapore
is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Southeast Asia.
You can enjoy both natural and urban attractions in this mega-metropolis.
If you're in search of a playground for both kids and adults, then head on over to Sentosa.
The island is known for being the home of Universal Studios Singapore.
It also hosts several golf courses, beaches, and world-class luxury resorts.
If you feel like shopping, then peruse the designer shops on Orchard Road or the always-bustling
stalls in Little India.
For a breath of fresh air, head on over to the Gardens by the Bay or the Singapore Botanic
Gardens.
To complete your trip, bid farewell to this phenomenal city from the top of the famed
Singapore Flyer.
If you've always wanted to visit Singapore but have no clue where to start when planning
your trip, this video should hopefully give you a few pointers.
Join Viewcation as we take a look at some of the best attractions in this former British
colonial trading post-turned global financial hub.
Gardens By The Bay
Arguably one of the most recognizable landmarks in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay's landscape
would fit right in on the set of a film that takes place on an alien planet.
If you're looking to immerse yourself in nature without having to lace up your hiking boots,
Gardens by the Bay is exactly the urban jungle you've been waiting for.
The Gardens are located in Marina Bay and feature a wide array of amazing things to
do and see.
Its most impressive feature is its Supertree Grove which features 18 vertical gardens - the
tallest of which stands nearly 20 stories tall.
We recommend visiting the Supertrees come nightfall, but pretty much any time of the
day will provide you with an awe-inspiring experience.
Admission is free, and the park is open daily between 5 am and 2 am.
Marina Bay
This vibrant and diverse district is considered to be Singapore's tourism epicenter.
Marina Bay is home to some of the city's most-visited attractions like the ArtScience Museum, Gardens
by the Bay, and The Float at Marina Bay – the world's biggest floating stadium.
Here, you'll also find the aforementioned Singapore Flyer as well as Merlion Park - more
on that one in a bit.
While many features will lure you in, the crown jewel of this district is, without a
doubt, the Marina Bay Sands Resort.
The complex boasts having a world-class casino, performance halls, numerous nightclubs, as
well as a variety of shops and restaurants.
The rooms are also all very luxurious, and the Sands Skypark, which is an elevated open-air
concourse, is also worth seeing.
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love by giving it a like and subscribing to the Viewcation channel.
National Gallery Singapore
With over 90,000 works of art, The National Gallery Singapore houses the most extensive
collection of modern art in Southeast Asia.
The facility is spread out across two equally beautiful local monuments – Singapore's
former Supreme Court building and City Hall.
Most visitors spend at least a half-day here exploring the museum's numerous galleries.
If you're hoping to avoid long lines, you might want to consider visiting on a weekday
and purchasing your tickets online in advance.
Kampong Glam
As the Islamic center of Singapore, this district is home to the city's largest mosque – the
Masjid Sultan.
With its enormous dome and four minarets, this landmark isn't easily missed.
Besides being a religious epicenter, Kampong Glam also boasts a thriving cultural scene.
From its red-light district leanings to its many restaurants, shops, and kiosks, this
delightfully inviting and the eclectic enclave is an absolute must-visit.
Over the years, it's gone through many changes, but its religious and historical roots have
blended perfectly with the city's modern flare.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
For a city as large as Singapore, you'd be shocked to learn how many parks and green
spaces it has intermingled among its towering skyscrapers.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is one of the finest examples of spaces like these in the
city.
It was previously an unused plantation, but now the 60-acre gardens are a UNESCO World
Heritage site.
This attraction draws in both casual nature lovers as well as scholarly botanists from
around the world with its world-famous botanical libraries.
Admission is free, and you could easily spend all day wandering around the garden's many
acres of varied vegetation.
While it's all worth seeing, we recommend starting with the National Orchid Garden.
Cloud Forest
This climate-controlled domed building houses the futuristic-looking space known as the
Cloud Forest.
It features an indoor waterfall as its primary attraction, which cascades 100 feet down a
man-made mountain.
The Clurd Forest's aims to mimic the climate of the misty Singaporean mountains, which
is much cooler than the local region.
The waterfall creates jets of spray and water vapor that, coupled with the cooler temps,
create the Cloud Forest's namesake fog.
It's a great attraction to visit to escape Singapore's muggy heat.
It also doesn't hurt that the attraction is inexpensive and open seven days a week.
Jewel Changi Airport
It might seem a little odd for us to include an airport on our list of top attractions
in Singapore, but Jewel Changi is not your typical airport.
The transportation hub also features a nature-themed shopping center, several entertainment options,
and a myriad of out-of-this-wold restaurants.
The airport itself was designed by master architect Moshe Safdie.
Some of the top attractions here include the Rain Vortex – a seven-story indoor waterfall
– as well as an indoor forest complete with a suspended walkway.
There are more than 300 retail stores as well.
So, if you're a shopaholic who needs a dose of 'retail therapy', this is one place you
should definitely consider visiting.
It's such a popular place that most airlines will allow you to check in 24 hours in advance
just so you can get the most out of your visit.
Singapore Zoo
The Singapore Zoo first opened its gates in 1973.
It spans almost 7 acres and is home to more than 300 species of animals.
Often praised for its unique design, this zoo has opted for an open captivity model
that allows the animals to feel far less restricted by their enclosures.
Visitors can get around the zoo by tram or boat, and after dark, it features one of the
world's only contained night safaris.
Visitors can get an up-close-and-personal glimpse at how nocturnal animals behave once
the sun goes down.
The Intan
This private home houses one of the city's most impressive and extensive collections
of Peranakan artifacts.
The owner of the house, Alvin Yapp, has spent the last three decades collecting more than
1,500 artifacts and works of art tied to the Peranakan culture.
Some of Yapp's most notable pieces include ornate beaded slippers known as kasut manek,
which were once worn by Straits Chinese Women, as well as enamel tiffin carriers that are
hand-painted with beautiful floral patterns.
If you would like to see this unique labor of love for yourself, you should be aware
that visits are by appointment only.
Pulau Ubin
This island was at one time known for its many granite quarries, but after they all
closed down in the '70s and jobs became scarce, most residents decided to leave.
Today, the island is home to less than 50 people.
These stragglers have decided to stay behind to instead live a simpler way of life that
most modern people would likely find to be pretty dull.
For them, though, the old way of doing things is still the best way.
Visitors looking for a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city enjoy visiting this
island to get a taste of its old-world charm.
Stepping onto this island feels a lot like taking a trip in a time machine.
If you've ever wondered what Singapore was like decades ago, this is your chance to see.
To get there, you take a 10-minute ride on a boat that sets out from Changi Point Ferry
Terminal.
It makes for the perfect day trip for those that want to see a bit of Singapore's history.
Merlion Park
This promenade overlooks Marina Bay.
It's also home to an iconic 28-foot-tall Merlion statue.
In case your wondering, that's exactly what it sounds like – half-lion half-fish.
The massive carving shoots water out of its mouth into the bay.
The fish represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a sleepy fishing village, while the lion
is a reference to Singapore's nickname of the Lion City.
The statue and promenade was built in 1972, and it remains one of Singapore's most popular
tourist attractions.
So, what do you think?
Are you ready to book your flight and make your way on over to Singapore?
If so, you're in for a treat.
We've only covered a fraction of the reasons why Singapore is one of the top tourist destinations
in Southeast Asia, but we think we've given you a pretty good head start when it comes
to planning your journey.
What are you most excited to see in Singapore?
If you've been there already, what are some of your personal favorite attractions?
Let us know in the comments.
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As always, thanks for watching, and happy travels!