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Although Singapore is a small country, the places of interest and attractions are aplenty. A must visit country if you are vacationing around this region. Take an insight tour of Singapore places of interest. See the whole of Singapore city by yourself 'within the day' with The 21 Hop-On City Tour. Singapore Island no doubt is a small country but the attractions it has created are colossal in all directions. My last trip to Singapore was June 2004. I will try to highlight as many as possible on the places of interest. There are so many additions since my early years visit. The best way to view many of the buildings, statues, monuments and museums is to take a walk along the Singapore River, or a river-boat tour that starts at Clarke Quay. This half-hour tour on an old bum-boat will cruise along the Singapore River , the kind that used to navigate up and down the river in colonial times. You will pass godowns and restored old shophouses, colonial heritage that form parts of Goverment buildings and modern structures that trust boldly skywards. You will see a Singapore that is a "sunny tropical island", a gateway to the Orient. At the mouth of the Singapore River stands a statue of the Merlion, a half-lion, half-fish mythical beast that has come to symbolise Singapore (the Lion City). The Merlion, which spouts water from its mouth, has a (much larger) cousin in Sentosa Island. Buses: SBS 82, 97, 100, 107, 130, 131, 162, Tibs: 167, 700 Nearest MRT stations: Raffles Place, Clarke Quay Museums Asian Civilisations Museum ( Empress Place ) Located along the Singapore River, this museum (a window to the ancestral heritage of Singapore) provides an insight into the civilisations of East, Southeast, South and West Asia that brings together 5,000 years of art and history. Buses: SBS 10, 70, 82, 97, 100, 107, 130, 131, 162, 196 Tibs: 167, 700 Nearest MRT stations: Raffles Place Asian Civilisations Museum ( Armenian Street ) The exhibition highlight of this museum is about the Peranakan culture. A malay term meaning "locally born" and refers to the descendants of the early Chinese community who settled in the Malay Archipelago from the 17th century. Also on display are the intricate beadwork, jewelry, embroidery and costume associated with the Peranakan culture. Buses: SBS 7, 14, 16, 36, 97, 131, 162 Tibs: 77, 167, 171, 700 Nearest MRT stations: City Hall Singapore Art Museum Exhibition on present contemporary art and design, new media and photography including works by artists from Israel, Japan, Spain, Australia, Sweden, United States and Singapore. Other attractions include the display of modern and comtemporary South East Asian art, which offers visitors different perspectives of understanding and engaging with national and cultural identities and social histories. Buses: SBS 7, 14, 16, 36, 97, 131, 162 Tibs: 77, 167, 171, 700 Nearest MRT stations: City Hall, Dhoby Ghaut Chinatown Heritage Centre - 48 Pagoda Street The Chinatown Heritage Centre is a showcase of the rich heritage of Chinatown - the lifestyles, traditions and rituals of the early immigrants who lived and worked there. The memories, sights, sounds and smell are presented in a series of carefully designed galleries housed in three restored shophouses. Visitors will truly appreciate the diverse heritage of Chinatown and its people. Nearest MRT stations: Chinatown Station The Haw Par Villa (Tiger Balm Gardens) is a theme park of Chinese mythology with older exhibits of legendary figures and tableaux, recently renovated and reopened as 'Dragon World' featuring multimedia displays and flume rollercoaster rides. Here the multi-media show unveils the richness and diversity of Chinese culture and folklore. You can go on the Wrath of the Water Gods flume ride, encounter mythological spirits, or watch a three-dimensional show on the Creation of the World, as Chinese legend would have it. "Kindness begets kindness, evil begets evil." This and other lessons are retold in this sprawling park that promises the unfolding of Chinese legends, folklore and Confucian ideology in an entertaining setting. Buses: SBS 10, 30, 51, 188, 143 Nearest MRT stations: Buona Vista Sentosa Island An enjoyable and fun island that will thrill you that is Singapore's most popular attraction Sentosa Island, attracts over three and a half million visitors each year. Cable-cars and ferries provide the rides over to this island half a kilometre (one third of a mile) offshore. The island has a wide variety of museums, sites and activities including South-East Asia's largest oceanarium, a nineteenth century British fort complete with bunkers, tunnels and gun emplacements, a Butterfly Park and an Insectarium. Head for the Merlion for a spectacular view of Singapore's skyline and neighbouring islands. There is the musical fountain and a nightly features of the Magical Sentosa Show. There are exquisite hotels on the island if you plan to stay overnight. Jurong BirdPark Slightly further out of town is the popular Jurong BirdPark. Sample a unique experience by walking through the elaborate aviaries - the Southeast Asian Birds Aviary even simulates a rainforest thunderstorm each day at noon! Other attractions include bird shows, a monorail tour of the park and a spectacular waterfall area. Home to 8000 birds from nearly 600 species, the Jurong BirdPark features a two hectare (five acre) walk-in aviary and a simulated rainforest thunderstorm, held at noon each day. View the world's lighest man-made waterfall at 30 metres(100feet) and the Penquin Parade where penquins live and play in an environment similar to that of the South pole. Buses: SBS 194, 251 Nearest MRT stations: Boon Lay Singapore Zoological Gardens Built in the early 1970s with the emphasis on natural habitat, the zoo is home to more than 2000 animals of nearly 250 species. Come face to face with Polar Bears or the Hamadryas Baboons at the Great Rift Valley. The famed, innovative "open" Zoo uses natural landscaping to form the animal enclosures. Located beside the zoo is the fantastic Night Safari, offers an unrivalled opportunity to study nocturnal animals. Visitors can either walk or ride the tram through the grounds to experience the wonders of a safari in safety! The tram gives an informative guided tour but it is worthwhile doing at least part of the safari on foot for a truly unique experience. Don't miss the popular animal shows at the zoo amphitheatre. Check the show times at the entrance. Buses: SBS 138, 171 Tibs: 927 Nearest MRT stations: Ang Mo Kio or Chua Chu Kang More places of interest: Snow City Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore Science Centre Singapore Discover Centre Note:There maybe changes or additions to the list above since my last update. |
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