Things and Places Not To Be Missed in Singapore: Attractions

Despite it being the smallest nation in Southeast Asia, there are a lot of things to see and do in Singapore! For people who are in this island city-state for just a couple of days, here are some of the places that I think are worth visiting.

Remember to wear comfortable footwear because you are in for a lot of walking and always bring an umbrella since the weather can be fickle in this side of the world.

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The City is a nice place to start getting acquainted with the Lion City.

• Stroll through Suntec City and its many shops, check out Duck and Hippo Tours for their sightseeing packages. The largest man-made fountain in the world, the Fountain of Wealth is located here as well.

Fountain of Wealth

• Ever heard of a subterranean mall? The City Link Mall is one. What is cool is that you get to shop and eat while on the way to other places of interest. You can go to Marina Square or to Esplanade via the link. And it goes directly to the City Hall MRT station which is awesome.

• Not far from the City Hall MRT is the Raffles Hotel where the famous Long Bar is located and where the Singapore Sling was invented. Oh and feel free to throw the peanut shells on the floor as this has been a long-standing tradition.

• Get your gadget therapy in Funan DigitaLife Mall. If you’re in the market for a new phone, laptop, music player, game console, and other electronic gizmo, this is where you must go. Be sure to compare prices between shops to get the best deals. And don’t forget to ask for the GST Refund form upon payment!

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Ranked #5 in Luigi Di Serio’s Top 15 Skylines of the World, the City at night is a sight to behold. The City Skyline, Esplanade, Fullerton Hotel, Merlion Park and Marina Bay Sands are a must see for photography enthusiasts who like taking night shots!

Marina Bay Sands under construction

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What is great about the Singapore Zoo is its “open zoo” concept. Unlike most zoos, the animals are not seen inside cages but rather in what seems like their natural habitat. The visitors are protected by moats, water ways and plants. There are animal shows during the day as well as a chance for visitors to feed and have pictures taken with the animals for a nominal fee. Walk around the zoo or choose to ride the tram to go around while waiting for the Night Safari to open.

White Tiger at the Singapore Zoo

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The Night Safari is a unique experience and one of the best attractions of the country. The set-up is similar to the “open zoo” concept of the Singapore Zoo but with a tropical rain forest setting. Visitors can start with the guided tram ride that takes them to the different areas. You can hop off the tram should you decide to go through the different walking trails. Another highlight of the Night Safari is the Creatures of the Night show which is a performance by the animals. Oh and make sure to turn off the flash of your camera!

Pink Flamingos at the Night Safari

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Visit Chinatown if you are in the mood for a spot of shopping and to see the Chinese cultural influences. Trinkets such as key chains, figurines and other souvenir items are sold in the several shops lined up in the streets.

Busy street in Chinatown

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Sentosa Island is probably the most famous tourist destination in Singapore. It’s an island resort with several attractions to provide a varied selection of experience for the visitors.

• The Merlion and Merlion Walk is an alternative for those who have not had the chance to go to the Merlion Park in the city. There is a viewing deck at the mouth of the statue where visitors can see a bird’s eye view of Sentosa (for a fee, of course).

• The Underwater World is an oceanarium that houses thousands of sea creatures ranging from sea angels, rays, sharks, crabs and other similar animals. Bundled with the ticket to this attraction is the admission to the Dolphin Lagoon which is home to the pink dolphins! Be sure to catch the show to get a glimpse of the dolphins playing and doing tricks with the help of their trainers.

• Songs of the Sea is my favorite of all the tourist attractions! I’ve seen it three times but I never get tired of watching it. Be prepared to be amazed by pyrotechnics, laser and water show! [TIP: There is another gate at the left side of the main entrance wherein visitors can queue up. Try to get the front and center seats to get the best view of the show!]

Songs of the Sea

These are just some of the usual tourist haunts in Singapore. Visit Singapore is a great guide to the other places of interest and it even offers an itinerary planner that can be customized depending on your preference.

As the Captain Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat) said in third installment of Pirates of the Caribbean, “Welcome to Singapore!”