With international destinations gradually reopening their borders, particularly to vaccinated travellers, now is the time to start putting your dusty wish list into action, and Singapore could easily be top of your list this Christmas.

Past their 80 per cent vaccination mark, Singapore already has ‘Safe Travel’ arrangements in place. Visitors must have a valid insurance policy and isolate for 48-hours while awaiting their negative results. Then they can get out and about. 

More Than a Shopping Mecca

Singapore has always shone, especially as a shopping mecca. However, this small island nation of 728 square kilometres has much more than streets and malls of bright, shiny branded shops vying for your attention.

Abounding in colourful culture, exotic foods, rich history, exciting animals, tropical gardens and golden beaches, Singapore has something for everyone.

Known originally as Pulau Ujong by the Chinese, this translated as the island at the end of a peninsula. When settled in AD 1298, it was called Temasek or Sea Town, and later Singapura meaning Lion City, after a Palembang Prince out hunting saw a lion. 

The once humble fishing village flourished as a natural seaport for the region’s and world’s seafarers. In the 19th century, it attracted the British, after an eastern port for their merchant fleet. In 1822 Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles sealed the deal, establishing Singapore as a central trading hub. British, European and Asian traders and immigrants followed along with four distinct residential areas that remain today.

During World War II in 1942, the Japanese invaded Singapore, but it reverted to a British Colony after their surrender in 1945. After gaining independence in August 1965, Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, ruled undefeated until retiring in 1990. He not only developed Singapore into the prosperous, economic metropolis it is today, but he remains the world’s longest-serving Head of State. 

Years in the Making

The many facets of Singapore’s colonial, wartime and multi-cultural history remains today.

Begin at the National Museum of Singapore. Their array of interactive and multi-media galleries bring each era to life. Like the history it tells, the building is a mixture of old and new. The front of the city’s oldest museum is a grand 1887 colonial building and stretches to a modern glass structure at the rear. 

Across at Fort Canning Park, formerly Bukit Larangan or Forbidden Hill, discover where Singapore’s Majapahit kings and colonial rulers reigned. Venture deep into the bunker under the hill where the British commanded their operations against the Japanese on the Battle Box Tour. The museum highlights some of Singapore’s darkest days in history. Wander the Spice Garden Trail above ground afterwards, learning about the spices and plants in local cuisines. Be sure to capture the views over downtown from the top of the hill.

The Downtown Civic District is the birthplace of today’s Singapore. Planned and built by Sir Stamford Raffles, it’s where the Formula One race is now held each year. It’s also home to various other repurposed colonial buildings, including the old 20s and 30s Supreme Court and City Hall that became the National Gallery in 2015. The 8,000 plus world-class exhibits inside are only rivalled by the stunning external architecture. To keep your stamina up, enjoy lunch at the National Kitchen by Violet Onn or the three Michelin Star ‘Odette’ on site.

Stroll around Esplanade Park and check out the Cenotaph, a war memorial to the 124 British soldiers killed during World Wars I and II, and the Lim Bo Seng Memorial. 

The imposing spire and tower of St Andrew’s Cathedral also beckon. Built in 1856, Singapore’s largest Anglican cathedral replaced the original chapel struck by lightning twice. During the war, it was an emergency hospital.

Surrounding the park, you’ll also find Old Parliament House. Built in 1826, in 2003 it became Arts House and the beacon for all visual, performing and cinematic arts in Singapore. Catch a performance at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall next door. This heritage neo-classical building from 1905 is Singapore’s oldest arts venue. Lovingly restored, it’s now home to Singapore’s Symphony Orchestra.

Nearby you’ll find the two marble statues of Sir Stamford Raffles. One at his landing place in 1819 at the end of the street and the other at Empress Place just before the Asian Civilisations Museum. At this museum, you’ll find stunning displays of decorative Asian arts, treasures, and antiquities, many from shipwrecks over 1,100 years previous. The best is from the Tang.

Standing tall in tranquil War Memorial Park, Civilian War Memorial is in memory of slaughtered civilians during the Japanese occupation. Its four pillars are known as ‘The Chopsticks’ by young Singaporeans. It’s now the final resting place for those discovered in over 40 mass graves around Singapore in 1962.

Nearby, be sure to pop into Raffles Hotel for a famed Singapore Sling in their peanut shell-ridden Long Bar. Opened in 1887, a high afternoon tea with champagne or a stay in a stateroom with your own butler is also top of many lists and come highly recommended.

CHIJMES, pronounced ‘Chimes’ after its original name, Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Middle Education School, an 1800s Catholic Girl’s Convent, also nearby, is now an array of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. The compound’s chapel, dormitory and orphanage buildings vary in architectural style depending on when they were built. During the day, it is a peaceful oasis but buzzes with life at night. Live music and exotic Indian to Spanish aromas abound.

To learn more about the Japanese occupation of Singapore, visit the newly renovated Changi Chapel and Museum just ten minutes from Changi Airport. Initially built by the prisoners, it’s designed after St George’s Church.

Spicing Up Life

Singapore’s multicultural districts sizzle with historical, cultural and taste-tempting sensations. Perched high on Bright Hill, see Singapore’s biggest Buddhist temple, Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. Stroll around the prayer halls, its vast, 14-metre bronze statue of Buddha, bell and drum towers. 

Explore the rich Indian heritage around Little India. Coming to work in the British lime pits and brick kilns along Serangoon Road, the Indians made this area their home. Crammed between the mosques and temples such as Sri Veeramkaliamman Temple and the Indian Heritage Centre for an overall view of their history, you’ll discover exotic food vendors, spice stalls and markets. Even shopping is a different experience. From jasmine and okra garlands, colourful saris to juicy, fresh mangoes and spice-laden, tangy curries, you’ll find it all. If you visit on Sunday, be prepared for scenes reminiscent of Chennai.

If you think Singapore’s Chinatown is like others you’ve visited, think again. Originally home to opium dens and opera houses, Chinatown is another colourful mesh of past and present that will assault your senses. 

Soak up the rich history at the Chinatown Heritage Centre and learn about the country’s oldest religious temples at Sri Mariamman Hindu temple, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and Jamae Mosque, all on the same street. On Telok Ayer Street, see the oldest temple to Mazu, the sea goddess. Not a single nail was used in the building of the Thian Hock Keng temple. 

Stroll the most extensive spread of hawker stalls in Singapore at Chinatown’s Complex Food Centre. Under red lanterns, enjoy Chinese delicacies shoulder-to-shoulder on little stools with the locals. Or choose a traditional teahouse, Michelin star restaurant or lively Japanese izakayas and other bars along the former red-light district on Keong Saik Road.

Home to Arabs, Buginese and Malay in the 1800s, you’ll experience all things Middle Eastern in Kampong Glam or Arab Quarter. Sultan Mosque now dominates Kampong Glam. Built in 1824 for Malay royalty, the gigantic sparkling golden domes were added when rebuilt in 1928. Over 5,000 worshippers can pack the massive Prayer Hall. Discover its history at the Malay Heritage Centre. See bright murals along Haji and Bali Lanes. Satisfy your inner needs at trendy hookah cafes, hip bars and restaurants, sample exotic flavours at the night markets, shop at quirky, authentic boutiques with local designer clothing and furniture all found within this vibrant neighbourhood.

Built on coconut plantations in the 1900s, the quaint pastel, multi-coloured Peranakan (meaning local-born) Terrace Houses in the Joo Chiat and Katong neighbourhoods have to be the most photographed buildings around Singapore. Learn the history of these old weekend retreats along Koon Seng Road at the Eurasian Heritage Centre and Intan Museum. The area is also a foodie’s haven filled with traditional and modern cafes. Devour dumplings and luscious laksas before investigating the local handicrafts, decorative beadings and embroidery.

Farms to Shops

Once famous for its hundreds of fruit orchards and nutmeg plantations, Orchard Road is now one of the world’s grandest shopping strips, with over a thousand stores, many connected by underground tunnels. You’ll find everything along the 2.2km strip, from high-class fashion brands to everyday basics. Tangs was the founding department store. Built in 1958, it remains in its original building today. For the best local designs, check out Design Orchard, and see the latest creations in the making. Even if you love shopping, we bet you can’t cover every store within a week. Thankfully you’ll find equally exciting eateries and thirst-quenching bars along the way. Plus, two Michelin-star restaurants. Rest those weary feet at Salt Grill and Sky Bar while taking in the spectacular panoramic views on Level 55, ION building.

While you’re on Orchard Road, you should check out the Istana, the Singapore President’s official residence. Originally a nutmeg plantation, the surrounding gardens are a mecca for local flora and fauna. The grounds are open to the public only a few days each year.

Sparkling New Bay

After crossing Anderson Bridge on Fullerton Road, snap a selfie at Singapore’s iconic half fish, half lion, Merlion designed by local craftsman Lim Nang Seng in 1972. The bridge connects the old Civic District to the bright, shiny new Marina Bay. Another bridge, the Helix, opened in 2010, also connects to Marina Bay. It’s Singapore’s longest pedestrian bridge, and it takes you directly to the ArtScience Museum.

Marina Bay land was only reclaimed during the 1970s, with structures not appearing until the early 2000s. The Esplanade Theatres, a performing arts complex, was first, followed by the 165m high Singapore Flyer observation wheel. The Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands hotel, ArtScience Museum and Louis Vuitton store now add to the area’s shine.

The most striking building is the Marina Bay Sands hotel, with what appears to be a ‘boat’ atop stretching across the three grand towers. Built in 2010, the building’s SkyPark on top has restaurants, bars, a nightclub, an infinity pool and an observation deck spread amongst its tropical garden. The stunning ‘fingered’ structure at the waterfront promenade below, representing a welcome hand, is home to the ArtScience Museum. Opened in 2011, the 21-gallery 5,000 sq m building is where the future is imagined. The ‘fingers’ allow filtered natural light to highlight the various displays.

Even if you don’t shop, the Louis Vuitton Island Maison crystal pavillion store is something to behold. Designed by Moshe Safdie, this floating boutique is their largest retail outlet outside of their flagship store at the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

At One with Nature

Singapore is often called the garden city. Amongst the soaring concrete buildings, you’ll find green spaces to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. The spectacular tropical Gardens by the Bay nature park opened to the public in 2011. It offers a Supertree observation deck and an aerial walkway with stunning city views, 18 unique vertical gardens with nearly 200,000 plants, and two glass domes housing a 35-metre indoor waterfall and rare flowers. The Bay Central, Bay East and Bay South Gardens cover 101 waterfront hectares.

Another tranquil oasis in the city is the Botanic Gardens. Over 160-years-old, in 2015, it became Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although renowned for its Bandstand, National Orchid Garden and Symphony Lake, to awaken your body and feet, take off your shoes and walk the bamboo groves reflexology path of patterned pebbles and take time out at any of the interspersed cafes and restaurants. You can learn more on a guided tour.  

Keen to walk amongst nature? Just 20 minutes from the city centre is MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park. Macaque monkeys and flying lemurs join you on the 11km walking trail or along the 250m suspension bridge TreeTop Walk amongst the rainforest canopy.

See native Southeast Asian animals such as leopards and the fishing cat at Singapore’s Night Safari nocturnal wildlife park. The world’s first, the 35-hectare rainforest next to the zoo, is home to over 900 different animals. Watch without disturbing them as they go about their daily lives under artificial moonlight.

Enjoy the tranquillity of time on a traditional bumboat cruise on the Singapore River. Get a different perspective of this fantastic city while gliding past all the famous landmarks and buildings to Marina Bay.

A ten-minute boat ride from Changi Point Ferry terminal, view Singapore’s past on Pulau Ubin. North-east of the mainland, the island is covered in old rubber and coconut plantations, kampong village houses and fish farms where people still use water wells and generators for power. Also, enjoy hiking, kayaking, biking or birdwatching around the beautiful Chek Jawa Wetlands and National Park or take a guided tour to learn more about the island’s history and people. 

Because photos of soaring skyscrapers dominate Singapore promotions, you’ll be forgiven for not considering it as a beach holiday destination. But just 30 minutes by cable car, monorail, or boardwalk is Singapore’s first integrated tropical and tranquil resort, Sentosa Island. There are three golden beaches, Tanjong, Siloso and Palawan, to zen out on and an assortment of accommodation including luxury resorts, spas, bars and restaurants to pamper your every need. The active can also enjoy ziplining, skydiving, a waterpark, a Skyline Luge, or the peaceful aquarium.

Cruises and the Sentosa cable car depart from the Harbourfront Precinct. Yes, shops are abundant, and over 100 eateries to satisfy your every wish, even a rooftop pool area.

Changi Qi

Whether you’re arriving, departing or transiting, Changi Airport is a tourist destination within itself. So, it’s worthwhile spending time to check it out. Apart from the expected myriad of shops, bars and eateries, its world-first ‘Jewel’ is home to a host of natural indoor and outdoor unique attractions and facilities. With access to all four terminals, the ten-storey structure has five below ground and five above. It includes a relaxing pool and spa area with tarmac views, a hedge maze and watchtower, a butterfly farm, Sky Nets to bounce over at 25-metres above the ground, four exciting tube slides and a mind-bending mirror maze. 

You can’t miss the show-stopping Rain Vortex. The world’s highest at 40-metres, at night it is a mesmerising light and sound show. Get lost in the four levels of Forest Valley with more than 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs from around the world and enjoy a bird’s eye view of it all from the Canopy Bridge. Beware the glass section in the middle – it’s 23 metres high!

If you want to take it all in, allow a minimum of five hours, or take a free walking tour, but be sure to book beforehand. 

Can I also suggest you pack light and take an extra suitcase with you, or purchase another one over there — after all, it is Singapore, and you’re sure to be coaxed into buying something, whether you plan to or not.

Header image: © Benny Marty