Top Things to Do in the Singapore | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Singapore

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a Heritage Park at Kranji Way in Northern Singapore. Located at the banks of the Buloh River, this is Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park that boasts of a stunning diversity of flora and fauna spread across a 202-hectare wetland and mangrove ecosystem. With more than 230 bird species – including significant migratory populations, thousands of plant varieties and exotic animals, Sungei Buloh is a great place to learn about the bounty and conservation of nature. First opened in 1993, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve was certified by Wetlands International for its unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity. The carefully maintained mangroves, wetlands, mudflats, and forests are home to many migratory birds that arrive in September. This makes Sungei Buloh a birdwatching hotspot for researchers and bird lovers alike. The family-friendly hiking trails and nature walks are ideal for introducing the concept of conservation to children. Read More

Suntec City is a commercial hub and shopping complex situated in Marina Centre. It houses a mall (one of the largest), an international exhibition and convention centre, a movie theatre along with a video arcade. Located at the centre of this humdrum is the famous "Fountain of Wealth" - the world's largest fountain. The main features of the Suntec City are the five towers around the Fountain of Wealth, the fountain itself and the Suntec City Mall. These towers and the Fountain of wealth are designed in a manner to showcase the wealth being in the hands of the city - the towers represent the fingers of a hand holding the fountain. Read More

Nestled in Gardens by the Bay of Sentosa Island, the Supertree Grove are artificially made, electronic tree structures. These trees are multifunctional that act as canopies and shade the area during the day and metamorphose into a dazzling exhibit of sound and light at night. These 18 steel-clad concrete structures, measuring between 25 and 50 metres tall, are adorned with around 162,900 plants. The vertical gardens come alive each night with the stunning Garden Rhapsody, a light and sound show. There are 18 Supertrees in all of the Gardens by the Bay out of which twelve are at the Supertree Grove, and the remaining six are scattered across the Golden and Silver Gardens. Each Supertree can be divided into four parts - the concrete core, the trunk, planting panels and the canopy. The incredibly advanced technology of these Supertrees allows them to function as a regular tree. These trees have photovoltaic cells that allow them to trap solar energy and utilise the same for lighting and accumulation of rainwater that is later used for the fountain displays and so on. They also perform the intake and exhaust functions that contribute to the conservatories cooling procedures. The Supertree Grove also has an elevated walkway called the OCBC Skyway that floats between two of the larger Supertrees, and provide a gob-smacking view of the Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay skyline. Read More

Forming one of the most gorgeous entrances to the magnificent Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Swan Lake is a large, beautiful, man-made lake that adds to the scenic beauty of this national park. Considered the oldest water ornament of Singapore, this massive lake spans an area of 1.5 hectares and a depth of 4m, housing a pair of elegant mute swans which have given this water body its name. Constructed in 1866, the Swan Lake was initially called Main Lake and First Lake before the addition of the graceful duo who were imported from Amsterdam. A beautiful, almost realistic bronze structure of swans in the midst of their ascent adorns the centre of Swan Lake, rightly named Flight of Swans. This structure was designed by Eng Siak Loy, a famous Singaporean artist responsible for the creation of many stamps and coins of Singapore. In addition to the swan duo that has made this lake famous, visitors will also come across pigeons, ducks, butterflies, terrapins and catfish by the water, enjoying the serenity of the location. Come here to soothe your mind and lose yourself in the clear water of this tranquil lake, while watching local wildlife skip and laze around by the cool aura that surrounds the area. It is an ideal place for a relaxing picnic with friends and family.While Swan Lake can be enjoyed from any place around its perimeter, it is best experienced from the Swan Lake Gazebo, a garden shelter made of cast-iron and a wooden roof resembling a piece of history left behind by the Victorian era, a favourite amongst tourists and visitors for its charming ambience. Swan Lake also serves as a connector to the Pulai Marsh, the newest addition to the Botanic Gardens found at the Keppel Discovery Wetland. Read More

The Botanic Gardens house some of the unique gardens in Singapore that use incredibly progressive techniques to nurture their plants. The Tanglin Gate Entrance of the Botanic Gardens is one of the four main entrances. This gate is also well known as the main entrance gate. Established in 1859, Tanglin Gate is sought to be the oldest part of the Botanic Gardens which is clearly shown in its exhibits that contain a rich amount of heritage and history and showcases them with pride. The Tanglin Gate Core contains age-old fixtures such as the Swan Lake and the Bandstand while also housing important buildings such as the SBG Heritage Museum and CDL Green Gallery, as well as gardens, such as the Sun Garden and the Bonsai Garden. Fountain at Tanglin Gate (Source)Major Attractions at Tangling Gate1. BandstandBuilt in 1930, the Bandstand was a gazebo that adorned the many gardens of Tanglin Gate. After it was made, the place soon became a famous spot for military bands to perform. Nowadays, the beautiful gazebo surrounded by a ring of Yellow Rain Trees is a most celebrated place by photographers - especially for wedding shoots. The landmark also attracts several painters to the avenue, and the Botanic Garden also holds workshops for painters at the Bandstand.Yellow Rain Trees at Bandstand (Source)2. Botany CentreThe Botany Centre is a three-storey building at the southern end of the garden. The building holds a vast amount of importance as it is the centre of the significant heritage of the Botanic Gardens. The centre was built in 1859 and is designed around several historic trees and buildings so that it does not disturb or uproot them. The centre is the place to go to acquire research resources. The building also contains the Singapore Herbarium, as well as the Library of Botany, and Horticulture and the Orchid Breeding and Micropropagation Library.Source3. SBG Heritage MuseumOne of the main avenues of the Tanglin Gate Entrance is the SBG Heritage Museum located in the Holttum Hall in the Botany Centre. Created in 1921, the 240sqm space was the very place where Professor Eric Holttum designed the orchid breeding technique that has largely helped the current orchid breeding industry. The museum is an interactive multimedia interface that contains various age-old artefacts, specimens and pictures that represent the history of the Botanic Gardens. The museum is also the holder of rare botany books that date back to the 19th century and are fascinating. The garden's heritage can also be understood in depth by the guided tours that are available for visitors.Opening hours:9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Daily)Closed on every last Monday of the monthSource4. CDL Green GalleryThis extraordinary new gallery donated by CDL has rapidly gained popularity and the honour of being Singapore’s first zero energy green gallery. The 314sqm space is an extension of the SBG Heritage Museum and is completely eco-friendly and charged by solar panels. The exhibits in the gallery change every six to nine months and are centred on various botanic related green topics.Opening hours:9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Daily)Closed on every last Tuesday of the monthSource5. Swan LakeThe Swan Lake is a major attraction of the Tanglin Gate Entrance. Built in 1866, the lake covers around 1.5 hectares of space and is said to be the oldest ornamental water feature in Singapore. Due to this reason, the lake is often referred as the main lake or first lake. It contains various species of plants and fish that have been breeding there for a long time and consider it their home. However, the main feature of the lake and also where it derives its name from is the pair of Mute Swans from Amsterdam that can be seen swimming in the lake. The majestic beauty of the Swans is often the reason why several locals, as well as tourists, are attracted to this feature. Aside from this, the island in the middle that contains several Nibong Palms is also a fascinating site.Swan Lake (Source)6. Papilionanthe Miss JoaquimThis is one of the most prized exhibits of the Botanic Garden as Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim (previously known as Vanda Miss Joaquim) is declared as the national flower of Singapore. The reason for choosing this flower was that the flower, much like Singapore, has vibrant colours and is known for its hardiness as well as its resilience.Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim Flower (Source)Gardens at Tanglin Gate1. Sun GardenThe Sun Garden has often caught many visitors' attention as the garden is home to several succulents and plants that grow in the arid regions. Some of these wildly fascinating and distinct plants include the varieties of cacti, as well as drought tolerant species, such as agave or the grass trees. The Sun Gardens have a controlled atmosphere and modifications to sustain the plants by creating the condition it requires to thrive. The Sun Garden is also famous due to it being the spot where the Passing of Knowledge sculpture is situated.Cactus Plants at Sun Garden (Source)2. Bonsai GardenThe bonsai gardens are widely known in all of Singapore and stand out from the rest of the gardens as they are the source of a gathering of Bonsais that have always been a fascinating field in botany. The garden contains 48 specimens of Bonsai that are of 29 plant types. These specimens include several tropicals, as well as subtropical plants, with the garden trying to add more and more of them to the Bonsai family.Guided ToursNature Sketching in the gardens9:00 AM3rd Saturday of the odd months (January, March, May, July, September and November)Heritage Tour9:00 AM4th Saturday of every monthRace Against Time10:00 AM4th Saturday of every monthSingapore Botanic Garden (Source)Tips & RestrictionsSmoking is not allowed on the premises.No open fires or barbequing.No plucking of plants.No tampering or damaging park property.No motored vehicles.No cycling, skateboarding, skating or scooters allowed in the premises.No fishing or feeding of birds.No freeing of animals (pets). Read More

One of the world's best beach clubs, the Tanjong Beach Club is known for the quirky beachside fare, lined with striped deck chairs and a chic swimming pool for its patrons. Enjoy a delectable meal, have a sparkly drink, go swimming, play beach games or sunbathe on one of the sun-loungers of the club. Tanjong Beach Club is an oasis during the weekdays, serving as a hideout from the din of the concrete jungles. During the weekends, it metamorphoses into a party hub with the locals and tourists thronging the beachside. There are both indoor dining and open-air dining options serving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. A 20-metre infinity pool and deck extend across the front of the main restaurant beyond which are rows of daybeds (available on prior booking). Read More

Revered for its white sandy shoreline, the man-made Tanjong Beach is nestled pristinely on Sentosa Island of Singapore. It is less crowded as compared to the other two touristic beaches on Sentosa, and attracts people who come here to take a break from the chaotic life of the city. Families with young children also find this beach interesting as there are quite a few activities to engage here, like, frisbee playing and building sandcastles. The sickle-shaped Tanjong Beach features a beach bar/club - the Tanjong Beach Club - where visitors can unwind, listening to music and sipping on cocktails and other beverages. The beach is also dotted with sidewalks bordered by a verdant landscape which are perfect for taking evening and morning strolls. There are food, snacks and drink kiosks located on the sidewalks and draw quite a fair share of beachgoers. Apart from this, there is a beach volleyball court. Water sports fanatics can also rent kayaks and surfboards. One can procure swimming costumes and towels from the beach stalls on rent. Read More

Tekka Centre is a colourful hawker market located and a dining landmark in Little India. Housing the biggest 'wet' market of Singapore, this brightly painted building also stores a wide array of products from vibrant Indian clothing to biryani! With over 284 stalls, the hawker centres here predominantly serve Indian food and are popular for sampling some of the best halal dishes in Singapore. The higher floors of Tekka Centre houses the stalls selling everything Indian - from Bollywood music to Indian sarees. People of several ethnic backgrounds visit and run this place - from the locals to Indians to the Malays - making Tekka centre is a learning ground for the culture of Singapore. Read More

Lying between the exuberant Mount Faber Park and Vibrant HortPark of the Southern Ridges of Singapore, Telok Blangah Hill Park is a calm, peaceful getaway to enjoy nature with a view. Even though joggers and trekkers may treat it as a mere passageway between two parks, there's much more to it. On one end of Telok Blangah Hill Park is the well-known Henderson Waves, which is a 274 metre long and 36-metre high undulatory structure with unique curved metal ribs, and on the other end is the Forest Walk which is a 1.3-kilometre long metal pathway offering breathtaking, bird-eye views of the forest below. Another trail to not miss in Telok Blangah Hill Park is the Earth Trail which runs parallel to the Forest Walk, offering a view of the forest from ground-level. At the top of the hill, stairs, and curved terraces make up the Terrace Garden which, with its flowers, is a riot of colours! The Terrace Garden offers spellbinding views of Singapore City. Telok Blangah Hill Park was also once the meeting point of several trading communities which is expressed well by the presence of the Alkaff Mansion, a luxuriously built colonial-style bungalow built by Arab Traders. It was used for public gatherings and parties for the socially elite. While here, indulge in a picnic at the several picnic tables or go for a job! Either way, it's sure to be a great experience. Read More

Celebrated by the Tamil population of Singapore, Thaipusam is a two-day festival dedicated to Lord Murugan - the Hindu God of war and epitomizes youth, power, and virtue. It falls on the day of the full moon during the Tamil month of Thai. Celebration of Thaipusam in Singapore involves early morning prayers, asceticism, self-control, processions and piercings. The word, Thaipusam is a blend of the word 'Thai', along with 'Pusam', which is the name of the star which shines the brightest and is positioned at its highest point in the sky during this festival. The most distinct feature of Thaipusam in Singapore is the huge adorned kavadi, which is carried by the devotees and involves a lot of skin piercings. Women and children also actively take part in the celebration by carrying large pots of milk to offer to God to thank him for fulfilling their dreams and desires. Read More