Singapore's Marina Bay is a hubbub of activity, style and culture, marked by Singapore’s most spectacular hotel, the Marina Bay Sands Complex. With 57 floors, an infinity pool and an observation deck offering you the finest views of the city’s skyline, we might not be minted enough to stay here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t explore the complex. Once we’re done hanging out with Singapore’s elite, we’ll mosey over to the ArtScience Museum for a cultural interlude. Shaped like a blossoming flower, this is the museum where art meets science, and where you can explore design and technology exhibitions that will have your mind blown.
SINGAPORE
INTRODUCTION TO SINGAPORE
A Singapore tour package is all the chaos, colour and flavour of South East Asia, paired with the sleek, stylish modernity of London or New York. A hotbed of different cultures, languages, backgrounds and the famed nightlife of Marina Bay, Singapore is fast becoming Asia’s must-visit destination and boasts everything you could want in a city, but with a distinctly Asian twist. From the historical allure of Thian Hock Keng Temple, the oldest temple in Singapore, to the modern metropolis of shopping options, you’ll find everything your heart desires here, be it haute-couture, your favourite high street brands, or authentic Asian textiles and fabrics. We know one thing, a Singapore trip will ensure everyone's tastes are met, and everyone’s interests are catered for.
Singapore sets itself apart from the rest with a totally unique approach to nature. A sightseeing tour will get you face to face with its ‘green skyscrapers’. The city’s eco-friendly policies are reflected in its uniquely futuristic architecture, which could easily be mistaken for greenhouses rather than offices. Get up close and personal with wildlife with an unusual glimpse into the nocturnal animal kingdom on a Singapore Night Safari, or visit the UNESCO World Heritage site The Botanical Gardens, with the famous Supertree structures offering an impressive skywalk over the gorgeous gardens.
The one thing Singaporeans have got down to a T? The cuisine. Your nose will likely scope out the nearest food market before you do, and as soon as your eyes hit the Asian-infused delicacies, you’ll delve right in. From cheap eats such as world-renowned Singapore noodles and laksa, to the wanton mee sold by food vendors in Chinatown, those no shortage of foodie adventures to be had here. At every turn you’ll be all but bombarded with the tastiest treats, sweetest coffee and flamboyant displays of public cooking that give food porn a whole new meaning.
Singapore is where you go if you simply can’t decide which Asian country to go to, so you fancy a little taste of them all. No matter what your interests are, you’ll likely find a whole community of co-enthusiasts and like-minded people to make friends with. A Singapore trip will show you a different side to Asia, and to city life itself.
FAST FACTS
Language: Mandarin, English, Tamil, Malay
Currency: Singapore Dollar
Electricity: 230V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Singapore.
Dialing Code: +65
Time Zone: (GMT +08:00)ABOUT CONTIKI
From quick breaks to epic journeys, Contiki exists to connect young travellers with the time of their lives.
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THINGS TO DO IN SINGAPORE
See the sights of Marina Bay including the Marina Bay Sands Complex and the Science Museum
Catch an unusual glimpse into the nocturnal animal kingdom with the Singapore Night Safari
Have you ever heard of such a thing as a nocturnal zoo? Damn right you haven’t, because Singapore is home to the world’s first. Home to over 2,500 animals and over 130 species, the zoo is made up of a whopping 35 hectares of forest and dedicates itself to preserving biodiversity and protecting species under threat of extinction. What could possibly be more exciting than a night zoo? Probably a night safari, where you’ll unearth the vibrant creatures of the night in their natural habitats and learn more about the wildlife that thrives in the darkness. You’ll never think about wildlife in the same way again.
Experience the nightlife of Marina Bay, including a spectacular light show
Sleek and sophisticated, Singapore’s nightlife gets it popping like nowhere else. The place to be for the best after dark antics is Marina Bay, with an array of nightlife venues that will offer you breathtaking views of the bay as well as everything from swanky boutique bars to vast internationally-renowned clubs, so plenty of opportunities to work off that street food feast you had earlier. To top it all off, you’ll witness an entrancing light show wherein dancing water fountains, lasers and colourful projections accompanied by a symphony of classical music will have you captivated for a full 15 minutes.
Thrill seekers should make a beeline for Universal Studios Singapore
You may be pretty far from home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience a little familiar childhood nostalgia. Located on Sentosa Island is Universal Studios, a resort so full of wonderment you’ll be inwardly screaming with delight at every turn. You can spend your time getting dizzy on the thrilling Revenge of the Mummy rollercoaster, gawking at the colourful fireworks that light up the night sky, or bumping into some of your all-time favourite movie characters for a selfie. After all, we all need a break from being culture junkies, and adult life is just too much sometimes…
Take a walk through the Gardens by the Bay
The Gardens by the Bay is probably Singapore’s most well-known attraction and for good reason - it’s simply breathtaking. These glorious award-winning gardens contain over 1 million plants and act as a shining example of Singapore’s commitment to sustaining and championing its biodiversity. Its main attraction is the Supertree Grove, which features three super tree structures of up to 50 metres tall and covered with over 200 species of flora and fauna. Not impressed yet? You will be as you wander over the skywalk, getting a closer view of the stunning Supertrees and an overview of the vast site. If this place doesn't have you head over heels for nature, nowhere will.
Enjoy the best Singapore Sling in town at the Raffles Hotel Bar
The intricate white exterior of the Raffles Hotel is as decadent as it is stunning, but the hotel isn’t just renowned for being beautiful. The hotel bar is home to the original Singapore Sling cocktail, the city’s signature alcoholic drink. Created in the early 20th century, the drink became so popular that it’s now synonymous with the hotel itself - although interpretations of the drink can be found on the menus all over town, you’ll wanna head to Raffles for the real deal. Made up of gin, cherry heering liqueur, benedictine, cointreau, grenadine syrup and pineapple and lime juice, the Singapore Sling is sweet and fruity but packs a punch.
Sample the delights of the restaurants and hawker food vendors of Chinatown
Singaporeans take their food pretty darn seriously, which is evident when it comes to the impressive roster of hawker centres dotted around the city. What on earth is a hawker centre, you ask? Basically the Asian answer to a food court, hawker centres are just about as authentic as it gets when it comes to street food - and no one kills the game quite like the hawker street vendors of Chinatown. With succulent chicken satay skewers to your left, fresh coconut water to your right and aromas that will get you salivating, you’ll sample (and by sample, we mean gorge) on the very best of Singapore’s culinary delights.
Visit the temples of Chinatown, including the Thian Hock Keng Temple, the oldest temple in Singapore
An enclave of vibrant life and tradition, you’ll be overwhelmed by bright colours, sights, sounds and smells as you wander under Chinatown’s red lanterns. You’ll uncover Chinatown’s impressive collection of temples, including the oldest temple in the country, Thian Hock Keng. After being blown away by its intricate exterior, you’ll discover the secrets of this rare gem and its spiritual significance as a monumental place of worship for the Hokkiens. Encompassing Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Ancestral worship, Thian Hock Keng, alongside Chinatowns other atmospheric temples, will provide a welcome break from the screaming modernism of the surrounding skyscrapers. This is an experience that will stick in your mind long after you return home.
Enjoy a one of a kind experience on the world’s largest observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer
Step aside, London eye: The Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest observation wheel and the best way of ensuring you see everything there is to see of Singapore (quite literally.) Offering you panoramic views, you’ll perch in your glass pod on a leisurely spin, seeing the vast scope of this amazing metropolis and giving you the opportunity to marvel from afar at some of the places you simply don’t have time to explore up close. The wheels accompanying museum will provide an exciting multimedia experience as you gain a deeper understanding of Singapore’s unique story, and how it became the exciting multicultural melting pot that it is today. This is an experience that will make you feel like you’re on top of the world.
Soak up some rays at Sentosa, the purpose built island on the southern tip of Singapore
When you think of Singapore, you probably don’t think ‘island getaway’. Oh, how wrong you are. Sentosa Island is a man-made island resort sitting off Singapore’s southern coast. Dubbed ‘the state of fun’, this tropical island is also home to the Tiger Sky Tower, which will give you panoramic views that stretch as far as Indonesia (nope, we’re not kidding.) If you fancy a little beach action, Palawan Beach is inundated with street food stalls, colourful shacks, restaurants and bars. If you’re after a little more serenity, head to Tanjong beach for palm trees and chill vibes that will make you forget you’re not in the Caribbean…
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TOP 5 FESTIVALS IN SINGAPORE
Festivals in Singapore are all about fortifying food, international music and keeping those good times rolling. In this fun-loving city, putting on a show isn’t just a skill, it’s part of the culture. Prepare to be taken on a journey for the senses at these 5 truly unmissable events:
Singapore Food Festival
It’s highly likely that food is what brought you to Singapore, which is why the crowds turn it out at Singapore’s annual food fest. Live music, collaborations between local chefs, culinary workshops and gastronomic phenomena can all be expected at this drool-worthy event. This festival is worth waiting for.
Singapore Cocktail Festival
This festival is so much more than sitting around sampling different cocktails (as fun as that does sound.) You’ll experience world-class mixology workshops, speciality liquors and even celebrity bartenders (yep, that’s a thing) at this 3-day cocktail spectacular. With 25 bar pop-ups on show, our advice is to make sure you’ve lined your stomach beforehand…
Ultra Singapore
One of Singapore’s most highly anticipated festivals, Ultra explodes on to the scene each June with the world’s best EDM sounds, mind-blowing stage design and a production level to beat. The best part of Ultra is the electrifying energy brought by the crowds, so if you’re a party animal, be prepared to have it put to the test.
ZoukOut
The fact that this is Asia’s largest beach festival alone should be enough to peak your interest. This is where Singapore shows its wild side, partying from dusk till dawn every summer at the city’s Siloso Beach. Party-goers from all over the globe flock to get involved, and so should you.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is a sensational combination of colour, music and age-old traditions, all coming together in one sensational party to ring in the New Year - which, in Singapore, takes place on the 5th and 6th of February. Head to Chinatown where the streets will light up and processions will be in full swing.
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TOP 5 MUSEUMS IN SINGAPORE
In a city that is called home by hundreds of different nationalities and cultures, Singapore’s museum scene is one of the world’s most eclectic. These are the 5 museums that will give you a taste of just what Singapore is about, and how its culture and diversity is nurtured to flourish.
National Gallery Singapore
Home to the world’s largest collection of South-East Asian art, this is one of Singapore’s most culturally significant buildings. As beautiful as it is vast, you’ll have your socks well and truly blown off by the masterpieces you’ll find here. If you only make it to one museum, make it this one.
ArtScience Museum
One of the newer museums on the block, the ArtScience museums’ captivating structure can be seen for miles. Shaped like a blossoming flower, this is the museum where, as you may have guessed, art meets science. How, you ask? The museum's extensive collection of design and technology will answer that question for you…
National Museum of Singapore
When it comes to Singapore’s museums, the National is the one to beat. Built in 1849, this is one of Singapore’s oldest museums. Here, you’ll unearth Singapore’s untold secrets, its colourful past and its exciting future. With ancient relics and advanced technology sitting side by side, you’ll no doubt walk out feeling enlightened and an expert on at least one new thing.
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
South Asia’s commitment to nurturing its biodiversity shines through in the Lee Kong Chian Museum of Natural History - home to everything from historical specimens to botanical phenomenons, and even its very own ‘Dinosaur zone’ if you fancy a blast from nature’s past. This museum is truly a highlight of Singapore's things to do.
Indian Heritage Centre
This museum is dedicated to the history, culture and journey of Indian Singaporeans and other Indian communities in South East Asia. It houses 5 permanent galleries and acts as a gateway to Little India, the Indian answer to Chinatown. Even the architecture was inspired by a baoli, or Indian stepwell.
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FOOD IN SINGAPORE
Laksa
Wanton Mee
Laksa
This Malaysian coconut curry soup is easily Singapore’s best-known dish. It may be popular in the west, but you haven’t truly lived until you’ve tried real, authentic Singaporean Laksa. Sungei Road is renowned for its Laksa bowls, which are both super cheap and generous on the serving sizes.
Best eaten at - Sungei Road Laksa, 27 Jalan Berseh
Best eaten at - Sungei Road Laksa, 27 Jalan Berseh
Bak Kut Teh
Okay, so the name may literally translate to ‘Meat Bone Tea’ but hear us out, this dish is so much yummier than it sounds. Succulent pork ribs cooked in broth, Bak Kut Teh is most commonly eaten for breakfast to keep you boisterous and energised for a full day of exploring.
Best eaten at - Outram Park Yahua Rou Gu Cha, 7 Keppel Rd, PSA Tanjong Pagar Complex
Best eaten at - Outram Park Yahua Rou Gu Cha, 7 Keppel Rd, PSA Tanjong Pagar Complex
Chicken Rice
Don’t underestimate the simplicity of the name of this dish, this is no ordinary ‘chicken and rice’ combo. Tian Tian restaurant is famed for its Hainanese chicken rice, where super-smooth chicken is boiled and placed over succulent rice and served with chicken broth, sweet chilli sauce and cucumber. Uncomplicated, yet highly addictive.
Best eaten at - Tian Tian Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St
Best eaten at - Tian Tian Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St
Wanton Mee
If Singapore had a national dish, it would probably be wanton mee. A succulent meat of your choice placed on a bed of noodles, topped with crispy wanton dumplings and a side of Pak Choi drizzled with thick sauce - put simply, a plate full of all the world’s best things. Best enjoyed at Guangzhou Mian Shi Wanton Noodle.
Best eaten at - Guangzhou Mian Shi Wanton Noodle, Tanglin Halt Food Centre. 48A Tanglin Halt Road, Stall 01-04
Best eaten at - Guangzhou Mian Shi Wanton Noodle, Tanglin Halt Food Centre. 48A Tanglin Halt Road, Stall 01-04
Oyster omelette (Orh Luak)
Who doesn’t love a good omelette? This Asian twist on an international favourite is found everywhere in Singapore's street food stalls, used with the freshest oysters and spring onions. For an instant protein kick, catch it at Ah Chuan in the Kim Heat Palm Market and Food Centre on Toa Payoh.
Best eaten at - Ah Chuan Fried Oyster Omelette, Toa Payoh Lor 7 Food Centre Stall #01-25, Singapore
Best eaten at - Ah Chuan Fried Oyster Omelette, Toa Payoh Lor 7 Food Centre Stall #01-25, Singapore
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