Attractions in Singapore: Lush gardens, layered history, and rich flavors

The Gardens by the Bay is a must-see attraction for all visitors to Singapore. The mammoth gardens cover over 100 hectares of reclaimed land and are home to over one million plants and include one of the largest (cooled) conservatories in the world. You are very welcome to explore the gardens at your own pace – trails maps are available. You can get a quick overview on a 20-minute audio tour or on the Auto Rider, but the 1 or 2-hour guided tour is the best way to enhance your visit. Highlights of the gardens include the two cooled conservatories, the Flower Dome, the Cloud Forest, the Supertree Grove, the Heritage Garden and the fabulous Children’s Garden.

The Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953, Phone: 656-420-6848

Essential viewing for history buffs and particularly for anyone interested in World War II military history, the Battlebox is an underground command post inside Fort Canning Hill in the heart of Singapore. The post played a crucial role during the WWII Japanese invasion of Singapore and is the place where the momentous decision was taken by the British commander to surrender Singapore to Japan in February 1942. Your guided Battlebox Tour will tell you all about the events that led to this surrender (the largest British capitulation in history) and show you how the underground command center functioned back then. If you would like to see more of Fort Canning Hill, you can sign up for the Of Graves, Guns and Battles Tour offered twice a week.

The Battlebox, Fort Canning Hill, 2 Cox Terrace, Singapore 179622, Phone: 656-338-6133

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum (BTRTM) is a logical add-on to any tour of Singapore’s Chinatown. Although the temple is relatively new (2007), the rich décor and impressive collection of ancient relics make for an interesting and educational visit. The name of the temple derives from a left canine tooth, believed to that of the Buddha, which was recovered from his funeral pyre in India and is now displayed in the grounds of the temple, which has been designed following the Tang Dynasty style. You can view the tooth relic, which is housed in an enormous solid gold dome (stupa), from the visitor’s gallery. Other highlights of the Temple are the Buddhist Culture Museum on the third floor and the Eminent Sangha Museum, where cultural performances are held.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, 288 S. Bridge Rd, Phone: 656-220-0220

The Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (also known as Bright Hill Monastery) is a working monastery and Buddhist university situated right in the heart of Singapore. The beautiful monastery is the largest of its kind in Singapore and offers an oasis of calm and tranquility in the center of the bustling city. A highlight of your tour will be visiting the Grand Buddha, located on the fourth floor of the main temple, and seeing the interesting architecture of the building. Since this is a religious site you need to dress appropriately – cover your shoulders and knees and remove your shoes. On weekends the monastery is packed with devotees, but if you visit during the week, you can stroll around at your own pace.

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, 88 Bright Hill Rd, Singapore 574117, Phone: 656-849-5300

Kusu Island is located just 6 km (about an hour by ferry) from mainland Singapore and offers day-trippers an interesting and serene outdoor excursion away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The origin of the island is wreathed in legend, and many Singaporeans believe it to be a sacred place. You can take a public ferry to Kusu Island and spend a few hours exploring the Chinese temple, the three Malay shrines, and the tortoise sanctuary, before settling down to enjoy pristine beaches. The picturesque lagoons offer the ideal spot for swimming and if you try snorkeling, you may just be lucky enough to spot a sea turtle gliding beside you. Bring a picnic and plenty of refreshments as there are no shops on the island.

Lau Pa Sat is without doubt the most interesting of Singapore’s many food courts due to its unusual history and architecture, making it a must-see attraction for both foodies and architecture enthusiasts. The distinctive octagonal building, which bears a graceful bell tower, was built in its current location in 1894 and has been declared a national monument. Striking features of the building include fretted eaves, soaring arches, and Victorian columns topped with fine wrought-iron work that was made in Glasgow, Scotland. Lau Pa Sat is the ideal place for foodies to try a variety of excellent Singapore “street food,” including Hainanese chicken rice, which is so widely eaten that it has almost become a national dish.

Lau Pa Sat (also known as Telok Ayer Market), 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582, Phone: 656-220-2138

Nature lovers, walkers, hikers, and anyone who loves the great outdoors should make a point of visiting the MacRitchie Nature Trail in Reservoir Park during your visit to Singapore. The 11-km nature trail meanders through tropical rainforest along the edge of the main reservoir and is perfect for walking, running, and hiking with the added bonus of wildlife watching along the way. In addition to the nature trail, you can also do the 250-meter Tree Top Walk along a towering suspension bridge that offers great views of resident long-tailed macaques, squirrels, lizards, and dozens of birds. If you would like to try kayaking on the reservoir, you can hire equipment on site and there is a restaurant at the visitors center.

MacRitchie Nature Trail, Mac Ritchie Reservoir Park, Singapore 298717

Your visit to Singapore would not be complete without seeing the city’s iconic symbol, the famous Merlion statue in Merlion Park . The Merlion, which is half fish (to symbolize Singapore’s origins as a humble fishing village) and half lion (from the city’s original name Singapura, which is Malay for lion city) stands proudly spouting water into Marina Bay. Besides snapping a souvenir picture with the Merlion you can enjoy amazing views out over the bay – try to time your visit to coincide with the spectacular Wonder Full, which is a twice nightly laser, light, and water show across the bay at the Marina Sands complex. If you feel like an adventure, you can jump aboard a restored bumboat for a cruise up the Singapore River to see other attractions like Clarke Quay and Boat Quay.

Merlion Park, One Fullerton, Singapore 049213

The National Orchid Garden is located within the central core area of the enormous Singapore Botanical Gardens and is a must-see attraction in the city. Here you can admire the remarkable work of the botanists who have been hybridizing orchids since 1859, resulting in spectacular displays of over 1,000 species and more than 2,000 orchid hybrids. You can delight your senses in the Scented Orchids Corner in the Tan Hoon Siang Misthouse, stroll through the VIP Orchid Garden and the Celebrity Orchid Garden, and then see some of the original breeding stock in the Heritage Orchid Garden. When Singapore’s humidity gets a little overwhelming you can head to the Cool House, where cool climate orchids thrive. Guided tours of the gardens are also available.

National Orchid Garden, 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569, Phone: 656-471-7361