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DOTSG Essentially Singapore

LOCKED ON TEXT CHOW LIYING

Money can’t buy you happiness, but it sure shouldn’t end up in disappointment – yet this is the feeling many pricey attractions leave you with. Leave the usual tourist to-dos and pick up this list of destinations that’ll give you a bang for your buck instead.

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地點 marine life park 海洋生物園 { h ǎ i y á n g s h ē n g w ù y u á n } / Plunge into two amazing water worlds at Marine Life Park, where the world’s largest oceanarium and nation’s wildest water theme park are. Mermaids and mermen will feel right at home in their Adventure Cove Waterpark, which not only features dizzying waterslides and lazy rivers but also a chance to cozy up with the corals and fishes and hang out with the sharks, manta rays and dolphins. Prefer something less heart palpitating? Admire marine life habitats up close while staying dry at S.E.A. Aquarium with over 100,000 marine animals from over 800 species such as hammerhead sharks and manta rays. End your the ocean experience on an extravagant note by checking yourself into the Ocean Suites at Resort World Sentosa and savour the feeling of living underwater next to their elegant fishes and rays.

地點 clarke quay 克拉碼頭 {kè lā m ǎ t ó u } / Waterholes, bright lights and heart thumping music — Clarke Quay holds the largest numbers of clubs and pubs in Singapore and will make an alcoholic feel like a kid in a candy store. Whether it’s a bar specialising in elegant shot glass concoctions or an establishment providing terra cottas as charming drinking companions, it’s a definite experience meandering around the cocktail of drinking places here. Also a hideout for restaurants that dish out exquisite fares behind the haze of alcohol and music, there’s something for everyone even if drinking isn’t your cup of tea. Adrenaline junkies should also give the G-MAX Reverse Bungee a try, or at least watch others lose their voices in exhilaration as they shoot up into the air.

地點 gardens by the bay 濱海灣花園 { b ī n h ǎ i w ā n h u ā y u á n } / Singapore has been globally dubbed “The Garden City” thanks to the myriad fauna and flora generously scattered along our roads and buildings, and constant greenery additions ensure we still hold that name. Standing tall, mighty and proud under a glass dome in the heart of the island, Gardens by the Bay brings a curation of the world’s most stunning greenery under a protected and controlled environment. From cloud forests complete with a majestic manmade waterfall, to super trees that seem to extend endlessly skywards, there’s no better place for your morning or evening strolls – for free. Fear the humid weather? Fully air conditioned exhibition domes (ticketed) l still give you the company of beautiful flora in comfort. It’s a place of fresh air and calmness in the concrete jungle, and the changing floral exhibitions will have you returning again and again.

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地點 p a s a r b e l l a 巴殺貝啦 { b ā s h ā b è i l a } / Markets may not seem like a regular place to visit in your schedule unless you’re a homemaker or passionate cook, but classy farmer’s market Pasarbella may very well change that perception. With an assemblage of the finer things in life in marketplace style, this classy farmer’s market offers exquisite cheeses, organic food, pastries, paella and wine along with seafood diners, beer taverns and even an exotic spice stall. Fully airconditioned and nestled in the heart of Turf Club, there’s no better way to spend a weekend with great food and quirky finds here.

地點 marina bay sands 濱海灣金沙 {bīn hǎi w ā n j ī n s h ā } / This stunning architectural feat may be best known for its casino and luxurious hotel, but look beyond the gambling ticket and you can find much more. Their SkyPark will win you over with an unobstructed view of the Singapore skyline that, if you’re a hotel guest, will come accompanied by an invigorating dip in a gorgeous infinity pool. The ArtScience Museum awaits your exploration with riveting exhibitions while their theatres have brought world-class musicals and performances including Phantom of the Opera to enchant locals and visitors alike. The Shoppes at MBS also houses luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Gucci to attend to retail therapy needs amidst a wide variety of fine dining options, and night creatures can look towards swanky clubs Avalon and DOM Lounge for a redefined nightlife experience. It’s a world of fun in there, and we promise it’s not just the novelty of the space speaking.

地點 s e n t o s a 圣淘沙 { s h è n g t á o s h ā } / While Singapore is indeed an island surrounded by waters, tourists expecting to bathe in sun, sand and sea may find the resort vibe rather elusive here in our cosmopolitan city. Sentosa is your best bet for that laid-back lifestyle with three beaches (totalling 3.2km of sandy land) and other attractions such as the Butterfly Park, MegaZip Adventure Park and Sentosa 4D AdventureLand. The beach island also houses the region’s first Hollywood movie theme park, Universal Studios Singapore, alongside Underwater World Singapore that will keep all ages entertained. Accessible via a cable car ride, train and bus shuttles or by foot via the Sentosa Boardwalk, it’s the closest you can get to a beach holiday on this sunny island, and one day here is definitely not enough to go through all its attractions.

牛車水 T E X T xi a ngy u n li m

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ne an ethnic neighbourhood appropriated to the largest portion of the Singaporean community, Chinatown is now an enclave of significant historical and cultural significance with numerous national heritage sites designated for preservation. Flanked by three different MRT stations, the neighbourhood is distinctively marked with rows of conserved shophouses with Baroque and Victorian influences and a dominant pastel palette. Chinatown comprises five districts: Telok Ayer, Bukit Pasoh, Tanjong Pagar, Kreta Ayer and Ann Siang Hill; each characterised by unique traits following their history of occupations. The different Chinese dialect communities maintain their presence in their respective territories even till this day. Called “Chinatown” in the English language, this district is referred to as “牛車水” (pronounced as nyu-che-shui) in Chinese, which literally means “bullock water-cart” or Tang Ren Jie (pronounced as tang-ren-jie), meaning “the street of the Tang Dynasty people”. The reference to the Tang Dynasty is a mark of its power during its era, for it has since been used as a point of recognition and bonding for Chinese people throughout the world in history and culture. If you’re visiting in the month of January, you’re in luck - there is no better time to be immersed in festivities and culture in Chinatown as Chinese New Year approaches, and the streets light up with night bazaars, lanterns and various live acts ranging from performing street artists to boisterous lion dances. Don’t miss the Chinese New Year’s Eve party as live performances grace a huge platform right in the heart of Chinatown and a spectacular display of fireworks heralds in the Chinese New Year at midnight.

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Ann Siang Hill Park

/ Walk a little further beyond to this hip alcove with its numerous chic cafes, restaurants and bars. We recommend Kki for delicate dessert creations of Japanese influences and ingredients such as chestnut and earl grey, before checking out the quaint The Little Drom Store for various knick-knacks and lifestyle items. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here during dinnertime, check out French Bistro Les Bouchons for steak and free-flow frites before heading to Ding Dong for bespoke cocktails and Asian fusion tapas.

ann siang hill

/ Once located between the docks and town of historic Singapore as a market of brothels and opium dens, this neighbourhood is now a thriving area of F&B outlets and design galleries such as red dot design museum, the largest contemporary design museum in Asia. Characterised by red bricks and white doorway arches, Jinrikisha Station Building is a recognisable landmark in your journey towards Maxwell Road Hawker Centre one of the most well-known food centres with the more popular food stalls often commanding snaking queues. One should not miss Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, where the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic is housed in a stupa composed of 320kg of gold alongside Buddhist Culture Museum, Eminent Sangha

tanjong pagar

Museum, Tripitaka Chamber and a theatre.

Tanjong Pagar Road / Jinrikisha Station Building / red dot design museum

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/ Start your journey by popping into Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of the oldest Hokkien temple in Singapore. First built as a humble joss house in the 19th century, the building is entirely supported by just bricks and wooden posts without any nails in its structure. Just beside the temple is Al-Abrar Mosque, one of the earliest worshipping places for Indian-Muslims – a significant symbol of the harmonious integration of ethnicity amongst our pioneers.

k r e t a a y e r / It’s no surprise that this area is touted to be the heart of Chinatown with attractions such as Chinatown Heritage Centre, Chinatown Complex and Chinatown Night Market. One can easily spend a few hours here experiencing the bustle of our traditional local wet market, tasting local delicacies at famous flagship eateries, and visiting Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple Sri Mariamman Temple, where devotees worship within its brightly coloured façade and majestic towers.

telok ayer

Telok Ayet Street / Al-Abrar Mosque

/ Home to many clan association headquarters along its curving streets, Bukit Pasoh is also home Oriole Coffee Roasters, one of the pioneering artisan coffee establishments which roasts their own sourced beans in its space that includes a coffee boutique, coffee lab as well as a training lab. Those looking for accommodation can also look to boutique hotels such as Hotel 1929 with its classy vintage style or New Majestic Hotel with a selection of 30 rooms, all uniquely decorated by emerging local artists.

bukit pasor

Hotel 1929 / Bukit Pasor Road

Kreta Ayer Road / Chinatown Heritage Centre / Chinatown Night Market

GROUNDSPEED TEXT ELIZABETH MOREIRA

When one thinks about fast food, greasy, fried concoctions of fries and burgers come into a mind. In Singapore however, fast food can be quite literal, it can still be greasy, but it’s on a totally different plane. Here’re a select few to rumble with your stomach juices.

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食物 b a k k u t t e h 肉骨茶 { r ò u g ŭ c h á } / Bak Kut Teh, also known as “pork rib tea” is a much-loved simple soup dish amongst the locals. History began during the early 20th century, when port coolies often relied on the dish as a tonic to strengthen their bodies and health. They boiled meaty pork ribs for hours with plenty of garlic, pepper, medicinal herbs and spices. Nowadays, Bak Kut Teh is favoured more for its taste. It has evolved into two styles over the years. The clear and peppery Teochew broth and the darker, more herbal Hokkien stew. You Tiao(fried crullers) is usually provided as croutons to soak up the soup. Traditionally a hot pot of Oolong Tea is served to help dissolve or wash down the fats present in the ribs.

c h i c k e n r i c e 雞飯 { j ī f à n } / At the top of the list of local dishes, also labelled as the ‘national dish’ of Singapore, would be the infamous Chicken Rice. Singaporeans can never get enough of the dish that locating a stall would be effortless, from hawker centres in the neighbourhood to luxury hotels and even at the zoo. What catches your senses is the mouth-watering fragrance of the sesame oiled rice and steamed or roasted chicken. It is also traditional to complete the dish with a side of dipping sauces such as the premium dark soy sauce, chili with garlic, and pounded ginger. Explore different combinations to discover new tastes.

b e e f n o o d l e s 牛肉面 { n i ú r ò u m i à n } / Beef noodles are like hidden treasures in Singapore. Difficult to come across and always hidden in different parts of the island. Nevertheless, it is still sought after by many locals. The unadorned dish is compromised by thick ‘bee hoon’ (rice vermicelli), in either a robust beef broth or a thick beef sauce, topped off with exceptionally tender and flavourful beef slices. Savour a bowl full of bovine goodness.

ice kacang 紅豆冰 {hóng dòu bīng} / Shaved ice desserts have been a popular treat in sunny Singapore for generations. Since the 1950’s and 1960’s, the common ice dessert was the Ice Ball. Where finely grated ice was packed into a ball, topped with coloured syrup and sold to passing by customers in the neighbourhood. Ice Kachang (ice with beans) is a descendant of the Ice Ball. A more modern and elaborate update of the balled up dessert, compromising of jelly, red beans along with more sweet goodies to be discovered. The multi-coloured little ice mountain is drizzled with creamed corn, condensed milk and psychedelically coloured syrups. A fun and refreshing dessert to help cool off from the weather.

sunrise TEXT ELIZABETH MOREIRA

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B a t t e r F l u ff y F l a p s / Be greeted with the adorable sheep cartoons when you step into this cosy pancake cafe located opposite Katong I12. Batter Fluffy Flaps or better known as BFF vaunts not just their all-day fluffy pancakes, but is also a pleasant brunch place to unwind with friends and family. The impeccably soft and fluffy Pancakes are their staple ingredients, served with savoury and sweet toppings that include tiger prawns, sausages, fruits, salads and ice cream. Nonetheless, if what the menu has to offer is limited, you can simply customize your own.

t h e c o a s t a l s e t t l e m e n t / Get a taste of Singapore’s history and dine in what was once upon a time, an army barrack along Changi Beach. After being refurbished with vintage furniture and setting the nostalgic aura, the barrack reincarnates into The Coastal Settlement. The home-like environment and scenic view of greens surrounding, gives diners a unique brunch experience while enjoying either a local or western meal.

C a f é M e l b a / Tucked away within the neighbourhoods of Mountbatten, Tanjong Rhu and Katong area is the contemporary joint, Café Melba. The Italian-Aussie inspired café offers a sumptuous brunch selection of organic eggs Florentine, pancakes, homemade bacon and other breakkie delights during the weekends. The alfresco dining at Café Melba gives an unwinding experience.

O r i o l e C a f é & B a r / Home to award-winning baristas, Oriole Café & Bar is the place to be served their decent and quality coffee beverages. Indulge in the spacious dining café and enjoy a breezy affordable brunch. The warm and inviting ambience is exemplified by the dazzling brass chandeliers and comfortable seating in their leather-upholstered booth seats. “Honest Coffee, comforting global eats, fresh cocktails, warm cosy seats” is a motto that they have so solemnly embraced.

the indie movement TEXT XIANGYUN LIM

Shopping doesn’t have to be all about branded goods and apparel – luxury also comes in the form of bringing home with you a tangible form of another land’s culture and quirks. Skip the mainstream shopping belts and head to these independent stores helmed by passionate locals for well-curated collections of trinkets and souvenirs.