Uncover Singapore’s Hidden Gems

Singapore’s hidden gems

Edgy, exciting and ever evolving, there’s so much hidden up Singapore’s sophisticated sleeve than you could ever hope to experience in a few short days.

It’s one of the world’s smallest cities, and while many might assume that clean, green Singapore can easily be explored in just a few days, we beg to differ. Packed with hidden gems, from the bizarre to the beautiful, there’s so much more behind the city’s urban façade than meets the eye.

1

ArtScience Museum, Singapore 2

1 Singapore city skyline

2 Fountain of Wealth at Suntec city, Singapore

Chinatown, Singapore

Synonymous with sensational food, Singapore’s culinary offerings run the gamut from Michelin-starred fine dining to some of the world’s most revered street food. The best way to sample the local cuisine is at a Hawker Market – covered food markets that offer a true taste of Singapore. You’ll also find delectable dishes hidden in the laneways of Singapore’s distinct cultural quarters – Chinatown, strewn with Peranakan shophouses and hawker markets; Kampong Gelam, home of the impressive Sultan Mosque; and Little India, a beacon of vibrant temples, markets and fiery food. Safe and easy to access thanks to the city’s world-class MRT public transportation system, a visit to these buzzing neighbourhoods is a must. upgrade to a supercar for a spin around the official F1 circuit.

Home to many world-class galleries, art lovers can also take to the city’s sidewalks to explore the art-filled laneways of Little

Even the most affluent of Singaporeans use the MRT to get around, but if you’re after the VIP treatment, you can wheel around Singapore in a convertible Rolls-Royce, or Universal Studios, Singapore

India, Kampong Gelam, Everton Park and Tiong Bahru for incredible street art. For something completely different, take the MRT to Pasir Panjang and Haw Par Villa where, amongst a surreal and sometimes startling collection of statues depicting scenes from Chinese folklore, there’s a boat ride and performances of Chinese legends.

Singapore is also a sustainable superstar, woven with ribbons of green. From its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Botanic Gardens to the futuristic, Supertreestudded Gardens by the Bay, there are over 300 parks and nature reserves. Go green on a bicycle ride along the meandering river in central Singapore’s Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. There’s also Fort Canning Park with its 18th century gateways and gazebos leading to stunning gardens, green spaces, and colonial-era relics hidden in leafy nooks and crannies. Or enjoy a peaceful nature walk along undulating pathways through the forest at Bukit Batok Nature Reserve, a haven for Singapore’s wildlife.

The island resort of Sentosa is famed for its tropical beaches, luxurious hotels and wellness spas, however you can also take the Cable Car over to enjoy big-ticket attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium and Madame Tussauds, or high-octane adventures like the HydroDash floating aqua park and SkyHelix Sentosa, an

Street Art, Kampong Gelam, Singapore

open-air gondola that rotates as it ascends to a height of 79 metres above sea level.

While famous, Sentosa is just one of Singapore’s 63 islands. You can take the bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to Pulau Ubin, a jungle-strewn paradise that is home to one of Singapore’s last kampongs (villages) and 10 kilometres of international standard mountain bike trails. Kusu Island is another island steeped in local myth and folklore – it is said a magical tortoise turned itself into the island to save two shipwrecked sailors. Today, the pretty spot is accessible by ferry and very popular for its beaches, Malay kramats (shrines), Chinese temple and Tortoise Sanctuary. Our favourite recommendation however, is to hire a luxury yacht for a serene and secluded beach getaway on one of Singapore’s cluster of quiet Southern Islands, such as blue-ringed Lazarus Island, one of its best-kept secrets.

TALK TO A TRAVEL ASSOCIATES ADVISOR TO

FIND MORE HIDDEN GEMS IN SINGAPORE ON A PERSONALISED HOLIDAY DESIGNED JUST FOR YOU ›