SINGAPORE Travel Guide | Happy Trip

Singapore, known as the Lion City, is famous for being a global financial center and popular tourist destination. It is the smallest independent country in Southeast Asia, offering visitors a glimpse of various Asian cultures and customs from multiple ethnic influences including Malay, Chinese and Indian. This beautiful and clean city-state boasts a plethora of shopping and dining options as well as marvelous buildings and structures. If you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia, check out this comprehensive travel guide to Singapore. Singapore has a highly efficient public transport system and most visitors will find that the best way to get around is through its Mass Rapid Transit or MRT subway system. This train network has stations that stretch throughout the entire city. We recommend that you purchase the Singapore Tourist Pass which allows you to enjoy unlimited rides and public transport for a duration of one to three days, starting from as low as 10 Singapore dollars. If you wish to stay connected throughout your trip, we highly recommend purchasing a SIM card upon your arrival at Changi Airport. The SIM card allows you to make calls and browse the internet. The data limit is quite generous and the internet service is fast and reliable. This is perfect for downloading maps, staying connected with loved ones or posting those special moments on social media. Foreign currency exchange rates are usually better in the city compared to the airport. Some of the popular money changer shops in the city are located in the Arcade at Raffles Place, Mustafa Center in Little India and Lucky Plaza in Orchard Road. We recommend to compare rates between money changer shops before proceeding with any currency exchange transactions. Furthermore, you may also want to consider buying Singapore dollars in your country of origin since rates may also be better compared to exchanging your local currency in Singapore. As an example, changing 1,000 pesos at a local money changer in our country, the Philippines, gave us 24.79 Singapore dollars. At Singapore Changi Airport, 1,000 pesos would have given us 23.89 Singapore dollars. At Lucky Plaza in Orchard Road, we would have received 24.09 Singapore dollars. For a minimum spend of 100 Singapore dollars, tourists are eligible to claim a tax refund on goods purchased from participating retailers. Be sure to look out for the tax-free sign or shopping logo displayed at the stores or you may simply ask the shop attendant if your purchases are eligible for a GST refund. For further information on the refund scheme's terms and conditions and instructions on how to make a claim, you may visit the website of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore by clicking the link on the description box below. Please bear in mind that rules are strictly enforced in Singapore. Certain actions such as chewing gum, spitting in public, smoking outside of designated areas, and unapproved graffiti are not allowed. Failure to follow these rules might result in a hefty fine or even jail time. Your trip to Singapore would not be complete without visiting the iconic Merlion at the Merlion Park. The half-fish, half-lion statue, which has a height of 8.6 meters and weighs 70 tons, is the ultimate symbol of Singapore. The body represents the city's humble beginnings as a fishing village and the head represents Singapore's original name Singapura, which means Lion City. The smaller statue, known as the Merlion Cub, stands behind the original statue and weighs three tons. Singapore Botanic Gardens, founded in 1859, is an 82-hectare lush sanctuary. It is the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular venue for sightseeing, jogging, relaxing, or dining. This cultural landscape has been an important center for research, conservation, and education. The outdoor gardens are open daily from 5 in the morning until 12 midnight and admission is free of charge. Some of the featured attractions have specific operating hours with a minimal admission fee. Orchard Road is a bustling commercial shopping and dining area in the heart of the city. Here you will find a wide array of stores from high-end luxury brands to budget-friendly establishments. Food outlets are scattered throughout its various shopping complexes offering both tourists and locals an abundant mix of fast food joints and fancy restaurants. This is Singapore's most famous shopping haven. Clark Quay is the go-to nightlife spot, famous for its waterside restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. This is also a popular shopping spot so shopaholics will enjoy exploring its numerous boutique stores and malls. We recommend you take a boat ride or cruise along the Singapore River where you will enjoy fantastic views of the city's landmarks. Fort Canning Park is a famous historic hilltop landmark nestled in the middle of the city. It has been the home of Singapore's rulers and leaders dating back to the 14th century when Malay kings once ruled in medieval times. During World War II, this was where the British military decided to surrender to the invading Japanese forces. The park is also popular for concerts and festivals as well as leisure gatherings. Marina Bay Sands is arguably Singapore's most iconic structure. This integrated resort comprises of three 55-story towers with more than 2,500 guest rooms, a vast array of dining options, a mall with over 170 luxury brands, museums and exhibitions, as well as the famous Sky Park observation deck and infinity swimming pool at the 57th level rooftop. For a more detailed look at this iconic landmark, check out our separate video of Marina Bay Sands by clicking the link at the description box below. The Art Science Museum at Marina Bay Sands features both historic and modern exhibits where art, science, culture and technology are intertwined. The museum has an area of nearly 5,000 square meters and contains 21 gallery spaces. Rainwater is harvested and directed through the central atrium which creates a 35-meter water drop. The water is then recycled for use in the building. One of the more popular exhibits is Future World where art meets science which features a collection of digital interactive installations created in collaboration with TeamLab. Gardens by the Bay is a stunning nature park with a vast collection of over 1.5 million plants from around the world. We recommend to check out the impressive Supertrees where visitors can enjoy views 25 meters up on the walkway. The Supertree Observatory boasts a fantastic view of the Marina Bay District from a 50-meter high viewing deck. Be sure to also visit the spectacular cool conservatories. Located at the Marina Bay waterfront, the Esplanade theaters on the Bay is a world-class performing arts center. The durian-shaped twin structures consists of numerous restaurants, exhibition spaces and performance venues. This architectural icon has presented more than 49,000 activities and performances since it opened in 2002 and has welcomed millions of visitors each year. Officially opened in 2008, the Singapore Flyer is one of the largest observation wheels in the world offering a 360-degree view of the city. It has an overall height of 165 meters. There are 28 air-conditioned glass capsules that can each accommodate up to 28 passengers with a floor area of 26 square meters. On a clear day, visitors will be able to see landmarks up to 45 kilometers away including parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Old meets new at Kampong Glam where long-time traditions are entwined with a trendy lifestyle vibe. It is known as the Muslim center of Singapore and is home to the Golden Dome Sultan Mosque which is the city's biggest mosque. Be sure to check out the numerous boutique stores, trendy cafes and street art along Haji Lane. Little India is a vibrant district which highlights the city's Indian community. Visitors will find beautiful temples and mosques, colorful houses and street art as well as a wide array of shopping options. Popular shopping malls are the Mustafa Center and Tekka Center along Serangoon Road. Chinatown highlights the Chinese cultural elements of Singapore. Visitors will enjoy various delicious food offerings, bustling bars, historic temples, souvenir shops and boutique stores around this vibrant neighborhood. Sentosa which means peace and tranquility in Malay is an island resort located just off Singapore's southern coast. This former British military base is known for its lush rainforest, tropical beaches, luxurious hotels and exciting attractions. Sentosa welcomes around 20 million visitors every year and is home to over 6,000 residents. Universal Studios Singapore is the first and only Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia. The park started operations in May 2011 and welcomes approximately 4 million visitors each year. Visitors will enjoy exploring its seven theme zones filled with exhilarating rides, interactive shows and awesome attractions. To see more of what this theme park has to offer, check out our separate walking tour video by clicking the link on the description box below. The Singapore Cable Car provides an aerial link from Mount Faber on the main island of Singapore to the resort island of Sentosa. Visitors will enjoy scenic views from a height of 100 meters. The distance from Mount Faber to Sentosa is 1,650 meters and would take approximately 13 minutes to complete the journey. Please bear in mind that the cabins utilize natural ventilation and are not air-conditioned. Jewel Changi Airport, which opened in 2019, is a mixed-use complex with gardens, retail outlets, restaurants, a hotel and facilities to support airport operations. Its main attraction is the Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall that stands 40 meters high. Other attractions include the Shiseido Forest Valley, which is one of Asia's largest indoor gardens, and Canopy Park, which houses leisure and recreation attractions.