Singapore - The colorful piece of Asia

First impressions

It was my first time flying to the East where I could discover Singapore and the fascinating cultural diversity. If you've never been to Asia, Singapore is a good choice to explore, therefore you can meet different cultures at one place, get the taste of Asia and feel the energy of a modern yet traditional place. Even if you travel solo, the city is very safe, but the rules are strict too, so be aware of that! Even capital punishment is still legal and you will be charged for thousands for littering or eating on public transportation. Probably due to these regulations the city is really clean. Ppeople are welcoming here and there are lots of interesting sights to discover. How would I describe Singapore in a few words? Vibrant, multicultural, spectacular.

Where to stay?

I chose Grand Park City Hall close to the center, I was able to reach everything on food from here. The rooms were tidy and clean, the best part was the swimming pool on the roof terrace. The breakfast was typically continental with Asian influence.To me the location counts the most and this place is highly recommended!

Top sights

If you are like me and you like going beyond the surface, come and get lost with me! Otherwise I also visited the typical touristic sights. First day I joined an Airbnb general city tour, which included a part of Chinatown, the Flyers, boat tour and the Merlion Park I got an overall view on the city, I was ready to get lost at the authentic streets next days.

Flyers

The Flyers is Asia's largest giant observation wheel with a stunning panoramic view over the city. While you enjoy the view, you will also learn about history. It's a nice, relaxing ride and a great first impression you can get on your first day. Buying your ticket in advance is highly recommended!

Merlion Park and boat tour

Merlion, the half lion and half fish creation is the iconic statue of Singapore. The fish is the symbol of the humble beginning of the city when it used to be a small fishing village and the lion refers to the fact that the city is called Singapura "Lion cty" in Malay. The park is pretty nice, it's surrounded by restaurants and Cafes. 

Close to the statue you can go for a boat tour where you will visit the city from the water, passing through the historical center, learning stories about the city's life. The trading settlements exist since the 14th century,. It used to be a British colony, during WWII it belonged to Japans. Singapore as independent state was born in 1965. The boat tour lets you relax and enjoy the city scape from different perspectives.

Marina Bay Sands - Top of the world

When in Singapore, you should not skip the chance of snipping champagne on top of the exclusive five-star hotel. The resort includes a hotel, a shopping center with the most luxurious brands and the world's highest infinity swimming pool. You can chill at the skybar and enjoy the view. We didn't have reservations, still we managed to get a table. If you would like to sit down at the best spots, the obligatory consumption is 1000 SGD. Get used to the fact that the city is generally expensive, but at such a posh place you will pay even more. Once in a life it's worth the money though!

Gardens By the Bay - Cloud Forest, Flower Dome

You surely heard of this place before! Upon arrival you will be mesmerized by the giant supertrees and the tropical paradise which make Singapore the botanical capital of the world. The man-made forest convert sunlight into energy, real wonders of today.

Flower Dome

This is the largest glass greenhouse in the world, epic place with rare flowers and plants. Buy a combined ticket to all the gardens and enter a different world!

Cloud Forest

Waterfalls, plants and crystals, the place has so much to offer. Diverse vegetation in the middle of the city! Enjoy the indoor waterfall, the cloud walk and greenery everywhere. Wear warm clothes, the forest can get really cold!

Food Heaven

if you love tasting all kind of foodies, you are at the right place! Food is literally everywhere and street food is quite cheap here. Hawker centers are the ultimate places where you can enjoy all kind of Asian food. I visited Maxwell Hawker center in the Malay district. These food courts do not have air conditioning, it's the place where locals eat, I loved the atmosphere so much! Besides that I tried a Thai restaurant at Clark Quay along the Singapore river and a ramen place with hundreds different types of soup close to my accommodation.

The multicultural melting pot

Chinatown - The laid back place

I've never been to China, so I was so excited to get lost in Chinatown. It was an easy 20-minute walk from my hotel. I was amazed by the historic temples, the colorful streets and the Chinese market. The place is full of life and it feels like as if you are in a different country. I visited the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, probably the most popular attraction of Chinatown. Entrance is free, but wear loose and moderate clothing! Go upstairs and you will find a peaceful garden there where people mediate and find their inner peace. There is a Chinese food court and market very close to the temple.

Indian temple in the middle of Chinatown, this is Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Indian temple in Singapore. Besides worship, this place was always an important center for community activities. Pay close attention to the ornate details inside! Due to a tropical storm I was stuck here for about half an hour so I could observe the ceremony and the architectural wonders in depths.

Kampong Glam - The Malay heritage

I was so glad to meet Rara, my Airbnb tour guide, she is such a welcoming, kind lady, we were strolling the streets together all afternoon. We visited the Sultan's Mosque first, spectacular architecture, entrance is free, but wear appropriate clothes!

There are many Arabic style restaurants right in front of the mosque. Try the oldest restaurant, Zam Zam, such a popular place, where you can have Murtabak, pasta with different fillings.

You will also find here the famous Bohemian street called Haji Lane, vibrant streets are really everywhere. Haji Lane is the hippy neighborhood, where you can eat, drink and shop. The atmosphere is so inspiring, at the Selfie Cafe they print your face on your own  coffee, pretty crazy world!

On the market Rara made me try the typical fruit, durian. It was a bit similar to mango and to me it smelled like a rotten fruit, but it's supposed to be rich in antioxidants and it's very healthy.

My favorite part of Kampong Glam was definitely the Streets of Harmony, here you will find a significant place of all major religions: temples, church and mosque. The Indian temple was so richly decorated, the whole place had a blissful atmosphere.

All in all Airbnb private tours are great, because you get to know a local, my guide took me to many special places I wouldn't have been able to find alone. We smelled Arabic perfume, had a typical cup of tea with milk and discovered the Malay Heritage all afternoon.

Little India - The vibrant neighborhood

Last but not least explore a piece of India in the middle of Singapore! What to expect? Endless shops, cool massage places and the most amazing colorful streets art I've ever seen. Street are is pretty unique, it makes the whole city so vibrant and alive.

The most visited sight is the house of Tan Teng Niah, the colorful villa dates back to 1900, it was built by a rich man during the colonization of Singapore, Today it stands in its original form. The place was the most picturesque scene to me in the whole city. The building is well-maintained, the neighborhood is full of fabulous street art scenes.

Changi Airport

You think you've done with sightseeing but then you arrive to the airport and you are amazed by the gorgeous sights: cactus park, butterfly garden, swimming-pool and the most well-known sight: Jewel Changi, the world's tallest indoor waterfall. Tropical scene accompanied by music and light show every hour. Before heading to migration line in Terminal 1, don1t forget to check this out!

If you only have a few days for Singapore, don't worry, it will be enough to get the vibes and see the most important places. The city is must-see at least once in your life, get the most out of it!