Singapore is Asia’s smallest country, smaller than even some cities in India. It is a melting pot of Asian culture and food from China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. In many places, I found information listed in 4 languages – English, Mandarin, Tamil, and Malay. English is the de facto language and all the cabs I was in were playing English radio channels.
I had around 1.5 days to visit around, so shortlisted the following spots –
– Clarke Quay
– Chinatown
– Sands Skypark observation deck
– Gardens by the bay
– Evening concert at the esplanade ( unplanned)
– Sound & light show at the bay
– Kampong Gelam
– Little India
Most of the shots, including the night ones, were shot on my mobile – Galaxy S20+.
Clarke Quay
Visiting Clarke Quay is definitely one of the things to do in Singapore at night, as this area is famous for its riverside restaurants, bars, and clubs. It is a very lively place to enjoy Singapore’s nightlife. One can even take a river cruise which lasts around 40mins. I skipped it though.
Old-fashioned tourist boats
Reflections on the Kallang River
Chinatown
It is one of the few remaining old districts of Singapore. The main attraction is the opulent Buddha Tooth Relic Temple houses what is believed to be the tooth of Buddha found inside a collapsed stupa at a Buddhist Monastery. The tooth relic can be viewed by the public on the 4th floor.
The incense is supposed to purify the area
Street art seems very popular in Singapore and in Chinatown, many are made by a talented guy called – Yip Yew Chong
The hawker, the boy and his cat
The Cantonese Opera
Every district, despite its name, is a fusion of different cultures. Near the Buddha temple, there is also Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple with an intricate and colorful entrance.
Chinatown street market
Sands Skypark
The Marina Bay Sands looks like a gigantic stranded ship, but it´s an architectural masterpiece housing a hotel, casino, theatre, exhibition, museum, and a huge shopping mall.
Indoor canal ride in a beautiful wooden Sampan boat
Sign at a restaurant
The observation deck on the 56th floor provides the best view of the Singapore skyline. The “ship” on top of the three towers also has the famous ‘infinity pool’ but it is accessible to the guests staying at the hotel.
The Singapore flyer
The path around the art-science museum
The resort hotel is visible from many places in the city.
Gardens by the bay
This place is a premier horticultural attraction that displays the plant kingdom in a whole new way, entertaining while educating visitors. A must-visit place where one can easily spend a day exploring this wonderful green oasis located in the very center of Singapore.
The key attractions are the Super Tree Grove with the 22-meter-high OCBC Skyway, the Flower Dome Conservatory, and the Cloud Forest Conservatory. The cloud forest is a cooled conservatory with the most exotic plant species from all over the world. The cloud forest allows you to stroll along the so-called cloud walk as you descend the mountain full of plants. It also features a 35m tall indoor waterfall.
A 35m tall mountain with over 130000 plants from various regions
I was fortunate to catch the ‘Avatar experience’ at the cloud forest which is a temporary exhibit. The cloud dome had been transformed into the alien world of Pandora, filled with beautiful bioluminescent environments, mystical creatures, flora, and the captivating culture of its indigenous people, the Na’vi.
World’s tallest indoor waterfall @ 30m
Next in the Gardens by the Bay is the Flower dome. It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest glass greenhouse! The flower dome is for spring lovers who want to enjoy gorgeous floral displays. During my visit, a temporary exhibition – Sakura was on display to welcome the Spring season in Japan.
Esplanade concert
The Esplanade is a performing arts center located in the heart of Singapore’s Marina Bay area. It is a stunning architectural landmark that features two large durian-shaped domes. I was able to catch an impressive live music performance just outside the Esplanade with Marina Bay in the background.
Open-air concert overlooking the bay
Marina bay
Marina Bay is a stunning waterfront area that has the famous Merlion statue – the official mascot of Singapore. Merlion is a statue of a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The lion part – it has been speculated that the name “Singapore” comes from the Malay words Singa (lion) and Pura (city). Hence, Singapore has been nicknamed “lion city”. And the fish part is to symbolize Singapore’s past as a humble fishing village.
It is best to be in this area around the evening. Around sunset, the lights come on in the Business district, which makes for a perfect backdrop to take nice shots.
The boulevard between the Helix Bridge and the Esplanade is a great (and free) place to view the Singapore skyline. The Helix Bridge is a pedestrian bridge famous for its human DNA structure which is why it became one of Singapore’s most visually iconic landmarks.
Spectra – Light & Sound show
The impressive Spectra show combines water, light, and laser effects with a specially curated soundtrack to create a stunning visual and auditory experience. It features a 15-minute performance that showcases the beauty of Marina Bay and its surrounding landmarks.
The show is free to attend and takes place twice daily at 8 pm and 9 pm. One of the best places to watch it is from the viewing deck of the Marina Bay Sands. I have put the show I watched on youtube –
Fort Canning Tree tunnel
There was a very long line of people wanting to get their IG shot by standing on the stairs.
Kampong Gelam
Kampong Gelam is a historic neighborhood located in the central region of Singapore. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant Malay-Muslim community.
One of the most prominent landmarks here is the Sultan Mosque with its beautiful golden-topped dome sparkling in the sun.
The Arab street here has a wealth of stylish boutiques and restored shophouses selling textiles, Aladdin’s flying carpets, gold, basket ware, and leather, among others.
The most famous and fashionable street in Kampong Glam is the Haji Lane. Haji Lane is a walking street full of street art murals, packed with relaxed cafes and trendy boutiques selling everything from hipster clothes, design stuff, shoes, backpacks, etc.
It offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past and present, and its blend of tradition and modernity makes it a fascinating and inspiring place to explore.
Little India
Little India offers a colourful and lively atmosphere with its traditional Indian shops, restaurants, and street vendors.
The Tan Teng Niah house here is a charming and colorful building. It is notable for its vibrant colors, which include pink, yellow, and green, and its unique architectural style, which blends Chinese and European influences.
One of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is located in Little India and is dedicated to the destroyer of evil, Kali. This temple was previously a place of worship for migrant workers that had been brought over from India and many claims that it helped them feel safe in a foreign land.
One interesting pattern was the similar design style of the windows at various places irrespective of the cultural associations of that district.
Singapore is an impeccable city/country, extremely clean and well organized. Overall, it offers a unique blend of cultural traditions, modern architecture, and stunning natural landscapes. It feels like Singapore has something to offer everyone.
In 1.5 days, what you have covered both on ground and through the lens is remarkable. Very symbolic of Singapore, the places you have chosen. Galaxy s20+ has indeed been a terrific companion for you – the outputs are very good. Most importantly, your words on the experience makes it complete. Very well captured and written !
Ps: sometimes short trips are the most effective 😀