Visitor Guide: 15 Unique Things In Singapore

Nestled at the crossroads of Asia, Singapore stands as a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and multicultural harmony. A jewel of skyscrapers dotted amongst waterways and parks, that all come alive at night with majestical lights, this tiny island nation offers more than meets the eye. From its world-famous hawker centres to its lush green sanctuaries, Singapore is an enthralling fusion of old and new. Let me share with you some of the ways that Singapore is unique, and more than simply another dense city in Asia.

I updated this guide for 2024, check it out here: reachingsingapore.com/unique-to-singapore

1. Green Urban Oasis

When you land at Singapore Changi airport you are greeted by a sprawl of apartment blocks stretching across the island. Despite its urban sprawl, when you get a taste of it, Singapore really does become a “garden city”.

Parks, trees, and flora are integrated into urban planning and form a focal point of many of the attractions in the city.

Some of the green spaces I love bringing visitors to include:

• Botanic Gardens - UNESCO World Heritage listed gardens with over 10,000 species of plant (and miles of green space for visitors to enjoy)
• Gardens by the Bay - home to the famous super trees and a nightly light show
• Fort Canning Park - my favourite green space in the middle of the city, an easy place to escape to after work and home to a famous Instagram spot

All of these are free to visit by the way - tourists are welcome to explore the above green spaces without paying a cent.

2. A Mix of Cultures

Singapore is a cultural melting pot thanks to its history at the cross roads of Asian trade. The main cultures in Singapore are:

• Chinese
• Malay
• Indian

Each of these communities has its own festivals, traditions, and cuisines that contribute to Singapore’s rich tapestry.

For a taste of something cultural, I like to recommend the:

• Sri Mariamman Temple - the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore
• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple - home to the famous Buddha tooth relic
• Sultan Mosque - one of the first mosques to be built in Singapore nearly 200 years ago!

All of these places of worship welcome visitors, however each has their own requirements of modesty for visitors to show respect.

3. Architectural Marvels

Singapore is home to stunning modern architectural marvels that visitors are welcomed to enjoy.

I like pointing out to visitors and showing them around:

• Marina Bay Sands - the iconic landmark dominating the Marina Bay area and home to a stunning viewing deck with a vantage point over the whole city
• Esplanade Theatres - shaped like the durian fruit, these host world-class performing arts events in Singapore
• Henderson Wave - a pedestrian bridge stretching between two hills made particularly famous by its inclusion in the Singapore Airlines safety video

If you want to check out the viewing deck at Marina Bay Sands (and aren’t fortunate enough to be staying at the hotel), I recommend trying to get a booking at Spago. It’s the restaurant on the viewing deck that sells tasty drinks for a price comparable to the entry ticket for the viewing deck.

4. A Mix of Languages

The mix of cultures brings with it a mix of languages.

While English is the official language, Singapore also has three other official languages: Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil. You will often see signs and hear official announcements made in all four languages.

As a visitor though, English is the common language that everyone in Singapore speaks.

5. Hawker Culture

Singapore’s hawker centres, recently recognised by UNESCO and the Michelin guide, offer a dizzying array of affordable and delicious local cuisines. My favourites that I enjoy sharing with visitors include chicken rice, laksa, satay, chili crab, and bak kut teh.

Typical hawker meals range in price from about S$5 per person, all the way up to S$60 per person if you’re ordering expensive seafood such as crab.

Some of the hawker centres I recommend visitors to Singapore explore include:

• Lau Pa Sat - home to the famous satay street
• Maxwell - for its Tian Tian Chicken rice amongst a collection of other delicious stalls
• Old Airport Road - a more truly local experience

6. Clean and Safe

One of Singapore’s claims to fame is how safe and clean its streets are. And my experience of Singapore backs this up 100%.

I have never felt unsafe walking around any street in Singapore at any time of night. In fact, I often recommend visitors to Singapore check out some of the parks in the country at night when things are cooler and less crowded (such as Fort Canning Park that I mentioned above).

Singapore prides itself on being safe and clean. It employs an army of security guards, cleaners, and police to make sure everyone in the city is safe. While Singapore may also be well-known for its fines, bear in mind that as a visitor, most of the time you will get a warning first. Singaporeans are proud of their country, and would rather educate visitors on how to show respect here rather than find them at the first sign of any wrong-doing. Please follow their guidance.

7. Efficient Public Transport

Singapore’s public transport system is fast, efficient, wide-spread and affordable.

There are three main pillars of this system, they include:

• MRT - train lines criss-crossing the island providing travel over longer distances
• Buses - frequent bus routes carrying people in the areas the trains can’t reach
• Taxis - for fast or last-mile journeys that are otherwise not served quickly by the other methods

Most visitors I show around Singapore are stunned at how affordable the transport is.

Train and bus fares start at S$1 and increased based on the distance travelled. The current fare cap is $2.26, meaning that no matter how far you travel on a single journey (including interchanges), you won’t pay more than $2.26.

Frequent train and buses services are available to and from Changi airport for much of the day, making public transport a cheap and convenient option for accessing the airport and Jewel.

Taxi fares start at about S$5, however expect a short journey to cost around $10 and a longer journey - such as to the airport or the zoo - to cost around $35. There are additional surcharges to start a taxi ride in the downtown area, or far flung landmarks such as the zoo and the airport.

9. Shopping Paradise

Singapore is host to high-end fashion brands, cool and unique local fashion, and modern technology and electronics all within a convenient distance.

• Orchard Road is the famous shopping strip for its fashion and shopping, and this is the place to be if you have an expensive taste that you want to indulge in.
• Haji Lane is a cultural street near Bugis that hosts unique boutiques perfect for exploring and finding hidden gems.
• Electronics are usually best found in hidden stores where you bargain with the owner via Whatsapp before purchasing - check out Carousell and negotiate to find good deals

Many tourists are eligible for a refund on the GST paid on goods purchased in Singapore. Check out the official website here for more details.

10. Tropical Weather

Singapore is one of the most highly-developed modern cities you’ll find in an equatorial location. The heat and humidity make it the perfect place to relax, unwind, and turn off your brain for a few hours.

Many tourist accommodations include swimming pools that are warm year-round thanks to the weather, and there are also beach clubs on Sentosa island for those keen to have a drink and some fun.

11. At a Cross-Roads Location

Singapore has a strategic location that has always made it the centre of trade networks. In its early history, this meant shipping (and it still does), however most tourists will enjoy Singapore’s location by way of its airline and airport. It is very easy and convenient to transit a flight in Singapore, and get off the plane to stretch your legs and explore a bit of the city.

You only need 4 hours to leave the airport and experience a piece of Singapore - this is what I was told by officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (passport depending).

If you only have a short stop over in Singapore, I recommend checkout out Jewel and its famous waterfall. It’s right next to the airport, so you don’t have to travel far to see it.

Bottom Line

Singapore is a unique city thanks to its heritage of migration and trade. This uniqueness presents great opportunities for visitors to check out the city and explore. Even if you only have a 4 hour stopover at Changi Airport, it is worth coming out in to Singapore to check out at least a small piece of what this country has to offer.