A Spontaneous Trip — 5 Days 4 Nights Free and Easy in Singapore (Detailed Guide, Many Photos)

Since our honeymoon trip to Phuket in 2013, we haven't had another chance to travel abroad. On one hand, work was too busy; on the other hand, after having a child, the child was too young and we couldn't bear to leave her behind. After the 2018 Chinese New Year, I decisively decided to take my wife on an overseas trip. After some simple consideration, we chose Singapore as our destination. The dates were April 4 to April 8. We mainly thought there wouldn't be many people traveling during the Qingming Festival (but we found it was just as crowded in Singapore). I will try to record every detail of this trip in this travelogue, hoping to help friends who want to visit Singapore.

Republic of Singapore, formerly known as Sin-kang-po, Sing Chau, or Sing Tao, also called the Lion City, is an island country in Southeast Asia. Singapore is bordered by Malaysia to the north across the Johor Strait, and Indonesia to the south across the Singapore Strait, adjacent to the southern entrance of the Malacca Strait. It covers an area of 719.1 square kilometers with a population of about 5.6 million. Singapore is a highly developed tourist destination, ideal for families, couples, spouses, groups, friends, etc. If you are traveling abroad for the first time, choosing Singapore as your first stop is very suitable. First, Chinese is widely used, so there is basically no communication problem (although most people use English as the first language, communication in Chinese is perfectly fine), making it suitable for free and easy travel without joining a tour group. Second, Singapore has good public security, so you can travel with peace of mind. Third, Singapore is not big, suitable for short trips, and a good choice for friends who cannot get long vacations. Fourth, in Singapore you can experience the prosperity of a modern international metropolis and enjoy beautiful natural scenery.

Chinese passport holders need a visa to travel to Singapore. Singapore uses electronic visas. If approved, you will receive an A4 printed electronic visa. Singapore visa validity ranges from 35 days to 2 years (subject to embassy approval). The duration of stay is determined by the immigration officer upon entry, often 30 days, but sometimes 7, 14, or 28 days. There are 20 fast-track cities for Singapore visas (Beijing, Tianjin, Harbin, Shenyang, Dalian, Jinan, Qingdao, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen). Residents of these 20 fast-track cities are more likely to get a 2-year multiple-entry visa than residents of non-fast-track cities. My wife and I both received 2-year multiple-entry visas this time. As long as it is within the 2-year validity period, we don't need to apply for a new visa for future trips to Singapore.

Applying for a Singapore visa requires using a travel agency authorized by the Singapore Immigration Authority (individual submissions are not accepted). The authorized agency in China is China International Travel Service (CITS). My household registration is in Fuzhou, so I needed to apply through the Xiamen Consulate. To save trouble, I chose the CITS Xiamen branch on Taobao to handle it. After collecting all materials, I mailed them to the travel agency. If smooth (no rush), the visa can be received in about 7 working days.

Once the visa was in hand, I booked flights and hotels. I chose Xiamen Airlines for flights, round trip at 1,715 RMB per person, which is relatively cheap. I originally considered Singapore Airlines, but the price was much higher, so I gave up. For hotels, I booked three nights at Singapore Santa Bay Hotel and one night at Marina Bay Sands Hotel. I chose Santa Bay Hotel because it is very close to VivoCity and Sentosa. Just across the road is VivoCity, and it takes only about ten minutes to walk to Sentosa via the footpath. From HarbourFront MRT station, it's about a 5-minute walk to the hotel, making it an excellent location. In addition, the hotel offers two free bottles of mineral water, canned apple juice, peach juice, orange juice, beer, various tea bags, instant coffee, etc., every day, offering good value for money (over 600 RMB per night). The front desk has Chinese-speaking staff who are friendly. The downside is that the room is very small; after placing a large bed, there is almost no space left.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel, said to be built with 4 billion pounds, is a super-giant hotel with much higher class. Not only is the room spacious with good hardware, but you can also enjoy the infinity pool on the 57th floor. However, the price is high. I booked a Deluxe Garden View Room at 3,000 RMB per night, which is a month's salary. As a landmark hotel in Singapore, I recommend friends with sufficient funds to stay one night for the experience.

Transportation in Singapore is very convenient. For this trip, we basically used the MRT and walking to cover all our itineraries. Overall, Singapore's MRT lines are relatively simple (compared to Tokyo it's a piece of cake). The commonly used lines are five (Green EW line, Red NS line, Purple NE line, Orange CC line, Blue DT line; dotted lines are under construction and not yet open). Some lines have English announcements only (Green line), while others have both Chinese and English announcements (e.g., Purple line). Station names are shown in both Chinese and English. Since Singapore is small, whether you stay at Marina Bay, Clarke Quay, or Orchard Road, you can easily reach major attractions via MRT. Even if you need to transfer, the number of stops rarely exceeds ten, which is very convenient. For traveling in Singapore by MRT, it is recommended to buy an ezlink card. You can easily find them on Taobao, either mailed to your home or picked up at the airport. The card has a balance of 7 SGD. When the balance falls below 3 SGD, you cannot tap in and must top up before using again (minimum top-up is 10 SGD). The card can also be used on buses; tap in when boarding and tap out when alighting.

Top-up machines are available at every MRT station and are easy to find. Machines can be set to Chinese interface, making top-up simple and fast, usually done in less than 30 seconds.

Since we would walk to various attractions after getting off the MRT, it was essential to install a navigation app on the phone. In an unfamiliar country, we relied entirely on navigation. I used Baidu Maps (although many friends recommend Google Maps, Baidu Maps works very well after downloading the Singapore map offline in China). I also installed the app 'Chu Guo Fan Yi Guan' (translator), which supports voice translation for multiple languages with good accuracy, and can be useful when necessary.

Since the hotels all had free Wi-Fi, the main issue was internet access outdoors. I solved this by buying a Singapore 4G data SIM card on Taobao. Alternatively, you can rent a mobile Wi-Fi. The 4G data card is not expensive and had very good signal and speed during use in Singapore. You can find them easily on Taobao.

Climate and Items to Bring: Singapore is summer all year round, with strong sun. Just bring summer clothes, but also pack a light long-sleeve jacket because air conditioning in malls is strong, to avoid catching a cold. Also bring common medicines and items (umbrella, UK-style plug adapter) to be prepared.

RMB to SGD exchange rate is about 5:1. You can exchange a few hundred SGD in China or wait until you arrive in Singapore. It's recommended to get denominations of 50 SGD or less, as larger bills are hard to spend. Singapore is quite expensive. I bought an ordinary bottle of mineral water at the Malaysian Food Street in Sentosa for 2.2 SGD, which is about 10 RMB, very expensive. Most places in Singapore accept UnionPay cards, so it's recommended to bring one and just swipe for purchases.

Orchard Road, Changi Airport, and Marina Bay Sands Shopping Mall are great places for shopping. Singapore has many integrated complexes with a dazzling array of brands. Singapore has two major sale seasons: first is from January to February before Chinese New Year (dates vary slightly), during which there are Chinese New Year sales. The second is from late June to late July, a major sale organized by the Singapore Tourism Board. During these periods, not only small shops but also big department stores and top brand boutiques offer discounts. Usually rare discount brands can be bought at quite cheap prices. Shopping in Singapore, you can get a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund. Look for shops with a 'Tax Refund' sign or spend at least 100 SGD at the same shop and leave Singapore within 2 months of purchase to claim the refund. For goods taken out of Singapore, you can get a refund at designated shops, Changi International Airport, or certain airports. Present the receipt and goods to customs upon departure, and get a refund at the airport's Global Refund counter. Refund options include cash, mailed check, credit card, or airport shopping vouchers. A processing fee applies.

Itinerary:

Day 1 (April 4): Fuzhou to Singapore (5-hour flight), check-in at Santa Bay Hotel, evening visit to Clarke Quay, Merlion Park, Singapore Flyer.

Day 2 (April 5): Sentosa Island, Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, Palawan Beach, VivoCity.

Day 3 (April 6): Chinatown, Little India, Yishun, Sembawang, Gardens by the Bay.

Day 4 (April 7): Merlion Park, Esplanade, Lau Pa Sat, Chijmes, St. Andrew's Cathedral, check-in at Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

Day 5 (April 8): Return from Changi Airport.

Departed at 9:55 AM from Fuzhou Changle Airport, arrived at 2:45 PM at Changi Airport Terminal 1. Followed the crowd through immigration. Since the MRT is between T2 and T3, after entering, follow airport signs to the second floor and take the Skytrain to T2 or T3, then follow signs to the MRT station. Route from airport to Santa Bay Hotel: From Changi Airport MRT station, take the EW Line (green) to Tanah Merah (EW4) station (disembark on the left side). At Tanah Merah, the train stops at a center platform; two sides go to Joo Koon and Pasir Ris. Go to Platform B-To City for Joo Koon direction, transfer to Outram Park (EW16/NE3), then take escalator down, transfer to NE Line (purple) to HarbourFront station (NE1/CC29). Exit from D. After exiting, no need to cross the road; you'll see a bus stop. Walk straight about 100 meters, there is an uphill slope on the left, go up about 30 meters, and arrive.

After check-in, we immediately set off to Clarke Quay. Although it was almost 5 or 6 PM, it was still very bright. Singapore gets dark late and dawns late.

Mealtime, we decided to have dinner at Jumbo Seafood. The signature chili crab is a must-order. The crab was very large; it was my first time eating such a big crab... Of course, it was not cheap, about 500 RMB for one crab. We also ordered fried mini buns, seafood fried rice, and seafood claypot. Although it was not a holiday, the restaurant was still very crowded. We were lucky to get a seat immediately, saving a lot of queuing time.

After filling our stomachs, we headed straight to Merlion Park. After getting off at Raffles Place station, it was easy to walk to Merlion Park with Baidu Maps. I must say, ground traffic in Singapore is very orderly. Cars move quite fast, but if they see pedestrians about to cross at a zebra crossing, they immediately stop until everyone has crossed before continuing.

After enjoying the night view of Merlion Park, we continued to the Singapore Flyer, about a 20-minute walk. The streets were crowded and lively. The Flyer sells tickets on the first floor and boarding on the second floor. A must-visit for night views.

Day 2 was on Sentosa Island, mainly Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, and Palawan Beach. There are three ways to get to Sentosa: walking, taking the monorail, or taking the cable car. We chose to walk because the scenery along the footpath is also beautiful, and it only takes about ten minutes. If taking the monorail, go to the monorail station next to the Food Republic on the 4th floor of VivoCity.

We started from the hotel, enjoying the scenery on both sides as we walked into Sentosa.

Universal Studios opens at 10 AM. We bought tickets through Ctrip and entered by scanning QR code directly.

After entering, we suggest going counterclockwise. Transformers, Ancient Egypt, and roller coasters are must-dos and very thrilling. Especially the Transformers ride with 3D glasses, it felt like being in the scene, very exciting.

Among the roller coasters, there is a red normal track and a white crazy track. Before coming to Universal Studios, I had never tried a roller coaster. First time, I didn't notice the entrance (red and white have different entrances) and directly entered the white track. Afterward, my face turned pale and I couldn't calm down for a while. The white track has your feet dangling, and there are many inversions, fast turns, and steep drops. The screams from riders could be heard from afar.

Lunch was at Malaysian Food Street, right outside Universal Studios, very convenient. When leaving, staff stamp your arm so you can re-enter.

After leaving Malaysian Food Street, we continued to Toast Box on the first floor.

We ordered laksa, toast, barley water, and lemon honey water. The barley water was very good.

At the entrance of Universal Studios there is a candy house, full of all kinds of candies and chocolates. Very tempting for a sweet tooth like me.

After the candy house, we set off to S.E.A. Aquarium. Tickets were also booked on Ctrip, printed and scanned to enter.

The colorful fish were very beautiful.

After visiting the aquarium, we went to Palawan Beach. We took the free monorail on Sentosa to Beach Station, then transferred to a free bus to Palawan Beach stop (monorail and buses on the island are free).

After visiting Palawan Beach, it was about 6 PM. We took the monorail out of Sentosa, returned to VivoCity, then took the MRT to Clarke Quay for dinner at the famous Song Fa Bak Kut Teh. Clarke Quay was packed at night.

The queue at Song Fa Bak Kut Teh was huge, but we could order while waiting. When our turn came, food arrived quickly. Since we had eaten too much ice cream in Sentosa, we only ordered one large portion of Bak Kut Teh, a bowl of rice, and vegetables. The soup was very tasty; my wife loved it.

After dinner, having walked all day, my wife's feet were tired, so we returned to the hotel to rest.

Breakfast was at Ya Kun in Clarke Quay, trying Singapore's traditional breakfast.

Toast with kaya butter was very delicious, highly recommended. Singapore coffee is sweet and strong, which suited my taste perfectly.

After breakfast, we took the MRT to Orchard Road. Since we didn't plan to shop there and it was early, we just strolled around Orchard Road briefly and then went to Chinatown.

I have to say Singapore is truly a very clean country. There is almost no litter on the streets; it's very tidy and clean (you can feel it from the photos throughout this travelogue). This is partly due to people's quality, but I think it's more because of legal constraints. In regulating behavior, law is always more direct and effective than moral influence.

Set off to Chinatown.

When in Chinatown, you must visit Maxwell Food Centre. Highly recommend the Lao Ban Soya Beancurd (original flavor), very tasty.

Since my wife and I had breakfast not long ago, we only ordered the smallest portion of Hainanese chicken rice, just to try the taste. I thought it was okay, not amazing.

After Chinatown, we went to Yishun to visit a friend in Singapore, and also wandered around Sembawang. Many Chinese people live in Sembawang.

After Yishun and Sembawang, my wife was too tired to walk anymore, so she went back to the hotel to rest. I went alone to Little India and Gardens by the Bay. Before going to Little India, I went to the postbox at Clarke Quay to send postcards to friends back home (4 out of 5 received, one went missing...).

Little India is in the northeast of central Singapore, home to immigrants from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries, with the highest number of Indian residents, hence the name Little India. The streets are lined with colorful houses and various stalls selling Indian handicrafts, saris, bags, jewelry, cushions. Almost everyone on the street is Indian.

After Little India, I came to Gardens by the Bay.

I sat on the ground waiting for the light show at 7:45 PM. The area was full of tourists with cameras ready for the moment.

After the light show started, Gardens by the Bay felt like being on an alien planet, truly beautiful.

After the light show, I returned to the hotel and brought my wife (who had taken a nap) to the Food Republic at VivoCity for dinner.

Even at 9 PM, there were still many people.

Next to Food Republic, there is an observation deck offering a night view of the surroundings.

Looking far, you can see Sentosa Island.

Breakfast at Lau Pa Sat: coffee, liu sha bao (custard bun), and black sesame bun. I must say, Singapore coffee really suits my taste. No pictures here. After breakfast, we went back to Merlion Park.

On the way to St. Andrew's Cathedral.

St. Andrew's Cathedral.

Singapore's Ministry of Information and the Arts building (formerly a police station). The most eye-catching feature is its over 900 colorful windows – green, red, yellow, purple, and blue, making the building very colorful!

The Ministry of Information and the Arts building was formerly a police station.

The Ministry of Information and the Arts building was formerly a police station.

The Ministry of Information and the Arts building was formerly a police station.

Approaching 10:30 AM, we returned to the hotel, had lunch at VivoCity, checked out, and went to Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

It's worth noting that although Ctrip said check-in is after 3:00 PM, we arrived at 12:00 PM and were able to check in.

Our room was on the 16th floor, a bit low because all rooms were full. We asked the front desk, but there was no option to upgrade to a higher floor for a fee. A bit regrettable.

Bathtub, good for a soak.

The view outside the window was quite nice.

After organizing our luggage, we immediately took the room card to the 57th-floor infinity pool for a visit. The infinity pool was indeed impressive with a great view, but we planned to swim at night.

Leaving Marina Bay Sands, we went to the last attraction of the trip: Cloud Forest + Flower Dome. Tickets were bought on Ctrip, printed and scanned to enter (the air conditioning inside was very strong).

Returned to the mall opposite Marina Bay Sands and also strolled through the hotel's shopping mall.

We stopped by a supermarket to buy a can of Singapore's Tiger beer, which is a bit more bitter than domestic beer.

After a simple dinner, we headed back to the infinity pool. The night view of Singapore from the pool was absolutely stunning.

After breakfast the next morning, we swam in the infinity pool once more.

When time was about right, we set off for the airport. We left three hours for shopping at the airport, shuttling between T1, T2, and T3 via Skytrain for shopping.

Bought my favorite chocolates.

Had lunch at the airport.

The 5-days-4-nights trip ended quickly, leaving us wanting more. Next stop: Japan.

Travelogue Directory: 1. Foreword 2. Introduction to Singapore 3. Singapore Visa 4. Pre-departure Preparation 5. Departure Travel Information Hotel Index Attraction Index Flight Index Website Navigation Travel Index Cruise Index Corporate Travel Index Membership Cooperation Distribution Alliance Friendly Links Corporate Gift Cards Procurement Insurance Agency Agency Cooperation Hotel Franchise Destination & Attraction Cooperation More Cooperation About Ctrip About Ctrip Ctrip Hotspots Contact Us Careers User Agreement Privacy Policy Business License Security Center Ctrip Content Center Intellectual Property Trip.com Group Algorithm Publicity