Must-Visit Spots in Singapore

Singapore has many labels.

— Po County, Lion City, Singapura, Garden City, one of the Four Asian Tigers, the Little Red Dot on the map...

Each label highlights what makes Singapore unique. Unlike the sweltering, humid, crowded, and chaotic impression that people often associate with Southeast Asian countries, Singapore features towering skyscrapers, clean and tidy streets, and polite, orderly citizens. It is a place impossible not to love.

If it's your first time traveling abroad independently, go to Singapore! It's small, with attractions clustered together, convenient transportation, and taxis that are not too expensive. You don't need to research extensively in advance—you can easily explore the Lion City.

If you're worried about language barriers, go to Singapore! Three-quarters of the population are ethnic Chinese, so Mandarin is spoken everywhere. Even Indian taxi drivers and Arab kebab sellers will throw a few Chinese phrases at you.

If you want a food journey, go to Singapore! Whether you have a Chinese stomach or love trying exotic cuisines, Singapore's diverse food culture will satisfy you. Malay laksa, Indian hand-grab rice, Chinese bak kut teh, and Singapore chili crab—you'll never eat the same thing twice in a day!

If you plan a family trip with your little one, go to Singapore! Various zoos, aquariums, water parks, theme parks, and the laughter-filled Sentosa will keep your energetic little troublemaker fully entertained. And the many convenient, thoughtful facilities make it easiest for parents.

Never underestimate this tiny country. Though it covers over 6 million square kilometers—an area roughly equivalent to a city the size of Chaoyang District plus half of Fengtai District—it possesses incredible charm that attracts tourists from all over the world to visit again and again.

The famous Sentosa Island gathers Singapore's finest entertainment facilities, making visitors feel as if they're in an ocean of joy.

Just visiting Universal Studios will take a whole day. Or you can get up close with marine life at the Maritime Experiential Museum and S.E.A. Aquarium, then stroll around the island and step on the sand at the beach—the day passes in a flash. The island also offers many other exciting activities: Adventure Cove Waterpark with top-notch water slides, Dolphin Island for close encounters with dolphins, the thrilling Flying Dragon Adventure Park, and the unmissable Crane Dance light and water show.

Marina Bay is an area reclaimed from the sea, where various architecturally stunning buildings are scattered like building blocks.

A typical Marina Bay route can start at the Merlion, where you take photos at Merlion Park; then visit the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest in Gardens by the Bay – the two 'giant clamshells' – and check out the Avatar-like Supertree Grove. Next, you can go shopping at Marina Bay Sands Shopping Mall, catch an exhibition at the 'durian skin' ArtScience Museum, or watch a performance at the 'big durian' Esplanade. The best spot for sunset is the Sands SkyPark, offering a panoramic view of Marina Bay; the best place for night views is the Singapore Flyer observation wheel. After enjoying the nightscape, you can grab a snack at the hawker stalls below. Though rushed, you'll have hit almost all the attractions in Marina Bay.

This area is not only the most historic district in Singapore but also a concentration of arts and culture.

It's a great route for walking: starting from Raffles Hotel, passing Capitol Theatre, St Andrew's Cathedral, National Gallery Singapore, the New Supreme Court, Victoria Theatre, MICA Building, Boat Quay, Cavenagh Bridge, and finally arriving at Merlion Park. Strolling past Singapore's old buildings and admiring the views among the high-rises will be a uniquely meaningful walk.

Singapore bak kwa is delicious—its appearance and texture are highly praised, and it's an essential food for locals during the Lunar New Year. Recommended time-honored brands: Bee Cheng Hiang and Lim Chee Guan.

These 11 giant steel-and-concrete tree-like structures, known as 'Supertrees,' are covered and intertwined with over 160,000 plants of more than 200 species. They are the most eye-catching feature in Gardens by the Bay.

Flower Dome, Cloud Forest