Dark Green and Light Green Both Suit—Singapore, a City That Breathes

A brief weekend encounter, getting to know Singapore because of Sodagreen!

Before writing the travelogue, I want to thank again the Sodagreen that has been worth my love for over a decade. My first overseas trip since 2016, a short journey from March 7th to 9th, left me still addicted after returning. I personally decided on the trip quickly because of the concert, and the two friends who came along also fell into the dfls pit; we are willing to be Sodagreen's soldiers together!

—"Tickets for the Singapore show are still on sale"

On the high-speed train from Shanghai to Nanjing South, a message in the group chat stirred waves in my heart.

On September 28, 2024, in Nanjing, after the last domestic show of Sodagreen's "Twenty Years in a Moment," I told my husband that I probably wouldn't go to any overseas tour due to time constraints. But when I learned that there might still be tickets for Singapore and it wasn't too far from China, my feverish heart began to stir!

On Friday night at 10 p.m., I sent an invitation to my friend Xin, and she agreed instantly. Then I asked Sister Da, and just like that, our "Window Flower, Layer Flower, and Building Flower" weekend trip to Singapore was quickly finalized!

Staying up late on Friday, I bought three tickets in the same row of the PC1 zone on the floor. A kind dfls teacher recommended the Strand Hotel near the MRT station for accommodation. Sister Da, who was an English major in college, could fully take on the role of tour guide. The garden city of Singapore has a visa-free entry policy—perfect timing, location, and people!

On March 7th, I took a different flight from them and arrived at Changi Airport around 3:00 p.m. local time.

Changi Airport T3, T4, and the other two terminals have free shuttle buses. After that, we each took a taxi to the hotel.

Let me praise Singapore's taxis: the blue and yellow ones accept WeChat Pay or Alipay, directly converting SGD to RMB online—super convenient. When I chatted with the taxi driver, his Mandarin was very fluent. After learning I was going to the concert, he told me the indoor stadium has great acoustics and suggested I take the MRT to avoid traffic jams. Before I got off, he even shared that he had seen a Cai Qin concert a few weeks ago—warm and funny!

March 7th Half-Day Tour—Marina Bay + Chinatown

We took the MRT there. Because we got off at the wrong stop early, we walked past a very leisurely corner of the city. There were many lounge chairs by an artificial lake, and a sense of relaxation washed over us.

Early March in Singapore felt like the muggy weather of Shanghai's "return of spring," but the clear sky was especially beautiful.

Marina Bay Park is a huge green park. The main attractions inside are the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, and Sky Garden. All three require tickets. We only went to the Sky Garden (the giant Supertrees!). Those with a fear of heights should be cautious about buying tickets. There are two types of tickets; I recommend the outdoor skywalk. Take the elevator up to enjoy panoramic views of Singapore's cityscape from all directions. There is a light show at night. Lying on the ground, listening to symphonic music with ever-changing twinkling lights, it feels like you're floating in the universe.

In the evening, we went to Chinatown for dinner. Near the MRT station, there was a lively "wet market" (I can't describe this shabby food street well) with many fresh fruit juice stalls and a stall selling very crispy and fragrant fried wontons. Fried wontons, as the name suggests, are small thin-skinned meat wontons deep-fried until golden and crispy. There was also laksa noodles, similar to satay noodles, which left a lingering fragrance after eating. Walking around nearby, we saw many religious sites. At the intersection near Chinatown, there was the Sri Mariamman Temple; the devotion and mystery of religion are written into the silent architecture. There were also many small shops selling Singaporean specialties and souvenirs.

March 8th: In the morning, we went to the National Gallery Singapore. You can book tickets in advance from Chinese travel platforms. There are occasional limited-time special exhibitions, great for Instagram-worthy photos. But what I highly recommend is the sixth-floor terrace of the gallery. The south and north terraces offer panoramic views of Singapore's cityscape. Sometimes you can even see a baseball or football game across the street. Modernity and peace, vitality and relaxation—you can feel it all here.

Then we went to see the iconic Merlion Park. The tropical climate's heavy rain comes without warning. When we left the National Gallery, the wet ground was evidence of the downpour. Perhaps because it was after the rain, there weren't many people near the fountain. Behind the Merlion, tall buildings stand tall, recording the辉煌 and grandeur of the former Asian Tiger.

Around 4 p.m., we walked to Song Fa Bak Kut Teh, highly rated on review sites, passing by the colorful Clarke Quay along the way. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh lived up to its reputation—like clear-brewed pork ribs, tender and not dry, with a light broth that's satisfying even with plain white rice. The crispy fried dough sticks, soaked in the broth, offered multiple layers of flavor. Definitely worth a return visit! Highly recommended! Their large intestines and tofu skin were also good. In the mall opposite Song Fa, there's a must-try coconut drink from a local brand. You order via self-service machines, and you can add special olive fruit. It's a local taste that won't disappoint.

The highlight was certainly the Sodagreen concert at the Indoor Stadium that evening. The dfls teachers were as nice as ever—handing out merch and specially designed stamps were tokens of their affection. Greeny's talking was witty and amusing. The PC zone in the indoor stadium was really close to the stage, with 360-degree surround sound. And Greeny's voice was incredible—listening to it felt like hearing celestial music, clearing the ears. The Singapore show started at 8 p.m., and after it ended, we arrived back at the MRT station near the hotel around 11 p.m. A late-night snack might make the night even more memorable. Nearby, there was a Li Ji Fish Soup (that's the Chinese name; I forgot the Singaporean name), only open at night. The grilled meat, cheese tofu, and beef teppanyaki rice were delicious enough to make your mouth water!

March 9th: In the morning, we tried the local chain breakfast at Ya Kun (as someone used to baozi, youtiao, and congee, I couldn't quite handle it...). Then we walked to Fort Canning Park. There was a long queue for the sunken green photo spot. Fort Canning was once a military base in Singapore, later converted into a city park. At the visitor center, there's a cultural and historical exhibition hall introducing the park's development and Singapore's unique flora and fauna. It's a great spot for morning jogging or city walks in the city center. Actually, the National Museum of Singapore is also nearby. Singapore is really a tiny place—you can walk to many places in the city in just ten-plus minutes. With enough time, a leisurely stroll around the city is both pleasant and full of surprises and beauty.

Finally, we rushed to Changi Airport Terminal 1. Changi Airport has four terminals; budget airlines are usually at T4, while T1 and T2 have more shopping. The famous airport waterfall is at Terminal 1.

Tips: It's very convenient to use a Visa card. Some merchants, especially iconic ones, accept Alipay and WeChat Pay. Very few accept UnionPay. Taking public transport is also convenient, but you need to buy an MRT card. To top up the card, you usually need cash or a Visa card. You can exchange Singapore dollars at Changi Airport; the exchange rates in the city and hotels are slightly higher. Taxis are relatively expensive, so if the MRT is available, public transport is the better choice!

Green spaces in Singapore are not just city decorations; they blend into the city's roads, buildings, and residents. Everywhere you go, there are lush trees, stretches of grass, and exotic flowers. It's a pity I didn't get to visit the Botanic Gardens or the Zoo this time. Also, rain visits Singapore almost daily, but the city's drainage system and sheltered walkways are excellent. In the city, apart from intersections, all buildings are connected, so you don't need an umbrella—raindrops won't touch you. Moreover, public resources and facilities are well-equipped. Many famous local universities are open campuses that integrate with the city. The street you're strolling on may have a university building right next to it. The young people rushing past you might be heading into a nearby lab or lecture hall. Come to Singapore again to feel the deep and light greens, to experience the beauty and comfort of a city in nature, a natural city.

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