The Ultimate Guide to Singapore! Unlocking the Unusual Lion City!
When it comes to Singapore, many people think of a bustling city. Today, follow Huahua's steps to unlock an unusual journey in the Lion City, Singapore.
When we travel to Singapore, the first stop is definitely Changi Airport! It's not just a transport hub, but also a super fun and delicious treasure trove for check-ins. Here's your airport fun + Singapore local food guide!
Our flight landed at Changi Airport Terminal 1, which is seamlessly connected to Jewel Changi. The indoor garden, like a tropical rainforest with lush greenery, instantly dispelled the fatigue of the flight.
The star attraction in the mall is definitely the Rain Vortex, a 40-meter indoor waterfall cascading from the central glass roof. The recommended photo spot is on the 3rd floor, where you can capture the waterfall, the Skytrain, and the greenery all in one shot.
For friends at T1, just follow the signs on foot; T2 and T3 can take the free Skytrain; T4 can take a free shuttle bus to get there.
It also gathers the essence of Singaporean cuisine, like Song Fa Bak Kut Teh with its super peppery flavor and unlimited refills of soup, Ya Kun Kaya Toast with its perfect pairing of soy milk coffee and kaya toast, and refreshingly cool coconut ices... Whether you're just arriving in Singapore or about to leave, you can have the taste of Singapore accompany you all the way.
No trip to Singapore is complete without a photo with the Merlion! Here you'll see the iconic statue with a lion's head and fish body, with Marina Bay and Marina Bay Sands in the background! Get ready for all kinds of poses to attract wealth and blessings.
Fort Canning Park is not only a historical landmark, but the Tree Tunnel staircase is now a hugely popular photo spot. In the evening sunlight, the tree shadows cast on the wall make for super photogenic shots.
One of Singapore's most distinctive buildings, this was once a British colonial police station, now transformed into a vibrant check-in landmark thanks to its colorful windows. Be mindful of traffic when taking photos!
Waterloo Street, also known as Si Ma Lu, is one of Singapore's oldest streets. In just 700 meters, it houses the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Sri Krishnan Temple, a Catholic church, and a Jewish synagogue, showcasing the multicultural harmony that truly reflects Singapore's culture and inclusiveness.
Nearby check-in spots include the rainbow spiral staircase that OCD sufferers will love, Parkview Square with its golden crane and hidden secrets, and the vibrant, dopamine-filled Haji Lane—all worth a visit.
There are plenty of CityWalk options around Chinatown. We can visit Yueh Hai Ching Temple, Clarke Quay, and find niche photo spots among the HDB flats. The ubiquitous 'five-foot way' elements in Chinatown remind me of the 'qilou' arcades in southern China, suggesting a unique cultural connection.
A Sidecar ride is a very fun experience in Singapore. Hop into a restored vintage Vespa sidecar, and over the hour-long ride, the driver will take you through alleys off the beaten path, past buildings of different styles, and past various houses and murals, letting you experience real local life.
Singapore's high-charm chocolate factory! The chocolate flavors are also unique, such as chrysanthemum, earl grey, raspberry, hojicha, etc. I highly recommend the soy sauce salt flavor. It was my first time tasting savory chocolate, and it was a delightful surprise. I also tried making my own DIY chocolate, perfect as souvenirs for family and friends.
The Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay are not only beautiful during the day, but at night they put on a stunning musical light show. The lights and music are perfectly synchronized, with various music styles—truly an audio-visual feast.
The hotel is very new, opened less than two years ago, and offers Chinese-language service. The room size is not small by Singapore standards, well-equipped, and even has a small balcony. The public areas are designed to be close to nature, quiet, and of high quality. Breakfast offers plenty of choices, and I had a big bowl of freshly cooked laksa noodles every day!
For our first meal in Singapore, we chose seafood at Keng Eng Kee Seafood, a restaurant that has been operating since the 1950s.
Their signature chili crab and pepper crab go without saying, but the other dishes are also full of surprises. Coffee pork ribs: the unique coffee aroma infuses the tender ribs, creating rich layers of flavor; claypot pork liver is full of wok hei, the liver is tender, and when paired with rice, it's rich and satisfying. Also, the shrimp paste chicken, moonlight hor fun, and salted egg sotong are irresistible.
Who would have thought that behind a wall full of Chinese medicine cabinets at the entrance, through a neon-lit corridor, lies a restaurant and bar inspired by traditional Chinese medicine. The owner creatively combines traditional herbs with the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth), focusing on Asian flavors and modern Singaporean cuisine.
I quite liked the appetizer of century egg tofu—smooth texture with a strong century egg flavor. The main course of sakura chicken rice porridge was almost missed because I was too full, but the broth was sweet and not oily, and the rice perfectly absorbed the essence of the chicken stock—a must-try.
Stepping into Path, my first reaction was how relaxing the warm-toned minimalist design is. The restaurant perfectly merges East Asian flavors with French refinement, combining ingredients from different countries like Japan and New Zealand with Singaporean local techniques to create new flavors.
This restaurant even reduces the farm-to-table distance to just 3 meters—right next to the restaurant is its own organic farm, and even the small flowers used for plate decoration are edible, showing freshness at a glance. The chef's tasting menu had several delicious dishes, especially the shrimp and tomato pasta, where every strand was coated in a rich sauce, very satisfying.
Sentosa is a must-visit destination in Singapore. I've nailed the right way to enjoy a day trip here—follow along and have a blast!
There are multiple ways to get to and from Sentosa, but the Mount Faber Cable Car offers some of the best views! It takes just 15 minutes one way from Mount Faber Station to Sentosa Station.
The cable car cabins are Singapore's fifth-generation cabins—the 'Sky Eye' cabins, with a streamlined chrome spherical design that looks a bit like a Poké Ball. The glass floor lets you get a new perspective of Mount Faber peak, the harbour area, and Sentosa. There are also anniversary edition Hello Kitty themed cabins that are super adorable.
After getting off the cable car, you'll immediately arrive at SkyHelix Sentosa. The hot air balloon design feels like sitting in the balloon basket from 'Up'. The basket slowly rises vertically to a maximum height of 79 meters above sea level, giving you a 360-degree view of Sentosa's stunning scenery. The ascent is very gentle, with even less centrifugal force than an elevator, making it quite friendly for most people who aren't afraid of heights.
Highly recommended is the must-try speed and thrill experience, which is totally different from the go-karts I've played before! The three-storey indoor track features 308 meters of exciting straights and 14 thrilling turns, paired with cool lighting design for a cyberpunk vibe.
It's also the only racetrack in Asia to offer Game of Karts, meaning you can collect items during the game, use 'weapons' to weaken opponents, or use 'boosters' to speed towards the finish line—it's like a real-life version of KartRider!
For Harry Potter fans visiting Sentosa, don't miss 'Harry Potter: Magic at Play', the Asian premiere! This newly upgraded 40,000-square-foot space, specially created for Resorts World Sentosa, features ten immersive scenes.
Every guest receives a magic wand upon entry. In specific scenes, waving the wand may cause lights to change or unexpected 'magical effects' to happen, making the experience truly realistic. In this moment, there are no Muggles; everyone is a little wizard on a secret mission.
'Wings of Time' fireworks symphony is Singapore's only daily fireworks show. The sea becomes a natural giant stage, with stunning visual effects and dynamic 3D projections casting fantastical images on the water, creating a nighttime performance themed around friendship and courage.
Lunchtime at Palawan Food Truck in Sentosa's Palawan Beach is a food paradise! Ten food trucks gather cuisines from around the world: classic Western burgers, tacos piled high with beef, freshly fried fish and chips—every bite is so delicious you'll want to stomp your feet, instantly comforting your stomach. Take a sip of icy fresh coconut water while watching the beach and coconut trees—the relaxed atmosphere is perfect.
1-Flowerhill is located on a hilltop in Sentosa, making you feel like you're in a forest. The indoor space is equally spacious, with a vintage style that catches the eye. Inside, there are three restaurants, offering everything from aromatic brunches to late-night drinks, providing a full sense of ambiance.
Oasia Resort Sentosa is a hotel under Far East Hospitality. It is directly opposite classic attractions like Imbiah Station and Sentosa Sensoryscape, making transportation very convenient. The large green wall in the common area is refreshing, and the surroundings are lush with tropical plants. The room is spacious, and the bathroom has a large bathtub, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring.
Travelogue Directory: 1. Jewel Changi 2. Photo Must-Visits 3. [Merlion Park] 4. [Fort Canning Park] 5. [Old Hill Street Police Station] 6. CityWalk Routes 7. [Waterloo Street Check-in Tour] 8. [Chinatown Check-in Tour] 9. Unique Experiences 10. [Sidecar Tour] 11. [Mr. Bucket Handmade Chocolate Experience Class] 12. [Gardens by the Bay Light Show] 13. Accommodation Recommendation: Pan Pacific Orchard 14. Food Recommendations 15. Keng Eng Kee Seafood 16. Synthesis 17. Path 18. Open Farm Community 19. Sentosa Day Trip 20. Mount Faber Cable Car Experience 21. SkyHelix Sentosa 22. HyperDrive Go-Kart Experience 23. Harry Potter: Magic at Play 24. Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony Show 25. Palawan Food Truck 26. 1-Flowerhill 27. Oasia Resort Sentosa