Sights in Singapore
-
A
National Museum of Singapore
A facelift in 2006 has turbocharged this once-dull museum. The colonial-era facade is deceptive – through the huge rotunda, the building opens up to a cavernous modern extension stretching towards Fort Canning Hill.
reviewed
-
B
Lukisan Art Gallery
Lukisan provides a venue for contemporary Asian artists both known and emerging. At the time of writing, Lukisan was featuring the works of renowned Filipino abstract artist Carlo Magno; check the website for upcoming events.
reviewed
-
C
Nei Xue Tang
This museum offers the largest collection of Buddhist artefacts in the city, including relics from China, Tibet, India, Japan, Burma and beyond. Pieces range from statues and jewellery to assorted esoteric devotional items.
reviewed
-
D
Songs of the Sea
Songs of the Sea is set out on kelongs (offshore fishing huts) and nightly combines musical gushings with a spectacular S$4-million sound, light and laser extravaganza – worth hanging around for.
reviewed
-
E
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research
If examining stuffed animals and creatures preserved in large jars gets your pulse racing, the small Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, on the NUS campus, will give your adrenal glands a workout.
reviewed
-
Qian Hu Fish Farm
A very modern farm breeding more than 200 species of exotic ornamental fish for sale, with an attached cafe. Take bus 172 or 175 from Choa Chu Kang and walk from the junction of Old Choa Chu Kang Rd and Jalan Lekar.
reviewed
-
F
Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple
The Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple is stunning, with its intricate yet understated facade. The temple eschews colour on the exterior and instead stuns visitors with its devotional art inside.
reviewed
-
Sri Krishnan Temple
The polychromatic Hindu Sri Krishnan Temple, which has a magnificent silver-and-gold shrine. Pragmatic worshippers from the Kuan Im Temple also burn joss sticks here for extra insurance.
reviewed
-
G
Fort Canning Park
Mall-crazy Singaporeans often overlook this gem of a park. Fourteen sights are crammed into this 18-hectare space, the centre being Fort Canning Centre, a 1926 barracks.
reviewed
-
H
8Q SAM
Round the corner from SAM, the art museum’s new extension, 8Q SAM, is named after its address and has a revolving-door focus on quirky installations, interactivity and contemporary art.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Baba House
You’ve got to ring and book a visit to the Baba House, but the one- to two-hour guided tour of this pre-war terrace house built in the elaborate Peranakan style is worth every cent.
reviewed
-
Avifauna Bird Farm
One of the largest exotic bird breeding and research farms in Southeast Asia, the farm was recently re-opened after being closed by the bird flu scare. Take bus 175 from Choa Chu Kang MRT.
reviewed
-
J
Dempsey Hill
Dempsey Hill was a once-crumbling army barracks now packed with several very ‘see and be seen’ restaurants and bars as well as furniture stores and even an art gallery.
reviewed
-
Sasanaramsiburmese Buddhist Temple
The SasanaramsiBurmese Buddhist Temple, a towering building guarded by two chinthes (lionlike figures), is next door to the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.
reviewed
-
Sakyamunidharma Centre
Housed over a large fruit-stand selling durians is the SakyamuniDharma Centre which has a meditation hall, and welcomes people wishing to learn about Tibetan Buddhism.
reviewed
-
Cable Car
The cable car connects the World Trade Centre, next to Harbour Front MRT station, with the summit of Mt Faber and Sentosa Island, with glorious views along the way.
reviewed
-
Orchidville
Massive orchid farm with more than two million specimens for sale. Education programmes also available. Take bus 138 from Ang Mo Kio MRT and get off at Stop B13 on Mandai Rd.
reviewed
-
K
Katong Antique House
Owner Peter Wee will show you his large collection of Peranakan antiques including beautifully beaded slippers, wedding costumes and traditional ceramics and furniture.
reviewed
-
L
Sky Tower
A revolving air-conditioned cabin that lifts you up a 110m pole for panoramic views over the city and the southern islands; who says you can’t get high in Singapore?
reviewed
-
Mandai Orchid Gardens
Cultivating orchids is big business in Singapore – Mandai Orchid Gardens, four flowery hectares near the Singapore zoo, is the place to see them.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
M
Fortune Cookie Projects
The Fortune Cookie Projects got lucky when it exhibited Julian Schnable's US$275,000 paintings in March 2009. Check its website for future shows.
reviewed
-
N
Jurong Frog Farm
Breeding station for bullfrogs, sold for their meat and medicinal value; more fun than you’d think. A taxi from Choa Chu Kang MRT should cost around $4.
reviewed
-
O
Sentosa 4d Magix
Now a global theme park standard, somehow movies in which things fly past your nose and spray water in your face never lose their appeal. Good fun.
reviewed
-
Merlion
Merlion is a 37m hybrid lion-mermaid statue towering over the island; the view is great but it’s better from the cable car.
reviewed
-
P
Art-2 Gallery
A small gallery, Art-2 offers a melange of mediums ranging from sculpture and ceramics to painting and paperwork from Southeast Asia.
reviewed