Sights in Singapore
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Reflections at Bukit Chandu
Atop Bukit Chandu (Opium Hill), this WWII interpretive centre is set inside a tiny renovated villa. The focus is on the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Malay Regiment, who bravely (and unsuccessfully) defended the hill against the 13,000 Japanese in the Battle of Pasir Panjang in February 1942.
reviewed
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Singapore Tyler Print Institute
The white-walled, polished concrete spaces of the Singapore Tyler Print Institute hosts international and local exhibits, showcasing the work of resident print- and paper-makers. Exhibitions often have a ‘how to’ component, and there’s an impressive program of visual arts courses year-round.
reviewed
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Sri Mariamman Temple
Paradoxically cast in the middle of Chinatown, the Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, originally built in 1823, then rebuilt in 1843. The S$3 fee for taking photos is a rip-off, but tourists still descend in droves – and many trigger-happy snappers ignore the fees.
reviewed
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Singapore Philatelic Museum
Housed in the attractive former Methodist Book Room Building dating from around 1895, this museum holds a well-presented collection of rare and not-so-rare stamps from Singapore and around the world. While some of the artwork and design is impressive, the museum is a must-visit for stamp collectors only.
reviewed
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E
Thian Hock Keng Temple
Also known as the Temple of Heavenly Happiness, Thian Hock Keng Temple is one of Singapore’s oldest and most eye-popping temples. Dedicated to Ma Cho Po, Goddess of the Sea, it was built by early Chinese Hokkien immigrants in gratitude for safe passage to Singapore.
reviewed
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Kuan Im Ting Temple
A beautiful temple dedicated to Kuan Yin, goddess of mercy, this Buddhist temple is home to many festivals throughout the year. Of particular interest to temple-lovers is the ornate roof ridges, adorned with dancing dragons and other symbols important to worshippers of the goddess.
reviewed
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Carlsberg Sky Tower
Resembling a camembert impaled on a carrot, one of Sentosa's newer tourist magnets is the Carlsberg Sky Tower. Take the slow ride up the 131m column for magical Singapore views. More terrifying is the prospect of the 'Carlsberg Float' - a beer and ice-cream monstrosity at the bar.
reviewed
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Farmart Centre
Established by Uncle William, ‘the quail man of Lim Chu Kang’, this is a one-stop showcase of small farms, including bees, goats, quails, ornamental fish, herbs and frogs. Take the free shuttle bus from Choa Chu Kang MRT. Various tour packages range from $5 to $10.
reviewed
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Gajah Gallery
One of Singapore’s most respected galleries, Gajah has been around since the mid-1990s, and specialises in contemporary art from South and Southeast Asia. The gallery hosts regular exhibits and forums; in 2008 Gajah played host to the International Buddhist Film Festival.
reviewed
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Cathay Gallery
Film buffs will go ga-ga at the Cathay Gallery, housed in Singapore’s first high-rise building. The displays here trace the history of the Loke family, early pioneers in film production and distribution in Singapore and founders of the Cathay Organisation.
reviewed
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Art Seasons
You can’t miss this gallery, located as it is inside the distinctive architecture award-winning steel-and-glass building known locally as ‘The Box’. Art Seasons offers sculpture and painting, primarily that of artists from Singapore, China and Burma.
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Malay Cultural Village
The Malay Cultural Village is a complex of traditional Malay-style houses built as a cultural showpiece, but it's been a bit of a flop; desultory t-shirt vendors grimace optimistically as you traverse the aisles. The admission fee is for a small kampung museum.
reviewed
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Raffles Museum
You could easily dismiss the Raffles Museum as an exercise in self-aggrandisement, but it’s actually interesting. Old photos, memorabilia and advertisements sit alongside ‘thank you’ notes from celebrity guests such as Somerset Maugham and Noël Coward.
reviewed
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L
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Singapore’s steamy heart of darkness is Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, a 164-hectare tract of undeveloped primary rainforest clinging to Singapore’s highest peak, Bukit Timah (163.63m). Established as a reserve in 1883, Bukit Timah has never been logged.
reviewed
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National Orchid Garden
The National Orchid Garden has over 60,000 plants and a cool house showcasing pitcher plants and orchids from cooler climes. Don’t miss the Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s national flower, which Agnes Joaquim discovered in her garden in 1893.
reviewed
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Haw Par Villa
There’s no accounting for taste, really. Millionaire philanthropist and co-inventor of the Tiger Balm, Aw Boon Haw, certainly didn’t hold back when he built the Haw Par Villa, an unbelievably weird (some say tacky) and undoubtedly kitsch theme park.
reviewed
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Civil Defence Heritage Gallery
The Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, which is devoted to fire fighting and civil defence in Singapore, will be of interest to few. This gallery is based in the handsome red-brick and white-plaster Central Fire Station, built in 1908, which is still in use today.
reviewed
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Memories At Old Ford Factory
Site of the humiliating British surrender to Japanese forces in 1942, this excellent museum, designed to appeal to young and old alike, tells the story of the Japanese occupation - a watershed period Singapore clearly doesn't want its youth to forget.
reviewed
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Q
Hay Dairies Goat Farm
Goats bred for milking. Demonstrations and tours take place in the morning and cost $3, including a free bottle of goat’s milk. Take bus 175 from Choa Chu Kang MRT and get off at Lim Chu Kang Lane 4. It’s a three-minute walk from there.
reviewed
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Haji Lane
Haji Lane is a picturesque, narrow lane (the narrowest in Singapore, some say) running parallel to Arab St with fascinating shops, including three places selling non-mainstream CDs, books and DVDs. There are also several shops selling sheesha pipes.
reviewed
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Dolphin Lagoon
Dolphin Lagoon at Palawan Beach is where Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins (aka pink dolphins) dutifully perform at 11am, 1pm, 3.30pm and 5.30pm. For S$150 you can swim with the dolphins (call or check the website for bookings).
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Royal Selangor Pewter Gallery
On the western end of Clarke Quay is the Royal Selangor Pewter Gallery. Walk through the back where pewter-casting demos are run, then gawp at or buy the shiny stuff in the retail cabinets. It also runs pewtersmithing courses.
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Wak Hai Cheng Bio Temple
The Taoist Wak Hai Cheng Bio Temple translates as Calm Sea Temple. Dating from 1826, it’s an atmospheric place – giant incense coils smoulder over an empty courtyard while a village of tiny plaster figures populates the roof.
reviewed
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Hong San See Temple
Undergoing massive renovations at the time of research, the Hong San See Temple was completed in 1913 and set up on a hill. The temple is built in a southern Chinese fashion, with sloping tiled roofs and ornamented columns.
reviewed
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Tan Si Chong Su Temple
With its decorative roof, guardian dragons and lions, and painted wooden doors, this is a particularly fine example of temple design. Built in 1876, much of the material used to make this temple arrived in Singapore as shipping ballast.
reviewed