The first step of an ambitious plan to transform Singapore into the 'Garden City' or 'City in the Garden,' the Gardens by the Bay span a staggering 101 hectares (250 acres) of reclaimed land alongside the Marina Reservoir. From its grove of skyscraping Supertrees to the space-age biodomes, these waterfront gardens are anything but ordinary. Complete with its own waterfall, the Cloud Forest replicates a tropical paradise, while the Flower Dome encapsulates quintessentially Mediterranean climes. Even more fascinating is the Sun Pavilion with its collection of cacti and the topiaries of the World of Plants. Mesmerizing works of art are scattered across the three gardens - Bay East, Bay West and Bay Central - while the Heritage Gardens showcase Chinese, Malay and Indian culture through themed natural spaces. A magical world of wonders, Singapore's Gardens by the Bay are an awe-inspiring horticultural showcase of 21st-century design.
Mottled with a tapestry of dense woodlands, rejuvenating rainforests and water features aplenty, Singapore Zoo forges a fascinating, wild revelry where a multitude of animals thrive and flourish with pleasant solidarity. Opened in 1973, Singapore Zoo uses moats and beautifully-landscaped glass-fronted enclosures to house hundreds of thousands of animals. 28 hectares (69.2 acres) of land is divided into more than a dozen regions, featuring hundreds of species, including rare and endangered ones. The world's largest captive orangutan group lies nestled in the verdant recesses of the zoo which attaches great importance to wildlife education and conservation. Two programs, Wild Breakfast and Afternoon Tea, enable visitors to interact with and learn more about several species of animals while having their meal. Photographic opportunities, of course, abound, while other highlights of the zoo include feeding programs, elephant and pony rides, animal shows, tram rides and insightful, open exhibits.
A towering, scarlet canopy of magnificence and might, this grand Buddhist temple inhabits the very heart of Chinatown. Constructed to enshrine the tooth relic of Buddha, this temple is considered to be one of the most sacred places in the whole of the country. The temple is awash in an ornate, resplendent architectural style unique to the Tang dynasty, and is complete with five elaborate floors bearing a library, a traditional tea house and a museum bearing stirring Buddhist art from across Asia. Boasting a tapestry of gilded ornamentation, vibrant sculptures of deities and a glorious altar, the temple is a breathing, heaving canopy representing a profound sense of religious fervor and the finer nuances of a culture which is alive and thriving, even after hundreds of years. With its roots deeply entrenched in the philosophy of Buddhist Mandala, this iconic temple reverberates with the eternal teachings of Buddha.
Trace the events that have shaped Singapore from the 14th Century right up to the present day at the National Museum of Singapore. Discover the rich heritage of its people, their ancestral roots, ethnic and religious diversity and past struggle for nationhood through dioramas, artifacts and an intriguing 3D show. The 14-century Javanese gold jewelry on display hints at Singapore's glorious past. In addition to exhibits, the museum also screens a variety of movies that are woven into a theme of culture, history and heritage.
Consisting of over 8,000 pieces of art, National Gallery of Singapore is one of the world's largest public collections of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art. The collection ranges from 19th-century art to that of the present day. There are also interactive works, regular exhibitions, conferences, and events held at the gallery. The gallery seeks to exhibit and promote Southeast Asian artwork and aims to provide an understanding and appreciation of the art and culture of the region. Thanks to its unique and outstanding exhibits, National Gallery Singapore is one of the most visited museums in the world.
Standing guard at the mouth of the Singapore River is the Merlion, a mythical beast that is a cross between a fish and a lion. The fish symbolizes Singapore's close association with the sea while the lion head refers to the legendary sighting of a lion during the discovery of ancient Singapore. Created in 1972 as a tourism icon, the Merlion is especially attractive in the evenings when it is illuminated and spouts water from its mouth. Today, it has moved 120 meters (393 feet) away from its original spot, adjacent to One Fullerton. A stroll through Merlion Park yields great views of Singapore's colonial district.
Catering to the spiritual needs of soldiers at Tanglin Barracks, this Anglican church was a comfort and solace for many. However, during World War II, it was used as an ammunition dump. When the British troops completed their withdrawal from Singapore in 1971, St. George's began a new phase in her existence, as a civilian church. Owing to the varied nature of the congregation, the church holds two Sunday services which is a traditionally Anglican one, and another that is more contemporary.
A trip to Bishan New Town gives one a good idea of what life in modern Singapore is like. As with most town centers, there is a subway station and a bus depot making accessibility to the rest of the island quick and easy. A mammoth shopping complex such as Junction 8 is a common sight here, as in other newer estates including Tampines and Pasir Ris. Families flock to the complex, in the evenings particularly, for one-stop dining, shopping and entertainment. A distance away are clusters of residential blocks, some with their own shops and food centers.
The ornately designed JOTIC complex houses a tourist information centre manned by knowledgeable and helpful attendants. There are many informational materials about Johor Bahru and the Johor state available free of charge. Under the same roof, you will also find a food court, handicraft and souvenir shops, an Internet cafe, and a TGIF bar and restaurant. Live cultural performances and shopping fairs are held occasionally at the lobby of the complex.
A small green precinct located five minutes from Holland Village, Rochester Park, has been rescued from relative oblivion by the Singapore Government, to be converted into a lifestyle hub. It consists of around 40 colonial bungalows, remnants of the British regime here. Around 11 of these have been converted into restaurants and retail outlets. Verdant surroundings and the colonial ambience make Rochester Park a tourist destination strikingly different from the rest of Singapore City.
Jointly erected in 1876 by Tan Kim Ching and Tan Beng Swee, the Tan Si Chong Su Temple is not just a religious institution. It also serves a dual function as a community center for the Tan clan in Singapore. The various altars, carvings and murals in the temple are surprisingly well preserved, when you consider that most of the material used in the temple's construction had originally come to Singapore as ballast in 1876. Many believe that the location presents the temple with good feng shui.
A famous Arab spice trader and philanthropist named Syed Sharif Omar Aljunied was responsible for the building of this mosque in 1820. Its purpose was to serve the religious needs of Malay fishermen, Bugis merchants and Malaccan businessmen. Incidentally, this was the first place of worship in Singapore. However, the building that stands before you today is the third one built on the site. A minaret on the building was only added in 1985.