12 Places in Singapore You Must Visit

Are you planning to visit Singapore? But not sure which places you must visit first? Here are top 12 places that you should visit when you are in this small but vibrant country, including how long should you spend in each places so you can estimate the time you'd need to spend for your visit!

They say, when you think of Singapore, you think of Orchard Road. Indeed, this place is a shopping paradise that you shouldn't miss while in Singapore. You don't even have to spend your money to enjoy yourself. Along this 'street', which actually is a long and big road, there are myriad of things to see.

It's so happening that it even has its own independent website: Orchard Road - A Great Street

How long would it take you to explore it:

See, the thing with Orchard Road is, it's actually about 2.3 km long, strect out from Delphi Orchard up until Orchard Central. So, shouldd you decide to walk from one point to another, in a straight line (without being distracted by sparkling discounts, talented street-musicians, and branded stuffs along the way) it would take you apporimately one hour and a half.

However, the main "attractions" are mostly around Ion Orchard, Takashimaya, Tangs and Paragon. It usually take two to three hours for the people I bring there to go around (shopping look around) the glittering malls.

Believe it or not, Bugis Street is more famous that the shopping mall just across it, Bugis Junction. Many foreigners confuse them, naturally, as they are close to each other and have the names that sound the same. Bugis is the name of the whole area, much like Orchard Road or Chinatown. While Bugis Junction is a mall and Bugis Street itself is an outdoor "market".

Bugis Street is named so because it is a stretch of 'Street'. It's kind of outdoor as it was started with streetside stalls and until today, the first floor does not have the privilege of air-conditioner. Since it's semi-outdoor, the prices there are a lot more modest than the Junction and everything can be bargained.

How long would it take you to explore it:

Two hours at the most. Well, not really. If you decide to go on a shopping spree for clothes, shoes, accessories and 3-for-$10 items, it could take you the whole day to exlpore Bugis Street.

Just like visitting Sydney without dropping by the Opera House, that's how it'd be if you skip Esplanade when you're visitting Singapore. It is the center of art in Singapore. It housed all the art exhibitions, symphony/orchestra concerts, independent bands performances, and the likes. Esplanade also housed exotic restaurants, like No Signboard Seafood and Simply Peranakan Cuisine.

What else to visit while you're there: Makansutra - an open-air foodcourt with reasonable prices.

How long would it take you to explore it:

Around an hour inside, an hour and a half if you go around the surroundings. Not included the time you'd spend if you decide to watch a concert ;)

It's named the biggest ferris wheel in the world, conquering London's Eye. Get ready to spend S$33 to enjoy the view of Singapore from 165 m (541 ft) height. You can also have dinner in the capsule, or have the entire capsule for yourself. Just take note of the different prices ;)

How long would it take you to explore it:

Half an hour to go around the wheel. Perhaps an hour if you go around the shops, bars, and restaurants in the compound.

One of the two Integrated Resorts in Singapore, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is home to a hotel, shopping mall, convention-exhibition centre theatres, casino, ArtScience Museum, a skypark and many more.

While there are dozens things you can do here, the two that you should not miss are the skypark at the top of the hotel and the lazer show held at its promenade every evening.

How long would it take you to explore it:

You can set aside two hours to hit the main parts, but really it could longer than that if you decide to go inside the museum, casino, and do a little shopping spree.

The latest addition to Singapore's landmarks, Gardens by the Bay is divided into two parts: the Outdoor Gardens in Bay South and Cooled Conservatories and OCBC Skyway.

Admission is free for Outdoor Gardens that is accessible from 5 am to 2 am daily, while to enjoy Cooled Conservatories, you need to spend between $5-28, depending on which attractions you choose.

Attractions around the garden that you shouldn't miss include Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Supertree Grove, Heritage Gardens, Dragonfly & Kingfisher Lakes, World of Plants, and Bay East Garden.

For more details and pictures on the Gardens, have a look at my blog: Gardens by the Bay.

How long would it take you to explore it:

About 2 hours if you skip the Domes (it's a huge place and a lot of scenic photo spots!).

Once upon a time, it was the house of tranquil beaches where they hold party every now and then and the house of Underwater World. Well, those are still exist, but now there are more exciting things await you: Resort World Sentosa (read on..).

The hightlights:

Universal Studios - freshly opened early this year, it offers never-ending entertainment from a taste of New York, ancient Egypt, its very own Jurrasic Park, to the Kingdom of Far Far Away that's ruled by Shrek.

There's also a whole chunk of Las Vegas in there, but I don't really recommend you (it's gambling! Only for adults)

How long would it take you to explore it:

If you decide to explore all the places there, you would need the whole day.

Sure, Singapore has its famed Singapore Zoo and the first Night Safari in Asia. However, with 8000 birds for you to see, The Park has a lot to offer. Claiming to be the biggest bird park in the world, it even offers to house weddings. So you might even spot a bride or two when you're there.

How long would it take you to explore it:

If you a big fan of this winged species, you would need at least 6 hours to go around, stopping in every cage/area. However, if you walk straight from front door to the end, with normal walking speed, it'd take you around 2 hours.

If you like nature, this is the place for you. Reaching there by a boat from Changi Jetty, you can rent a bike for around S$5-8, then you're on your adventure. Be sure to grab a map from Visitors Center near the bike renting places, then cycle your way to Chek Jawa. There, you'll be able to see Malaysia and other side of Singapore across the sea. Meet a few mudskipper (fish with legs) and birds that look like flamingo (not sure what they are).

What else to visit on the way: Changi Village Hawker Centre - house of the collection of best food from around Singapore.

How long would it take you to explore it:

Preferably one whole day so you don't rush and get to enjoy every corner of the island.

Now this is one interesting park. Once upon a time, it was believed to be the palace of Malay kings, long long time ago. You can even still see a tomb of a Sultan (Malay king) there. Then recent excavation reveal artefacts from that era of Malay Kingdom of Fort Canning Hill.

During World War II, the Hill serve as the Malayan Commands, a command post by the British. Tourists can see (and come inside) the fort, the cannon, the fort wall and gate, and the Battle Box. Even the house of Sir Stamford Raffles.

There's also something for the younger (at hearts) generation. Fort Canning Green is the house of many outdoor concerts by international singers and bands, like Keane, Placebo, Beyonce, to Black Eyed Peas.

How long would it take you to explore it:

One hour or two. Get sunblock and drinks ready if you decide to visit the Fort.

The museum is just across one side of Fort Canning Park. The permanent exhibitions in this museum is all about Singapore: the films, the photography, the food, and the fashion. Once in a while, however, it will exhibit international stuffs. Like once, it showcased the Greek busts and statues, borrowed from Louvre. Then, just recently, The World of Ancient Egypt visited the Singaporeans.

To keep track what's happening there, you can visit the website, here.

How long would it take you to explore it:

An hour or two. Three hours at the most. More than that.. I must clasify you as a nerd (but it's a compliment).

Now wait a minute, it's not as geeky as it sounds. It actually kinda cool. Sure it has all those physics and biology stuffs, but they explain things for you and show you the demonstrations for the explanations. You can even have your own experiments for most of the things.

What else in there: Omni-Theater - that's the theater with iMax technology, that present to you a dome-like screen. Imagine watching Avatar in this theater. Awesome. Don't miss Curiosity, the gift shop, too. It has many interesting items that, I guarantee, you want to take home.

How long would it take you to explore it:

Two or three hours, not including watching anything in Omni-Theatre. If you'd like to try all the experiments over there, it may take another hour. If you decide to browse the gift shop, that'd take another hour too.

There are, of course, so many other places you can visit in Singapore! But those are the few that you shouldn't miss. For more detailed information on what to do, where to go, and what to eat in Singapore, please visit my blog about Singapore!