Singapore Things to Do Tips by phil_uk_net

Geylang is one of the wonderful ethnic areas that exist in Singapore. It is mainly a Chinese area but there is also a mosque and an Indian presence. There are good Chinese restaurants and shops and some great examples of older Singapore style architecture with the classis 5 foot ways.

It is also quite a good place for budget accommodation. However, be aware that this is one of the main red light districts of Singapore. The small roads that run perpendicular to the main roads in Geylang are called Lorongs. On one side of Geylang Road there are odd numbered Lorongs with the even ones on the other side.
On the even numbered Lorongs can be found a number of brothels and there are working girls (and lady boys) plying their trade on the streets. Like all of Singapore it is quite safe and apart from being propositioned you won't have any trouble but it may not be the type of environment in which you wish to stay.

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Directions: Geylang. The closest MRT stations are Kallang or Aljunied.

Chinatown is a great area where you can get glimpses of how Singapore used to be. It is changing fast though. Even in one year since my last visit there has been a lot of 'cleaning-up' and development. It's all nice and clean and safe but there is a risk that the area will become like a Disneyland version of Chinatown.

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Directions: Chinatown - nearest MRT station is currently Outram Park but there is a new station called Chinatown being built.

To me, it is areas like this that give Singapore its heart and soul. The modern buildings, in my opinion, are quite soulless.
Just walk around taking in the sights, sounds and smells of another culture.

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Directions: Around the Serangoon Road.

I really enjoyed this museum. The reason is that it gives just the right amount of information and presents the information in an interesting way.
There are a number of display cases showing scenes throughout Singapore's history with a brief explanation of what is happening. In a brief period of time it is possible for someone with no previous knowledge of the country's history to get a good overview.

The artefact that I enjoyed most was the actual Union Flag that was captured by the Japanese Army in 1942. It was taken by a Japanese soldier who wrote an inscription on it in Japanese to commemorate the victory. Two years later the flag was found on the dead soldier by an English soldier.

For a small fee there is a 3D presentation of Singapore's history which is very good and worth seeing. The 3D special effects are great and you will really think that you are seeing a dogfight in the skies in front of you during the Japanese invasion of Singapore in 1942! Here is a tip though. You only need the special glasses for the 3D parts of the filmshow. Take off the glasses for the non-3D parts as they will look better.

The museum is free to enter on Friday evenings between 6pm and 9pm but it is not that expensive to get in anyway - just S$3 or S$4 including the 3D show.

Update October 2003.
On 28th April 2003 the museum was closed for an extensive refurbishment and will reopen in 2006. When it does it should be fabulous. Meanwhile a temporary museum has been opened at Riverside Point. I did go along but it is not a patch on the original and was quite disappointing. Roll on 2006 ...

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Phone: +65 6332 5642
Address: 93 Stamford Road
Directions: Fort Canning area - see web site link below. Since the closing of the main museum for refurbishment, a temporary museum has been opened at Riverside Point. This is down at Clarke Quay just above Brewerkz.
Website: www.nhb.gov.sg/shm/shm.html

Some museums do it for me and others don't. This one didn't. Lots of baubles, trinkets, cups and bowls that didn't really excite me or teach me anything.
The building itself is beautiful. Maybe I missed something?

28 April 2003: Here is an update I received from Fudge. "The ACM has now opened at its new premises. It's at 1 Empress Place now, opposite the Fullerton Hotel. The Armenian St. building is now what they call a Boutique Museum, focusing on Peranakan culture."

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Phone: +65 6332 5592
Address: 39 Armenian Street, Singapore 179941
Directions: See web site link for details.
Website: www.nhb.gov.sg/ACM/acm.shtml
Other Contact: Email: nhb_acm_pa@nhb.gov.sg

This is a pleasant, green space in the middle of the city. There is a large lake with fish, turtles and swans and lots of tropical plants, trees and orchids. Entrance is free but a 2 SGD charge is levied for entrance into the National Orchid Garden. In here are grown many varieties of orchid, with special ones named in honour of important people that have visited Singapore - Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth, Osama bin Laden, etc.

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Website: www.nparks.gov.sg/parks/sbg/par-sbg.shtml

This fairly new attraction traces the history of Chinese immigration to Singapore and the growth of the Chinatown district. (I still find it slightly odd that a country with a Chinese population of 77% has a Chinatown!).

The highlight of the centre are reproductions of cubicles showing living quarters as they were in the past. These have been done very authentically, based on actual accounts and show vividly how cramped and uncomfortable it was for people living there.

In addition to the cubicles, there are also galleries with photos and artefacts.
Guided tours in different languages are run fairly regularly, a schedule is on display just inside. I was fortunate enough to be the only person on my tour so had a personal guide!

The building was originally a tailor's shop consisting of 3 shop fronts. Entrance fee is 8 SGD for adults and 4 SGD for children. Concessions are available.

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Phone: +65 6325 2878
Address: 48 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059207
Directions: In Chinatown, very close to Chinatown MRT station on the NE line.
Website: www.chinatownheritage.com.sg
Other Contact: Fax: +65 6325 2879

It's a furniture shop. So what?

This place has given me (and my warped mind) lots of pleasure during several visits to Singapore. The shop is located in Pagoda Street, just next to the Indian Sri Mariamman temple.

The shop owns parrots and keeps them in cages just outside the shop front. These parrots are extraordinary mimics. I think that maybe they are slightly shy as they go quiet when there are people around. However, if you stand nearby and give them a little space they are thoroughly entertaining. Their repertoire goes from whistling to English phrases, right through to a selection of telephone ringing tones.

There, I told you I had a warped mind.

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Address: Pagoda Street
Directions: In Chinatown adjacent to the Sri Mariamman temple.

For the best aerial view of Singapore go up to the 70th floor in the Swissôtel. There is a bar and restaurant and the best vantage point in the city.
A good time to go is around 6:30 in the evening so that you can see Singapore in daylight at first and then watch it light up as the sun sets. The view is quite spectacular.

The picture below is of Boat Quay. Sorry about the poor quality but I wasn't geared up to take proper photographs from up there. If you go, take a polarising filter to cut down the reflections when shooting through glass. Also take a tripod for long exposure shots after the sun sets.

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Phone: +65 6338 8585
Address: 2 Stamford Rd., Singapore 178882
Directions: Just next door to City Hall MRT station.
Website: www.swissotel.com

The heart of the Muslim area in Singapore. It's an interesting area to stroll around for a while.

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Address: Near junction of North Bridge Road and Arab Street
Directions: Arab Street area.