Singapore Things to Do Tips by Jmill42

Royal Botanical Gardens Botanical Gardens Review

Located in the heart of the city is the Singapore Botanical Gardens. It was my favorite of the three gardens I visited in Sinagpore, and contains the Royal Orchid Gardens. The Botanical Gradens offer many ponds, diverse flauna and flora, bridges, gazeebos and walking paths for all who are lucky enough to come here. There are many places to have a picnic, and you are in fact, encouraged to "walk on the grass!"

Take the time to come here...

Address: Cluny Road, Singapore 259569

Phone: 1-800-6-471-7300

National Orchid Garden National Orchid Garden Review

Located in the Singapore Botanical Gardens, this collection of beautiful flowers and lush green vegetation along perfectly manicured paths is truly an escape from the city life. The cost is $2 SGD for adults, and is completely worth it. Every imaginable flower native to this area is contained within its confines.

Address: Cluny Road, Singapore 259569

Phone: 1-800-6-471-7300

Tan Hoon Siang Mist House and Cool House Tan Hoon Siang Mist House Review

Take it from someone who has a slight heat intolerance, getting a break from Singapore's heat and humidity can be a beautiful thing! Touring the large Botanical Gradens worked up my sweat... who am I kidding, I was sweating 5 steps from my hostel... but, you can be saved from dehydration and heat stroke in the Royal Orchid Garden's Mist and Cool Houses. Both drop the temperature to within a tolerable range, allowing you to continue on to all those other attractions you wanted to see!

Besides the heat relief, each of these houses offers beautiful flowers and statues. The cool house has many insect eating plants and a waterfall as well.

Address: Cluny Road, Singapore 259569

Phone: 1-800-6-471-7300

Japanese Gardens

The Japanese Gardens had much of its area closed when I visited. They are renovating and improving the grounds. From what I was able to see, the finished product will be spectacular! There is a fabulous bridge and many gazeebos nestled along a small pond and beautiful paths.

MRT to the Chinese Garden Stop (W10)

Address: Cluny Road, Singapore 259569

Phone: 1-800-6-471-7300

Chinese Gardens Chinese Garden Review

The benefit of having the Japanese Gardens closed, was that the entrance to it and the Chinese Gardens were free! The Chinese Gardens were elaborately decorated for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration. I loved this area, with its fish-filled pond and huge Pagoda at the entrance.

Entrance normally: S$4.50

Address: Cluny Road, Singapore 259569

Phone: 1-800-6-471-7300

Sultan Mosque Sultan Mosque Review

This Mosque was named after the Sultan of Singapore and was built in 1928. With, glass bottles as the pedestal for the walls and the massive gold dome visible from far away, this mosque stands out from the others I visited.

It is open 9am-4pm daily.

Address: 3 Muscat Street

Directions: Bugis Station

Phone: 65 6293 4405

Why Can't We All Get Along?

Singapore is a city that lives in racial and cultural harmony. It has temples of various religions within sight of each other: churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, etc.

For me, it was my first foray into a temple and mosque. Yet, the feeling all around is one of understanding and compassion. Another first I had, being in a Jewish synagogue, was in Budapest, just outside the memorial for the 100,000 Hungarian Jews that lost their life in the Holocaust. Why is it that these religions can cope and deal with each other on this tiny island nation, yet not in the rest of the world...

Yueh Hai Ching Temple

This temple is nestled in amongst the giant skyscrapers of Singapore. So what makes it stand out for me to remember it months later? The smells. Yes, smell is the sense that is strongest linked to memory. The incenses that wafted over this temples walls and into the streets of downtown Singapore brought me back and back again for this awesome aroma! Take a walk down Phillip Street during the day and you will be transfixed by its fragrance.

Address: 30-B Philip Street

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple Little India Review

This temple, close to the bus drop for the S'pore-K.L. express buses, is known as the Temple of a 1000 Lights. However, it is not the lighting that will catch your eye upon emtering this temple. It is the 45 foot high standing, gold Buddha. The name derives from the lighting that is draped over the Buddha. The building has an attached worship shrine to its left, and I was able to ask the worker a few questions about Buddhism, with a very enthusiastic response.

Address: 366 Race Course Rd

Directions: Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station (NS24) or
Bus 64, 65, 106 or 111 from Orchard Rd

Phone: (65) 6294 0714

For All Your Shopping Needs Orchard Road Review

Orchard Road is the epicenter of shopping in a country know for its shopping. This translates into being able to purchase whatever you heart desires. From tailor-made suits and women's clothing, to electronics, to souvenirs, Orchard Road has it all. The prices here tend to be a little higher than in other parts of the city, I found. But, with everything concentrated to one road, shopping life is made for convienence in this area. Electronics had the overall best value, as compared to when shopping in the States.

Directions: Orchard MRT station