Singapore Things to Do Tips by litekimchi

Unfortunately, Chinatown has become a tourist trap, especially the market streets (Pagoda, Smith, Trengganu and Smith). But you can still catch glimpses in small mom-and-pop stores around.

Too bad I didn't get to walk around past the street markets. But next time, I'll make sure I'll find other pockets of Chinatown and take pictures of restored old shophouses. And eat more yang tau foo!

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Directions: A short walk from Outram Park/Chinatown MRT Station

Singapore is a walking city. One of the things I enjoyed doing during my last trip was to walk along the river banks. There are so much to see.

There's the colorful restaurant row on Clarke Quay and on Boat Quay. Opposite Boat Quay is the Asian Civilisations Museum. And along the way you will find quaint little statues depicting Singapore of old.

It's best to do this very early in the morning or at dusk, when not too many people do the same and when it is cooler. It's also a great jogging path for health buffs.

Don't forget to take your camera with you!

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Address: Singapore River
Directions: Alight Clarke Quay MRT and work your way to the financial district.

Or, you may start from Robertson Quay for a longer walk.

I will never quite enjoy tourist traps the way other people do. But I am not a cynical soul. I always find gems even in tourist traps.

In Sentosa, despite the beaches being too "landscaped" (or fake) for my taste, walking along the shore still has its appeal. And despite the hoard of people, I still love feeling the breeze on a lazy Sunday afternoon. And if you're too tired to walk, you can rest---while still enjoying the view---on board the beach tram.

My favorite beach would have to be Palawan Beach, if only because of the long suspension bridge and that this is the site of Continental Asia's Southernmost Point.

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Phone: (65) 6-275-0388
Address: Sentosa Island
Directions: Take the Blue Line from the Sentosa Visitor Arrival Center. Alight the Beach Station, and take the Beach Tram. You may take the tram running through Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach, or the tram headed for Siloso Beach.
Website: http://www.sentosa.com.sg/

I love walking. I don't do much walking in Manila, so it's always a treat to walk (and not worry about traffic or pollution). Sentosa, luckily, provides many opportunities for walking. You can walk along the beach (see my other tip) ...

... or you can take the trails during mid-day when the sun is scorching hot. You can enter through the Jungle Trail entrance from the beach trail. The entrance is between Siloso beach and the Skyride. There are also access from Siloso Beach and from Imbiah point.

There are two trails: the Nature Walk and the Dragon Trails. Dragon Trails is my favorite, if only because of the dragons---great for photos!

The best part? They're free.

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Phone: (65) 6-275-0388
Address: Sentosa Island
Directions: Access points from the Beach Trail on the Siloso Beach side, Siloso Beach and Imbiah Lookout.
Website: http://www.sentosa.com.sg/

I find myself visiting the river whenever I'm abroad. I've been on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and the river in Shanghai. I didn't get to see much of the Singapore River when I was there last January, so I made sure that I stayed on the river this time around. I also decided to take the River Cruise.

The best time to take the cruise is in the early mornings. There aren't too many gawking tourists, it isn't too hot and you can enjoy the tour peacefully. I went to the River Cruise station just across Liang Court and right beside Clarke Quay. There were only 3 passengers---a couple and me. Our driver, Kim, was very friendly and kind---he even offered to take pictures of us with great views behind. I think that was sweet of him.

You have two cruise options. The Singapore River Experience, 30-minute cruise, costs about SGD12 and takes you from Liang Court to Clifford Pier, and then back to Liang Court. Along the way, you pass by Riverside Point, Clarke Quay and Coleman Bridge, Boat Quay and the Financial District, Raffles' Landing Site and the Asian Civilizations Musuem, the Fullerton and Cavenaugh Bridge, the Merlion and the Esplanade.

The 45-minute cruise is called the New River Experience, which takes off from the Liang Court to Robertson Quay. This costs SGD15. The couple only took the 30-minute cruise, while I opted the 45-minute one. So, from Liang Court to Robertson Quay, I had the boat all to myself. It was one of the most enjoyable things I did. Thist cruise takes you to the Alkaff Bridge, the Riverview Hotela and the Grand Copthorne Waterfront.

The Alkaff Bridge is one of my favorite bridges (Cavenaugh is another), because it is the most colorful and most fun I've seen. It was painted by the late Filipino artist, Pacita Abad, who passed away several months after finishing her last magnum opus.

Take the cruise, you won't regret it.

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Phone: 65 6336 6111, 65 6336 6119
Address: SRC Jetty: Liang Court
Directions: There are several jetties where you can take the cruise: Esplanade, Fullerton, Raffles Landing Site, Boat Quay, Liang Court, Riverside Point, Robertson Quay and Grand Copthorne
Website: www.rivercruise.com.sg
Other Contact: enquiry@rivercruise.com.sg

It's half-toboggan, half-kart---at least, that's what the brochure says. It's a fun ride down from Imbiah, I encourage everyone to do it. Or, if you don't feel spiralling down, you may choose to ride the Skyride/chairlift instead.

It costs SGD8 for a chairlift ride up and a luge ride down.

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Phone: (65) 6-275-0388
Address: Imbiah Lookout, Sentosa Island
Directions: There are two stations:

1. Siloso Beach---first beach tram stop from the beach station.
2. Imbiah Lookout
Website: http://www.sentosa.com.sg/