Places
of Interest
Singapore may be
one of the smallest countries in size, but we are certainly big on food,
shopping and entertainment. From the spanking new shopping malls of Orchard
Road to the bustling hawker centres to the dozens of discos, pubs and restaurants,
there's plenty to do all year round.
In this section,
we provide you with a guide to places of interest and attractions, the
food, the shopping, the attractions and the night life. All you need are
an open mind and a comfortable pair of shoes and we guarantee you won't
be bored (of course a strong spirit of adventure is helpful when trying
the infamous durian or that bowl of devil's curry.
Arab
Street
ChinatownLittle
IndiaCable
CarClarke
QuayFantasy
IslandHaw
Par VillaBird
ParkReptile
ParkMalay
VillageRaffles
HotelSentosaDiscovery
CentreTang
DynastyZooNight
SafariUnderwater
World
Traditional
Singapore
There is very little
of old Singapore left. Whatever remains has been consciously preserved,
restored, brought to life with a tinge of artifice. Still, the streets
of traditional Singapore are worth a visit to savour the bustle as the
ethnic communities go about their modern lives in quaint shophouses.
Arab
Street
Arabs were among
the first traders to arrive in Singapore, bringing with them the Islamic
religion and converting many indigenous Malays to their belief. Today,
the old sections of Arab Street provide a glimpse into the Muslim way of
life.
You can't miss
the landmark Sultan Mosque (built in 1928) with its golden dome and vast
prayer hall. The shops along Arab Street offer colourful textiles from
all over Asia at low prices. Also on sale are saris and batik, basketry,
leather goods, cane and rattan, jewellery and hand-beaten brass, perfumes
and other small treasures.
Getting there:
Take the MRT to Bugis (E1) station and walk along Victoria Street towards
Arab Street.
Chinatown
Scenes of Chinese
culture abound--noisy coffeeshops, medical halls, calligraphers, clog-makers,
trishaw drivers and old temples. Much of Chinatown has been renovated.
The stretch along Tanjong Pagar now has several pubs and eating places
in restored shophouses.
The best time
to visit is during the run-up to the Chinese New Year (in January or early
February), when the whole of Chinatown is lit up and buzzing with activity
from night stalls selling various delicacies and decorations.
Getting there:
Take the MRT to Outram (W2) station. Walk towards People's Park Complex.
Just after the Complex is the Pearl's Hill Police Headquarters. Cross over
the road and you'll be in the area commonly called Chinatown.
Little
India
Around Serangoon
Road, Little India captures the vibrant and colourful culture of the local
Indian community. Stop by the Sri Veerama Kaliaman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal
Temples if time allows.
There are lots
of small shops selling glittering silks, temple garlands, gold jewellery
and spices. At the other end of Serangoon Road, in Serangoon Plaza just
before Kitchener Road, you'll find Mohammed Mustaffa & Samsuddin Company.
Don't be fooled by the relatively modest exterior--inside is a maze of
consumer goods at some of the lowest fixed prices in Singapore.
Getting there:
Take SBS buses 64, 65, 106 or 111 from Orchard Road.
Cable
Car to Sentosa Island
Offering panaromic
views of the city skyline and the world's busiest harbour, the cableway
goes from Mount Faber, stopping at World Trade Centre station then on to
Sentosa. The Scenic Cable Car Ride is $6.90 (A), $3.90 (C).
Alternatively, you can buy the Sentosa Explorer Ticket, $24.30 (A), $13.80
(C) which includes the cable car ride, Sentosa entry fee and admission
to selected attractions. Open: 8.30 am - 9 pm daily. Getting
there: To Mount Faber, by taxi. To World Trade Centre, transfer to
bus 97, 125, 100, 145 or 166.
Clarke
Quay
Singapore's first
riverside festival village combining dining and shopping. Admission
free. Getting there: From City Hall MRT station, transfer to bus
32. From Outram Park MRT station, transfer to bus 54.
Fantasy
Island
When it gets hot,
get wet at Fantasy Island - Asia's largest water theme park. There
are fun water rides, chutes, slides and tubes at this rock-textured, Disney
World-style Park. More thrills, bumps and twists come from out-of-water
entertainment. $16 (A), $10 (C). CineMania (East Mall), a hi-tech
fusion of film and ride, $6 (A), $4 (C). Open: 9.30am - 7pm daily.
Getting there: See Sentosa Island. You can visit
Sentosa at their homepage.
Haw
Par Villa
Chinese mythological
theme park based on a collection of quaint sanctuary created by the founders
of Tiger Balm. The park boasts the infamous walk-through experience
into the Ten Courts of Hell. Admissions: $5 (A), $2.50 (C).
Open: 9am - 6pm daily. Getting there: From Buona Vista MRT station,
transfer to bus 200.
Jurong
BirdPark
Beautifully landscaped
park where over 8,000 birds are creatively displayed. A scenic Panorail
ride, $2.50 (A), $1 (C) gives you an overview. Catch highlights
such as the Penguin Parade and the Waterfall Aviary. Birds of Prey
Show at 10am and 4pm; All Stars Bird Show at 11 am and 3 pm.
Admission: $10.30 (A) $4.12(C). You can also visit
Jurong
Birdpark Homepage.
| Location: |
Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim Singapore 628925. |
| Tel: |
265-0022 |
| Fax: |
261-1869 |
| Opening hours: |
9 am to 6 pm (Mondays to Fridays), 8 am to 6 pm (Saturdays, Sundays
and public holidays). |
| Entrance fees: |
$10.30 for adults, $4.12 for children under 12. |
| Getting there: |
Take the MRT to Boon Lay (W12) station then take SBS buses 194 or 251. |
| Show times: |
10 am Fuji World of Hawks
11 am All Star Bird Show
11:45 am Hornbill Chit Chat
12 pm The Wonderful World of Birds
1 pm The Wonderful World of Birds
2 pm The Wonderful World of Birds
3 pm All Star Bird Show
4 pm King of the Skies |
Jurong
Reptile Park
Also touted as
"Crocodile Paradise", the place brings you eerily close up to different
species of reptiles in photo shoots, feeding sessions and reptile shows.
| Location: |
241 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim Singapore 629143. |
| Tel: |
261-8866 |
| Fax: |
261-7778 |
| Opening hours: |
9 am to 6 pm daily. |
| Entrance fees: |
$7 for adults, $3.50 for children under 12. |
| Getting there: |
Take the MRT to Boon Lay (W12) station then take SBS buses 194 or 251. |
Malay
Village
The only living
kampung in Singapore. Attractions include 'Lagenda Fantasi' (a multi-sensory
show). a museum and Kampung Days (a walk-through village showcase).
There are weekend cultural activities and daily Dinner and Dance Cultural
Show. Open: 10am - 10pm. Admission free. Getting
there: A short walk from Paya Lebar MRT Station.
Malay
village/ Pewter Museum
Watch traditional
Chinese porcelain production, from hand-throwing to handpainting, or buy
replicas of Ming, Song, Yuan and Qin Dynasties. Royal Selangor Pewter
Museums is also housed here featuring historic items and demonstrations
of hand-crafter pewter processes. Admission free. Open: 8.30am
- 5.30pm daily. Getting there: From Clementi MRT station, transfer
to bus 78.
Raffles
Hotel
Singapore's most
graceful landmark, whose charms now include a shopping arcade and a museum.
The quaint Victorian-style theatre Jubilee Hall is a popular venue for
plays, ballets, films and lectures. Don't leave the hotel without
a sip of the famous Singapore Sling. Getting there: A short walk
from City Hall MRT Station.
Sentosa
Island
Resort Island with
beaches, musical fountain, Underwater World, Asian Village, Coralarium,
Butterfly Park, Orchid Fantasy, VolcanoLand and Images of Singapore.
Getting there: By ferry, 10am 9pm daily at 20-minute intervals. By
cable car, 8.30am - 9pm daily; or on foot; admission $5 (A), $3 (C), with
separate ferry/cable car fees. By air-conditioned bus, 7am to 11pm
daily from World Trade Centre or Tiong Bahru MRT station every 10-15 minutes,
admission $6 (A), $4 (C), including two-way bus ride; or Orchard Road,
10am - 8pm daily, admission $7 (A), $5 (C).
Singapore
Discovery Centre
Singapore's latest
attraction featuring high-tech and interactive exhibits that showcase Singapore's
milestones and achievements. Experience the virtual Parachuting and
the motion simulator, first of its kind in this region. Open: 9am
- 7pm (Tue-Fri), 9am - 8pm (Satu, Sun and public holidays). Admission:
$9 (A), $5 (C). Getting there: From Boon Lay MRT station, transfer
to bus 192 to 193.
Tang
Dynasty City
A re-creation of
the ancient capital of Chang'An during the golden age of Chinese history.
Besides authentic buildings, there is a Ghost Mansion, where the world's
first poltergeist phenomenon is created through 3-D sound illusion.
Craft demonstrations, magic show and live performance are available.
Admission: $15.45 (A), $10.30 (C). Open: 10am - 6.30 pm daily.
Getting there: From Lakeside MRT Station, transfer to bus 154 or 240.
Singapore
Zoological Gardens and Night Safari
The open zoo provides
a lush tropical garden for the animals. The Night Safari, a world first,
has won global acclaim for the zoological gardens. If you're planning to
do both the zoo and the safari on the same day, hit the zoo in the late
afternoon (when the sun is less intense), catch a quick dinner, then hop
onto the night safari.
| Location: |
Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826. |
| Tel: |
6269-3411 |
| Fax: |
6367-2974 |
| Web: |
http://www.asianconnect.com/zoo/zoobook.html |
| Email : |
singzoo@pacific.net.sg |
| Opening hours: |
8:30 am to 6 pm daily. |
| Entrance fees: |
$10.30 for adults, $4.60 for children from 3-12. |
| Getting there: |
Take the MRT to Ang Mo Kio (N9) station then take SBS bus 138. Or take
the MRT to Choa Chu Kang (N21) station then take TIBS bus 927. |
|
10:30 am Primates and Reptiles
11:30 am Elephants and Sealions
2:30 pm Primates and Reptiles
3:30 pm Elephants and Sealions |
Night
Safari
Underwater
World Singapore
Underwater World,
Asia's largest tropical oceanarium, is located on Sentosa Island.
http://www.underwaterworld.com.sg
uwspl@cyberway.com.sg
9 am to 9 pm
daily (last admission at 8:30 pm).
$13.00 for adults,
$7.00 for children below 12, free for children below 0.9 m in height.
Take a cable
car, ferry or bus across. For a better view, you can board a cable car
from Mount Faber or the World Trade Centre. Ferry services are available
from the World Trade Centre terminal. Bus services are also available from
the World Trade Centre bus terminal (Bus A). Another way is to hop on a
Sentosa Bus B, C or M from Tiong Bahru MRT (W3) station or take Sentosa
Bus E from Orchard Road. You can also take a walk across the causeway to
Sentosa. Once on Sentosa, you are free to find your way around. If you
take the monorail, get off at Station 2 for the Underwater World. Or you
can board Bus No. 2 or the Sentosa Bus A, which will also take you right
to the Underwater World. You can walk there too--get a map from the ticketing
counters.
Turtle Pool
|
11:00 am - 11:15 am |
|
4:00 pm - 4:15 pm |
Cylindrical
Tank
Reef Colony
and Ocean Colon
|
11:30 am - 12:00 pm |
|
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
|
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm |
Copyright ©
1998 Park View Hotel Singapore.
Last modified : 30
September 2004.
