Singapore
DESTINATION GUIDE
Beyond the world class welcome of
Singapore’s Changi Airport, lies a
dazzling city to explore...
HIGHLIGHTS
If you have a head for heights then make sure to book a ticket for the Supertree Skyway, a 128-metre aerial walkway suspended between two of the Supertrees 22 metres above the ground, for the most spectacular views of the gardens and the Marina Bay skyline beyond.
It’s also the perfect vantage point to watch the nightly light and sound show, which sees all 18 of the impressive Supertree structures come to life in a dazzling display of colourful lights powered entirely by solar energy harnessed by panels on the trees themselves.
Don’t worry if you don’t manage to bag a Supertree Skyway ticket to coincide with the show, the display is completely free and can be viewed from anywhere within the gardens – but try to pick a spot directly underneath for the full immersive experience.
For those who like their city breaks with a dash of adrenalin and adventure, then just a hop, skip and a jump away from Singapore lies Sentosa Island.
Located 1km south of the city and reached by a short MRT ride, this popular island resort known for its tropical beaches, luxurious hotels and fun-filled attractions was once a British military fortress, but after World War II the island was renamed ‘Sentosa’, meaning peace and tranquillity in Malay, and it quickly established itself as ‘Singapore’s playground’.
If lying on a beach soaking up the rays sounds far too pedestrian for you, then an array of thrill seeking activities await from the Megazip – Asia’s steepest zip wire which will see you hurtling above the lush canopy and white island beaches from 450 metres in the air – to something much closer to the ground such as the Skyline Luge, whizzing along the 688 metre long Dragonrail.
Whatever thrills you seek, there is something for everyone to enjoy on the island, even if it’s just simply enjoying the sunset on a beach with a cocktail in hand.
FUN FACT
Singapore is well known for its multiculturalism and multi-faith cohesiveness as a society, and nowhere is this more apparent than at the traditional track blessing ceremony, which takes place in the days preceding the race. In the annual ritual, first held before the inaugural night race in 2008 and the only one of its kind, representatives from 10 different religious faiths gather together to bestow their blessing on the event, praying for the safety of everyone involved.
WHAT TO EAT
You’ll find the lively Arab Street and Haji Lane – two popular lanes in the Kampong Glam area of the city – filled with an array of restaurants and cool cafes serving a wide range of cuisines, from traditional middle eastern dishes to menus with a more international flavour.
Famous for its colourful street art, Haji Lane is perfect for a post-dinner stroll and those all important Instagram photos.
Formerly a girls convent school established in 1853, Chijmes (pronounced 'chimes') has been restored to its full architectural glory and the old classrooms and school halls have been painstakingly transformed into dozens of different bars, restaurants and cafes with every type of cuisine on offer.
Throw in world class entertainment and live music until the wee small hours, plus beautiful courtyards and terraces for al fresco dining and Chijmes is the perfect place to unwind after a long hot day at the track.
Next up you should grab a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar, in the world-renowned Raffles Hotel where this gin-based, pink-hued cocktail was born in 1915.
At the turn of the 20th century in colonial Singapore, Raffles was the gathering place for the community and, thanks to improved road and rail links, rubber and palm oil plantation owners visiting from Malaya at the weekends.
The original Long Bar was relocated to another part of the hotel some years ago, but the two-storey watering hole maintains the air of plantation life in the 1920s with rows of cooling raffia fans on the ceiling and lush greenery.
So after the long flight to Singapore why not pull up a wicker chair, order this iconic drink and chuck the shells of the accompanying peanuts onto the floor with abandon – this tradition makes the Long Bar the only place in the city where littering is positively encouraged.
