GUEST POST OVERVIEW: When I visited Singapore in 2009, it was for 36 hours and smack-dab in the middle of a budget backpacking adventure. Needless to say, I would love to return and check out the city again, using this guest post by Chris as a guide…

 

A weekend break in Singapore offers shopping, relaxation and luxury.

Singapore's Fountain of Wealth - Photography by William Cho
Singapore’s Fountain of Wealth – Photography by William Cho

It has become the glamorous destination of Asia fusing a variety of cultures and is a great place to avail of your frequent flyer miles or a flight stopover. There are a number of excellent hotels to stay in which can be booked beforehand including the Pan Pacific with comfortable rooms and a swimming pool.

The Furama RiverFront is also a hotel in a great location near shopping centres and comes with a view of the Singapore River.  The Mandarin Hotel offers a little more luxury and excellent meals.

To make the most of your short time in the city, here are some attractions to ensure you get an insight to the city and Singaporean life. The Chinese culture is extremely influential over the city. Chinatown is the traditional hub with temples, mosques and shops. A walk through Chinatown will also bring you across Club Street which is where the expats hangout; Tanjong Pagar which is the gay community hub and Smith Street which is great for outside dining.

Fun and Food in Singapore

Marina Bay Sands Skypark - Photography by William Cho
Marina Bay Sands Skypark – Photography by William Cho

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark is a massive resort and casino with a 200 metre high boar shaped SkyPark on top of three 55 storey towers again offering amazing city views. There is also a 150 metre infinity pool which is currently the largest outdoor pool at that height. It’s one of the most popular attractions in the city.

The dining across the city is excellent. Flutes at the Fort, offers an old fashioned design and a modern Australian menu. It’s not the traditional Singaporean dining experience however it shows the influence of the expat community over the city. If you want something more traditional, the local favourites are chicken rice and chili crab, barbecued stingray and kangkong.

The Botanic Gardens is a national landmark and features a tropical rainforest which is among the only few pieces of original jungle on the island as well as an orchid garden with 100 species. The tallest trees in the gardens are 40 metres high. An adjacent ginger garden offers more than 250 species of plants.

There is a waterfall and birds making it picturesque, tranquil and perfect for an early morning stroll. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is another nature hub whereby a stroll through will open your eyes to pythons, birds and macaques.”

Phototography by William Cho

Check out some stories from my 36 hour whirlwind through Singapore…with self-diagnosed Swine Flu