Avatar in Singapore - A Guide to the Ultimate Experience

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Child meeting an Ilu from the movie Avatar: The Way of Water.

James Cameron’s groundbreaking Avatar movies can now lay claim to not one but two of the 10 highest grossing films of all time. That’s right, not content with hogging pole position for well over a decade with the original movie, those big blue CGI dudes are now well on their way to claiming the number two spot with sequel Avatar: The Way of Water. Cinema-goers yet to see at least one of these billion-dollar blockbusters must now be as rare as unobtanium.

And, with great popularity comes great opportunity: for further movies, for merchandise and for tourist attractions inspired by the franchise, of which Avatar: The Experience in Singapore ranks among the very best. Read on for our guide to this unmissable interactive adventure.

Avatar in Singapore - A Guide to the Ultimate Experience

Image of

Avatar: The Experience is located within the Cloud Forest at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, perhaps best known for the iconic man-made tree structures that tower over Marina Bay. James Cameron himself has described the experience as “a window into the beauty of Pandora” and, well, if anyone is qualified to make that claim, it’s James Cameron!

He’s not wrong though: what better place to evoke the otherworldly flora and fauna of this fictional planet* than inside a vast durian-shaped tropical hothouse crammed with waterfalls, magnificent plant life and epic spiraling walkways? (*It's an exomoon, actually – ed.)

Image of T-Shirt, Animal, Zoo, Pants, Rock, Vegetation, Jungle, Nature, Outdoors, Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Aquarium, Water, Child, Female, Girl, Land, Rainforest, Tree, Adult, Woman,

There’s plenty for Avatar fans to enjoy in this bioluminescent alien landscape where, as you enter, you’ll immediately encounter a fearsome Mountain Banshee crouching in the mist at the bottom of the waterfall. There are several more of these colorful aerial predators inside, including an epic full-scale animatronic version on the fourth floor. Heck, you can even have a go at becoming one yourself in a VR simulation where your movements control a Banshee’s flight over the Hallelujah Mountains. Kids will also absolutely love meeting the cute baby Banshee and Viperwolf pup.

Other highlights across the five zones include the opportunity to ‘Avatarize Yourself’ in the pods on the first floor. Step inside to have your face rendered as a Na’vi humanoid. Whether this is an improvement on the real thing is for you and your friends to decide afterwards: your Na’vi mugshot can be downloaded for free via the QR code provided. You’ll also come face to face with one of the Avatar universe's newest mythical creatures, namely the friendly Ilu, a massive marine monster in sculpture form.

Image of People, Person, Vegetation, Coat, Garden, Nature, Outdoors, Adult, Female, Woman, Walking, Groupshot, Jungle, Shorts,

Want to get a banshee’s-eye view of the whole experience? Take the elevator to the sixth floor, from where a stroll across the stunning Cloud Walk bridge brings you back down to the fourth, taking in panoramic views of the Pandora-esque Cloud Forest and out to Marina Bay. Afterwards, whiz back down to the first floor to meet the movie’s Sully family and explore the wild Pandoran flora. We’re talking deadly acid-oozing scorpion thistles, majestic Pandoran cycads and more. And, spread among them, further sci fi-looking plants that are, in fact, from our own planet: marvel at feathery blue-green peacock spikemoss, the red-veined trumpets of ​​Sarracenia cultivars, otherworldly jade vines and other curiously alien vegetation.

Avatar: The Experience is an eye-popping immersive feast for the senses at the best of times, but if you get a chance to visit in the evening, you’ll get to see the whole Pandoran landscape illuminated in fluorescent light, just like in the films. A visit at this time of day also gives you the opportunity to catch the free sound-and-light shows that take place nightly in Supertree Grove and at the nearby Marina Bay Sands resort.

Know Before You Go

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Child, Female, Girl, Dancing, Lighting,

Getting There: Avatar: The Experience is at Gardens by the Bay in Marina Bay. It’s easy to reach via the Downtown and Circle lines on Singapore’s super-efficient MRT system. Alight at Bayfront station and take the underground linkway through exit B. You can then cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge to reach Gardens by the Bay. Shuttle buses are also available from Tanjong Pagar station on the East-West MRT line.

Opening Hours: The experience runs until the end of March 2023. You can visit between 9AM and 9PM daily. Last admission is at 8PM.

Tickets: You can get tickets for Avatar: The Experience only, or upgrade to include entry to the Flower Dome in your package. With Go City, you get access to Avatar: the Experience, plus the Flower Dome, and save money on a whole host of other major Singapore attractions, such as the Sentosa cable car, Universal Studios, the National Museum and Singapore Zoo.

The Flower Dome

Image of Garden, Nature, Outdoors, Gardening, Vegetation, Arbour, Person,

Considering opting for a ticket that adds entry to the Flower Dome but want to know more? Step right up: we’ve got the lowdown for you right here...

First up: this place is big. We’re talking Guinness World Record-holding big. That’s right, the Flower Dome is the planet’s largest greenhouse, with over 3,000 glass panels and an internal volume equivalent to a whopping 75 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Suffice it to say that there’s plenty to see and do in a space this size.

Inside, carpets of colorful blooms create intoxicating floral perfumes and a thousand-year-old olive tree stands sentinel, the stunning centerpiece of the tranquil olive grove. Explore plants from around the world across nine different zones, including eye-popping specimens from as far afield as Australia, South America and the Mediterranean and spend a few reflective moments in the weird world of the baobab forest.

Gardens by the Bay also offers stacks of free things to do. Stroll through outdoor areas including Bay East Garden, Heritage Garden and the aptly named Serene Garden, spotting unique sculptures and artful floral displays along the way. And visit the arid landscape of the Sun Pavilion, where you'll discover magnificent desert plants like the Turk’s cap and Mexican giant cactus that wouldn’t look at all out of place on Pandora.

Save on attractions and activities in Singapore

Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

Continue reading

Traditional boat on the Singapore River near Clarke Quay
Blog

A guide to the Singapore River

Stop for a visit to Singapore and the first thing you’ll notice – after the skyscrapers and warm, humid air – is that there’s a lot of water. Rivers, harbors and canals are the lifeblood of this city, bringing trade, tourism, and tranquility to its many green and quiet spaces. At the heart of it all, snaking its way west to east from the Kim Seng Bridge the Singapore Strait, is the Singapore River. Now lined with vibrant shopping districts and dazzling sky scrapers organized around three main quays, this two-mile stretch of fresh water has been indelibly linked to Singapore’s history and livelihood from its days as a remote fishing village to the internationally recognizable metropolis it is today. Read on to find out more about: Its history Robertson Quay Clarke Quay Boat Quay The Marina Things to do History The history of the Singapore River dates back many centuries to when the ‘Lion City’ was a small fishing village inhabited at various points by traveling (or invading) fisherman from China, Malaysia, India, Java and other neighboring countries. It wasn’t until Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in 1819 that serious development began, and it grew into a large city with a well-connected trading port. The first quay was built in 1823 and large warehouses were built all along the Singapore River to house goods and merchandise being imported and exported by sea. Other industries – such as finance – thrived on this success, but it took its toll on the waterways. Pollution and congestion became so bad that in 1977 the Prime Minister launched an ambitious ten-year clean-up project. Hotels, green spaces and sewerage were installed, and most of the trade was moved out to Keppel Harbor to make way for the tide of tourism now flooding into the city. Nowadays, The Singapore River forms the backbone of social and commercial life in the city, with vibrant districts and glamorous promenades culminating in the spectacular vista of Marina Bay. Things to do Fortunately, the weather and daylight hours are pretty consistent throughout the year in Singapore, so it doesn’t really matter when you go. It’s always going to be humid, so undoubtedly the best way to experience the river is on it, where fresh breezes and water spray will cool you down. River Cruises in traditional bumboats will take you gently around the quays and the Marina for perfect waterfront pictures, or for something more adventurous try a Duck Tour in an amphibious vehicle. If you prefer two wheels, there are some great bike tours that take in all the river’s major attractions, or you could just hire a bike and do your own exploring. If you need some family fun, try a Puzzle Hunt in Fort Canning, or if you need a rest and fancy some ‘high’ life, grab a drink at the Ce La Vi SkyBar in the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where you can look back and marvel over the entire length of the river and out to the sea. Cruise around Singapore with Go City Whether you prefer your views from rooftop bars, traditional boats or riverside restaurants, there’s always something to see on the Singapore River. Be sure to have your Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass handy, so you’ll save on all your favorite attractions as you go!
Karleen Stevens
Singapore River Cruise
Blog

Things to do in Geylang Singapore

Singapore’s Geylang neighborhood is certainly something of a head scratcher. Although descriptions often begin with its status as the country’s legally-recognized red-light district, it is also one of the country’s most culturally diverse areas. Exploring its historic shopfronts is just one of the many things to do in Geylang Singapore, alongside delving into a food scene that includes everything from frog leg porridge to Ramadan treats. Lying to the east of the Kallang River as it flows towards the river cruises of Marina Bay, east-west running Geylang Road remains at the heart of all that goes on in the neighborhood. Providing a sense of old Singapore, before soaring skyscrapers took hold, it’s a street busy with Singaporeans, Malays, Chinese and western expatriates by day and night. Meanwhile unnamed lorongs (lanes) span off to north and south with the promise of all manner of delights. Wondering why Geylang is so popular and on the lips of so many? Here’s our pick of the very best things to do in Geylang Singapore! Check out Geylang’s architectural curiosities There’s probably no better place to start your discovery of Geylang than Geylang Road. Stroll along even the shortest section of its three-kilometer length and you’ll very quickly get a feel of what this neighborhood is all about. And while the low-rise properties which line this major arterial road are sure to have you reaching for your camera, Geylang’s real treasures are to be found on its surrounding streets. There’s nothing quite like picking one at random and seeing what you’ll discover – maybe the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace or Haig Road Hawker Center. But if you’re looking for a little guidance, the colorfully-painted conserved shopfronts on both sides of Joo Chiat Road rival the Peranakan (Malay-Chinese) Houses of adjoining Koon Seng Road when it comes to the wow factor. For the chance to head inside one of these preserved homes, make an appointment to visit The Intan, a house museum dedicated to recording Peranakan culture for prosperity. The work of one man, its collection is as encyclopedic in scope as it is colorful. Discover Geylang’s artistic side If a visit to The Istan gets you in the mood for more of Geylang’s artistic side, the Eurasian Heritage Gallery is just a couple of blocks south. Created to tell the story of Singapore’s Eurasian community, it succeeds in bringing its history to life in three excellently curated galleries refurbished in 2019. Detailing a heritage which takes in Britain, Portugal, Goa and Macau, the sections on how the community survived the Japanese occupation of the island in World War Two is particularly poignant. More uplifting stories include those of swimmer Joseph Schooling, the first Singaporean to win an Olympic gold medal. Just beyond the official bounds of Geylang, on the banks of the Geylang River, you’ll also find the Goodman Arts Centre. Hosting a wide range of exhibitions and workshops, the center sits within a lush three-hectare site. It also includes a café serving up Australasian dishes with looks perfect for social media and flavors not far behind. Fill your stomach with Geylang’s specialty dishes For a more authentic look at Geylang’s culinary magic, the choices are almost endless. Geylang Serai Market is one of the largest wet markets in Singapore, meaning you can find just about anything you might ever point towards a wok. After you’ve breathed in the rich aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon and lemongrass (serai in Malay), enter the attached bazaar for fabrics, homewares and other dry goods. Carrying a buzz at any time of year, the market outdoes itself each Ramadan, when stalls lit up with decorations and open long into the night help adherents break their fast. Head upstairs to the market’s food court to sample many of the region’s delicacies. Keep an eye out for asam pedas(sour and spicy fish stew), beef rendang (a dry diced beef curry) and goreng pisang banana fritters. Alternatively, follow your nose – literally – to the durian stalls of Sims Avenue. Known as the ‘king of fruits,’ there’s really nothing else like a durian. They were the model for the Esplanade Theatres building on the opposite side of Marina Bay to Gardens by the Bay, and so pungent in aroma they are banned from hotels and aircraft. So why not let a stallholder pick out the perfect durian for you? After all, sampling the custard-like interior is something of a rite of passage when traveling in the region. Nearby, there are several simply-decorated restaurants (think school canteen chic) and more upmarket establishments with specialties including frog leg porridge on their menus. Try G7 Sin Ma or Eminent Frog Porridge to taste this savory stew flavored with soy sauce, ginger, garlic and chili. If you’re looking for a late evening drink, there are also plenty of bars in Geylang – head either along Geylang Road, or along Geylang riverfront. Enjoy Geylang’s green spaces When Stamford Raffles, ‘founder’ of modern Singapore arrived in Geylang, it was an area of coconut palms and coastal marshland. Although no longer awash with greenery, the Geylang riverfront provides a nice contrast to the bustling lanes of the area. Save your shoe leather with Gogreen Bicycle Rentals, the easiest way of taking in all the river’s sights as it doglegs through the neighborhood. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of benches on which to rest up with an ice cream, kelongs (floating platforms) and shelters resembling the kampong (village) huts that once would have been found here. Further north, Geylang East Park’s L-shaped form provides another escape from the hubbub of its nearby roads. Clean, tidy and well-maintained, you could do far worse than stop by for a lunchtime picnic with the daily mix of residents and office workers. Ways to save in Geylang Singapore Save on the top sights and attractions in Singapore with Go City. From the best things to do in Geylang Singapore to nature kayaking adventures in Pulau Ubin, we offer out of this world experiences at less than astronomical prices with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes!
Alex Birungi
Woman in Singapore Market
Blog

See and Be Seen: The Best People Watching Spots in Singapore

Want to experience Singapore like a local? Start with these epic people-watching favorites.

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.