Singapore Skyline

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

By Mia Russell

Glitzy and glamorous, sleek and sophisticated, Singapore has it all. Take a peek behind the shimmering skyline and you’ll find a wealth of incredible things to see and do in Singapore in Autumn. From spectacular green urban spaces and awe-inspiring architecture to out-of-this-world shopping and a world-class culinary scene, Singapore will steal your heart.

Why visit Singapore in the autumn?

Autumn in Singapore runs from September through November and the rain and humidity tend to increase over this time. Temperatures are still very hot during autumn with averages of 30 °C (86 °F) during the day and the humidity begins to rise towards the middle of October.

This may not sound like the most comfortable weather for exploring the city, but it's nothing a good umbrella can’t handle. The rain and humidity tend to keep tourists away in autumn, so you’ll find some great deals on airfares and hotels around the city.

Autumn is also the best time to hit Singapore’s incredible art galleries and museums, which are air-conditioned and cool, and a saving grace from the rain. This is also the time to shop until you drop into the myriad shops and stores that make Singapore a world-class shopping destination.

 

Explore the city’s outstanding museums

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Explore the city’s outstanding museums

Escape the rain and heat and while away the day in a few of Singapore’s award-winning art galleries, top-notch museums, and one-of-a-kind cultural institutions.

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest and largest museum in the city and should be your first port of call. Opened in 1887, the museum is housed in a stately 19th-century Neo-Palladium-style building with a beautiful glass rotunda. Take a moment to admire the exquisite architecture – it’s a work of art in itself.

If you’re a lover of contemporary Asian art, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is a treat! The museum exhibits artworks in multiple spaces, including a satellite space at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, and the main building along Bras Basah Road. This is the one you want to visit not only to marvel at the beautiful architecture of the heritage buildings but to see some impressive art, too.

Next on the list is the Asian Civilisations Museum, a captivating journey through Asia’s cross-cultural connections.

If you are an art-lover, head to the National Gallery Singapore to admire an incredible collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art. Brave the Changi Museum & Chapel to learn the stories of POWs and held Changi Prison during the Japanese occupation of Singapore.

Another luminary in Singapore’s art world, the National Gallery Singapore is huge! The largest visual art gallery of its kind in the city, it's packed with the world’s largest collection of Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to the present. And there are interactive installations and exhibits for the kids too, so make a day of exploring this glorious behemoth.

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival

Singapore comes alive when the Mid-Autumn Festival rolls around. Also known as the Moon Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the end of the autumn harvest on the Chinese calendar and has been observed since the early Tang dynasty.

The city lights up with spectacular lantern displays and families gather to walk with lanterns and gaze at the moon. There is a vibrant atmosphere with mid-autumn festivities and performances around the city. Sweet treats abound with mooncakes taking center stage. These traditional round cakes are filled with salted egg yolk as the yolk is said to represent the full moon and reunion. They are both eaten and presented as gifts to families and friends.

One of the best places to view the fantastic lantern displays is Chinatown and the Gardens by the Bay in Marina Bay. One of the city’s most spectacular green spaces is lit up with the soft light of lanterns, creating a breathtaking display.

While you are there, wander around the park and marvel at the towering high-tech trees that also light up at night, the whimsical sculptures, and the misty biodomes. Use your pass to get free access to the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome.

Spend the day at Sentosa Park

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Spend the day at Sentosa Park

Sentosa Island is the perfect place to spend a rainy day. The all-ages playground is packed with things to do from an aquarium and a casino to some amazing theme parks.

Hop on the Singapore Sky Cable with your pass for a thrilling ride to Sentosa Island from Mount Faber on the mainland. Take in the amazing views on the way and spend the day enjoying all the attractions on the island.

Make your first stop Sentosa 4D AdventureLand. Use your pass to get into this amazing fantasy land where you can ride a super log through ravines and valleys and dive into crocodile-infested water. Zoom into a haunted old mine on a thrilling rollercoaster ride or saddle up and let your inner cowboy out as you go after the bad guys.

Other fantastic attractions you can use your pass to enjoy at Sentosa Island include SEA Aquarium, Universal Studios, and the exhilarating SkyHelix Sentosa.

Shop until you drop

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Shop until you drop

Rainy days are made for shopping and there is no better place to shop until you drop than Singapore! Singapore’s shopping scene is world-renowned, and people visit the vibrant city just to shop. The tiny island state is home to an impressive range of shopping malls, high-end boutiques, brand-name stores, and hidden gems. You can find everything from appliances to apparel and the choice of places to get them is nothing less than mind-boggling.

The best place to start your shopping spree is the epochal Orchard Road. Mega malls line the two-mile stretch of street and whatever you are looking for from budget clothing to state-of-the-art electronics, you’ll find it here. For something extraordinary, head to the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, where you do some window shopping while taking a relaxing gondola ride around the mall. You’ll also find some outstanding restaurants here when you start getting ‘hangry.’

 

Take a culinary journey around the world

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Take a culinary journey around the world

Singapore is foodie heaven! This multicultural city is renowned for its incredible cuisine and whether you want to eat like a local or dine at the finest restaurants in the city, Singapore has it all.

The best place to get a taste of Singapore is on the street at the legendary hawker centers. From eye-wateringly hot Indian curries to melt-in-your-mouth murtabak, the city’s culinary scene has every dish conceivable. Be sure to try delicious local dishes like laksa, a spicy, coconutty noodle soup, and chicken rice with a twist.

If you prefer French champagne and foie gras, the city is home to several Michelin-star restaurants that offer out-of-this-world dining experiences. The top of the list is Odette. Located in Singapore’s National Gallery, this exceptional restaurant is helmed by Chef Royer brings French and Japanese cuisine together to create sublime plates. Try the Foie Gras terrine with kumquat marmalade.

For mouthwatering Italian cuisine, head to Garibaldi where Executive Chef Roberto Galetti cooks traditional Italian dishes like handmade pasta with caviar and snow crab. Sip some of the finest Chianti in the world.

 

Dance the night away

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Dance the night away

When the sun goes down, Singapore changes from flats to heels and really puts on a show. Trendy restaurants, buzzing bars, and glitzy nightclubs all vie for attention, while chic rooftop bars draw the cool crowd.

Kick off the evening with a complimentary Singapore Sling at the famous Raffles Long Bar – present your pass for your free drink. Then head out into the night and experience Singapore’s electric nightlife.

Start at Zouk, Singapore’s longest-running nightclub. Renowned for propelling the dance music movement throughout Asia, Zouk attracts some of the biggest names in the industry and you can party the night away to the sounds of Paul Oakenfold and The Chemical Brothers.

Another memorable nocturnal carnival experience can be found at MARQUEE. This massive club has three floors, sky-high ceilings, and a giant indoor Ferris wheel!

 

Make the most of your trip with a Singapore Pass. Save while you sightsee all of the best Singapore attractions.  

Alex Birungi
Go City Travel Expert

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The iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
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The Best Singapore Landmarks and Must Dos

Singapore is one enormous playground, with stacks of fun things to do for all ages, from wild theme park rides to formal garden; down’n’dirty street food to Michelin-starred dining. And, while there’s no such thing as an exhaustive list of all the best Singapore landmarks and must dos, we’ve compiled a short guide to some of the city’s absolute must-sees. Dive in to discover what made our list, including: Merlion Park Singapore Zoo The Sentosa cable car Raffles Hotel Kampong Glam Gardens by the Bay The Marina Bay Sands laser show Merlion Park Can you even say you’ve been to Singapore without grabbing a selfie by the island’s massive mythical mascot? With the body of a fish and water-spouting head of a lion, the 8.6-meter, 70-tonne Merlion statue is truly a sight to behold. You’ll find it in Merlion Park with its diminutive two- meter, three-tonne ‘Merlion Cub’ nearby, and fine views out across the bay. Singapore Botanic Gardens To describe this sprawling 200-acre oasis of vibrant tropical flora as ‘mature gardens’ would be something of an understatement. Here since 1859, it's the only tropical garden on the planet to have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To understand why, simply breathe in the heady scents of the Ginger Garden, enjoy a moment of quiet reflection on the shores of Swan Lake or take a stroll to the picture-postcard bandstand. Don’t miss the park’s star attraction: the National Orchid Garden with its thousands of powerfully scented and eye-poppingly gorgeous blooms. Spectra at Marina Bay Sands Marina Bay Sands Resort, one of Singapore’s most recognizable landmarks, is pretty spectacular in its own right, with its trio of soaring skyscrapers topped with a space-age observation deck and vast infinity pool. The Spectra light and water show really puts on the ritz though, with visual projections, mist effects, lasers and a rousing orchestral symphony that dazzle audiences nightly. Experience it from the plaza, or get a stunning bird’s eye view from the resort’s SkyPark observation platform, a knee-knocking 57 floors up. Lau Pa Sat No visit to Singapore would be complete without hitting up a hawker center to sample some of the finest street food in Asia. And Lau Pa Sat in the Central Business District is among the very best. One of the finest historical landmarks in Singapore, this beautifully restored octagonal Victorian market building oozes old-world Singapore charm, with a decorative internal cast-iron frame that’s filled with the heady scents of zingy chili crab, fragrant Hainanese chicken and, of course, the mother of all Singapore street-food snacks: delectable skewers of chargrilled pork smothered in sticky peanut satay sauce. Unmissable. Singapore Zoo Frequently cited as one of the best things to do in Singapore (and certainly one of the most popular), Singapore Zoo is well worth the day trip. Zones here include a rainforest inside a massive biodome, home to thousands of critters including cute golden lion tamarin monkeys, two-toed sloths and all manner of colorful amphibians and birdlife. Head to the plains of Wild Africa where you might spot a shy white rhino or inquisitive giraffe, and meet regal horned lizards, king cobras, panther chameleons and electric blue geckos in the epic RepTopia reptile house. Sentosa Cable Car There are a few ways to reach Sentosa, the tiny tropical island just off Singapore’s south coast, but none quite as fun as the cable car. Soaring 200 feet above sea level, this 15-minute journey is a Singapore must-do, with views of Sentosa’s beaches and lush foliage as you cross. This is a thrill ride with a gentle pace that limbers you up for the somewhat more high octane entertainments – rollercoasters, bungee ropes, sky-high swings – that you’ll encounter on arrival. You can even have dinner and drinks on board a private cable car as you and your partner take in the sunset views over three courses. Fear not: two round-trip rotations of the circuit ensure there’s no need to rush dessert. Raffles Hotel They don’t come much more iconic than this 19th-century grande dame hotel, one of the most historical landmarks in Singapore. Stop by the Raffles Hotel to admire its pristine colonial-style architecture and, perhaps more importantly, to sample a Singapore Sling, the fruity tropical cocktail that was invented right here more than a century ago. You’ll be in good company, too: Raffles has hosted a who’s who of ultra-glam stars down the years: Elizabeth Taylor, Christian Louboutin, Rudyard Kipling and Queen Elizabeth II, to name-drop just a few. Chin chin! Punggol Waterway Park Punggol Waterway Park in the northeast of the island is an Instagram addict’s dream come true, all weird, wonderful and outright wacky bridges, spanning wetlands that teem with native wildlife. Seek out the Sunrise Bridge for its photogenic pillarbox-red railings and long, snaking walkway and grab your perfect sunset selfie on the Jewel Bridge with its distinctive dome. Add to this some incredible waterfront views, a sand-and-water play zone for the kids and a peaceful therapeutic garden and you’ve got everything you need for a divine day out. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Discover the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth at the pagoda-style Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in downtown Singapore. Whether the main event here – a 7.5cm-long tooth displayed in a huge golden stupa – actually originated from the mouth of the Buddha is a matter we'll leave to your discretion, but there’s plenty to enjoy in the intricate and colorful architecture here, even for non-believers. Henderson Waves Bridge Not to be outdone by the funky bridges in Punggol Park Waterway, the Southern Ridges trail on the island’s south coast features the highest – and quite possibly most extraordinary – pedestrianized bridge in Singapore. We’re talking of course about Henderson Waves, a striking landmark with undulating steel ribs that snake over and under the walkway, creating a quite stunning work of art to connect Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park over the busy Henderson Road 36 meters below. Look out for colorful tropical critters including red-whiskered bulbuls, banded bay cuckoos and orange-bellied flowerpeckers along the way. Kampong Glam Kampong Glam is one of Singapore’s hippest ‘hoods, where the glorious golden dome of the Sultan Mosque rises like a shining beacon over the surrounding labyrinth of streets and alleyways. Arab Street is a must-visit for its seemingly timeless antique stores. These great cavernous treasure troves heave with Turkish handicrafts and goods including intricate textiles, ceramics and mosaic lanterns. Head to Sifr Aromatics’ fabulous Arab Street perfume emporium to design your own unique scents and take them home in delicate colored-glass bottles. Gardens by the Bay Last but certainly not least, Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay are recognized the world over for their magnificent glass hothouses (designed to look but thankfully not smell like overgrown durian fruits), and the futuristic Supertree Grove with its towering structures that are festooned with plantlife. Get up close to these supersized trees on a stroll around the elevated walkway that connects them, and come back after dark to see them lit up in all their glory at the hugely entertaining light and music show. 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
View of Singapore's downtown skyline from a rooftop pool.
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Things to do in Downtown Singapore Business District

Singapore’s Central Business District, also known as the CBD, financial district or downtown core, is a gleaming jungle of soaring skyscrapers with sensational waterfront views and more landmark attractions than you can shake a very large stick at. Add to that Michelin-starred restaurants, trendy cocktail bars and some of the best shopping in the city and you have the recipe for a fantastic break. Hera are just a few of our favorite things to do in downtown Singapore’s business district, including: Merlion Park The SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands National Gallery Singapore Singapore Flyer Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Shopping at Orchard Road and Marina Bay Bay cruises Gardens by the Bay Cocktails at Raffles Mythical Beasts and Dizzy Heights A stroll around Marina Bay is a fine way to get your bearings in the downtown area. Here, close-up views of the CBD’s sensational skyscrapers give you a sense of the scale of the place and the iconic Merlion statue, emblem of Singapore’s growth from humble fishing village to mighty all-conquering lion is a must-see. Grab a selfie by this 70-tonne fish/lion hybrid with its arc of spouting water that crashes into the Singapore River below, then head up to the SkyPark atop the Marina Bay Sands resort for a different perspective. Steady your nerves with a cocktail before taking in exception 57th-floor views of the Singapore skyline and out across the bay. National Gallery Singapore Immerse yourself in 200 years of Singaporean art and culture at the National Gallery. Appropriately, this stately collection of of more than 9,000 modern and contemporary pieces from Singapore and southeast Asia is housed within two immense national monuments in the heart of the CBD; namely Singapore’s former City Hall and Supreme Court. Step inside to goggle at works that range from 19th-century oil paintings and woodcuts to 21st-century video installations. Visiting in the middle of monsoon season? There’s plenty here to fill an entire day, with major works by Singaporean artists including Georgette Chen, Liu Kang and Cheong Soo Pieng to admire, plus art-inspired shops for unique souvenirs, and two Michelin-starred restaurants. The Singapore Flyer It should come as no surprise, in a city where the title of tallest building is highly prized, that the observation wheel is one of the biggest on the planet, soaring to a knee-trembling 541 feet at its highest point. Steel your nerves for the 30-minute flight aboard the Singapore Flyer from where you can expect views across the CBD skyline to Sentosa Island and even, on a clear day, as far as Indonesia and Malaysia. That’s assuming you haven’t closed your eyes in absolute terror by the time you reach the top. One rotation lasts 30 minutes and you can book tickets that include cocktails and champagne, should such nerve-settling measures be required. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Back on terra firma, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a stunning (and surprisingly recent) example of the Chinese Buddhist architectural style, all decorative flourishes, pagoda-style rooftops and cavernous indoor spaces. Built in 2007, the temple contains what is said to be one of the Buddha’s teeth, though skeptics may question its provenance given the proliferation of Buddha tooth temples in the region and, well, the size of the tooth itself which, at 7.5cm in length, is likely to raise a quizzical eyebrow at the very least. Visit this stunning temple and make up your own mind! Shop ‘Til You Drop There are more malls and brand-name stores along the 2.5-kilometer shopping mecca that is Orchard Road than you could hope to explore in a lifetime, never mind on your two-week vacation. Orchard Central is one of the most interesting, with its digital-art skin, huge indoor climbing wall, public art installations and roof garden. Further opportunities to max your credit card await at Marina Bay Resort’s cavernous Shoppes mall which, in spite of its ye olde name, is an ultra-modern, ultra-luxe shoppers’ paradise that’s guaranteed to give your bank manager serious palpitations. Venetian-style canals and sampan boat rides make for a fun way to get from store to store. Singapore River Cruise Hop aboard a traditional bumboat to get a new perspective on the CBD’s many highlights. Ideal for the lazy sightseer, these scenic cruises tick off a number of the city’s big ticket attractions in one short jaunt along the Singapore River. Expect to see highlights including Marina Bay Sands, with its space-age triple towers topped by what, from way down here, looks for all the world like a giant surfboard, as well as the legendary Raffles hotel, the Gardens by the Bay and the Old Parliament House. Hopeless romantics can catch the golden hour on a sunset cruise as the Singapore skies puts on their colorful daily show and lights twinkle on across the city. Gardens By The Bay With its gargantuan durian-shaped glass hothouses, tranquil East Bay Garden and iconic supertree structures complete with fun elevated walkway, Gardens By The Bay is a treat at any time of day. But it’s arguably at its most enchanting in the evenings, when the Supertree Grove puts on an epic display of colored light accompanied by a rousing symphonic soundtrack, sure to enliven your Instagram feed. Better still, this event is free! Light and music themes change with the seasons but the show generally runs twice per evening, with some variation for holidays and special events. Sip a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel What’s the first thing you think of when someone says the word ‘Singapore’? Skyscrapers? Orchids? No! The answer is of course a Singapore Sling, that delightful gin-based tropical cocktail that’s as iconic a symbol of this island nation as its Merlion mascot. And where better to sample one than in the very place they were invented? We’re talking, of course, about the legendary 19th-century Raffles Hotel, where bartender Ngiam Tong Boon first mixed gin with cherry brandy, grenadine, pineapple, bitters and lime juice back in 1915, and the Singapore Sling was born! Join such illustrious former guests as Hemingway, Kipling and Grahame Greene and try one for yourself in the hotel’s smart Long Bar. 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
People on bridge between two purple Singapore supertrees, with cityscape in background
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Singapore in April

Spring into spring in Singapore! If you’re wondering where to go in April, it’s the perfect destination for guaranteed sunshine, plus endless ways to have fun - from family friendly activities to traditional festivals, natural wonders to urban adventures. With most schools around the world taking a break from class, April is the perfect time for a family vacation to discover Singapore’s mesmerising mix of vibrant city life, cultural diversity, lush rainforest and balmy beaches. Stick around for a whistle-stop tour of what to do in Singapore in April including: • April weather in Singapore • Gardens by the Bay • April festivals in Singapore • Family activities in Singapore: Big Bus Singapore Universal Sentosa Adventureland Adventure Cove Waterpark April weather in Singapore As you might expect from somewhere so close to the equator, the outlook is always bright in Singapore and April is within the dry season, with minimum rainfall and maximum sunshine. With temperatures averaging 32oC (89oF) and humidity relatively low, compared to the sweaty highs of the summer months, it’s a great time to slather on the suncream and make the most of outdoor sights. There may be a few rumbles of afternoon thunder but the only time you’ll need a sweater is for the welcome air conditioning of malls and indoor spaces. Can I still see cherry blossom in Singapore? March is peak cherry blossom season, but the beginning of April usually sees the last days of the Sakura Matsuri festival at Gardens by the Bay. You may be lucky enough to still catch the delicate blooms but remember that hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is all about celebrating the transient. Even if the cherry blossom is falling and fading, there’ll still be photo opps a-plenty with the pink blooms of the native trumpet trees still likely to be lining roads and parks across the city. Gardens by the Bay Whether or not you’re in time for the blossoms you can still get your Floral Fantasy fix in the Gardens by the Bay themed flower garden landscapes - Dance, Float, Waltz and Drift. And there are more abundant blooms in the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. The Flower Dome’s colossal conservatory holds the Guinness World Record for the largest glass greenhouse - that’s the same size as 75 Olympic swimming pools (by volume) so, frankly, a fair few flowers. Discover plants from the days of the dinosaurs in the Cloud Forest where tropical plants - and a 35-metre tall waterfall - tumble down from the treetop walk through layers of mist. Then explore an even more alien environment in the Avatar Experience, a unique walk-through environment within the Cloud Forest where you can marvel at the bioluminescent landscapes, follow in the footsteps of the Na’vi and encounter a baby Banshee and other creatures from Avatar: The Way of Water. Maybe you’ll take advantage of the pleasant spring temperatures to wander the acres of outdoor gardens that sweep down to the waterfront - from the peaceful lawns of Bay East, to rock, heritage and sculpture gardens, to the zen-like space of the Serene Garden. And you really can’t miss the 18 soaring Supertrees that have become a recognisable symbol of Singapore. These 50M-high, sustainable, vertical gardens feature 162,000 plants, provide shade and even harvest energy. To see them up close, whizz up to the observatory, then stroll the OCBC Skyway, a 128m long walkway suspended between the trees that sets you up for a postcard perfect aerial shot of the gardens and Marina Bay. When darkness falls, prepare to be dazzled as the supertrees dance to the music, lights and lasers of the twice-nightly Garden Rhapsody Show. Easter in Singapore Singapore’s multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural diversity means there is always something to celebrate and, true to form, April sees a variety of special religious and cultural festivals. Easter is a public holiday observed by Singapore’s sizeable Christian community - from Palm Sunday parades, via the solemn services of Good Friday, to the celebrations of Easter Sunday. Prepare to feast on roast lamb to represent the belief of Jesus being the lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world. And don’t get hot or cross when you try hot cross buns (British spiced cinnamon bread with a cross-shape baked into the top.) Ramadan in Singapore The ninth month of the Islamic holy calendar - at least some of which usually falls in April - is also observed as a month of prayer, fasting and community by the Muslim community. If you’re visiting the city you might want to make a fascinated (but respectful) visit to the Ramadan bazaar at Geyland Serai, a night market that sparkles with light and sells food and festive items for Muslims breaking their 12 hour fast. Tickle your tastebuds with the Singapore version of a Ramly burger (a meat patty wrapped in an eggy parcel), Roti John (an omelette baguette sandwich) and keropok lekor (a kind of fish sausage!) Since it’s customary to makeover homes and wardrobes during Ramadan, you can also expect to see stalls selling beautiful home wares, Islamic art, fabrics, fashions and sandals for adults and children. Hari Raya Puasa (or Eid al Fitr) marks the end of Ramadan and is joyfully celebrated in April or May. Children sometimes receive green envelopes of money from visitors, families wear new clothes (in Singapore often in matching colours!) and go to the mosque to pray. After a month of fasting it’s hardly surprising that the emphasis is on feasting so look out for spicy delicacies like ketupat, lontong, nasi padang and beef rendang, and sweet treats like kueh bangkit and butter cookies. Feel free to greet Muslim friends with “Selamat Hari Raya!” - “Happy Celebration Day!” Qingming festival Early April in Singapore sees Chinese communities celebrating Qingming (Ching Ming) festival - literally meaning ‘clear and bright festival’ but also known as ‘tomb-sweeping day’ - which denotes the beginning of springtime. Chinese families visit the graves of their loved ones to clean and tidy them and present gifts of food, wine and incense (which, once the spirits have received them, are taken home again to be enjoyed!) You might witness the custom of burning paper gifts - money or drawings of material goods - to ensure the well-being of ancestors in the afterworld - though be aware that it’s a private family celebration, not a public spectacle, and that photographs are not welcome at cemeteries. To get your head around the many festivals and cultural traditions, why not take time out at some of Singapore’s fascinating museums? The new four-story Indian Heritage Centre is packed with information, education and activity spaces to fill you in on Indian and South Asian history and culture. The Sun Yat-Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall explains Chinese history and the Asian Civilisations Museum ties it all together, explaining the historic connections between the diverse cultures through fascinating displays and artefacts. World Gourmet Summit If you’re a foodie you might want to plan your April itinerary around the World Gourmet Summit, Singapore’s celebration of fine cuisine, excellent wines and unforgettable dining experiences. Not to be confused with the Singapore Food Festival which takes place in the summer, this annual line-up of events includes tastings at some of Singapore’s best restaurants, gastronomic talks from world-renowned Michelin starred chefs, hands-on workshops - and generally the chance to indulge in the very best cuisine. Things to do with the family in Singapore If that flock of festivals has left you all cultured out, maybe it’s time to focus on family-friendly options in Singapore. With schools around the world generally on vacation in April and the younger generation looking to be entertained, we’ve got you covered. Big Bus Singapore Hopping on (and off) a Big Bus tour is as good a way as any to get your bearings in any city. since it means that little legs (or lethargic teens) won’t be tired out. Get the lowdown on the highlights from the on-board commentary (in twelve languages!) then stop off to explore the sights that interest you most... Tick off the ‘must-sees' aboard the yellow route - Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands and the Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). You can even stop off at the Raffles hotel for a world-renowned Singapore Sling cocktail to keep you going.The red ‘heritage’ route is another chance to learn about the island’s diverse cultures, as you tour the ethnic precincts of Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glen (the Arab enclave). Sentosa Island Or it may be that you choose to head straight to the island resort of Sentosa...a haven of tropical beaches, luxury hotels and enough thrilling activities to satisfy every age and taste. One of its highlights is undoubtedly Universal Studios Singapore, packed with rollercoasters, rides, shows and character greeting opportunities. Meet up with the Minions, snap a selfie with Sesame Street characters or hold tight for high-velocity thrills on the Battlestar Galactica coaster and the Transformers 3D ride. Kids will go wild for movie-inspired attractions like Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey and Madagascar: A Crate Adventure. Ramp up some more theme park action at Sentosa 4D Adventureland, engaging with the sights, sounds, scents and sensations of four immersive ride experiences. Ride the rapids of the Extreme Log Ride virtual coaster, delve into the darkness of the Haunted Mine, saddle up and take on the Wild West baddies in Desperados, or set sail for the Mysterious Island. You can choose to thrill or to chill at Adventure Cove Waterpark, where everyone in your group is guaranteed a splashing time. Adrenaline junkies will be wowed by high-speed waterslides like Riptide Rocket, Pipeline Plunge and Spiral Washout. Kids can get wet and wild in the Big Bucket Treehouse, Wet Maze and Splashworks. Or simply revel in some R&R time as you meet mesmerising marine life, snorkelling serenely through the rainbow reef or floating along the lazy river. Whatever your plans, in April and all year round, you can certainly relax, knowing that your vacation entertainment is covered by a Go City All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. Download the Go City app and explore your way to hassle-free, money-saving, sight-seeing satisfaction. Enjoy!
Jo Cooke

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