Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore

Things to do in Singapore When it Rains

By Adam Fraiel

Rain, rain go away! Come to Singapore another day, preferably when you’re not on vacation. However, if you do find the days a little moist, worry not. There are plenty of places to escape the downpour. We’ve put together a list of activities so you won’t miss a minute of action during your Singapore vacation.

  • Shopping at the mall
  • National Museum of Singapore
  • National Gallery Singapore
  • Asian Civilizations Museum
  • Indian Heritage Center
  • Floral Fantast
  • Tea Chapter Chinese Teahouse
  • Madame Tussauds Singapore
  • Trickeye

Enjoy Some Retail Therapy

It’s raining and you’re feeling a little blue. What better way to cheer yourself up than with a little retail therapy? The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands contains a world-class hotel, casino, shops, restaurants, bars, and other attractions providing entertainment for all the family.

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You’ll find a vast casino, cinemas, theaters showing award-winning productions, over 80 restaurants, close to 300 shopping outlets, indoor river rides, and spectacular waterfalls. And best of all? You’ll be nice and dry.

Explore the Museums of Singapore

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National Museum of Singapore

The nation’s oldest museum, it brings history to life with exciting visual exhibitions and internationally renowned festivals. The National Museum of Singapore embraces technology to share traditional culture, stories, and history through displays, artifacts, plus innovative events.

National Gallery Singapore

A stunning 64,000 square meter building in the heart of the Civic District, see the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art at the National Gallery Singapore. If you get a little hungry from all the exploring, stop for a bite in one of the MICHELIN-starred restaurants.

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Asian Civilisations Museum

Discover the rich history of Asia, with exhibits dating back to 830 AD. The varied cultures of Asia have an interconnected history, and the Asian Civilisations Museum presents it through artifacts, exhibits, plus a giant shipwreck to explore. You’ll also find a variety of artwork from the various major religions, all of which passed through this vital port town.

Indian Heritage Centre

The Indian Heritage Center offers a chronological timeline of the Indian influence in Singapore. Using galleries, exhibitions, archived footage, and interactive, educational spaces, you’ll learn of the first Indian settlements, through the growth and development of the Little India district to the tourist hotspot it is today.

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The Battlebox

Venture underground and explore this authentic command center 9 meters underground - the same space where Lieutenant-General Percival and his senior officers directed the Battle of Singapore in World War II. After the 30-minute tour you’re free to wander alone, navigating the labyrinth of corridors as you watch footage of the war raging above. An essential experience if you want to truly understand the history of Singapore.

Stop and smell the roses

Floral Fantasy is an indoor section at Gardens by the Bay that will blow your mind and your senses. Thousands of freshly cut, dried, and preserved flowers decorate the ceiling, while flowers, artistic expression, and technology combine to create a sensational sensory experience below.

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Divided into four diverse landscapes, Dance, Float, Waltz, and Drift, you’ll forget all about the rain outside. Dance features a mesmerizing display of swaying plants, Float contains stunning water features, Waltz is home to waterfalls and a frog vivarium, while Drift is an enchanting cave with beautifully lit rock formations.

A Cup of Tea

Wait out the rain with a nice, hot cup of tea. Tea is more than just a drink in Singapore. It’s a part of the long, multicultural history of the country, including China, India, the British Empire, and Japan.

Experience the full spectrum of tea in the country with a trip to a teahouse. Tea Chapter is the largest and oldest Chinese teahouse in Singapore. Fit for royalty, receiving Queen Elizabeth II in 1989, it continues to inspire and educate visitors from around the world about the ceremony and ritual behind making, pouring, and serving the perfect cup.

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Complete your experience with a lovely cup of Indian chai in Little India, or Japanese matcha green teas in The Maccha House Singapore.

Ready for some selfies?

Madame Tussauds Singapore

Pose alongside your favorite Hollywood, Bollywood, TV, and sports stars, like Serena Williams, Taylor Swift, and Johnny Depp. It’s not just selfies though. Madame Tussauds Singapore offers an edutainment aspect too, with the chance to sing and dance alongside famous Bollywood stars, and explore Singapore’s rich culture with the Spirit of Singapore Boat Ride. Definitely an excellent rainy day activity.

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Trickeye @ Southside Singapore

Fill your social feed with mind-bending optical illusions while playing with augmented reality in this virtual world playground. Swim with sharks and dance with mermaids in this interactive augmented reality environment.

Save on Admission to Top Singapore Attractions

Explore the best things to do with a pass for Singapore by Go City®. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to galleries, museums, tours much more.

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The bandstand in Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Blog

Singapore in May

As Singapore lurches towards the busy summer season, May presents one of the last opportunities to see the city in (relative) peace and quiet before the vacationing hordes descend. It’s also one of the hottest and most humid months of the year here but, again, it’s all relative on an island where the climate doesn’t really vary all that much from one end of the year to the other. Read on for our expert guide to visiting Singapore in May. Visiting Singapore in May Temperature: 77–88°F • Average Rainfall: 19 days/month • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day Don’t let that scary-looking rainfall stat put you off: May is so hot and humid in Singapore that, believe us, you’ll be glad of the respite provided by those occasional brief downpours. These short thunderstorms are mere amuse bouches for the monsoon season proper, which arrives in June and doesn’t begin to peter out until September. There’s also sunshine in May, and lots of it, so prepare accordingly by donning massive Jackie O sunglasses, light cotton and linen clothing and the floppiest, widest-brimmed sun hat you can lay your hands on. Or make like the locals and pack a parasol for the midday sun and an umbrella for the afternoon downpour. Like the climate, hotel prices don’t vary much across the year in Singapore. But May, loosely speaking, is low season, so you’re more likely to find good deals now than, say, in June or July. Our advice? Book well ahead to take advantage of any early bird discounts that may be available. Things to do in Singapore in May May’s hot, humid weather means you won’t want to be outdoors all the time. Indeed you’ll likely find yourself sweatily seeking out air-conditioned malls, restaurants, hawker centers and, heck, even public transport, every hour or so, just to get a bit of respite. A great way to spend a sizzling May day is to get out and about early, discovering the kinds of fine outdoors attractions that have earned Singapore its ‘Garden City’ nickname before the heat really begins to bite around noon. Dodge the soaring temperatures with a few indoor attractions in the afternoon before seeking out a beach or rooftop bar for cocktails at sunset. Perfect. Singapore’s many gardens and forests are great fun for exploring, and have the added benefit of providing a bit of natural shade and temperature control on warm days. Hotfoot it to the spectacular Gardens by the Bay where the OCBC Skyway provides some fine aerial views from 22 meters up in the canopy of the park’s iconic Supertrees. Or stick to the trunks, where your morning stroll is absolutely gratis. Step inside the vast durian-shaped hothouses for ancient olive groves, a sky-high waterfall and carpets of colorful blooms that emit an intoxicating riot of perfumes. Across town, Singapore’s Botanic Gardens provide further opportunities to smell the roses. And orchids. And Rafflesia. This sprawling 200-acre oasis also has a picture-perfect bandstand and peaceful Swan Lake, ticking off your Instagram and picnic requirements in one fell swoop. Equally alluring are the Southern Ridges, where six miles of elevated walkways and jungle trails, weave along the island’s south coast, connecting Mount Faber Park and the Labrador Nature Reserve. Expect to see (and hear) a rainbow of native birdlife as you tiptoe through the treetops, including orange-bellied flowerpeckers, red-whiskered bulbuls and many more tropical critters. Don’t miss the decidedly more manmade structure that is Henderson Waves, an architectural masterpiece of steel that snakes across the trees and, at 36 meters above ground, is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. A little further north, MacRitchie Reservoir (pictured above) is a huge natural playground with, yes, another epic treetop walkway that links the park’s highest points, plus plenty of running and walking trails and, this being a reservoir, an abundance of water for kayak enthusiasts to explore, perhaps spotting the occasional monitor lizard or macaque along the way. Hazy May afternoons in Singapore are best spent over long lunches in air-conditioned hawker centers. Order a sweet and refreshing bandung (condensed milk and rose syrup over ice) and gorge on local specialities including chicken rice, chili crab and pork satay before hitting the (also air-conditioned) mega-malls for a spot of light retail therapy. As evening approaches, catch the cable car across the bay to the tiny resort island of Sentosa, where a cocktail at the beach bars or dip in the 85°F waters that lap palm-lined sands are the ideal way to top off your day as the sun disappears over the horizon. What’s on in Singapore in May? Vesak Day is celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Which, for those paying attention at the back, generally means sometime in May. It’s a public holiday and precipitates an island-wide festival in celebration of the life of Buddha, usually manifested in various religious and cultural activities in and around Singapore’s many temples. Join the festivities at landmark beauties including the Insta-perfect Burmese Buddhist Temple and Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery, where you can also witness awesome candlelit processions at the end of the day. Culture vultures rejoice! For May is also the month of the Singapore International Festival of Arts, which showcases some of the finest in theater, music, dance and visual arts from Singapore and around the world. A wide and varied program includes ticketed performances as well as a number of free events around the city. But, if your idea of a great day out tends to involve giving your credit card a workout in chic boutiques, swanky stores and big-brand emporia stuffed with clothes, accessories, gadgets and toys, we also have something just for you. The Great Singapore Sale kicks off towards the end of May, bringing extended shopping hours and whopping great discounts (often as high as 70%!) to some of the city’s biggest retail outlets. Just don’t blame us when you get a fevered call from your bank manager the next morning! 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
Sentosa skyline
Blog

7 things to do on Sentosa Island

There’s fun on tap on Sentosa, a small but perfectly formed man-made isle off the south coast of Singapore. In Malay, the word ‘Sentosa’ translates to ‘tranquillity’, and while there are plenty of peaceful pockets to be found on this tropical island, there’s also tons of stuff to see and do. Pure feel-good territory, it’s little wonder the place attracts some 20 million visitors a year. One thing’s for certain – whether you’re here for action or relaxation, or you’re visiting for a day or a week, you can be sure your time here will be epic. As for how to spend it? Here’s a round-up of some of the highlights... 1. Get to know the island on a guided tour A driving tour is a great way to discover Sentosa – you’ll be introduced to the island’s best bits from the comfort of an air-conditioned bus, while a knowledgeable guide explains the history of the isle, which was once a British military base. Your guide will also show you the top sights and attractions, talk through interesting local facts and make handy recommendations. Tours last a couple of hours and will help you narrow down what you want to do and when, so it’s a good choice for day one of your visit. 2. Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush at AJ Hackett Sentosa Skypark Here for adventure? The AJ Hackett Sentosa Skypark is the place to get your kicks. With a prime location overlooking Siloso Beach, this much-loved attraction serves up a triple whammy of adrenaline in the form of three heart-pumping activities. First up is the Giant Swing, which catapults you towards the ocean at dizzying speeds of up to 120 miles-per-hour. You can choose to brave it solo or strap in with a couple of friends or family members for support. Close by, there’s the bungee jump – Singapore’s first – which invites you to dive headfirst off the side of a 50-meter-high tower. Finally, there’s the peaceful Skybridge walkway, which offers stellar views of the island and (thanks to transparent sections of the floor) the dreamy shoreline below. 3. Meet your movie heroes at Universal Studios Singapore Part of Sentosa’s sprawling Resort World, Universal Studios Singapore makes for a brilliant day out for families of all ages. You’ll find action-packed rides, laugh-a-minute shows, your favourite characters and themed shops and restaurants, all based on smash-hit Hollywood movies and spread across seven superbly created ‘zones’ – Hollywood, New York, Ancient Egypt, Sci-Fi City, Far Far Away, The Lost World and Madagascar. There are more than 24 attractions to enjoy here, but standouts include Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cylon (the world's tallest battling roller coasters), Transformers: The Ride – a futuristic and super-realistic 3D experience, and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, which whisks you away on a wet and wild journey through the age of the dinosaurs. 4. Encounter creatures of the deep at Marine Life Park Marine Life Park is where you’ll find two of Sentosa’s most popular attractions – the S.E.A. Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark. The former is one of the world’s largest aquariums, and home to more than 100,000 underwater creatures across 800 species, in more than 45 aquatic areas. You’ll come right up close to weird and wonderful sea life, including menacing looking sharks and technicolour fish and coral formations. Our favourite feature of all? The Open Ocean Habitat – a colossal tank that’ll make you feel as if you’re walking right along the seabed. The Adventure Cove Waterpark, meanwhile, combines water-based thrills with marine life enclosures. Float peacefully down Adventure River, take a sheer drop into darkness on Pipeline Plunge, and snorkel with 20,000 fish at Rainbow Reef. Another big-hitter is Ray Bay, where you can paddle with a friendly family of silky rays. 5. Take time out to unwind Time for a little R&R? Sentosa has three man-made beaches to its name, all of which unravel along the west coast and are ideal for lounging. Siloso Beach is the busiest – a vanilla-shaded powdery swathe in the isle’s north-west. If you tire of sunbathing, there’s an endless list of sports to try here, including kayaking, volleyball and skimboarding, as well as a palm-freckled promenade packed with bars and restaurants. Further south is Palawan Beach, which is quieter and a hit with families thanks to its long, wide belt of sand. There’s a friendly resident mascot to help entertain little ones, too, known as Captain Palawan. Lastly, there’s Tanjong Beach, where you’ll find peace and quiet and a cool, boho-style beach club, depending on which end you choose to settle on. Want to up to ante on the relaxation front? There’s an impressive spa scene on Sentosa Island. The isle’s luxury hotel resorts are decked out with decadent wellness centres, where you can experience sensation showers, cooling plunge pools, and soothing body treatments. 6. Take the kids to Sentosa 4D AdventureLand Families give a thumbs-up to Sentosa 4D AdventureLand, an immersive entertainment hub that uses state-of-the-art 4D technology to wow visitors. There are three attractions to discover here, including the Extreme Log Ride – a high-speed rollercoaster simulator that takes you speeding through the jungle without leaving the theatre – and Desperados, which requires you to saddle up and battle a gang of outlaws in the middle of the Wild West. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, meanwhile, is a 4D show that lines up incredible special effects. 7. Get back to nature in Sentosa’s forests Take a breather from all the action and head deep into the tropical forests that cloak the isle’s interior and coast. Whether you’re hiking under your own steam, or you’ve opted for a guided tour with a local expert, you’re guaranteed to leave wide-eyed – tropical birds, exotic flowers, lizards, monkeys, and peacocks are just some of the gems you’ll clap eyes on in these parts. Don’t fancy all the legwork? Get a bird’s-eye look at the rainforest canopy from high up above it instead. Hop on the Sentosa Line – a slick cable car network that runs the length of the island. A round trip takes a little under 15 minutes to complete, and you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the island – and the Singapore mainland – along the way. Make BIG savings on Sentosa Island attractions Whether you want to experience as many Sentosa attractions as possible, or you’ve got a few firm favourites in mind to tick off, Go City can help. Our passes could save you up to 55% on top attractions, and everything is given the seal of approval by our travel experts. To find out more about how things work, click here.
Alex Birungi
Black Friday Giveaway
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Win A Sailing Experience & Cable Car Sky Dining for two this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. Take to the sea and the sky for an experience of Singapore like no other. First, you’ll head off on a four-hour afternoon adventure as you sail to the hidden beaches of Lazarus Island. Feel the wind in the sails as your boat zips through the water and ferries you to secluded destinations. Start off in style with bottle of cold champagne and watch the crew expertly set the sails. Then later it’s your turn to steer as you'll get the chance to take the wheel yourself! Next up, you’ll head for skies as you rise above the city by cable car to the top of Mount Faber. Enjoy a unique dining experience as you’re delivered authentic Singaporean flavors with freshly prepared Bento, in your own private cable car cabin. Treat your tastebuds and your eyes as you fly 100 meters above sea level and marvel at panoramic views of the city. You’ll get the best of Singapore, from around and from above, with this full-day excursion! How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our Singapore passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions
Alice Padfield

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