With the ongoing pandemic, this year has been challenging for all of us, especially those in the tourism and hospitality sector. Many businesses had to shut down and cease operations and international borders have also closed, leaving us with no choice but to stay in our little red dot.
Despite this, Covid-19 has presented an opportunity for us to rediscover our homeland and become tourists in our own country. Places where we would not typically visit become places of interest for locals and more and more people have been booking staycations.
The launch of the SingapoRediscover vouchers
Just last November, the Singapore government and the Singapore Tourism Board launched the SingapoRediscover vouchers, which are now available for all Singapore citizens. Since most overseas borders are still closed and it might take some time before we’re allowed to travel again, the purpose of these incentives is to encourage locals to rediscover the hundreds of attractions in Singapore and support our local tourism industry. On top of that, this scheme was also designed to help the core industries of tourism such as tours, hotels, and attractions. Now, Singaporeans can enjoy discounted rates using their vouchers at staycations, museums, and other tourist sights as well.
How to redeem your SingapoRediscover vouchers
According to the Singapore Tourism Board, the vouchers can only be redeemed with any of the authorised booking partners such as Traveloka, Klook, and Trip.com. Depending on whether your vouchers are electronic or physical, you can use them with any of these booking partners.
Unfortunately, the vouchers can only be used at hotels, tours and attractions and cannot be used in F&B and retail outlets. Since these incentives were designed to help the three core industries mentioned, the goal is to have a multiplier effect on spending at F&B and retail merchants when locals use their vouchers.
Different types of attractions in Singapore
Despite being a relatively small country that is equivalent in size to most major cities around the world, there is more than plenty to do in this little red dot.
Nature-centred attractions
Singapore is undoubtedly known for its towering skyscrapers and urban landscape, which is resemblant of an urban jungle. But did you know that there are countless nature-centred attractions in the country? Just from the roads and walkways alone, the city-state is flourishing with lush greenery all around. Head over to the island of Pulau Ubin to explore one of Singapore’s last remaining villages or kampongs.
This place is perfect for those looking to escape the bustling city and life for a much-needed respite.
If you’re more of a beach-goer, Lazarus and St. John’s Island is the way to go. These islands just off the coast of Singapore are part of the country’s clustered or Southern Islands, which are accessible via a ferry ride from Marina South Pier. Sunbathing on the beach, swimming in crystal clear waters, or even cycling around the island, there is definitely something for everyone here. But if you’re looking for something more urban and close to the city, you should visit Singapore Botanic Gardens or Gardens by the bay.
Arts and culture
Singapore is an absolute hub for both regional and international art and has some of the best museums in the Southeast Asian region. For many years, the local government has committed numerous efforts to promote the arts among Singaporeans by opening new museums and hosting regular arts events all year round.
To soothe your soul with some art therapy, visit the National Museum of Singapore, which also happens to be the nation’s oldest museum ever. Once you’re done but still want to see more, the Singapore Art Museum along Bras Basah Road is just a ten-minute walk from the National Museum. Other notable museums in the country that are worth the visit include The National Gallery, ArtScience Museum, Peranakan Museum, and the Asian Civilisation Museum.
Heritage sites
If you didn’t already know, Singapore is an absolute melting pot of cultures, with people of different races all around. To celebrate that, there are various heritage sites spread out across the country where you can get a glimpse of a specific culture that is present among us. Singapore’s largest heritage precinct, Chinatown, is not to be missed here as it is surrounded by amazing sights such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, as well as the Thian Hock Keng Temple. This also happens to be where Singapore’s early Chinese settlers resided, making it one of the most iconic heritage sites.
Besides Chinatown, don’t miss out on exploring more of these cultural attractions such as Little India and Kampong Glam.
Water sports and adventure activities
What’s Singapore without a little adventure and water action? For adventure junkies and thrill-seekers, there’s a whole list of activities for you to do. For those who love being in the water, the very first floating aqua park in the country is now open in Sentosa. Get ready to climb, jump and bounce your way through various obstacle courses and inflatable playgrounds at HydroDash, which is a fun and exciting activity for all ages. If water sports are more up your alley, you can enjoy wakeboarding, wake surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and even banana boating—the list goes on. But if you’re the ultimate adrenaline junkie and want to take it up a notch, you have to visit the AJ Hackett, which also happens to be the country’s first and only bungee jump located in sunny and scenic Siloso Beach. Talk about conquering heights with a view!
Attraction | Universal Studios Singapore |
| Speciality | Universal Studios Singapore was the first amusement park of its kind to open in Southeast Asia. The park has more than 20 attractions in themed zones including the Lost World, Ancient Egypt, New York, Hollywood, Madagascar and Far Far Away. Regarding the rides, 2 are water-themed and 5 are thrilling roller coasters. Families with small children can also make the most of the various live shows, kids’ roller coaster and a merry-go-round too. Located on Sentosa, it’s easy to get to Universal Studios by MRT. |
| Website | https://www.rwsentosa.com/en/attractions/universal-studios-singapore/explore |
| Address | 8 Sentosa Gateway, Resorts World Sentosa |
| Telephone | 6577 8888 |
| Operating Hours | Daily from 10:00am – 7:00pm |
Attraction | S.E.A. Aquarium |
| Speciality | Enter and explore the marine realm of S.E.A. Aquarium, home to more than 100,000 marine animals of over 1,000 species, across 45 different habitats, each one as fascinating as the next. Deepen your knowledge of marine ecosystems by observing aquatic species from the Bay of Bengal, the Straits of Malacca & Andaman Sea and the Great Lakes of East Africa, the underwater community in coral reefs, and cool marine life in the cold-water habitats. For a thrilling observation of majestic apex predators, stroll over to the Shark Seas Habitat, which contains over 200 of these predators including endangered species such as the scalloped hammerhead shark and the aggressive silvertip shark. |
| Website | |
| Address | 8 Sentosa Gateway, Resorts World Sentosa |
| Operating Hours | Daily from 9:00am – 5:00pm |
Attraction | Jewel Changi Airport |
| Speciality | If you’ve just got off the plane, don’t have to leave the airport just yet! Entertain yourself at the latest lifestyle concept, Jewel Changi Airport. This majestic dome is home to over 280 dining and retail outlets, with some open around the clock – think dining at ungodly hours at American fast-food chain A&W or food court Five Spice, or killing a couple of hours with a movie at 24-hour Shaw Theatres. You can also catch the hourly light and sound show at the HSBC Rain Vortex, the mall’s 40m-tall indoor waterfall, from 7.30 pm to midnight. |
| Website | https://www.jewelchangiairport.com/ |
| Address | Changi Airport, 78 Airport Boulevard |
| Telephone | 6956 9898 |
| Operating Hours | Open 24 hours |
Attraction | Marina Bay Sands |
| Speciality | The 2,500 rooms at this hotel offer views of the South China Sea or Marina Bay and the Singapore skyline, but let’s be honest: the Moshe Safdie-designed SkyPark is the real crowd-puller, sitting atop the three hotel towers 200 metres above ground level. Non-hotel guests have to pay for the privilege of enjoying unfettered views from the Observation Deck across the city – but it’s definitely worth it. To take that selfie to make all your friends back home seethe with envy, if nothing else. |
| Website | |
| Address | 10 Bayfront Ave |
| Telephone | 6688 8868 |
| Operating Hours | Open 24 hours |
Attraction | Sentosa |
| Speciality | Sentosa is a purpose-built island off the southern tip of Singapore which was built with leisure and relaxation in mind. A collection of beaches, theme parks, golf, shopping, dining and more are all available on this strip of reclaimed land that can be reached by road or cable car. Authentic it’s not, but if you want to add a bit of fun to your Singapore trip then Sentosa is the place to do it. You can choose to stay in Sentosa, but even if you’re not based on the island, you can easily access all the attractions via MRT in 15 minutes from downtown Singapore. |
| Website | |
| Telephone | 1800-SENTOSA (736 8672) |
| Operating Hours | Varies depending on the location within Sentosa |
Attraction | National Gallery Singapore |
| Speciality | The former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings have been refurbished to become Singapore’s National Gallery. It is the largest visual art gallery in the city-state and is mostly dedicated to local and Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to the present day. he gallery showcases the works of both up-and-coming and established artists from the region. Many of the works on display are drawn from the permanent National Collection but there’s also a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions to check out too. |
| Website | https://www.nationalgallery.sg/ |
| Address | 1 St Andrew’s Road |
| Telephone | 6271 7000 |
| Operating Hours | Daily from 10:00am – 7:00pm |
Attraction | ArtScience Museum |
| Speciality | The ArtScience Museum is one of the iconic structures that make up the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort. Recognisable for its distinct shape, the museum blends the worlds of art and science together through carefully curated exhibitions. The ArtScience Museum has recently revamped their now permanent exhibition Future World, where visitors can explore an interactive high-tech collection of digital installations. |
| Website | |
| Address | 10 Bayfront Avenue |
| Telephone | 6688 8888 |
| Operating Hours | Daily from 10:00am – 7:00pm |
Attraction | Esplanade — Theaters on the Bay |
| Speciality | Few buildings have created such a stir in Singapore as the Esplanade. Opened in 2002, the eye-catching bayfront complex has been dubbed ‘the durians’ by locals because of its resemblance to the spiky (and stinky) tropical fruit. It’s the city’s most prominent performing arts centre and the programme bears an eclectic mix of Western and Eastern influences. Book a gig, concert or theatre show in advance and make a cultural evening of it. |
| Website | https://www.esplanade.com/ |
| Address | 1 Esplanade Drive |
| Telephone | 6828 8377 |
| Operating Hours | Daily from 12:00pm – 6:00pm |
Attraction | National Museum of Singapore |
| Speciality | Singapore’s largest museum, the National Museum of Singapore houses two main galleries: the Singapore Living Galleries with exhibitions on food, photography, film, and fashion, and the History Gallery, which traces the island’s history from the 14th century. There are two main galleries: the Singapore History Gallery, which traces the history of Singapore from its beginnings in the fourteenth century to the present day and the Singapore Living Galleries, which focus on four lifestyle themes – food, fashion, film and photography. It’s worth a visit just for the building, an imposing neoclassical structure, complemented by modern glass additions. |
| Website | |
| Address |
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| Telephone | 6332 3659 |
| Operating Hours | Daily from 10:00am – 7:00pm |
Attraction | Singapore Botanic Gardens |
| Speciality | After a $118 million refurb and rebranding job, the Singapore History Museum reopened as the National Museum of Singapore: the largest museum on the island. There are two main galleries: the Singapore History Gallery, which traces the history of Singapore from its beginnings in the fourteenth century to the present day and the Singapore Living Galleries, which focus on four lifestyle themes – food, fashion, film and photography. It’s worth a visit just for the building, an imposing neoclassical structure, complemented by modern glass additions. |
| Website | https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg |
| Address | 1 Cluny Road |
| Telephone | 6471 7138 |
| Operating Hours | Daily from 5:00am – 12:00am |
Attraction | Gardens by the Bay |
| Speciality | Gardens by the Bay is a huge, colourful, futuristic park in the bay area of Singapore; and has won countless architecture awards. The famous Supertree structures offer an impressive skywalk over the gardens, over-sized seashell-shaped greenhouses recreate chilly mountain climates and there are hundreds of trees and plants to discover, making this destination great fun for both kids and adults. Other attractions include the two conservatory domes, the OCBC Skywalk and Marina Barrage. |
| Website | http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/ |
| Address | 18 Marina Gardens Drive |
| Telephone | 6420 6848 |
| Operating Hours | Daily from 9:00am – 9:00pm |
Attraction | Pulau Ubin |
| Speciality | Take a walk on the wild side as you step foot on one of Singapore’s most popular off-shore islands. A sprawling 1,020 hectares, Ubin boasts lush greenery and abundant wildlife, drawing nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to explore the many wonders of the granite island. There are plenty of activities to get up to here: go birdwatching at Pekan Quarry, wander through nature trails, and hike 75 metres up Puaka Hill for a breathtaking panoramic view of the islet. |
| Website | https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/pulau-ubin-and-chek-jawa |
Attraction | Singapore Zoo |
| Speciality | Famous for its ‘open’ captivity models, the Singapore Zoo is designed so that many of the animals are kept in large enclosures that are surrounded by moats and other relatively noninvasive barriers. With 28 awe-inspiring hectares to explore, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to cover Singapore Zoo in its entirety in a day. But you give it a good go. Unlike traditional zoos, which keep its animals in cages, this place was the first in the world to implement the ‘open concept’, which has animals in individually landscaped enclosures. There are more than 4,000 animals to see across 11 zones, including Wild Africa, Primate Kingdom and Frozen Tundra. |
| Website | https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/singapore-zoo |
| Address | 80 Mandai Lake Road |
| Telephone | 6269 3411 |
| Operating Hours | Everyday from 8:30am – 6:00pm |
Attraction | River Safari |
| Speciality | Manatees, crocodiles, flamingos and monkeys are just some of the 5,000 beasties you’ll encounter in this river-themed wildlife park, which boasts the world’s biggest freshwater aquarium and a panda exhibit housing the cuddly couple Kai Kai and Jia Jia. The River Safari is split into two zones: the Rivers of the World, which showcases animals from eight rivers including the Congo and Yangtze, and Wild Amazonia, where you can come face-to-face with over 30 animals from the rainforest on a boat ride aptly named Amazon River Quest |
| Website | https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/river-safari.html |
| Address | 80 Mandai Lake Road |
| Telephone | 6269 3411 |
| Operating Hours | Daily from 10:00am – 7:00pm |
Attraction | Singapore Flyer |
| Speciality | Marina Bay’s giant, 42-storey, 165m observation wheel continues to pull a mix of tourists and locals who come for the breathtaking, 360-degree views of the city available from one of its capsules. Each flight lasts 30 mintues and on a clear day the panorama from the top of the wheel stretches into neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. If you fancy pimping your experience a bit, take a look at the dining and cocktail packages that are available. |
| Website | https://www.singaporeflyer.com/ |
| Address | 30 Raffles Avenue, Marina Bay Street Circuit |
| Telephone | 6333 3311 |
| Operating Hours | Thursday – Sunday: 2:00pm – 10:00pm |
Company | Fort Canning Park |
| Speciality | Fort Canning is located right in the centre of the island. The place has played a significant role in the history of Singapore: Sir Stamford Raffles built his first home on Fort Canning Hill, and during World War II it served as the headquarters of the British Army and later as the Japanese Army during their occupation of Singapore. Today, Fort Canning Park features nine historical gardens – the Pancur Larangan, Artisan’s Garden, Sang Nila Utama Garden, Jubilee Park (Phase 1), Raffles Garden, First Botanic Garden, Farquhar Garden, Spice Garden and Armenian Street Park. |
| Website | https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/fort-canning-park |
| Address | River Valley Road |
| Telephone | 1800 471 7300 |
| Operating Hours | Open 24 hours |
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