Yes, it's small and some say boring. It is an island after all, roughly 2.5 times of Penang island currently (still growing with all the land reclamation). But I think it really depends on what you're looking for. If you have young children like me, Singapore is quite an awesome place.
My cousin, his father, his wife and young son came to stay for a few days. So my daughter and I played tour guides and showed them the must-see sights around Singapore.
#1. Our tour starts at Boat Quay. Boat Quay sits at the mouth of the Singapore River, where the Fullerton Hotel is at. As you go further inland, you will get to Clarke Quay, then Robertson Quay. These are the 3 main quays in Singapore and you can take a river cruise from any of the said quays. The bars facing the river is very touristy, mind you.
#2. Bird by Fernando Botero. Location: Next to UOB Plaza, Boat Quay.
One of the very first things I noticed about Singapore are the various public sculptures. And I mean many many sculptures, so many that there is a public art walking tour that you can go on if you're into this sort of scene. I must mention there is a Dali (a Dali!!) in front of UOB Plaza.
#3. We walked towards Fullerton Hotel and right next to Cavenagh Bridge is First Generation, by Chong Fah Cheong, a local artist. This bronze sculpture is part of the 4 sculptures making up the People of the River sculpture series, but probably the most photographed. The faces of the boys are filled with such joy and the mid-action of reckless abandonment is so strikingly captured. The first boy to jump looks like he's floating in the air. What an amazing work by the artist.
The Cavenagh Bridge is one of the oldest bridges and only suspension bridge in Singapore. It connects the Asian Civilisations Museum to the Fullerton Hotel. Completed in 1869, the structure was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Singapore (source link). It used to accommodate light vehicles but is only for pedestrians now.
#4. Right outside the lawn of the Empress Place Building, sits several giant mirror balls by Baet Yeok Kuan, also a local artist. It looks very outer spacey and the kids love them!
The Empress Place Building itself was formerly government offices during Sir Stamford Raffles's day. Quick fact: Sir Stamford Raffles is the founding father of modern Singapore. The Empress Place Building now houses the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), which specialises in the history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia, basically regions where the ethnic locals has their roots in. The ACM has a family friendly programme on the last Saturday of each month. Actually, most museums in Singapore has some kind of children friendly activities on the weekends (mostly at no charge), so do check out their ongoing events before you visit.
#5. The iconic Esplanade - Theatres by the Bay, also known as the "Durian". They offer guided tours for a small fee, where they also answer the perennial question of "what are the durian spikes for?" This picture was taken along the river promenade heading towards the Esplanade.
#6. Clear view of the CBD, taken near the underpass below Esplanade Drive. Those concrete steps didn't used to be there but I thought they look a nice spot to sit and chill and watch the skies change.
#7. Marina Bay Sands, taken from the Esplanade Bridge. As you walk all the way to the end of the Esplanade Bridge, you will see the infamous....
#8. Merlion. Interestingly, the Merlion was originally at a different location - the mouth of the Singapore River. It was moved when it was blocked by the construction of the Esplanade Bridge.
We had to walk all the way back out to get to Makansutra (hawker stalls, overpriced, crowded, food OK) just next to the Esplanade. In front of the Esplanade is an outdoor theatre, which hosts public music or dance performances. On that Friday, there was a percussion band performance and comedic mime show. There's almost always some performance on Friday to Sunday nights. Sometimes, there are art installations too, such as this...
#9. "Intersections" is a colourful yarn and ribbons geometric work that glows under black light.
Make your way up to the roof of the Esplanade building for a panoramic view of the city and Marina Bay. It's called the Roof Terrace and it's free!
The next day we went to the Gardens by the Bay. It is possible to walk there from the Esplanade but we were running late and would've missed the last Garden Rhapsody by the time we get there. The walk is a nice little loop and if you plan it well (and pray it doesn't rain), you would easily have a half day tour covering the main highlights of Singapore.
The Gardens by the Bay is big-ish park (by Singapore standards where land is scarce) that sits on reclaimed land. In fact, the entire Marina Bay area was created by reclaiming land. Which is why if you're walking down Beach Street today, you'll be wondering why it's called Beach Street when there's no beach in sight. Singapore has a long history of land reclamation. The first land reclamation project started way back in 1822 (source link) with the creation of Boat Quay.
Anyway, at Gardens by the Bay there are 2 main conservatories and several themed gardens. There is a charge for the conservatories and other than this, the rest of the sights are free. There are various sculptures to see around this garden but my absolute favourite has to be the giant floating baby.
#10. Planet by Marc Quinn, which depicts his infant son.
#11. An amazing (and free) water play area that is guaranteed to occupy your kids for a long time. At the foreground is the Fish Fountain, which is very suitable for children aged toddler and below. There's also a sandy playground behind the amphitheater. We usually go there in the evenings as it can get quite blisteringly hot in the afternoon; the whole area is not shaded.
While the Supertree Grove looks quite impressive during the day, by night time it takes on a rather surreal ambiance. I still remember the feeling when I first saw the glowing trees in the dark – it was like stepping into Avatar. And I do think it was also because they played music from Avatar for the light show that time, which enhanced the Avatar feeling. The Garden Rhapsody show comes on twice a night, at 7.45pm and 8.45pm. The songs changes from time to time depending on the theme at the gardens. On Star Wars Day, they played music from Star Wars!
#12. The mushrooms are part of the Children's Festival installation.
There's a handful of restaurants at the Supertree Grove and a few more scattered around the gardens (including a McDonald's). Food is OK but the queues can get pretty long during the weekends and public holidays.
#13. Here is a map of the walk we did, starting at Boat Quay and ending at the Supertree Grove.
Happy walking!
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