As previously mentioned in my article, the era of old Singapore, regarding the historical context of Singapore, can be defined as spanning from the 7th century until 1965 AD. Following its liberation and subsequent independence from communist Malaya forces, Singapore embarked on a developmental trajectory under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew, whose political influence extended from 1955 to 2015. The majority of the Singapore that tourists experience today has been developed post-2000 AD.
We, a trip courtesy of my son, have planned a leisurely visit to Singapore.
Day 1: Buddha Temple, Art Gallery, Asian Civilizations Museum, and the light show at Marina Bay Sands.
Day 2: Botanical Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Gardens by the Bay.
Day 3: Chinatown, Little India, and Sentosa Island.
Duration of stay in Singapore
I believe that a two-day, one-night visit would be adequate to grasp the essence of Singapore. One night is essential to witness the illumination at Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. On the following day, you can explore the Botanical Gardens and Sentosa Island before departing for Malaysia by bus or your home country by flight.
Accommodation in Singapore
Most of the aforementioned attractions are located within approximately 6 kilometers of Marina Bay Sands. Therefore, it is advisable to stay in this vicinity. Service apartments tend to be expensive, with rates starting at around INR 10,000 per day. These apartments come equipped with kitchens, but housekeeping services are provided only every three days. While staying in the Sentosa Island area is an option, I recommend choosing accommodations on the mainland.
Transportation in Singapore
Ride-hailing services such as Ola or Uber are not available in Singapore. Instead, it is recommended to download the GRAB app for taxi services. Given that Singapore is a compact nation, covering an area of 758 square kilometers, most major tourist attractions can be visited within 6 to 7 trips, each costing approximately S$10 if you are based in the Marina Bay Sands area. Due to the small size of the country, utilizing the “Big Bus” service is also practical, as most points of interest are within a 6-kilometer radius.
Food
The GRAB app also facilitates food ordering, featuring a selection of Indian cuisine provided by authentic Indian sources. The cost of a single meal typically ranges from S$7 to S$10 at most. Rather than delving into specifics, I will share my experiences at several newly developed locations in Singapore that piqued our interest.
Day 1
We opted for a serviced apartment in Funan, situated in the heart of the city, with most attractions located within a 5-kilometer radius. We checked into the serviced apartment at 6 AM. Due to the time difference of approximately 3.5 hours ahead of India, we experienced jet lag and rested until 11 AM. Subsequently, we took a 1.5-kilometer walk to visit the Buddha temple, which I believe is one of the principal temples in Singapore.
We had lunch. Although Singapore is often regarded as one of the most expensive countries, we found that the prices are quite comparable to those in Europe. The average cost of a typical lunch is S$10.
Following our lunch, we proceeded to the Singapore Art Gallery, located within the historic Supreme Court building. This expansive gallery required approximately three hours to explore fully. The admission fee is around S$15. The collection features masterpieces by renowned Chinese artists, including Dr. Tan Tsze Chor, Ren Yi, Xu Beihong, and Qi Baishi, as well as works by local Singaporean artists.
Subsequently, we proceeded to the Asian Civilizations Museum, located approximately half a kilometer from the National Art Gallery. The museum features an exquisite design and primarily focuses on showcasing the wealth of various artifacts, including ceramics, gold and silver items, furniture designs, and marble works. It does not, in my view, pertain significantly to the concept of civilization, with only two or three exhibits that might be considered relevant.
At 6 PM, we arrived at Marina Sand Bay to explore the area and view the Singapore River (fresh water), which historically served as a vital route for mariners in this region. The atmosphere was vibrant, bustling with tourists from around the globe. We dined at an Indian restaurant and eagerly anticipated the Marina Sand Bay light show scheduled to commence at 8 PM. By 10 PM, we returned to our hotel, having enjoyed a fulfilling day that included a total of 10 kilometers of walking, and settled in for a restful night’s sleep.
Day -2
Our itinerary for today included a visit to the Singapore Botanical Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as Gardens by the Bay. Although both gardens are relatively compact in size, they boast an extensive variety of plant species, requiring ample time to fully appreciate their captivating beauty.
The entry fee for the Singapore Botanical Garden is S$5, while admission is complimentary for children under the age of 12. The garden operates from 5 AM to midnight. With an impressive annual visitation of 5 million, it stands as one of the most frequented gardens globally and was recognized as Asia’s premier botanic garden by TripAdvisor in 2012. Additionally, in 2008, it earned the title of Asia’s best Urban Jungle from Time magazine, surpassing notable gardens in Europe, Canada, and the United States. While I personally believe that the Keukenhof Garden in the Netherlands is larger and more impressive, the Singapore Botanical Garden boasts a greater variety of species than any other garden worldwide. For instance, the Ginger Garden alone features over 3,000 different species of ginger.
Later, we arrived at Gardens by the Bay at 6 PM. We opted for the evening visit, as this garden is renowned for the illumination of the 22-meter-high OCBC Skyway. The entire garden is segmented into various themed areas, showcasing an astonishing collection of plant and tree species from Australia, Africa, the United States, and beyond. We enjoyed cold coffee at a beautiful restaurant situated within the garden, surrounded by luxurious greenery. It was a delightful and unforgettable experience.
Subsequently, we ventured into the Cloud Forest area of the Garden. It is challenging to convey the essence of this experience without witnessing it firsthand.
This is the trail we have to pass through when we into the cloud forest.
There is super tree grove and here also we see a lot of gathering to see lighting which starts at 9.00 PM
Day -3
We have covered a total distance of approximately 18 kilometers over the past two days. On the third day, we dedicated our time to exploring Chinatown and Sentosa Island. Our visit to Chinatown was relatively brief. We enjoyed lunch at an Indian restaurant in Chinatown before calling a taxi to transport us to Sentosa Island. We arranged for a taxi to take us to Mount Faber, where we purchased round-trip cable car tickets for S$35 each.
The cable car journey was exceptional, offering a magnificent view of Singapore and Sentosa Island from above. Traveling to Sentosa by cable car is preferable to taking the road. While there are numerous activities available on the island, we only explored Fort Siloso and the beach area.
We allocated approximately 2.5 hours to our visit to this island and utilized the return cable car service at 7 PM. During our return journey, we disembarked at Mount Imbiah. Although there are numerous hotels and resorts available on Sentosa, I believe it is more cost-effective and prudent to reside on the mainland, as the majority of the gardens are located there.
Epilogue
Singapore is a diminutive nation, often referred to by Sir Winston Churchill as the Gibraltar of the East due to its strategic significance as a shipping harbor. Today, it ranks as the second busiest port globally. The country has limited land area, making it a focal point for studying its administrative efficiency, traffic management, water supply systems, spatial challenges, and, most importantly, its remarkable unity in diversity.
Despite its small size, Singapore exemplifies a grand commitment to embracing diversity. The population comprises approximately 74% Chinese, 13% Malays, and around 10% Indian migrants. The predominant religion is Buddhism, followed by Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Hinduism. In the 21st century, there has been a notable increase in Christianity, while Buddhism has seen a decline.
Singapore relies primarily on Malaysia for its water supply, with additional sources including rainwater harvesting, seawater desalination, and wastewater recycling. To manage traffic, the country implements a yearly quota system and provides incentives for taxis to avoid operating during peak hours.
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