If In Singapore - You Need to Visit These Three Places
Singapore is among the most unique places in the world. It is one of the few countries which would be classified as a city-state, alongside Monaco and Vatican City, and much like both of those, it is a place of massive cultural relevance.
With a grand total of over 5 million people packed into just 730 square kilometers, Singapore is the second-most densely populated country, just after Monaco.
The ethnic groups most common are Chinese, Malaysians, and Indians and numerous others have also flocked to the city due to the numerous opportunities for business. Singapore is one of the richest countries on Earth, and it’s pretty incredible that it’s reached that stage.
They gained their independence in 1965 and the next 20 years saw an absolutely staggering amount of growth in terms of employment, housing, life expectancy, and GDP. Taxes in Singapore are low and their immigration policies are among the most liberal.
A goldmine for trade, it’s pretty crazy how the country has developed, considering there are virtually no natural resources. But the wealth of the country has allowed them to pump a ton of money into tourism.
It’s basically just one very big and very rich city, with a ton of stuff to see and do while you’re visiting. It’s tough to narrow it down, but if you’re there with a limited amount of time and a limited amount of money, here are the three things I would recommend above all else:
1. Singapore S.E.A Aquarium
As you may have guessed, Singapore is all about expansion. Everything there is huge, vibrant, and rewarding, with the intent that they are among the leading countries in basically every category imaginable.
And so it’s not exactly surprising that their premier aquarium is one of the largest in the world. In fact, it was the largest in the world until 2014, when the spot was taken by the Dubai Mall Aquarium.
Here you will find over 50,000 animals spread across 800 unique species. An absolutely staggering number and sight that you must behold in person to truly understand just how vast of a collection it actually is.
There are animals from basically every different sea and ocean in the Eastern world from the South China Sea to the Red Sea and everything in between. You can see sharks, dolphins, eels, whales, octopi, coral, crabs, and tons more.
It’s not just the animals themselves that make up the attraction though, there are also some unique experiences available such as the Ocean Dreams sleepover with a tank view and the Sea Trek, which is an opportunity to walk the floor of a tank in a suit that allows free breathing.
There are also daily shows and a few different places where you can stop and enjoy a meal so it’s definitely worth dedicating an entire day too.
2. National Museum of Singapore
In my opinion, every country should have a national museum. It’s an opportunity for tourists to get to know the country a little better and see some unique exhibits that are of cultural significance to the people.
The national museum of Singapore is an incredible example of how to get the museum experience right. This place doesn’t settle for just your standard exhibits and displays of their history.
You can just walk around and look at stuff if that’s what you prefer, but the museum allows for an interactive experience that puts modern technology to use in a big way. You have stuff in here like the Singapore History Gallery.
A high-tech exhibition that walks you through the entire history of the island dating back to the 14th Century, long before it was an independent country, and all the way up to the present day. It comes with an audio companion specific to you, so you can experience it at your own pace.
There’s also the Old New World exhibition, which allows you to go on a digital exploration of the old world. You can do either a guided tour or self-exploration, and you will get to see a huge amount of preserved artifacts with information on their significance.
Then you also have stuff like Moving Memories which is a series of life-sized murals, Every Body Plays a Part which is a showcase of public health crises, and much, much more.
3. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Considering Singapore is pretty much right on the equator and is basically hot all year round, you should probably find some time to do something outdoors too. There’s no better choice for this than the Botanic Gardens.
This was opened in 1859, making it one of the oldest national parks in the country and you will find 10,000 different species of plants. It’s a lovingly designed complex that is a joy to explore, and in addition to the plants, there are numerous jungle creatures found in the gardens too.
Frogs, lizards, snakes, and birds are all in the park, and don’t worry, they’re all harmless as long as you don’t start deliberately antagonizing them. These gardens are also home to the orchid research and breeding centers in the world.
You can visit the National Orchid Garden to see many different species of orchid as well as several different hybrid species on display.
This is barely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to awesome stuff to do in Singapore, but these three sights will each give you a unique experience in their own right and you will definitely come out of them all with a greater appreciation for the country.