Best of Singapore

► Airport or Hotel Pick-up:
This morning, your private guide will pick you up at Singapore’s airport or your self-booked hotel and accompany you on a hassle-free city tour via public transport. Air travelers will ride the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) with your guide for roughly 1 hour to the hotel we’ve pre-booked for you to store your luggage first.

The first stop is Merlion Park. Compact as this waterfront escape is, it has been world-renowned for its iconic Merlion statue. As you gaze at this mythical creature, listen to your guide share its implicit design ideas: the fish tail above the waves recalls Singapore’s origin as a fishing village, and the lion head echoes the country’s nickname “Lion City” and its well-developed, outward-looking modern economy. Whether you adopt a pose with the statue from the front or the side, you can frame the spaceship-shaped Marina Bay Sands, the elegant lotus-inspired ArtScience Museum, and the towering Singapore Flyer in one attractive picture.

Let’s then dive into Gardens by the Bay, a botanical paradise inspired by Singapore’s national flower, the orchid. Wander around the Flower Dome - the planet’s biggest column-free glasshouse - to explore nine themed gardens, including the Olive Grove characterized by centuries-old olive trees imported from Spain. Delight in the ever-changing Flower Field that bursts with seasonal blossoms such as cherry flowers and tulips. Then, move on to the cool, damp Cloud Forest: sunlight falls upon clusters of orchids and ferns, while drifting mist from the waterfall paints breathtaking rainbows. Once outside, appreciate the umbrella-like Supertree Grove, where you’ll find rare flowers from Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, and Costa Rica. 

Later, your guide will show you around Chinatown, a living witness to the long struggles of countless Southern Chinese settlers in Singapore. Shuttling among rows of vivid shophouses, you can discover old herbal brands, bakeries, and teahouses hung with traditional Chinese signboards. En route, a mix of Hokkien, Mandarin, and English will bring you the illusion that you’ve stepped into far-away China. A few steps away stands Buddha Tooth Relic Temple with its red-and-white walls, black tiles, and soaring eaves. Inside, amid the swirling incense, you’ll easily sink into the quiet vibe unique to Theravada Buddhism.

Next, let’s make our way to Kampong Glam, a mysterious Muslim enclave taken straight out of One Thousand and One Nights, a classic book of ancient Middle Eastern tales. As you stroll through streets lined with striking architecture, Turkish lanterns, Persian carpets, Arabic attire, and authentic Middle Eastern delicacies including spinach fatayers, hummus plus pitas, and grilled kababs will treat you to a brand-new cultural dimension. Don’t miss Sultan Mosque, whose eye-catching murals near the second arch and slender minarets in the distance will create wonderful photo ops for you.Eventually, continue our visit to Little India, where spice aromas, vibrant long saris worn by Indian women, and temple bells will give you a glimpse into the everyday lives of the local Indian community. Drop by Tekka Centre, a local “kitchen” and bustling market, from which you can truly grasp why Little India lives up to its reputation through garlands of marigolds and jasmine, mounds of turmeric and red chili powder, and rich aromas of fish head curry and banana leaf rice. Plus, check out Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu Temple, and marvel at its layered gateway stacked with dazzling deities.
► Useful Advice
1. Removing shoes is required before entering the temple here.
2. Out of respect for local religion, please ensure your clothes cover your shoulders and legs above the knees.

At the end of the day, your guide will escort you to your hotel via public transit. 

Accommodation: Orchid Hotel, Singapore (4 stars) or similar