Singapore's Fabulous Five

When most people hear the word 'Singapore', they probably think about tall buildings amidst greenery and a vast transit airport. However, as most tourists realise soon, there is more to a place than meets the eye, because wonders can be found in the most unlikely places. No matter how long your stay is - even if you are there just for a day - the sights of the city will always stay with you.

After a long time and quite a bit of consideration, these are my top five places to visit in Singapore!

Universal Studios

Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located on Sentosa, an island off the mainland, and is filled with wild rides for all ages. There are different themed zones such as Ancient Egypt and Sci-Fi City with appropriately themed attractions and rides. I recommend visiting Universal Studios Singapore in the morning so that you can get more done before closing time. (Tip: If you want to get everything done in a single day, go to the Transformers Ride first. It is so popular that the wait time can be over an hour!

The best ride for me though was Revenge of the Mummy, located in the Ancient Egypt zone. The ride is built inside a giant pyramid with two towering statues guarding the entrance. The interior is filled with creepy coffins, spooky skeletons and a giant trapped statue of a frightening pharaoh being lifted off the ground. If I wasn’t scared yet, I certainly was when at the start of the ride the good guy was killed as bright lights tore him apart. The rollercoaster went in all directions as an evil spirit chased us through the ancient labyrinth. I loved the unique design of the ride and how much thought was put into making Universal Studios entertaining and fun for everyone.

After spending a day on the rides or trying the food, you will see that it is worth every penny.

Cost: Adult $82, Child $61. The entry fee covers the rides.

Rohit's Rating: 4/5

Sentosa

The joys and thrills of Universal Studios are not the only excitement Sentosa has to offer, so don't leave yet! The island lures vast numbers of tourists due to its well-known entertainment, activities, and beaches.

When I got to Sentosa, I went straight to a thrilling experience called Skyline Luge and Skyride. I got to ride a chairlift from the coast of Sentosa to the middle of it. If the thrill of the height isn’t enough, you have to ride back down to the coast in a high-speed luge cart (basically a go-kart)! In the evening, I went to watch Wings of Time – a spellbinding 90-minute laser, fire, light and soundtrack show about music and history.

Just when it gets late, many fun and engaging activities along with other relaxing events start at the beaches. This includes light shows, acts and games on the beach. On Sentosa, there is something to do for everyone - have a picnic, run or walk along the beach, or just enjoy the ambience.

Cost:

• Skyline Luge & Skyride SGD$100-$125 for family of 4 (2 rides)

• Wings of Time SGD$19/Adult and $12/Child (free for children under 4 years)

 Rohit's Rating: 5/5

Marina Bay

Marina Bay is a beautiful harbour that comes alive at night with mesmerising lights and colours, entertainment, and different types of foods. It is home to the giant Merlion, the iconic half lion, half fish statue Singapore is famous for. It is said that the top half represents Singapore’s original name “Singapura” (meaning Lion City) and the bottom half represents Singapore’s origin as a fishing village.

The bay is filled with attractions such as the Helix Bridge and the towering Marina Bay Sands hotel, making it a must-see location. I advise you to visit Marina Bay in the evening, as street food stalls open and performances start on the streets. Marina Bay truly is a beautiful place and is bound to leave any person in awe.

Cost: Free

Rohit's Rating: 4.3/5

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is a large park near Marina Bay with different activities to enjoy. These attractions are massive and amazing, like the mind-blowing Cloud Forest, Flower Dome or the giant Supertree Grove. At night, the Supertree Grove transforms into a magical light and sound show, which many travel to see. The giant trees flash and light up in the same rhythm as the most known and iconic music (such as Harry Potter and Disney movie themes). Gardens by the Bay is a stunning place and by far one of the best attractions in Singapore.

Cost:

• Cloud Forest and Flower Dome $53/Adult, $40/child (3-12)

• Supertree Observatory $14/Adult, $10/Child (3-12)

• Garden Rhapsody: Free

Rohit's Rating: 4.4/5

Singapore truly is a magical and breathtaking place, but before you leave, here is one more amazing place that you must not miss!

Jewel, Changi Airport

Many know that Changi Airport is one of the most famous airports in the world, and one of the most prized wonders is The Jewel. The Jewel is a large vortex of water cascading down like a waterfall and is surrounded by a large plant-inhabiting-dome. This stunning sight is commonly visited by airline transit passengers and tourists because of its fascinating build and creativity. For any trip to Singapore, this is a must-see and it’s just a 10-minute walk through a covered walkway from Changi Airport Terminal 2 Departure lounge.

You can even see the Jewel waterfall from Skytrain going between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

Cost: Free

Rohit's Rating: 4.7/5

The best thing about travelling in Singapore is the public transport, which is not only cheap but its heart and soul. All locations are connected by MRT trains or buses. You can purchase this MRT card from train/bus stations or any convenience store.

Overall, I had a dream holiday in Singapore with my family and relatives and I enjoyed all the above activities in a weeklong trip.

So good luck with your adventure to this cool city and I would be very happy if my experience could help you in any way.

About the Author

Rohit is a high school student and lives in Melbourne. He loves reading, travelling, and playing video games. His goal is to travel to every continent (excluding Antarctica!) at least once and get a souvenir from the place to prove it!