Singapore Uncovered: Green Skyscrapers, Supertrees & Hawker Royalty

Singapore, a dazzling island city-state at the southern tip of Malaysia, is a futuristic global wonder. Known as the “City in a Garden,” it is a mind-blowing destination where lush tropical rainforests are integrated directly into massive skyscrapers, luxury shopping malls, and hyper-clean streets. Here is your ultimate guide to exploring Singapore!

1. The Landmarks You Can’t Miss

• Gardens by the Bay: A breathtaking nature park featuring the iconic Supertrees—massive, 50-meter-tall steel vertical gardens covered in exotic plants. At night, they light up in a spectacular, synchronized musical light show that feels like stepping into the movie Avatar.
• Marina Bay Sands: The world-famous luxury hotel shaped like a giant ship resting on top of three towering skyscrapers. Walk along the Marina Bay waterfront promenade just after sunset to catch the stunning free water and laser show.

2. Singapore Fun Facts

• The World’s Cleanest Metropolis: Singapore is famous for its strict cleanliness laws. Chewing gum has been officially banned in the country since 1992 to keep public transit and sidewalks spotless. Littering, spitting, or forgetting to flush a public toilet can result in heavy cash fines!
• An Entire Country in One City: Singapore is one of only three remaining true city-states in the world (alongside Monaco and Vatican City). It has no capital city because the entire country, island, and city are one and the same.

3. The Food Scene

• Hawker Center Culture: Singapore’s food culture is protected by UNESCO. Instead of expensive restaurants, head to Hawker Centers—massive, open-air food courts where hundreds of independent stalls serve legendary local dishes like Chili Crab, Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Laksa noodles.
• The Cheapest Michelin Meal: Visit Hawker Chan at the Chinatown Complex. He was the first street food chef in the world to be awarded a prestigious Michelin star for his legendary Soya Sauce Chicken Rice, which you can enjoy for just a few dollars!

4. Practical Travel Tips

• Use the MRT Subway: Singapore’s MRT subway system is one of the most efficient, clean, and affordable transit networks on earth. You don’t need a special ticket; you can simply tap through the turnstiles using your normal contactless credit card or smartphone.
• Beat the Tropical Heat: Located just 137 kilometers north of the equator, Singapore is hot and intensely humid all year round. Plan your outdoor sightseeing for early morning or late evening, and use the network of air-conditioned malls and underground walkways during the blazing midday sun.