Many backpackers and travelers avoid traveling to Singapore because of its infamously high costs, neatness, and cleanliness( although we’re still trying to figure out how it’s a bad thing). And also, it’s a lack of attractions for tourists. However, skipping Singapore on your Southeast Asia tour could be a huge mistake! Here are a few reasons why Singapore should be on your Southeast Asia itinerary.
Cultural diversity
Singapore is a diverse country in both religion and culture, making it different from all it’s neighboring countries. Singapore is also known to celebrate the national holidays of many different religions. Travelers or backpackers can enjoy culinary experiences from many different countries by visiting many different places of worship.
Cleanliness
The reason for having Singapore in your itinerary is that it’s one of the cleanest cities in the world. The credit for this goes to the law against spitting and littering. Singapore is free of any unsightly litter or unpleasant smells. Though some are being who might accuse Singapore of being rather clinical, we believe its clean streets are a plus point.
The Marina Bays Sands Infinity pool
You’ll need to be traveling with a budget to check this one off your bucket list. The Marina Bays Sands hotel has the longest elevated infinity pool in the world. The infinity pool is perched across three towers that make up the Marina Bays Sands hotel. The view from the infinity pool is incredible. Taking a picture up here is every photographer or Instagrammer’s dream. But if you are on a tight budget, go to C’est La Vie instead. A cocktail at C’est La Vie will cost you about $30, which is much less than the $500 per night room rates!
Hawker centers
Singapore is full of hawker centers where you can get a meal for under $10. A hawker center is the same as a food mall court, except most of the hawker centers are much larger than the mall’s food court. Hawker centers like Maxwell Hawker Centre and Newton Food Circus have many offerings starting from fresh seafood, fruits, and laksa along with famous Singaporean styled desserts.
Restaurants
For such a small size city-state island, Singapore has an extensive array of restaurants offering cuisines from all around the world. There are some Michelin guide rated restaurants in Singapore. Now, Michlin star restaurants are an excellent point to start if you’re having a hard time choosing between seemingly endless options of restaurants.
Orchard Road
It’s quite hard to believe that this street was once full of orchards. Today this street is the number one place to go and shop until your pocket goes empty. With more than 20 malls within two Kilometres between Somerset MRT and Orchard MRT, you can visit many malls and shops for many designer goods options. Shopping is a great activity here even if the weather isn’t favorable as people can easily travel between malls via underground tunnels connecting the malls.
