Dive into your Singapore holiday with a 60-minute amphibious tour onboard a refurbished Vietnam-War-era watercraft. Splash into Marina Bay and enjoy a picturesque view of the city’s skyline, taking in iconic landmarks like Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion, and the Esplanade. 

The Singapore DUCKtours trip, which comes with ‘live’ commentary, continues as the craft “waddles” back on land, going past the historic Civic District. You will see the National Gallery (former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings) where the Japanese surrendered to the British during World War II, and the War Memorial Park⁠—a towering monument to those whose lives were lost in the Japanese occupation of Singapore.

The boarding point is located just a five-minute walk from Pan Pacific Singapore, and tours depart every hour.  

Get directions to Singapore DUCKtours | Buy tickets

Lauded as a “fantasy land of space-age biodomes, high-tech Supertrees and whimsical sculptures” by Lonely Planet, Gardens by the Bay is an award-winning attraction that warrants at least two to three hours of your time with its expansive gardens (most are free to view) and 1.5 million plants. 

Check out its new Serene Garden⁠—a tranquil space inspired by the minimalist concept of Japanese zen gardens⁠—as well as The Canyon, which showcases 60 one-of-a-kind ancient rock forms from Shandong, China.

Be sure to go with a fully-charged camera or mobile phone to take lots of photos of the misty Cloud Forest with its waterfall, and the Flower Dome, which boasts of being the world’s largest glass greenhouse. Stay till dark to admire the display of lights and music at the Supertrees, and the jaw-dropping views from the 22-metre high OCBC Skyway.

Hungry? Enjoy a delicious spread of satay (sticks of seasoned meat barbecued over charcoal) and other local food at Satay by the Bay, an open-air food centre located further down from the gardens.

Get directions to Gardens by the Bay  | Buy tickets

Eager to sample a slice of life in the Singapore heartlands?  

While modern supermarkets are prevalent in Singapore, the traditional wet market manned by multiple stallholders holds sway with locals bargaining for the freshest seafood, poultry, fruits, and vegetables. Go early in the morning to experience this unique local culture at Chinatown Complex, which also has an entire floor of sundry stores and an acclaimed food centre. 

Explore the rest of the Chinatown heritage area at your own leisurely pace—the Chinatown Visitor Centre is located outside Chinatown Complex if you require recommendations or directions. Also nearby is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the Chinatown Heritage Centre, and the NUS Baba House, a museum showcasing Singapore’s Peranakan Chinese culture in a three-storey restored townhouse. 

Get directions to Chinatown Complex

Singapore’s Night Safari—the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park—offers an eye-opening look at 900 animals representing 100 species in enclosures which simulate their native habitat. See if you can spot night-loving animals such as the clouded leopard, Asian elephant, Malayan tiger, Sunda pangolin, white African lion, sloth bear, and many others. 

Traipse through six geographical regions on a 40-minute tram ride or on foot via four walking trails—both will take you to different sights.

Tip: Take the direct bus services shuttling from the city (look for the Suntec City stop) to the Night Safari (Details here). As there are limited dining options at the Night Safari, do also have an early dinner at one of Pan Pacific Singapore’s restaurants before heading out. 

Get directions to Night Safari | Buy tickets

Fort Canning Park, previously known as Bukit Larangan (Malay for Forbidden Hill), has seen Singapore through centuries of both peaceful as well as tumultuous times. Once the site of a 14th century palace of Malay rulers, Fort Canning was also the British Government House in the early 19th century followed by an artillery fort during World War II. 

Relive the heritage of this site by embarking on a Colonial History Walking Trail (use this detailed online guide to help you). Alternatively, use the free BalikSG: Reflections of Singapore mobile app to experience the past in all its Augmented Reality (AR) and multimedia rich glory—download it on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

A guided tour of the Battlebox is also available. History buffs may be keen to know that the former World War II British underground command centre was where the British forces surrendered Singapore to the invading Japanese on 15 February 1942.

Tip: If you are taking public transport, stop at Fort Canning MRT station or Bras Basah MRT station—both stations offer covered escalators that take you comfortably to the top of Fort Canning Park. The Bras Basah escalator is also located next to the National Museum, another fascinating stop for history-lovers. 

Get directions to Fort Canning Park | Buy tickets to Battlebox