Planet Storybook

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Singapore dazzles at every turn, a city where futuristic architecture meets tropical greenery and vibrant culture. From wandering the surreal Gardens by the Bay and watching the Supertrees glow at night, to taking in sweeping views from Marina Bay Sands, to eating satay (skewers) at bustling hawker centers, every moment felt full of discovery (I even squeezed in a day trip to Batam, Indonesia). Here’s everything you need to know to experience the best of Singapore, from must-see attractions to practical tips I wish I’d known before arriving.

Quick Summary Table

Attraction	Highlights	Practical Tips	My Impressions
Gardens by the Bay	Supertrees light show (7:45 & 8:45 PM), OCBC Skyway, Flower Dome, Cloud Forest	Arrive 10-15 min early for light show at Supertree Grove; tickets sell out for Skyway evening views	Even with highest expectations, it won’t fail to amaze; do not miss the magical light show
SkyPark Observation Deck	Panoramic views, bird’s eye view of Gardens by the Bay	Catch day views, sunset, and night lights all in one visit	One of the best views I’ve seen in the world
Spectra Light & Water Show	15-minute water and light show at Marina Bay Sands	Arrive 10-15 min early for good spot; front rows get wet	Couldn’t stop smiling the entire time, don’t miss this
Merlion Park	Iconic Merlion statue, waterfront promenade, views of Marina Bay	Walk around toward the bridge to explore more of this area	Worth visiting the area even after seeing the statue from the river cruise
Clarke Quay	Dining and nightlife along Singapore River	River cruise departure point; restaurants can be overpriced here	Great evening atmosphere for dining and hanging out
River Cruise	Views of Marina Bay Sands, Merlion statue, ArtScience Museum…	30-35 min duration, departs from Clarke Quay	Fantastic views over major landmarks, worth the price
Little India	Indian shops and eats, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple	Visit during daytime, closed at night; do not miss the temple	Temple’s colorful gopuram is stunning, worth checking out
Chinatown	Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Maxwell Food Centre, festive decorations	Can come here for late-night satays; Maxwell accepts only cash/WeChat Pay	Festive atmosphere, good for late-night visits and satays; temple worth seeing
Maxwell Food Centre	The famous Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice	Cash or WeChat Pay only at Tian Tian; long queues; no AC; bring tissues	Chicken rice was decent but not worth the hype or wait in my opinion
Lau Pa Sat	Satay Street in the evenings, tourist-friendly hawker center	Visit in the evenings for outdoor satays on Boon Tat Street; accepts credit cards	Regret not trying the satay, the outdoor satay experience is what makes it special
East Coast Park Beach	Local hangout spot, fine sand, camping areas	Avoid afternoons, no shade on the beach; not a tourist spot, very local	Not too special, skip if no time; a place to see where locals unwind
Batam, Indonesia (Day Trip)	Barelang Bridge, Jabal Arafah Mosque tower view, budget-friendly escape	Arrive 1+ hour early for ferry; Batam is 1 hour behind Singapore; need cash for visa (500,000 IDR)	Chill countryside vibe; very affordable; skip if no time

Practical Tips for Singapore

Plug Outlet in Singapore

Singapore uses Type G power socket, same as a UK plug, like below:

And here’s an awesome outlet plug reference guide I found online (https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/travel-universal-adaptor/).

Money & Payments

• Exchange Rate: 1 USD ~ 1.3 SGD
• Hawker Centers: Mostly cash only
• Tourist Spots: Clarke Quay and Lau Pa Sat accept credit cards

Transportation

• Grab (ride-sharing): Convenient and widely used throughout Singapore
• To Batam, Indonesia: Ferry via Batamfast from Singapore (book online); 1-hour ride; allow 1+ hour for check-in process in Singapore and 1-2 hours for immigration upon arrival in Batam

Weather & Clothing

• Climate: Very humid and hot, with high temps at 89°F (31-32°C) all year round
• What to Wear: Light, breathable clothing, sunhats, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Timing: Visit outdoor attractions in early morning or evening; save indoor attractions (like Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Floral Fantasy) for midday heat

Food & Hygiene

• Hawker Centers:
  • No air conditioning
  • Shared communal tables
  • No napkins or straws provided, bring your own tissues
  • Cash preferred at most stalls
• Food poisoning still a risk

What to Carry at All Times in Asia

• Packets of tissue
• Alcohol wipes that kill germs
• Water, water, water
• Mosquito repellent

Best Times to Visit Attractions

• Gardens by the Bay Light Show: 7:45 PM or 8:45 PM daily (arrive 10-15 min early)
• Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck: Book for a slot before sunset time to enjoy both day and night views
• Satay Street at Lau Pa Sat: Evening when the street is closed for dining only
• Outdoor Attractions: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid extreme heat

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is world-renowned for good reasons. Even with the highest expectations, it never fails to amaze. From the towering Supertrees and their dazzling light displays, to the feeling of being completely immersed in nature, to the breathtaking floral wonders from across the globe — everything blends together into an experience unlike any other. It’s the kind of place you can return to time and time again, and still walk away in awe.

Attractions List & Prices

Here’s a list of all the attractions inside with opening hours and ticket prices:

Flower Dome + Cloud Forest
9:00 AM → 8:00 PM
S$32.00

Floral Fantasy
10:00 AM → 7:00 PM
S$20.00

OCBC Skyway
9:00 AM → 8:00 PM
S$14.00

Supertree Observatory
9:00 AM → 8:00 PM
S$14.00

I wasn’t able to purchase tickets online, so I arrived before 9 AM to buy them in person. The ticket office opened promptly at 9:00 AM, and I was first in line—no wait at all. Note that there’s a sign at the entrance indicating you should expect a 40-minute wait during busier times.

Tip: The OCBC Skyway is outdoors, so visit it during good weather for the best views and experience. The Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, and Floral Fantasy are all indoors and climate-controlled.

OCBC Skyway

As I made my way through the lush gardens, the paths wound like a maze until the towering Supertrees came into view. Strolling along the skyway was unforgettable, offering sweeping vistas of the cityscape with Marina Bay Sands standing prominently on the side.

Flower Dome

Plan to spend about an hour in each dome. The Flower Dome is a feast for the senses, filled with stunning blooms from around the world. And the moment you step inside, the sweet fragrance of the flowers greets you.

Cloud Forest

The Cloud Forest feels like an indoor adventure, where you can wander among misty greenery and towering trees as if walking in the clouds. The first thing that catches your eye is the dramatic waterfall, with some daring visitors standing beneath it, getting soaked for the perfect photo. After a short wait for the lift to reach the top, you make your way down along the winding paths, exploring and soaking in the lush, otherworldly atmosphere at every turn.

Towards the end, there’s this secret garden as well.

Sadly I didn’t get to visit Floral Fantasy and Supertree Observatory due to time constraints. But I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here and would come back in a heartbeat.

Satay by the Bay

I didn’t realize there were food options inside until I spotted a sign for Satay by the Bay while exploring. After a short walk, I found a hawker-style food center with various cuisines including Indian, Thai, and Chinese.

I ordered 5 chicken satays and 1 prawn satay. Be aware that each satay stick is quite small with only 2 pieces of meat, so you could easily eat 10 or more if you’re hungry.

Supertree Light Show at Gardens by the Bay

Show Times: Daily at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM

I was so glad I’d read about this light show beforehand—it would’ve been a shame to miss! However, navigating to the right spot can be tricky on your first visit.

Important: Finding the Viewing Area

When you first arrive, you’ll see three Supertrees near the entrance. This is NOT where the main light show happens. The actual show takes place at the Supertree Grove, which is at a lower level. I made the mistake of staying at the entrance level and missed the beginning of the 7:45 PM show. By the time I found my way down, I only caught a partial view.

After finding the correct location, I sat down and waited for the 8:45 PM show—absolutely worth it! The show features a sequence of popular music from different Asian countries, with the Supertrees illuminated in synchronized, dancing lights. It was magical.

Tips

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early to find a good spot in the Supertree Grove
• People sit and lie on the ground—totally acceptable and comfortable
• The OCBC Skyway offers an elevated view, but book tickets in advance as they sell out (I missed this opportunity!)
• You can see the show from the Marina Bay Sands observation deck, but you’re too far away to hear the music—you really need to be present under the Supertrees for the full experience

Marina Bay Sands & Spectra – A Light & Water Show

This is what I saw when I first arrived at Marina Bay Sands in the evening – simply beautiful, isn’t it? Such a fantastic promenade area with amazing views everywhere.

The globe is apparently an Apple store.

The Spectra light and water show was absolutely stunning! The 15-minute show was exciting from start to finish and I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time.

Note: if you’re up close, you’ll get splashed, but it’s totally worth it!

Tips:

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early to secure a good viewing spot
• The front-row spots offer the best experience (and the most water!)
• Consider bringing a waterproof phone case if you want to film

Highly recommended, don’t miss this one!

SkyPark Observation Deck

This observation deck is located right at Marina Bay Sands and has an entrance outside the towers. I arrived around 6 PM for my booked spot at 6:30 PM. I was told to come back at 6:25 PM, so I walked around the towers on the ground level. Below is one of the cafes inside with its lovely outdoor setting.

After I had booked the ticket online, I found out that you could just go to Ce La Vie and get the views without paying. But now that I’ve been here, I’d say that I absolutely do not regret getting the ticket for the observation deck. The views are spectacular, easily among the best I’ve seen anywhere in the world. Singapore is truly a beautiful place with its modern architecture surrounded by water, creating incredibly beautiful skyline views.

I booked for 6:30 PM and I think it was perfect. The weather becomes very comfortable around this time and you get to enjoy the day views, sunset, and the night views. Sadly for me this time, the sun was hiding behind some dark clouds. But I still enjoyed every moment here.

You can also get a bird’s eye view of Gardens by the Bay with its 18 Supertrees! I really love all the greeneries in Singapore, they are just so beautiful and bring joy to my heart.

Now the city started to light up.

And I waited until sunset of course.

The views speak for themselves. It’s truly splendid and worth visiting again and again.

As for Ce La Vie, I saw a long line downstairs and the inside looked crowded and cramped. They also don’t seem to have access to the observation deck.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is a lovely area for dining and hanging out along the Singapore River. It’s compact and easy to explore, you can walk around the entire area comfortably. I was very hungry and ate at this BBQ place called BBQ Box. I was the only customer at 5 PM. I ordered a spicy noodle and a bunch of different BBQ options. I really liked almost all of the BBQ skewers I ordered – chicken, potato, mantou, lettuce… The beef and lamb were very chewy and I couldn’t finish, but the rest were very tasty. The spicy noodles were delicious as well and so spicy that I had to get the watermelon juice. All in all, it was a good meal but rather expensive for Singapore, costing over $30 including taxes and a surprising mandatory 10% service fee. Definitely very overpriced compared to the hawker markets, but tasty.

River Cruise

After dinner at Clarke Quay, I noticed people lining up by the water for a river cruise. It wasn’t in my original plans, but I decided to go for it—and I’m so glad I did!

The Experience

The 30-35 minute cruise offers spectacular views of Singapore’s iconic skyline and landmarks, including:

• The lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum
• Marina Bay Sands Hotel
• The Merlion fountain
• Waterfront skyscrapers and the historic coastline

I found myself constantly taking photos and videos because the views just kept getting better. It’s one of the best ways to see Singapore’s most famous sights from a unique vantage point.

Practical Info:

• Cost: SGD $28 per person
• Duration: 30-35 minutes
• Departure point: Clarke Quay

Recommendation: If you have the budget and time, this is definitely worth it. It’s a relaxing way to see multiple landmarks in one go, especially beautiful at sunset or in the evening when everything is lit up.

Merlion Park

While I’d already seen the iconic Merlion statue from the river cruise earlier, I’m glad I made the trip to visit in person. Merlion Park is a lovely area to walk around and relax, with stunning views from the moment you arrive.

Don’t leave yet, definitely walk around the area towards the bridge.

This spot under the bridge is very popular, as it shields you from the sun and I also found it to be an interesting design.

If you continue to stroll along, you’d end up on this side with this beautiful bridge as well.

And people were just sitting on the ground having picnics, eating and hanging out.

Singapore is breathtaking at every turn—beautiful views, striking skylines, and scenic spots everywhere you look. It’s a modern, clean, and remarkably green city that feels truly future-forward.

Little India & Chinatown

After a long workday (7 AM to 10 PM), I still wanted to explore a bit more of Singapore. Since Little India and Chinatown are known for staying open late, I took a Grab to check them out.

Little India consists of several streets lined with Indian shops and restaurants. However, arriving late in the evening, I found it quite quiet with most places closed. This area is likely much more vibrant during the day when shops are open and the streets are bustling.

Chinatown was more lively and felt worth the late-night visit. The streets were decorated with dragons and colorful Chinese New Year decorations, creating a festive atmosphere. Several restaurants were still open, and there were people out enjoying the evening. I browsed around and picked up some souvenirs.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this Satay/BBQ spot in a typical Northeastern Chinese style. The menu looked very tempting and I wanted to try everything on there.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a striking Buddhist temple in the heart of Chinatown, named for the sacred tooth relic of Buddha it houses. Its ornate traditional architecture and red-and-gold facade make it impossible to miss while exploring the area. Since the temple is located right in Chinatown, I decided to take a look even though it was dark and late in the evening.

I happened to pass by again the next day when having lunch with colleagues at the nearby Maxwell Food Centre.

Maxwell Food Center

Maxwell Food Centre is a famous hawker center in Chinatown, best known for Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice—a stall that draws massive crowds daily.

My Experience at Tian Tian Chicken Rice

A local colleague recommended this legendary stall, so we decided to try it. The queue was incredibly long, and I waited in the heat (not ideal in long sleeves and pants) wondering if it would be worth it.

Important: The stall only accepts cash or WeChat Pay, not credit cards.

The Verdict: The chicken rice was decent, but honestly not worth the hype or the long wait in my opinion. I’ve had similar or better versions elsewhere. That said, I’m glad I tried this iconic spot to see what the fuss is about.

General Notes About Hawker Centers:

• No air conditioning
• Shared communal tables with other diners
• Napkins and straws often not provided → bring tissues
• Cash is king at most stalls; have small bills ready

Recommendation: If the queue at Tian Tian is too long, consider trying other chicken rice stalls at the hawker center or elsewhere in Singapore. You’ll likely get a similar experience without the wait.

Lau Pa Sat

Lau Pa Sat is one of Singapore’s most famous and tourist-friendly hawker centers, conveniently located near major attractions in the financial district. Unlike some other hawker centers, most stalls here accept credit cards, making it easier for international visitors.

Evening Satay Street

My local colleague recommended visiting in the evening when the adjacent street (Boon Tat Street) is closed to traffic and transformed into “Satay Street.” Tables are set up along the entire street, and numerous vendors grill satay right there. It’s quite a spectacle.

When I arrived, the street was packed with diners at every table. I found the scene a bit overwhelming and ended up not ordering satay, which I regret in retrospect. Instead, I got a fish dish from the indoor food center, but it wasn’t particularly good.

Recommendation: Don’t let the crowds intimidate you like they did me! The evening satay experience is what makes Lau Pa Sat special.

East Coast Beach

A local colleague recommended East Coast Park, so I took a Grab over during a two-hour break before dinner. This is definitely a local hangout spot rather than a tourist attraction—a place where Singaporeans come to relax after work.

My Afternoon Visit

I arrived after 4 PM, but it was still extremely hot (this is Singapore, after all). The beach was nearly empty, likely due to the heat. The sand is very fine and pleasant, but I couldn’t walk along the beach for long before the temperature became unbearable. There’s a small camping area with more shade, which looked much more comfortable. I imagine this place comes alive in the evening when temperatures cool down and locals come out to enjoy the waterfront.

Recommendation: If you have limited time in Singapore, prioritize other attractions. But if you want to see where locals unwind and have a few hours to spare in the evening, it’s worth a visit.

Panda BBQ

I wanted more satay, so I tried Panda BBQ which was recommended by a coworker. Here’s the food I ordered.

The satays come in sets of 2, unlike BBQ Box where you can order individually. They were super spicy, but I managed to eat them all. Unfortunately, these tasty satays did give me really bad stomach pains the next morning.

Architecture in Singapore

While taking rides in Singapore, you see so many cool architectures with a lot of character, like these below:

Side Trip to Batam, Indonesia

I originally hadn’t planned to visit Indonesia at all, but a colleague mentioned taking the ferry from Singapore to Batam, and I became curious.

Booking the Ferry

I purchased tickets online through Batamfast and started researching one-day itineraries for Batam. While reading about day tours, I learned you need to arrive at the ferry terminal at least one hour early—I’m glad I caught this!

The Ferry Process (Allow 1+ Hour)

There’s a lengthy check-in process before boarding:

• Go to the Batamfast counter to get your boarding pass (required even with online tickets)
• Join the departure line where they check your boarding pass and passport
• Queue again for a second passport check
• Wait in the departure hall for your ferry
• Board at the correct gate for your ferry

Important Notes:

• Time difference: Batam is 1 hour behind Singapore—I didn’t realize this when booking and had to change my return ferry time at the counter (I had Marina Bay Sands observation deck tickets at 6:30 PM in Singapore)
• Make sure to arrive early—the multi-step process takes time
• Double-check your gate and ferry before boarding

Finally you’re onboard.

The ferry isn’t very big and I started getting seasick right away. It’s more like a big size jet ski than a ferry in my experience.

If you sit on the right side, you’ll see these super cool buildings.

Note: You’re able to charge your phone on the ferry with a UK outlet.

Arriving at Batam, Immigration, Visa

The ferry ride takes about one hour. You should try to disembark as quickly as possible, because there is a long line for immigration clearance once you arrive.

It took me a whole hour to get to the officers to be told that I had to pay 500,000 RP (1 USD ~ 15,000 RP) for the visa and they only accepted cash which I didn’t have. He took me all the way outside to an ATM to get cash. I took out a cool 1,000,000 RP. It was a little funny when I heard the officer saying “take out 1 million”. Afterwards I had to requeue with my new visa. This was definitely taking more time than I expected and I only had a few hours here, as my ferry back to Singapore was at 3:30 PM.

I was finally out of there after two hours. My first planned stop was Nongsa Beach, but due to the unexpected two hours lost, I skipped the beach and took a Grab directly towards the Barelang Bridge.

This is right outside the ferry terminal.

Barelang Bridge & Barelang Seafood Restaurant

I got here after 11 am local time and there was no one eating yet, although the tables with the best views were all reserved. The server couldn’t speak much English so we used Google translate to communicate. The place is very big with lots of tables. My first impression of Batam so far, it’s as the Grab driver said, it’s like Singapore in the 1980s. It’s not very modern or developed and looks very much like a countryside. I liked the greens and water along the way, but there wasn’t much else otherwise. I ordered a fish soup with sea bass. The Grab ride here was very cheap, only $6 for a 30 min ride. Adding Indonesia to my affordable country list alongside Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Egypt, and Morocco.

Jabal Arafah Mosque

I’d read online that this mosque offers great city views from the top. I went inside and climbed the stairs, but found the top was closed. Just as I was about to leave for my next stop, someone told me there’s a separate tower on the other side with an elevator. It cost 5,000 IDR (less than a dollar) to go up.

I took the elevator and had the entire observation area to myself. I enjoyed the panoramic views and wished that I could stay longer. But with my ferry departure approaching, I decided to move on to squeeze in one more food center stop.

Nagoya Foodcourt

This is a lively food center I found on the map, conveniently located just 5 minutes from the mosque. Since my lunch at the seafood restaurant wasn’t great and I had cash left to spend before leaving Indonesia, I wanted to try a few different things here.

I ordered a noodle soup dish (I’m not sure exactly what it was). However, I became concerned about food hygiene when I saw the woman place my utensils directly on the dirty table. The number of flies everywhere in Batam was also worrying. Given my food poisoning concerns, I barely touched the noodle soup and ended up leaving most of it.

Important Note: There’s no toilet paper in most public restrooms in Batam, so bring your own tissues at all times when traveling in Asia.

Before leaving, I bought a small cake to spend my remaining cash. Interestingly, they first quoted 120,000 IDR. When I said “oh that’s too expensive, thank you,” they immediately dropped the price to 80,000 IDR.

I took a Grab to the ferry terminal and rushed to buy souvenirs to spend the last of my cash before departing.

Final Thoughts on Batam

All in all, rushed as it was, I was happy to have visited part of Indonesia. It’s not as developed as Singapore or Hong Kong, but Batam has a chill, laid-back vibe and would be perfect for escaping busy city life. Locals don’t speak much English, so communication can be challenging, but it’s much more affordable than Singapore with plenty of peace and quiet.

That concludes my adventures in Singapore with a mini trip to Indonesia. I’m really glad I managed to see and experience so much during my one-week work trip to Singapore. Singapore is, without a doubt, ultra-modern and incredibly beautiful, with fantastic architecture and skyline views everywhere you turn.

Singapore Top 5 for First-Timers

Truly glad that I finally got to visit Singapore, here are my top 5 spots for first-timers:

• Gardens by the Bay (including the Supertrees light show at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM)
• SkyPark Observation Deck
• Marina Bay Sands & Spectra – A Light & Water Show
• Clarke Quay & River Cruise
• Merlion Park