What to do in Singapore
This is written as an alternative to the "touristy" attractions that a newcomer to Singapore might already have known from the various brochures, and even surfing the Web. Besides the tourist attractions as listed, frankly, there is nothing much to do here in Singapore, being such a tiny drop in the sea. But the things they do, they do it well, which probably is why the economy is so strong. Ask anyone here, and they'll agree with me that the 3 things that Singaporeans do are as listed, and yes, they are in that order:
- shopping
- eating
- watching movies
Anyway, for the benefit of the many who have surfed to this website, here are 2 links that could be of interest to you. The first is for those who are looking for stuff to do in Singapore over the week-end, especially if you are here on a business trip or just vacationing here for the first time, or not so first time. The second one lists the good places to eat around here in Singapore; of course, yours truly have not personally tried every single one of them so this is just a guide:
Oh, just in case you're wondering about the person who wrote this, you can check out my website at Wei Kwan's homepage. Basically, it'll tell you more about who I am, and the stuff I do in my free-time. Included are some adventure travelogues and some Christian articles as well. Do check it out, or you can wait until you finish reading this to see whether you're still interested - you might be bored to death by then :-).
Shopping
I kid you not, this is the number one activity here, even among locals. Singapore is known to be a haven for shoppers, as proven by the strong consumer market in such a tiny island. Practically everything can be bought here at a fraction of the cost of what you can get overseas. The ultimate shopping place is Orchard Road (you can drop off at the Orchard MRT), where it takes a few hours just to window-shop, and I mean just looking at the window displays. Add a few more hours if you wish to go into the shops to look, and even more if you're planning to buy something. Best season to shop: June, during the Great Singapore Sale. This is when almost all the shops have a 50% to 70% off the merchandise. One recommended place is Robinson's near Somerset MRT - the place is packed during any sale.
Yue Hwa Chinese ProductsFor sport shoes, try the Queenstown Shopping Center (take bus 195 from Queenstown MRT). Computer stuff, Sim Lim Square is the place (walking distance, i.e. about 20 minutes from Bugis MRT), or you can try Funan Center (the reputed IT Mall) a stone throw's away from the City Hall MRT. High Fidelity equipment - you know, audio equipment that costs big bucks (my boss actually bought this interconnect cable for 2 grand!) - they have this place called the Adelphi directly opposite Funan Center, about 5 minutes walk from City Hall MRT. Groceries, you can get at Carrefour (it's located in Suntec City, about 15 minutes walk from City Hall MRT), reputed among the cheaper places to shop.
Funan Center
Frankly, I would prefer to visit the less-known places. One interesting find is the Peninsular Hotel Shopping Arcade (near City Hall MRT): they have a pretty good guitar shop, and a few shops that are sells cool stuff. Far East Plaza near Orchard MRT, lots of shops that cater for the teen-ager. For something more exotic, try Chinatown and don't miss Yue Hwa (a 5-storey shop that sells products from China). Little India - do not miss Mustafa Center, most stuff here is slightly cheaper (no idea why, but it's true) than anywhere else.
Eating
Eating, my favorite topic. It is said among people in this region that we live to eat, rather than eating to live. And it's true, judging by the variety of food we get here...which is why the years I spend in the US has been so uncomfortable - the food, urgh! There are your common McDonalds's to your Chinese, Malay, Indian food, to food that you can never get anywhere else in the world. Turtle in herbal soup, char kway teow, oh chian, mmmm....oh yes, have to tell you about the Singapore Food Festival that comes every year around July. That's when many of the big hotels, and shopping centers will open up various stalls everywhere in order to promote the food they are carrying. Very interesting, especially if you are adventurous with what you eat.
There even is this list going around the Web, but I have yet to try out most of the food listed, and so do not dare to recommend. However, there is this website that you can visit called the Singapore Unofficial Food Page which you can check out if you're interested. I believe it's created by some crazy guys who have nothing better to do than to visit each store and comment on the food. Hey, guess what, I might even join them some day.
Places that I have tried and tested so far to be good: Boon Tong Kee chicken rice at Balestier Road, Black Pepper Crab (order the Extra Large version) at Long Beach Seafood, Char Koay Teow (wet-type) at Marine Parade Hawker Center, Jian Bo Chwee Kway at Tiong Bahru Market, Tip Top Curry Puff at Blk 722 Ang Mo Kio Central, Laksa at Blk 107 Depot Road...not very many, huh? Anyway, a few hawker places you might consider trying: Chomp Chomp at Serangoon Garden, Tiong Bahru Market and Maxwell Hawker Center.
For something out of the ordinary, you can try ethnic restaurants. Anatolia in Far East Plaza serves Turkish food, Ling Zhi serves vegetarian, and there is this place in Metropole Hotel called the Imperial Herbal Restaurant that serves herbal soup (haven't tried it yet). Indonesian cuisine, the House of Sundanese is recommended. The others, you need to give me time to try it, first.
Watching movies
This must be the favourite leisure activity judging by the number of people going to the movies these days. I used to frequent movie theatres by just asking which ones has the empty seats but not anymore. I realized this thinking is wrong, because in order to really enjoy a movie, one has to have comfortable seats, smaller crowd, bigger screen, and excellent sound. My current favourite place is GV at Plaza Singapura, it's a pretty small hall and the sound is fantastic especially for digital stuff. Do take a break and join the Singaporeans for the favourite past-time, i.e. watching movies: Singapore Movies Website.
Other stuff
Let's see, another big pre-occupation of the people in Singapore is attending concerts. The government is in fact, trying their best, to raise the level of awareness of the Arts in Singapore that every year around June, they would bring in a whole bunch of people - buskers, musicians, mime, theater - for the Singapore Art Festival. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is not too bad if you like an evening of classical music. Do check out the SISTIC website if you're planning a few days here in Singapore. Who knows, you might even be able to get tickets for the show you missed a few weeks ago.
The churches in Singapore are on the brink of a revival right now, such that I would say it is a great idea to attend the services on Sunday. It is prophesied that Singapore will be the Antioch of the region, from which many ministers will arise from this tiny country and bless the nations around it. Do attend one of the many services and you'll know what I mean. Can't wake up early enough for church? No worries, many churches have 3 or 4 services on Sunday to cater for members that reach thousands. I attend this church called Faith Community Baptist Church that has 6 services conducted in English over the week-end across 2 auditoriums (plus 2 in Chinese and one in Filipino). Membership is about 10 thousand (yep, it's 10000), and they have one (well, actually there are 10 bands that rotate every week...maybe more in the future) full 5-piece band that plays cool, worship stuff. They rock, man!
Anyway, for the benefit of those who are interested in coming over to Singapore, or is scouting for great deals to travel in the region, the website below is pretty cool. Check it out!
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most recent update: Jan 13, 2000
Copyright Ng Wei Kwan 1999 all rights reserved
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