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Also known as the ‘Lion City’, Singapore is the only island city-state in the world. And though no lions have ever existed in the wild here, its name was derived from its Malay name, which roughly translates to ‘lion city’. Here are some of the sights of Singapore you should definitely visit on a quick stopover.
Merlion Park
Arguably the most popular landmark in Singapore, Merlion Park is home to the iconic statue of a mythical creature known as the Merlion which has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The Merlion emblem is very symbolic to Singapore from a tourism point of view, and the statue of it is one of the most visited places in the country. At the park is the original Merlion statue and the Merlion cub statue which is a smaller version. Did you know there are actually seven approved Merlion statues in Singapore? The original and its cub are the most well-known ones.
MacRitchie Nature Trail
Hiking trails at MacRitchie Reservoir Park are perfect for nature lovers as you get to walk and enjoy the native biodiversity of Singapore. Venture along the edge of the reservoir’s waters and head into the forest where you might bump into some wildlife. Kayaking in MacRitchie Reservoir Park is also one of the many options for recreational activities.
Gardens by the Bay
Located in Marina Bay is Gardens by the Bay, a nature park of 101 hectares consisting of three waterfront gardens – Bay East Garden, Bay South Garden and Bay Central Garden. There are lots of attractions in each of the gardens, such as Cloud Forest, which is an indoor enclosed garden consisting of diverse vegetation in a simulated mountainous environment. There’s also the Flower Dome, which is currently the largest glass greenhouse in the world! In here you’ll find a vast array of plants and flowers from Mediterranean and semi-arid areas. Looking for a spot of food after all that walking? Head towards the back of the gardens and look for the famous Satay by the Bay markets. With fresh, succulent skewers, fresh seafood and cold beer you won’t ever want to leave.
Marina Bay
Marina Bay consists of both the bay and the surrounding area that extends the CBD of Singapore. You can admire the views of the Singaporean skyline with the Marina Bay Sands and the SkyPark serving as a great example of architectural design by Moshe Safdie, a renowned architect. Hotel guests of the Marina Bay Sands can enter the SkyPark free of charge, but you can buy tickets to the observation deck where you can get a 360 degree view of Singapore from the top. Or if you feel like splurging, why not stay at the hotel? With five star service, stunning vistas, and world class architecture, it will surely be the best night’s sleep of your life!
Singapore Zoo
With 11 different zones, Singapore Zoo features many distinctive wildlife and wildlife habitats from around the world, such as the Australasia exhibit and its marsupials, Primate Kingdom and the Reptile Garden. There are also daily shows you can watch including the Splash Safari Show which features a California sea lion, and the Rainforest Fights Back Show which revolves around promoting the protection of the environment from deforestation. If you find this one interesting, you might want to check out the neighbouring Night Safari and River Safari which are also operated by the same company.
Bio:
Olivia Bourke moved from the US to Sydney in the last year, and can’t look back. Apart from escaping the bustling city for short trips abroad, Sydney is her new home, and she is loving it. Olivia just came back from a trip to Sri Lanka, stopping over in Singapore on her way home. She was fascinated by the colour and culture of both countries, and is currently planning her next overseas adventure.
Instagram – OliBLost
Blog – GreatLost.com
