Let me preface this by saying that this review focuses primarily on photogenic destinations and requires a fair amount of resilience. If you're looking for a chic review about shopping on Orchard Road, indulging in Godiva ice cream, or taking selfies with Minions at USS, you won't find it here. Instead, I recommend searching for "Singapore Pantip" on Google. I'm sure you'll find many helpful reviewers who have already covered those topics.

In my part, I will take you to other beautiful and interesting places in Singapore, such as The Southern Ridge and Marina Barrage. These places have become increasingly popular in recent years, so I hope this review will help to highlight the beauty and appeal of another side of Singapore.

This trip took a total of 3 nights and 3 days. Simply put, we, as salaried employees, have to ask our boss for a day off on Friday. We start our journey on Thursday evening, so we will have time to travel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

We went a total of 13 people, which is almost like closing the department (we started with 5 people). But since our friends have a wide variety of travel styles, we divided into teams A, B, and C. My team focused on taking photos (with 1-2 members, haha), and there were also teams for Food and Shopping. However, all 13 of us would eat breakfast together. Therefore, this review will include some good restaurants, and I give credit to my sister, who is a food expert, for helping us find famous restaurants. As for the entrance fees to various places, I give credit to my shopping-savvy friends for finding cheap ticket deals.

Travel Itinerary

Thursday: Arrive at work early and diligently. Travel to Singapore by plane in the evening.

Friday: Sentosa Island (S.E.A Aquarium, Palawan Beach)

Saturday: Southern Ridge - Garden by the Bay - Marina Barrage

Sunday: Chinatown

Every morning/every night: Wandering around Marina Bay

Budget

The total cost of this trip was 7,127 baht, including everything. The breakdown is as follows:

1. Transportation 3,764 THB >>> This trip, I waited for a long time for a flight ticket promotion. Finally, I got an Airasia round-trip promotion for 3,152 THB. The rest is the cost of sMrt and Bus to various places in Singapore.

2. Hostel 952 THB >>> I stayed at Blissful Loft, a dorm located opposite Clark Quay, not far from the train station and within walking distance of the Merlion. I also got a discount from Airasia Go. This price is for 2 nights.

3. Food 1,032 baht >>> This was a major issue for this trip, as the cost of living in this country is quite high. Even a bottle of Coke costs 70 baht. However, we were able to save money by eating at food courts. Also, the tap water here is safe to drink.

4. Attraction 999 THB >>> This is the entrance fee for S.E.A Aquarium + Dome in Garden by the Bay. My brother found a ticket promotion during the Thailand Tourism Festival, which helped reduce the price significantly. Other than that,

5. Sim Card 378 Baht >>> Since I was traveling with a large group and we were splitting up, I had to buy one when we met up. But if you're coming alone, you don't need one. It's very easy to get around here, and you hardly need to use Google Maps.

Items to bring

1. Hats and sunscreen are very important. This country is near the equator, so the sun is very strong.

2. Water bottle/Empty bottle As mentioned, to refill drinking water Bottled water is expensive There will also be water refill points at tourist attractions.

3. Shoes with good support, because the place is too small to travel by car, but big enough to make your feet swollen from walking.

4. Camera: For this trip, I used a Fuji X-E2 with three lenses: 18-135/10-24/35 + Xiaomi yi (for Timelapse). A tripod is essential because this place is a Cityscape paradise. At night, the buildings and houses compete to light up, making it a dazzling sight.

Day 1: To Singapore

This trip, I took a flight from Don Mueang at 6:50 pm. The flight took about 2 and a half hours to reach Changi Airport, which is one hour ahead of Thailand. So, the arrival time was 10:20 pm. Since it was a late-night flight that I booked solely for the price, it would be past midnight by the time I got into the city. So, I planned to sleep at the airport and then take the earliest SMRT train (5:30 am) out of the airport in the morning.

Flights from Don Mueang will arrive at Terminal 1. Before going to immigration, it will be quite a distance, and we will pass through the Arrival Hall, which will be full of shops. For those who are in transit, you can take the Sky Train to Terminal 2 and 3 from this point. At first, we were going to sleep at Terminal 2 so that we could take the sMRT into the city in the morning, so we took the Sky Train to Terminal 2 and then queued up to go through immigration. But the security guard came over and asked to see our tickets while we were queuing. He found that if our flight landed at Terminal 1, we had to go through immigration at Terminal 1 only. So we had to walk back with our heads down and take the Sky Train again.

The immigration checkpoint here is very fast, it takes less than 5 minutes per person. Then you can just walk out. The first thing we did was to buy a SIM card, which is available at the money exchange counter. The best deal when I went was $15 for 5 days, with 300 minutes of calls and 4 GB of data. I was only there for 3 days, so it was more than enough for me.

It's past midnight now, time to find a place to sleep. The place where we came out was quite crowded and there were no seats. So we walked around for a while and here's a summary:

  • Terminal 1 Level 2 Departure floor, the far left and right corners have long chairs without armrests that you can sleep on. But the downside is that it's noisy and crowded, as people are constantly coming in to board their flights. And it's far from the bathroom.
  • Viewing Mall is located on Terminal 1 Level 3, take the escalator up from the Departure floor. When you get up, look for KFC and walk to the front of the store, you will see a sign pointing the way. It's an open space that's quiet, close to the bathroom, and not crowded. But you'll have to sleep on the floor here, as shown in the picture. If you can manage to sleep behind a pillar, it will be very comfortable, private, and the lights are dim. That's where we slept.
  • Terminal 3, the way down to the Sky Train is an open space, quiet, not crowded, and very spacious. It might be a bit far from the bathroom.

It is recommended to bring something to sleep on, such as a sleeping bag, as it gets very cold at night.

Day 2: The Island of The Island

05.30 After a good night's sleep at the Viewing Hall, we headed to Terminal 3 to take the sMRT into town (the signs to the train might be a bit confusing, but just head straight to Terminal 3). At the entrance to the station, there is an Ezlink card counter, but it opens at 7 am, so we had to buy tickets from the machine first. My accommodation is at Clark Quay Station (pronounced Clark-Key), a hostel called Blissful Loft. I booked it from Airasia Go during a promotion for around 400 baht per night. I couldn't check in yet because it was still early, but the owner, Mr. Jizen, was kind enough to let us shower and have some bread and coffee from the hostel.

This morning, we went to the famous Ya Kun Kaya Toast shop on China Street for breakfast. It's not far from my accommodation. On the way, we passed by buildings with strange shapes, various street art, and sculptures, which can be found all over Singapore.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/b3U9tXiwt9B2



Location : https://goo.gl/maps/ZAAMtqYTEww


The Ya Kun menu is divided into sets A, B, and C, which differ according to the type of bread: kaya toast, peanut butter toast, and French toast with kaya. It is served with two soft-boiled eggs and a hot/cold drink for 5-6 dollars. The portion size is sufficient. The kaya here is much sweeter than what we have at home.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/bQGNHdiAQVS2

After finishing our meal, we walked to the China Town station to take the sMRT to Harbor Front station. Our destination was Sentosa Island. Harbor Front station is connected to Vivo City mall. We went to the 3rd floor of the mall to board the Sentosa Express to Sentosa Island. If you have an Ezlink or NET FlashPay card, you can scan your card to enter and skip the queue to buy tickets.

You can check the sMRT route from this website. http://journey.smrt.com.sg/ Just enter the starting point and destination, the website will tell you the fastest train/bus line, including the estimated time. As for the sMRT fare, you can check it on this website. http://goo.gl/OxrfpD

Sentosa Island has three Sentosa Express stations: Waterfront, Imbiah, and Beach Station. Waterfront Station is home to Resorts World Sentosa (USS, SEA). Imbiah Station is located right next to the Merlion statue, while Beach Station is the terminal station that leads to Palawan Beach and Siloso Beach. We first went to Waterfront Station, where I planned to visit the S.E.A Aquarium until noon. In the afternoon, I would walk around and see other parts of Sentosa Island. The S.E.A Aquarium advertises itself as the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia (S.E.A). However, in terms of water volume, it is the second largest in the world, after China.

The first room is like a museum, showcasing the maritime trade of each country in Southeast Asia. The highlight is the giant Zheng He treasure ship that stands tall to welcome visitors. Zheng He, a Chinese captain, sailed his ship as far as the African continent and brought back rhinoceroses and giraffes to China. The Chinese believe that the giraffe is the mythical Qilin.

After passing the first room, we will encounter the Aquarium section, which is divided into zones representing the Java Sea, the Andaman Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Open Ocean.

The best thing about this place is that there are so many fish! So many that you'll get tired of seeing colorful fish. The fish look healthy and happy, and there are a lot of activities to do, like playing around and exploring the big domes.


The highlight of this place is the giant dome, almost the size of a movie theater screen. The lighting is beautiful, with soft club music playing in the background. The star of this tank is the Manta Ray, which is very rare to see. In Thailand, you have to go diving in the Hat Yai area, or even as far as Bali. Standing and watching the Manta Ray swim through hundreds of small fish is the ultimate feeling of happiness.


Around noon, I went out to find lunch to eat. Around USS and S.E.A, most of the restaurants are expensive. The cheap restaurants are located near the Casio front. You have to go down the escalator next to S.E.A.

After finishing my meal, I continued exploring Sentosa Island. Walking past the fountain and up the stairs, you will find the giant Merlion. There are 3 famous Merlions in Singapore, 2 of which are located at Marina Bay: the mother Merlion that spouts water and the baby Merlion standing in the garden behind it. The one at Sentosa is the father Merlion, which does not spout water, but you can climb into its mouth instead (for a fee).

After passing the Merlion, we will find the way to the beach. It will be a downhill path with a strange fountain flowing along the way. If you are too lazy to walk, you can take the Sentosa Express.



At Beach Station, the main attraction is the "Wind of Life" show, but there are also scenic walking areas around. Notably, Palawan Beach has an observation tower on a small island in the middle of the water, which can be reached by crossing a suspension bridge.


After strolling along the beach, I took the Sentosa Express all the way back to Habour Front stn. Then I stopped by my accommodation to charge my camera battery for a bit, preparing for a long night capturing the lights around Marina Bay. Around 5 pm, I headed to Bayfront station. Exiting the station, I came across The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Walking through the mall and out onto the front plaza, I found the walkway along Marina Bay. From this spot, the view of the skyscrapers in the Raffle Place area was truly stunning. I set up my camera to capture the sunset in front of the ArtScience Museum.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/Pet3ioPFLS22


He then walked on to take pictures around the Helix Bridge, which is located nearby.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/bqPXRG4rsH22


Walking on to the Esplanade, luckily there was a small concert going on, so I got to see the light show with music playing in the background.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/sEsH2fdg2o22

Crossing the bridge to the Merlion area, we took a shot back to Marina Bay Sands where we captured the sunset last night.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/bpicMecidWr

The Marina Bay Sands building will have a light show every day at 8:00 PM, 9:30 PM, and 11:00 PM (Saturday-Sunday only). To get a clear view, stand on the Merlion platform. Be sure to arrive on time, as the show is very short, only 13 minutes long.



After the show, I went back to my accommodation at Clark Quay. I wanted to walk back, but my legs wouldn't move anymore. I had been taking photos for a marathon from 6pm to 10pm, and I hadn't eaten dinner yet. So I walked to the sMRT station at Raffle Place. I stopped by 7-11 to buy rice balls and milk to eat back at my accommodation (they had a 2 for 3 sgd deal).

Day 3 : The Jungle in The City

I woke up early today to wait for the sunrise near the Merlion. I went to the wrong place to take pictures. The sun didn't rise directly in front of the ArtScience Museum next to Marine Bay Sand. I couldn't move because I was setting up a camera to take a time-lapse. The best spot is the Merlion square, the same place where I watched the laser show yesterday.


Today we went to Maxell Food Center for breakfast. We got off at China Town station and walked a little further. It's like a food court with many restaurants. The menu we ordered was, of course, Singaporean chicken rice. Honestly, it doesn't taste much different from the Thai version. Only the dipping sauce is different. // Crocodile tongue 555+

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/93bJdpDP8mm


My plan for today is to hike the Southern Ridge in Singapore. This trail consists of four main sections: Telok Blangah Trail, Henderson Wave Trail, Mount Faber Trail, and Marang Trail. The starting point is Alexandra Arch, a unique spiral bridge, and the end point is Vivo City shopping mall. The total distance is about 4 km. There will be a small hill to cross, but the path is not steep and easy to walk. The only downside is the heat.


To get there, take the sMRT to Habourfront Station. Then walk out to the front of Vivo City shopping mall and you will find a bus stop. There is a board with detailed information about each bus route. Look for the bus that goes past the SP Jain sign (routes 98, 61, 100, 160). To board the bus, you can use the same card you used for the sMRT. Board at the front door and tap your card once. When you get off, tap your card again at the back door.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/n2L1h3neBX22

It takes about 10 minutes to get there. When you see the Alexandra Arc bridge, press the button to stop the car. The car will stop a little beyond the bridge. The SP Jain bus stop is easy to spot because the bridge is very large. Once you get off the bus, you can walk up the bridge. This is the starting point of the Telok Blangah Trail.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/TWeZFKYSRCH2

After crossing the bridge, follow the Telok Blangah Trail signs. This section is a raised walkway, which might be a bit scary for those with a fear of heights. There are no trees to provide shade in the initial section, so it's advisable to bring a hat or umbrella. Be aware of the occasional signs warning of wild monkeys in the area.



The elevated walkway will take us higher and higher until we reach Telok Blangah Hill Park, which is the end of the Telok Blangah Trail. There will be a viewing point and the Alkaff Mansion restaurant (but it is likely to be quite expensive). From there, the trail will change to a flat road that continues until we reach the starting point of the second trail, the Henderson Wave Trail.


Location : https://goo.gl/maps/bEjJ1Wtbc852





This trail will be a forest path, not a raised platform like the previous paths. The destination of this trail is the wave-shaped wooden bridge, The Henderson Wave.



At the end of the bridge, we will enter Trail 3, Fable Walk. This section is an uphill climb, and we will walk on the sidewalk along the road, which is not very steep. Along the way, there will be a岔路 leading up to Fable Point, a viewpoint where another Merlion is hidden. However, I did not walk to this point. I understand that the Merlion is standing at Fable Park, so I walked there first, which is the end point of Fable Walk.


Location : https://goo.gl/maps/ktwUK7B4dCL2



Before reaching Fable Park, we will encounter the Cable Car Station, which is the same cable car line used to cross from Vivo City to Sentosa Island. This is the station that continues from Vivo City, and we can also take it back to Vivo City from this point. The price is around $26, which is quite expensive for such a short distance. If you want to enjoy the view, it's okay, but if you want to go down the hill, I recommend walking down as it will be more worthwhile. From this point, it takes about 30 minutes to walk to Vivo City.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/zT6itiT8LRu





After the Cable Car Station, there will be stairs leading down to the last Trail, which is the Marang Trail. It is located just before the fork to Fable Park. Those who have time can stop by and enjoy the view at Fable Park. However, I was short on time, so I stopped by to see the view in front of the park and then hurried down the Marang Trail.



Location : https://goo.gl/maps/LBdMHpGmfsF2



The Marang Trail is a long descent that leads to the bottom. I'm glad I didn't walk up from this way, because the people who walked up were all panting heavily. This trail is a walk in the forest, but there are clear steps. It doesn't take long to reach the bottom, just opposite Vivo City. The sMRT station is on the left-hand side.



I stopped by the food court in the basement of Vivo City for lunch first. Then I took the sMRT to Bugis Station to go to Arab Street and Haji Lane. This street is full of trendy shops, but the prices are not very friendly. This is partly because the cost of living is high, so things that are a little more expensive than usual become super expensive. There are also a few cafes, bars, and some street art. This place opens late, around 11am onwards, but it's open until dark. In my opinion, you don't have to come here because it's just a small alley, unless you have time to spare. If you like street art, I recommend Penang, it's much bigger! 555


Location : https://goo.gl/maps/unopoLsnCxw



The next stop is Garden by the Bay. Take the sMRT to Bayfront Station and follow the signs to Garden by the Bay. This is a large garden, so if you have time, you can spend almost the whole day here. The garden is also next to Marina Barrage.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/wMp1fQiN6e32



Garden by the Bay is divided into 3 main parts. As soon as you enter, you will find the first part, which is a garden that simulates the plants of each country, such as Chinese and Indian gardens. This garden can be visited all day long, but it will be a bit dark at night with few lights. The second part is the famous Supertree, located right in the middle of GBB. During the day, it looks like a giant, oddly shaped pillar, but at night, it lights up with beautiful twinkling lights. There is also a light show twice a day at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm called The Garden Rhapsody. This is a show you should not miss! The last part is the two large Domes, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. These two Domes have an entrance fee and the tickets are sold in pairs. It is recommended to buy them from the tourism fair in Thailand or Sea Wheel in China Town, as they are cheaper than buying them at the entrance.

In my opinion, the Cloud Forest is much more impressive and worth the ticket price than the Flower Dome. The Cloud Forest is like a giant greenhouse that simulates a high-altitude rainforest, with lots of moss, ferns, and strange carnivorous plants. The walkway gradually ascends to the top of the dome (there is a lift for those who are too lazy to walk). There are also times when they release fog, which I didn't see when I went, but my friend who did said it was beautiful.


As I left the Cloud Forest, the evening light was starting to come in, so I didn't go into the Flower Dome yet, but walked on to the Marina Barrage, which is located behind the Garden by the Bay. The Marina Barrage is a dam with a raised grass field on top. To put it simply, it's like a combination of Chatuchak Park and Sanam Luang for Singaporeans. The grass field is full of city dwellers who come to eat, sleep, fly kites, and enjoy other outdoor activities. But the highlight of this place is that you can get a clear view of the Singapore city skyline from a distance. In the evening, when the sun is about to set, it's even more beautiful.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/8L7grrX6BJv


The sun had set, and I hurried back to the Flower Dome. Although Garden by the Bay has no closing time, these domes close at 9 pm. The last entry is at 8:30 pm, so we made it just in time to take a quick look around the dome. Inside the dome, the plants are divided by country, and each country has different types of plants. Compared to the Cloud Forest, this garden is smaller and not as spectacular. However, if you are someone who likes rare and unusual plants, you will probably enjoy this dome.


The last highlight we will visit is the Super Trees and the famous light show, The Garden Rhapsody. It will be shown twice a night, at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm. You should definitely see this show. Normally, the Super Trees will have some lights on, but in this show, they will be turned on to the fullest. When you arrive, you can choose a seat in the courtyard. Sitting on the floor and looking up is the most convenient way to watch. Some people even lie down to watch.



Actually, we can walk on the walkway connecting the Supertrees. It's called the OCBC Sky Walk. It costs $5 per person to go up. I didn't go up because they stopped selling tickets at 8pm. I didn't make it in time. 555

For those who are looking for something to eat, there is a restaurant in front of the Supertrees. There are everything from luxury restaurants to fast food restaurants. The price will be a bit higher than outside. And another place is at the end of the garden before reaching Marina Barrage. It will not be as luxurious as the one in front of the Supertrees. We got a discount card for food from the Thai tourism event. So we can eat here without hurting our wallets too much. 5555 After eating, we went back to walk at Clark Quay. It is a place next to our accommodation. But we chose to visit it last.

Clark Quay is basically Thonglor in the middle of the water. The layout here is a circle, divided into sub-alleys. Each alley leads to a central courtyard. The outer perimeter is lined with restaurants, pubs & restaurants selling seafood and playing chill music. But the closer you get to the center, the more hardcore it gets. The area around the central courtyard is almost all pubs. The cost is not cheap either. My friend asked me and the price to open a bottle of liquor is $150.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/jewz7783Nam



After a long walk, I returned to my accommodation to rest. I needed to recharge my batteries as I was going to take photos of the sunrise again in the morning.

Day 4: Chinese Sunday


This morning I went to photograph the sunrise in front of the Merlion as usual. This trip was very lucky because the weather was good every day, no rain at all. But in exchange for the open sky, there were no beautiful clouds to photograph. Today I didn't miss it and stood in the right corner, but there were many more people than yesterday. Photographers were setting up their tripods everywhere.



After that, we went to eat at Tak Po, a famous dim sum restaurant in China Town. You can walk there from the sMRT China Town station. The highlight of the day was the frog leg congee, which my friend who came with me recommended. This meal cost 13.5$ (congee + dim sum), making it the most expensive meal of the trip.

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/5s3mDR8RrhJ2





The price is a bit high, but the taste is good. The meat is soft and bouncy, like frog meat. There is also a version with chili paste, which should go well with the frog meat. Then I went to the last tourist spot before returning, which is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The temple is not far from Tak Po restaurant and is located on the way to Chinatown station. I actually walked past it many times, but I only got to see it today.
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/fdbrtHkwpgr





This temple has an elevator to each floor. The Crystal Buddha is also located on the top floor (no photography allowed). There is also a small rooftop garden where you can walk around.




Actually, there is another Hindu temple on the way to Chinatown called Sri Mariamman Temple, but I didn't go in. I just took a picture from the front because I had to hurry back to pack my things and go to the airport to send some friends back first. This temple charges a fee for taking pictures, and there are many places where you are not allowed to take pictures. If you are going to visit, please do some research beforehand.
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/ZzTBNJGxQr52



Changi Airport has restaurants and markets in the basement. You can grab a bite to eat before you go. Make sure you know which terminal you need to return to. After passing through immigration, you will find a tax refund point and a huge number of duty-free shops. I also used the method of finding a restaurant that was not too expensive, eating with them, and then sitting for a long time waiting for my return trip.


The tourist attractions in this trip are just a part of Singapore. I went to the important landmarks and beautiful hidden places around. But on the other side of the country, there are many more hidden places to visit, such as the Zoo family, which I heard is as spectacular as the S.E.A Aquarium. The border area near Johor Bahru allows you to cross over to Malaysia for a visit. If you have a lot of time, you can travel from Singapore to Malaysia. There are also various National Parks hidden in Singapore. Besides The Southern Ridge, there are many other trails that are just as worth walking.


Thank you all for following. See you again.




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