Ways To Explore The Lion City Of Singapore
July 19th, 2008 by Alex TanWithout a doubt, Singapore is one of the best places to explore in Asia. The Singapore Tourism Board made sure all avenues (and foot paths and rivers) are exhausted for the delight of first-time and repeat visitors. Not only has it preserved its heritage sites and developed events, but it has also partnered up with local entrepreneurs to give sightseers multiple means to lap up the spectacles of Singapore.
BY FOOT:
The Original Singapore Walks - Choose from 9 different trails exploring the lesser-known sides of the Lion City. Whether visiting a 14th century tomb or the red-light district of Chinatown (no kids!), this unique experience designed by Journeys will reveal aspects of Singapore that you won’t get through books.
BY BUS:
SIA Hop-On - a tour bus service that offers unlimited air-conditioned rides to over 20 of the most popular attractions. Get down from any pre-selected point, visit as long as you like, then get hop on back up the next incoming bus.
Free City Tours - Exclusively for transit passengers who have at least five hours to spare, this two-hour city tour operates daily at regular intervals. There are two fascinating choices:
- The Colonial Tour retraces the momentous footsteps of the island’s colonial past, from its days as a quaint fishing village to a metropolis on the go.
- The Cultural Tour takes you around the ethnic cultures and architectural wonders of Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India, and Katong.
BY MRT:
The metro trains run every day from 5:30 am to midnight. Each ride costs between SGD 0.90 to 3.00, with single-trip and EZ-Link cards available at the stations.
BY MULTIPLE TERRAINS:
Singapore DUCKtours - Savvy local entrepreneurs converted some Vietnam War-era surplus amphibious crafts into a fun touring craft, able to take passengers to both land and water attractions along an hour-long heritage trail. Starting from Suntec City, the DUCK tours such stops as the Merlion Park and City Hall.
FunVee DUKW - A collection of open-top buses, trishaws, and vintage amphibious boats await your company on such tours as The Lunch Trail with Fengshui Highlights, Open Top Night Trail and LandSeaSky Amphibious trail.
BY TAXI:
Hire a taxi driver who will double as your licensed tour guide to show you around the island. Customize routes and schedules to include the best hawker fare or a typical Singaporean neighborhood.
BY TRISHAW:
If you haven’t guessed yet, a trishaw is a bicycle-powered rickshaw. Engage a licensed operator to take you around pre-set itineraries in Little India or Chinatown. It’s the easy yet green way to take in all the sights and smells!
BY RIVER:
Take the bumboat of yesteryear, the open-top boat, or the air-conditioned glasstop boat to explore the historic Singapore River. Step on Raffle’s landing site or patronize a performance at the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. At sunset, join the locals and other visitors for a drink, a meal, and lots of partying. There are stops at the Esplanade - Theatres, Boat Quay, Merlion Park and Clarke Quay.
BY SEA:
A lot of cruises are available for the southern islands of Kusu, St. John’s, Sisters and Lazarus with meals served throughout the ride.
BY AIR:
The DHL Balloon Ride - you can reach the ride from Bugis Street by following the giant yellow-and-red helium balloon peeking over building tops. Floating majestically at 150 meters, this tethered trip allows for a 360-degree view of downtown Singapore, barring strong winds and rains.
The Singapore Flyer - Currently the tallest observation wheel in the world, passengers aboard the Flyer can thrill over the breath-taking view of Marina Bay and the City Hall district. For a detailed look, check out AsiaHotels blog’s dedicated article on the Singapore Flyer.
Feel free to pick and choose your course of travel, based on funds and time. And if you haven’t had enough, just come back next time and try the rest of the ways to see the Lion City.
From castles to shopping malls and business districts, 
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July 19th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Great info - keep up the great work.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I like the bus, and great, thanks for the info
July 25th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Great article Alex! I would love to try the DHL Balloon Ride
August 15th, 2008 at 9:03 am
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