An Insider’s Guide to Singapore: Part 1

Posted on 13 June, 2019

Much like Canberra, the real Singapore hides behind its thin veil of orderliness, belying its true nature.

If you take a peek behind the curtain, scrape away the exterior varnish of high-end shopping and shiny hotels that this city is famous for, you will find a wealth of cultural wonders spanning the gamut of interests and desires of every traveller.

In the first of a two-part series, we present an insider’s guide to Singapore—in this article, you’ll discover where to shop and play like a local.

Shop Like A Local

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A few hours spent amongst the high-end shops on Orchard Road may leave you with the impression that Singapore is only for the rich, but behind this glitzy facade, the city hides a heart that beats for boutiques, thrift shops and antiques stores.

Hankering for something unique? Head to the quirky Haji Lane in Kampong Glam where small, independent boutiques are the order of the day. Head out in the early evening, do a spot of shopping and watch the bars and cafes come alive at night.

At Hock Siong & Co on Kampong Ampat, they will tell you that every item comes with a special story. Specialising in secondhand furniture and homewares, you can hunt down that eclectic piece to brighten your day.

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If mid-century modern is your vibe then Second Charm on Kallang Avenue is your go-to. This curated collection of furniture both vintage and reproduction are what your mid-century dreams are made of.

For a wild antiques adventure hunt down Antiques Row. This jumble of antique stores on Turf Club Road is out of the way but worth it for the step back in time.

This row of stores is less curated and more crazed than the other recommendations but digging around for your unique piece is half the fun. Head to Junkie’s Corner for a Treasure Hunt style shopping experience.

Leisure Time Like A Local

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Although Singapore is the second most densely populated country in the world, it still somehow manages to cram in gardens and green spaces for the locals to relax away from the traffic and skyscrapers.

Fort Canning Park recently opened nine new garden spaces with different themes to wander and explore. Take a jog around the park’s pathways or sit by a pond and watch the waterlilies bobbing.

The National Orchid Garden located within the Botanic Gardens is located only five minutes from Orchard Road and offer a spectacular sanctuary to escape the city.

Singapore is crisscrossed with more than 150 kilometres of cycle paths where, on any given day, you will find locals and tourists enjoying riding away from the busy roads.

Punggol Waterway Park is a haven for cyclists and the cycleways are linked into the park connector network where you can traverse the cities paths via a well-maintained network of pathways.

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The country of Singapore consists of 62 offshore islands many of which are easily accessible from the main island. Harbouring Universal Studios and the Hard Rock Hotel most tourists will head to Sentosa (feature image), but for a mere $3 and a five-minute ferry ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal you can get to Pulau Ubin where you can explore the wetlands, picnic on the beach and do some bird-watching.

The tourist board claim that the island, with its gravel roads and lush forests, is a living showcase of what 1960s Singapore was like so take that rare chance to experience another era.

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You may not find too many locals here, but you will find white tigers, pygmy hippos, and even naked mole rats here at Singapore Zoo.

The 26-hectare wildlife park, home to over 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles, has been providing exciting wildlife experiences to visitors for over 40 years. A fantastic place to spend an entire fascinating day.