Day 1: Arrival and Check-in
The hostel I booked in advance is called BEAT. Sports Hostel. I was initially worried about how to check in since there’s no front desk service after 7 PM. However, the day before my arrival, they emailed me the building’s access code in case I arrived late. They informed me that my key and bed number would be in an envelope at the front desk for self-pickup. All I had to do was send a photo of my passport to their email to confirm my check-in. That put my mind at ease.
When I arrived, I was the first one in the room, giving me the strange feeling that the entire place was mine. The bathroom had a shower inside, and everything was clean. There was a water dispenser in the common area. However, there were no drying racks, and using the dryer costs extra and is only available during the day, so I decided to skip it.
Later in the evening, an Indian woman joined the room. In the middle of the night, a Dutch backpacker girl also checked in. And just like that, the night passed.
Day 2: Popular Attractions
Itinerary: Sultan Mosque → Kampong Glam → Haji Lane → Little India → Indian Heritage Centre → Emily Hill Park → Fort Canning Park → National Museum and Art Gallery → Old Hill Street Police Station → Parkroyal on Pickering (Vertical Garden Hotel) → Merlion → Marina Bay Light Show
The focus today was on popular tourist attractions, the kind that group tours typically visit. I skipped Universal Studios on Sentosa since I wasn’t very interested in it, and I figured I could save it for another trip.
The hostel was only about 1 kilometer from Little India, so the original plan was to walk southwest from the Little India area, pass through Chinatown and Merlion Park, and finish with the Supertree Light Show at Gardens by the Bay.
Little India was bustling, with streets lined with colorful garlands for offerings. The arcades were filled with statues, souvenirs, jewelry, and other items. A lively scene unfolded as an Indian vendor tried to sell a carved wooden elephant to a Chinese mother and son, speaking in adorably accented Mandarin, making everyone chuckle.
I spent 8 SGD to visit the Indian Heritage Centre and made a quick tour through the exhibits. While browsing souvenirs on the first floor, an Indian lady approached me and asked if I was one of the guests who had reserved the guided tour. I told her I wasn’t. She mentioned that she was the guide and that an English tour was about to start, inviting me to join and listen for free. Unfortunately, I had already finished my visit, and with the rest of my itinerary waiting, I had to decline the chance to walk through it again.
At the National Gallery Singapore, I mistakenly purchased a teacher/student discount ticket online. After refunding it at the counter, I bought a full-price ticket for 20 SGD and entered the gallery.
The exhibits were extensive, featuring works from local art academies, paintings representing student movements, and pieces by renowned Singaporean artists. The artworks covered various styles and depicted the lives of Malays, Indians, Chinese, and other communities under different social contexts.
There was so much to see, and it was definitely worth the visit.
Merlion Park is one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks, and the square was packed with tourists at this time. A Merlion-shaped ice cream cost 8.9 SGD.
There were too many people lining up to take photos with the large Merlion, so I just took a picture with the smaller one as proof of my visit.
Since it was getting late, I decided to skip Chinatown and head straight to Marina Bay for dinner and the Supertree light show.
As I exited the station, a torrential downpour began, and many people gathered at the exit to avoid the rain. With only a small umbrella, I carefully made my way to the food court. Behind me was a big family of seven or eight, adults and kids alike, marching together under a large black rain cover, moving in unison towards the dining area. It was such a joyful and harmonious sight that it reminded me of the fun family sports days from my elementary and middle school years.
At the food court, I had a small portion of satay. I wasn’t very hungry, but the skewers were delicious.
At night, the Supertrees at Marina Bay are a mesmerizing sight. Illuminated with vibrant colors, they create a surreal atmosphere against the night sky. The light and sound show enhances the experience, with the Supertrees glowing and shifting in sync with the music. Surrounded by the skyline of Singapore, the scene is both magical and futuristic, making it a perfect way to end the day.
Day 3: Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions
Itinerary: MacRitchie Reservoir → Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (via Kranji Coastal) → Nanyang Technological University
On the third day, the goal was to explore less touristy attractions located farther from the city center, embracing a low-carbon adventure using public transportation. After reading some travel recommendations, I decided on MacRitchie Reservoir and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
At MacRitchie Reservoir, the entrance was lively with local students and athletes preparing for kayaking on the lake. There was a small pavilion nearby renting out kayaks, creating a vibrant, sporty atmosphere.
MacRitchie Reservoir Hike
Next, I embarked on the MacRitchie hiking trail—and immediately regretted it. The terrain was not suitable for sandals, and I hadn’t brought proper walking shoes. The hike was longer than expected, and getting through it felt like a challenge.
Along the way, I noticed many fellow hikers, some of whom seemed to be international visitors. I overheard a variety of accents in both English and Chinese. Most were wearing hiking or quick-dry athletic shoes, while I was the odd one out in sandals.
Occasionally, macaques appeared along the shaded paths, though they kept their distance and didn’t behave aggressively—just curiously watching us. Local laws prohibit feeding the monkeys, which seems to be one of MacRitchie’s unique attractions.
Kranji Park – Beware of Crocodiles
I walked to a seaside boardwalk, with a view of Johor Bahru in Malaysia across the water—it looked vibrant.
Feeling hungry, I followed Google Maps to a restaurant called Bistro by Gardenasia that was open. Finally, I had my first proper meal of the day—grilled steak. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious.
On the way back, I realized that the 925M bus in Kranji Park doesn’t operate on weekends, so I had to retrace my steps to the starting point and take the 925 bus to Kranji MRT Station to transfer to the subway.
A local friend recommended a lesser-known attraction to me: Sembawang Hot Spring Park. It’s a natural hot spring where people soak their feet, boil eggs, and even wash clothes.
Actually, my original plan was to visit Sungei Buloh, but I ended up exploring Kranji Park by mistake.
The Hive building at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is off-limits to visitors.
On the bus to NTU, many returning students were chatting with each other. Behind me sat two male students—one from China and the other from an unknown place. The Chinese student talked about why he chose to study in Singapore. He mentioned that although the cost of living is high and generally unaffordable, he still preferred studying in Singapore over South Korea. The other student asked why he didn’t go to South Korea, and the Chinese student replied that studying there would require learning Korean. After that, their conversation shifted to other topics.
Initially, I had planned to hike the Southern Ridges on the second day, but as things often go, the plan couldn’t keep up with reality. It was getting late, and I was tired from the day’s activities, so I decided to skip it. It seems I’ll have to save the Southern Ridges for my next trip to Singapore.
Day 4: Zoo Day
Itinerary: Singapore Zoo → Jurong Bird Park → River Safari → Night Safari
I bought the tickets from the official website, booking them two weeks in advance. The total cost for all four parks was $90, including a time slot for entry to the Night Safari.
There was one unpleasant experience: I entered the zoo at 9:20 AM, and within a short time, I got seven mosquito bites on my legs from black-and-white mosquitoes. The itching lasted for four days. Surprisingly, even when hiking at MacRitchie and Kranji in shorts, I didn’t get a single bite.
To make the most of the shows, I downloaded the Mandai app, the official app for Singapore’s wildlife parks.
Shortly after entering the zoo, the sea lion show (Marine Animals Show) began. The Indian host was incredibly enthusiastic, and his energy made the whole audience feel engaged and excited.
After exploring the zoo, I moved on to the Bird Park, taking it at a more relaxed pace since I couldn’t secure a seat for the Once Upon a River capybara show at the River Safari through the Mandai app. I suspect some people may have reserved their spots through other channels in advance.
The Bird Park is divided into different zones: Asia, Africa, Amazon, and Australia, each showcasing a variety of unique birds. The exhibits were impressive, with feeding stations placed very close to the walkways, allowing visitors to get up close to the birds as they ate. There was even an Antarctic section featuring penguins.
The exhibit featured macaws from the Americas and African grey parrots, both known for their ability to mimic human speech.
While exploring, I witnessed a funny moment—a green bird suddenly landed on a visitor’s phone, and I managed to capture this perfect shot!
The River Safari features fish species and other reptiles from various rivers around the world. The park also houses Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the giant pandas gifted to Singapore by China, with a dedicated exhibit just for them.
The official opening time for the Night Safari is 7:15 PM, but they started letting people in as early as 6:50 PM. Since I had booked the 7:30 PM Creatures of the Night show, I only walked a short distance before heading back to the entrance area to watch the performance.
The staff mentioned that to see all the animals, I’d need to take the walking trails, as the tram ride only covers most of them. However, after a full day of exploring, I was too exhausted to walk any further, so I skipped the trails—though it felt a bit regrettable.
I took the bus directly back to the hostel.
Day 4
Itinerary: War Memorial Park → Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay → Merlion Park;
East Coast Park → Marina Barrage → Gardens by the Bay → Chinatown → Lau Pa Sat → Changi Airport
Today was my final day in Singapore, and I planned to revisit places I missed or wanted to see again.
Since I had to check out by 11 AM, and the hostel’s front desk only operates from 10 AM to 7 PM, I made sure to check out between 10 and 11.
In the morning, I bumped into my Latin roommate as I was leaving. She asked if I’d be coming back later, and I told her I was heading out for the day. We said our goodbyes—it would likely be the last time we saw each other.
On my way to the Esplanade, I passed by a war memorial park that honors the civilians massacred during Japan’s occupation of Singapore. The structure is visible from a distance, standing as a solemn reminder of history.
I crossed the Jubilee Bridge and visited Merlion Park for the second time. This time, there were fewer tourists, and I managed to capture a clean photo of the Merlion statue without any crowds in the background. I also bought a few souvenirs from the square.
It was almost time for the hostel’s front desk to open, so I hurried back to check out. When I asked to store my luggage, they informed me that I had to retrieve it by 7 PM, as no staff would be on duty afterward. They advised against storing it if I couldn’t be sure of retrieving it in time.
To be safe, I searched online and contacted a capsule hostel near Chinatown, which offers 24-hour front desk service. Although I wasn’t staying there, they charged 10 SGD for storing luggage for a day—an acceptable price. Knowing I had a backup plan gave me peace of mind, though in the end, I didn’t need to use it.
Next, I headed to the beach—no trip to a tropical island like Singapore would be complete without visiting the seaside. Since West Coast Park was too far, I opted for East Coast Park instead.
On the bus ride, we passed by Little India’s Lawnmadu area, and I managed to snap a photo of Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.
East Coast Park
The transition from the sea to the beach, grass, and forest matches my impression of a tropical beach in Southeast Asia.
The Marina Barrage, located on the eastern side of Gardens by the Bay, has a viewing platform where you can see cargo and commercial ships in the distant Singapore Strait. The view is quite nice.
The ArtScience Museum in Singapore is shaped like a giant lotus.
The shopping mall features a Rain Oculus, an art installation for rainwater collection. At intervals, it releases a massive waterfall.
At Jewel Changi, the waterfall changes colors at night.
