Port Guide: Singapore

Don’t be fooled by its size: this tiny island state is crammed with delicious food markets, futuristic urban gardens and a rich cultural tapestry. Tamara Hinson reveals how your customers can make the most of it on their next visit

Singapore has it all. It's pierced by architectural gems such as the Marina Bay Sands resort (famous for its 150-metre rooftop infinity pool) and the shimmering domes of Gardens by the Bay, is legendary, as is the neon-drenched retail paradise of Orchard Road.

But venture further afield and you’ll discover wildlife-filled rainforest, former railways repurposed as hiking and cycling trails, and tiny islands where disused tin quarries have been transformed into nature reserves.

In neighbourhoods such as Joo Chiat, pastel-hued former shophouses have been turned into museums, while Singapore’s hawker centres offer an equally fascinating (and delicious) insight into the past.

Little India’s Tekka Centre, where information boards reveal facts about this vibrant neighbourhood; or Lau Pa Sat, famous for its satay stalls and its beautiful iron roof, shipped from Scotland in the 1890s, are all great options.

These are just a few of the highlights, but no matter where your Singapore jaunt takes you, there are amazing discoveries just waiting to be made.

For foodies

10am Singapore’s Chinatown is a living, breathing symbol of this country’s cultural and ethnic diversity, with a beautiful church, a temple and a mosque all within metres of each other. Put Chinatown’s Sri Mariamman – Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple – at the top of your hit list, with cameras at the ready for its jaw-droppingly ornate, rainbow-hued entrance tower, built in 1827.

11am Another reason to love Chinatown? It’s where you’ll find Nanyang Old Coffee, which has been at the heart of Singapore’s coffee culture since the 1970s. Order a cup of kopi (coffee with condensed milk) and some kaya toast with coconut jam, and watch Chinatown come to life around you.

11.45am Head to Geylang Serai, a vibrant neighbourhood with Singapore’s largest Malay community. Get there before midday and its wet market – the largest in Singapore – will still be in full swing. It’s chaotic and colourful, filled with locals bartering. If hunger strikes, head to one of the nearby cafes for steamed kueh talam
cake and coconut milk. Expect to pay around £3 for five slices.

2pm From Geylang Serai it’s just a short walk to Joo Chiat district, famous for its beautifully preserved Peranakan shophouses. Straits Enclave, at 283A Joo Chiat Road, now houses a small museum founded by a local entrepreneur who has filled it with artefacts relating to his Peranakan heritage, including a beautifully carved wedding chamber (a special bed where newlyweds spent their first night, supervised by the bride’s mother-in-law). For souvenirs, head to Cat Socrates, at 448 Joo Chiat road, for beautiful Peranakan plates.

4.30pm No visit to Singapore is complete without afternoon tea, and a divine example is served daily in the orchid-draped Lobby Lounge of the Mandarin Oriental in Marina Bay. The hotel’s pastry chefs are known for their uniquely regional twists. One recent incarnation – a tribute to Singapore’s rich botanical heritage – included mandarin orange and kumquat compote, as well as savoury treats made with crab, pomelo and lemon. Gardens by the Bay in downtown Singapore has 1.5 million plants hailing from all corners of the globe

For nature fans

10am Take a walk on the wild side and hit the Rail Corridor, a 15-mile hiking and cycling trail on the trackbed of a former railway that once shuttled goods from Singapore to Malaysia. It’s lined with carefully restored buildings (such as the former station master’s quarters) and rewilding projects make it a great spot to admire flora and fauna. Sunda pangolins have been spotted here, and you’ll almost certainly see a monitor lizard or two.

Midday Take a diversion from the route at the former Bukit Timah railway station and head to the Bukit Timah nature reserve, a 163-acre stretch of primary rainforest around Singapore’s highest hill. Bonus pointsi f you spot the cute Malayan colugo, which resembles a flying squirrel. Afterwards, reward your efforts with an ice cream at nearby Udders, a homegrown brand that’s famous for its local flavours, including Thai iced tea.

2pm Gardens by the Bay in downtown Singapore has 1.5 million plants hailing from all
corners of the globe. Start at the Flower Dome – the world’s largest glasshouse – filled with botanical specimens from South America, South Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean. The towering baobabs are a sight to behold, as is the fragrant olive garden.

5pm It’s cocktail o’clock, so raise a glass to your host nation at Pan Pacific Singapore’s beautiful Plume Bar, where drinks honour the country’s birdlife. The Roots cocktail, a twist on a Tom Collins and made with gin and sandalwood, is especially good.

For history buffs

10am The National Museum of Singapore is a great place to learn about the country’s colourful past, although reminders of its rich history are everywhere. Take Fort Canning Park, just off Orchard Road. This rambling green space, filled with cannonball trees, is where ancient kings are said to have been buried on Bukit Larangan (Forbidden Hill). It’s also where British commander General Arthur Percival surrendered to the Japanese in 1942. The park’s eponymous fort was demolished in 1907, but you can still see its two nine-pounder cannons. everyone from Elizabeth Taylor and Charlie Chaplin to Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II. Treat yourself to a historic lunch at The Tiffin Room, which has been expertly restored to its former glory. The menu is inspired by the maharajahs of India, and the Rajasthani lamb curry is outstanding.

2.30pm Sentosa Island is best known for its theme parks, but it’s also a great spot for a history fix. This was once a thriving fishing community, but by the late 1800s several forts and the Mount Imbiah Battery had been built here. At Fort Siloso, Singapore’s last preserved coastal base, you can explore the tunnels once used to store ammunition, and the Surrender Chamber is filled with exhibits relating The Raffles Hotel dates back to 1887… treat yourself to a historic lunch at its expertly restored Tiffin Room to Britain’s infamous 1942 capitulation to the Japanese. Keep an eye out, too, for wildlife – Sentosa is an important stop-off for migratory birds, including the vibrant yellow-rumped flycatcher.

4pm Back on the mainland, make a beeline for Orchard Road’s Design Orchard store, which champions local talent and is a fantastic spot for souvenirs, ranging from traditional snacks (Shermay’s Sweet Potato Crackers are seriously addictive) to homewares and history books.

5pm At the nearby National Gallery, the Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art exhibition will run until 2030, featuring masterpieces from the 1800s alongside modern works. The majority are by Singaporean artists and provide an insight into the history of Singapore and its neighbouring countries, whether you’re looking at beautiful vintage movie posters from the 1950s or Liu Kang’s depictions of workers in a local brick factory.