Singapore is a dynamic, unique and tiny city island, and the gateway to Southeast Asia. A bridge between the East and the West for centuries, it is a veritable melting pot of cultures, peoples, ideas and traditions.
Changi airport in Singapore is a marvel, voted the world’s best airport. With a wide range of facilities and services, it is a travel experience in its own. However, on a day stopover in Singapore, you shouldn’t be limited to just seeing the airport. There is an array of things to see and do in just a one day stopover.
Singapore Zoo
For an early morning arrival, take the train to Choa Ku Chang Station and a short bus ride on the 138 bus will take you to Singapore Zoo. Voted the World’s Best Zoo by Forbes in 2007, this 28 hectare zoo lets you experience some magnificent wildlife in a natural and open setting.
The Jungle Breakfast is served from 9-10 am daily for a cost of S$18, where you can feed amongst the Oran tangs, oriental small-clawed otters and even a python.
If you arrive at night, be sure to take the Night Safari to catch more than 1,200 nocturnal animals in the zoo’s secondary forest. The zoo is open daily from 8.30am-6pm, with night opening open from 5pm. Entry is S$18 for adults and S$9.
Uniquely Singapore Tour
If you have at least two hours to spare, jump on a free Singapore tour bus. There are two options to choose from: the colonial tour, which traces Singapore’s colonial heritage; and the cultural tour, to learn about Singapore’s culture and customs through sites, sounds and smells. Tours depart daily from various pickup points around the city. Buses are marked with ‘Uniquely Singapore Tour’.
Raffles Hotel
As the iconic landmark of Singapore and the city’s most famous ‘Grande Dame’, Raffles Hotel is a must-see landmark for any visitor to Singapore. The charming and grandiose structure, built in 1887, has been an inspiration for many writers and other celebrities, including Charlie Chaplin, Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling.
Home to the Singapore Sling, Raffles is located on Beach Road at City Hall Station, and the Victorian-style Jubilee Hall houses over 70 retail stores including luxury names such as Tiffany’s and Louis Vuitton.
Picnic in Pasir Ris Park
Close to Changi airport, on the northeast coast of Singapore is Paris Ris Park, 70 hectares of open space for pond-fishing, roller-blading, bike-riding and canoeing, as well as a host of indoor activities such as pool.
A great spot to grab an early evening picnic and watch the sunset, before heading back to the airport. This park is fast becoming of one Singapore’s most popular tourist attractions, equipped with even a six hectare mangrove forest with walking tracks to discover some of the local exotic flora and fauna.
How to Get from Changi Airport to Singapore City
There are a wide range of transport options to get into Singapore city from the airport. On a day trip, the cheapest and most efficient is the MRT Train. Located under terminals 2 and 3, a single fare costs around S$2.70 and takes around 27 minutes.
More information about Singapore tours and attractions can be found at the Uniquely Singapore website.
