Destinations, Travel tips, Festivals and Public Holidays
Parks, Gardens & Nature Reserves
Holiday Destinations & Tourist Attractions in Singapore
Jul 20th
Where to go in Singapore? What are the popular destinations? What are the places of interest in Singapore?
We got asked these questions quite frequently.
Singapore is one of the most amazing places in the world to go on a vacation with incredible tourist attractions, great nightlife, awesome cuisines and wonderful spa retreats.
A lot of people like to go on a Singapore holiday in order to make the best of their vacations and have a great time with their friends and family. It is a shockingly modern city and a fantastic place to visit during the holidays. It has a great deal of almost everything to offer to its visitors. The major tourist attractions will leave you bewitched with its charm.
So to give you a bit of overview, here we compile a list of Popular Holiday Destinations & Tourist Attractions in Singapore
Sentosa Island
Sentosa island is the undisputed No 1 most popular holiday destination of Singapore. In brief, it is a whole island converted into an attraction park. It is big and will probably take you 1-2 whole days to explore everything. Sentosa Island is the answer of Singapore to Disneyland, and will be even more so with the opening of Universal Studio with the Integrated Resort (IR) next year.
Beach lovers can enjoy exciting games and sea sports along the 3.2-km long sandy beaches stretching across Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong.
Fort Siloso is the Singapore’s only preserved coastal fort stands as an important window to our colonial past and a poignant reminder of the war years.
What else to do ? Ride a movie (Cinemania) / Join the army (Fort Siloso) / Spot sharks without getting wet (Underwater World) / Admire butterflies / Erupt yourself (VolcanoLand) / Splash yourself (Fantasy Island) / Fall for dolphins (Dolphin Lagoon) / Climb the Merlion for a panoramic view / Walk on a dragon / Have a look at other countries (Asian Village) / Relax on spotless artificial beaches / Rollerblade on the alleys or rent a bike / Spot skeleton on a nature walk / Have a photo with a snake / Watch monkeys getting coconuts / Walk a suspended bridge / Admire a collection of shells / Cool off by one of the numerous fountains or manicured gardens (orchid, scented, spices,…) / Bike on water / Dream at the musical fountain / Stand on the southernmost point of the Asia continent / Ride the monorail around for free / Dance on the beach in swim suit at the two beach bars (regular foam parties as well) / Swim in the laguna
Orchard Road
From the world famous city, comes the world famous shopping destination – the Orchard Road Singapore. There are over 30 malls and shopping centers located in the stretch or road, closely connected to each other by pavements and underground pass. Here, you’ll find everything like the stylish Louis Vuitton, the exquisite Bergdorf Goodman, the elegant Tiffany & Co., the ever popular Prada, the immaculate Versace, Cartier, Fortunoff, Dior, Fendi, and Chanel. And the list goes on and on…
Ethnic quarters
As a multiracial country, Singapore host a number of unique destinations which celebrates the cultural diversity of the different races. Here are some places where you can experience the culture, customs and traditional festivals.
1. Geylang Serai
It was earlier known as the Geylang Kelapa; Geylang Serai was an abode to many of the Malay Kampongs. It is famous for the exquisite quality of lemongrass that grows here in abundance. There are traditionally made Malay-Kalimpong houses and a cultural museum as well.
2. China Town
China Town was historically the home to Chinese population who lived here. The place can be best explored on foot and can be marveled at the various interesting areas of Chinese worship. The main places of worship include the Thian Hock Keng temple, Sri Marimman temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic temple. The China Town market is very popular for its cheap bargains where you can buy a lot of stuff like the textile, medicinal herb and Chinese handicraft.
3. Little India
Little India is a district endowed with Indian culture’s ethnic elements. The most attractive features of here are Sri Veeramakaliamman temple and Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple. The latter is known more for its massive Buddha statue. Exquisite Indian silk, brassware, gold jewelry and trinkets can be bought from the exotic market. Little India’s cuisine and henna are also very popular.
4. Arab Street/ Kampong Glam
The colorful district of Kampong Glam got its name from a local tree, Gelam. It has a Malay Heritage Centre and Sultan Mosque. Also known as the Masjid Sultan, the mosque excels in architectural splendor. The textiles, fabrics and the baskets made of cane, straw and rattan of the market, trinkets, and perfumes are very famous here.
Nightlife
As for a taste of Singapore nightlife, some popular night spots highly recommended are Chijmes Singapore , Singapore Boat Quay, Mohammed Sultan Road, Singapore Robertson Quay and Holland Village Singapore. Arguably, some of the most popular party destinations currently are Zouk, St James Power Station (coal-fired power station turned into large entertainment complex), and MoS (Ministry of Sound)
Food
As a metropolitan where most of the population dines out, Singapore naturally has huge array of gastronomical offers. From posh five-star restaurants to economical food hawker centers, you can find and enjoy international as well as local food almost everywhere in Singapore.
Other destinations
You will never go wrong with the well-known Singapore tourist attractions such as the Singapore Zoo, Singapore Night Safari (Night Zoo), Jurong Bird Park and the Singapore Flyer etc.
Thailand 2010 Public Holidays & Festivals Calendar
Jul 16th
Here is a list of Thailand Public Holidays & Festivals of calendar Year 2010. There are national holidays, as well as some of the most important festivals and celebrations in Thailand.
Many of Thailand important holidays are based on thai lunar calendar, thus it will have different dates from year to year.
The dates for these 2010 Thai holidays are estimates. We do not and cannot guarantee the accuracy.
Celebrate the festivals and events in the Kingdom as follows:
New Years’ Eve
The day before the Western New Year day is always marked a national holiday.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
New Year’s Day
The beginning of the western New Year is a national holiday in Thailand, one of three “new year” holidays celebrated every year.
Friday, 1 January 2010
Chinese New Year
The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. Some businesses close for the day, but it is not a national holiday.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Makha Bucha
Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon in to his disciples.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Monday, 1 March 2010 (substitution)
Chakri Day
Chakri Day commemorates the founding of the current dynasty by its first king, Rama I.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Songkran
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, generally celebrated as a water festival. Be prepared to get wet all over as revelers abound, ready to soak you as a form of celebrating this season!
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Thailand Labor Day
International Labor Day is also celebrated as a national holiday, even though there isn’t much ado about it. Some businesses may be closed.
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Monday, 1 May 2010 (substitution)
Coronation Day
Celebrates the day when the current king Rama IX was crowned in 1949.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
An ancient royal rite held in Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Visakha Bucha / Vesak Day
The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.
Friday, 28 May 2010
Asalha Puja Day
Commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares and the founding of the Buddhist sangha.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Buddhist Lent Day (Wan Khao Phansa)
This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist ‘lent’ period, a time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
H.M. The Queen’s Birthday
Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday is a national holiday, also serving as the country’s Mothers’ Day as well.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
Celebration of the death anniversary of Thailand’s one of the most revered kings, Rama V.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Monday, 25 October 2010 (Substitude)
End of Buddhist Lent Day (Wan Awk Phansa)
This day marks the end of the Buddhist ‘lent’ period or the Rains Retreat.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Thod Kathin
Presentation of Monk’s Robes after Rains Retreat.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Loy Kratong
While it is not marked a national holiday, it is an evening when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on any and all waterways around the kingdom.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
H.M. The King’s Birthday
His Majesty the King’s birthday is celebrated throughout the country and also
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Monday, 6 December 2010 (Substitution)
Thai Constitution Day
Celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution.
Friday, 10 December 2010
New Years’ Eve
The day before the Western New Year day is always marked a national holiday.
Friday, 31 December 2010
Check out also other countries national holidays:
Singapore Public Holidays 2010
Indonesia Public Holidays 2010
India Public Holidays 2010
China Public Holidays 2010
Brazil Public Holidays 2010
Malaysia Public Holidays 2010
Introducing Batu Ferringhi
Jul 12th
Batu Ferringhi, situated along the coastal road north-west of Georgetown and lined with a string of five-star resorts, is the most popular beach in Penang, and probably the single most heavily developed stretch of tourist resorts in Malaysia.
The beach itself is quite good, thought not up there with Malaysia’s best and the water is not of the tropically clear variety you might expect. The beach is kept clean, even on weekends when hordes of day-trippers visit. While the scenery and the beaches have undeniably suffered under the assault of all that concrete, there are still miles of white sand and palm trees left.
Soak in the sun or unwind on the beach while you enjoy a host of aquatic thrills from wind-surfing to canoeing.
Watersports are on the agenda for many visitors, although the waters are a bit too murky for scuba diving and a bit too calm for surfing or more extreme pursuits. For a spine-tingling adventure, try parasailing to enjoy the view of the beach from the sky.
Bathing areas are often cordoned off by floating buoys to protect swimmers from speeding jet-skis and water-skiers.
Jellyfish, particularly at rainy times, can be a problem. Beware of that! If stung, apply vinegar and if you experience chest pain, consider seeing the doctor for something to combat the allergic reaction.
Sunbathe on the beach or enjoying the foot or body massage could be also a good idea to rest and relax.
As the sun sets, Batu Ferringhi comes alive with a carnival-like atmosphere with an open-air bazaar selling anything from ornate curios to enticing souvenir items. Watch local artisans demonstrate the intricate art of craft-making and batik-painting. Dubbed the Feringghi Walk, the Pasar Malam (or bazaar) offers shoppers a host of attractions.
Depending on your budgets, a number of souvenir shops, restaurants, bars and discos are also promising an unforgettable experiences. There’s some great food to be found too.
Accomodation:
Fierce competition has kept the hotel prices low as well. You can easily find a dozen or so international-standard joints, and many more down the grades. Batu Ferringhi has a several large resort, like Rasa Sayang, Golden Sands, Park Royal, Bayview etc. It looks like a new village, but it’s very old. It used to be a kampong with a little fishing village. If you want to see a part of this old village you have to turn right when you have passed the Park Royal. Here you’ll find the backpackers guesthouses of Ah Beng, Baba’s, and the best place, Ali’s, which has a relaxing open-air cafe and garden, and better rooms than the other ones. The guesthouses are facing the sea. Visit Penang Hotels for more information.
Getting around:
Taxis trawl up and down the windy roads of the north coast. Fares are negotiable but tourists will have a hard time getting anywhere for less than RM 15.
The main road runs more or less straight along the coast for 3km, on which all the hotels, tourist shop, internet cafe’s, motorcycle rental offices and restaurants (House of Kampong, Deep Sea or The Last Drop e.o.), are lined up side by side. In the centre you’ll find the Telekom office, post office, police station and clinic.
How to get there:
You can get to Batu Ferringhi by taxi, car or bus. It takes a thirty-minute bus ride west of Georgetown on Transitlink #202 or Transitlink air-con #93.
There is no bus straight from the airport (Bayan Lepas) to Batu Ferringhi. A taxi ride will cost you RM60.- You’ll have to buy a coupon for the taxi when leave the arrival hall after collecting your luggage.
Attractions:
Butterfly Farm : More than just a tourist attraction, it is set up as a ‘live museum’ to educate the public as well as a research centre to develop breeding methods. The farm houses about 4000 Malaysian butterflies of 120 different species, including most famouse in Malaysia the Rajah Brooke’s Bird wing of the Papilionidae family. The farm also exhibits dead-leaf mantis, orchid mantis and Trogonoptera.
Muka Head Lighthouse: is located at the northwestern cape of the Penang island, this impressive lighthouse serves as a beacon to sailors and ships in the region. The tower, while not as accessible as other structures on the island, offers spectacular ocean views. There is 2 ways to reach the site: taking boat from Teluk Bahang jetty or climb over the hills by foot.
Toy Museum: This is the latest attraction in Penang, located at in front of Copthrone Orchid Hotel. Rank as Asia’s first and World’s largest toy museum, the owner Ir Loh Lean Cheng spends his 30 years to collect over 100,000 toys, dolls, models and other fun collections. The vast collection includes characters from cartoons, comics, computer games, sports, movies, novels, shows and the music world. Dozens of amazingly realistic, life-size figures add to the Fun.
Tropical Fruit Farm: In this 25-acre tropical fruit farm, about 200 types of tropical and sub-tropical fruits are planted. Durian, the King of Fruits, despite their odour, are undeniably rich, sweet and creamy. There is a shuttle bus service that picking visitors from few hotels to the farm and vise versa.
Pulau Langkawi – The Island of Mystical Legends
Jul 12th
Malaysia’s best-known holiday destination, Langkawi, is Malaysia’s pride that has been designated as Southeast Asia’s first UNESCO Global Geopark. Its name alone summons up images of tropical romance and carefree days under swaying coconut palms.
In the Andaman Sea 30km off the coast from Kuala Perlis, this cluster of 99 islands is accessible by boat from Georgetown, Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah and Satun, Thailand, or by air from Georgetown in Penang, KL and Singapore. It offers beautiful beaches, world-class infrastructure, mangroves rich in flora and fauna, ultra-cheap duty-free shopping and fascinating myths and legends
Only the main island, Pulau Langkawi covering 478.5 sq kilometers, has any real settlement. With long, sandy beach, forest-clad hills and picturesque paddy-fields, it’s easy to see why this is Malaysia’s most promoted tourist hotspot. Ever since Langkawi was declared duty-free zone in 1986, the island has received even more visitors, many with the only intention of carting off cheap liquors. Sustainable tourism developments are ongoing, including the newly completed marina in Telaga Harbor Park. The main town, Kuah is mainly dominated by shopping complexes, while bays are occupied by luxury resorts.
Langkawi has a legend in its history. Ask anyone in Langkawi about the tragedy of Mahsuri, a beautiful young lady, and you will hear the story of love, jealousy and the curse placed on the island by her for seven generations. The seventh generation of Langkawi’s inhabitants has long come and gone, but people here still believe that the prosperity and blessings the islands enjoy today and the passing of the curse is not a pure coincidence. Mysticism of this legend can be felt in many parts of the island, especially at Makam Mahsuri (Mahsuri’s mausoleum) where the famous legendary figure was said to be buried.
Langkawi also hosts some major events including the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition around November, the Langkawi Arts and Crafts Festival (LACRAF) in December, the Langkawi International Water Festival in April and the biennial Langkawi International Festival of Arts (LIFA).
Langkawi is not only geared towards tourism. Many of the islanders are farmers, fishermen and entrepreneurs. Experience the beautiful countryside and the peaceful landscape of paddy fields by renting a car and taking a leisurely drive around the island. Some of Langkawi’s most rustic and memorable views are along the road that circles the island where you can enjoy some natural beauty. You’ll pass small Malay villages with wooden houses framed by palm trees, rice paddies, water buffaloes, and children pedalling their old bicycles on an errand. Aside from experiencing the local lifestyle, there is no shortage of things to do in Langkawi.
Some suggestions of What to do:
- Take the thrilling cable car to the summit of Mount Mat Cincang – Langkawi’s second highest mountain – for an unrivalled view of the entire Langkawi island
- Trekking through the pristine rainforest that blankets most of Langkawi
- Go diving. Langkawi has some of the most beautiful coral beaches in the world
- Play a round of golf at some of the 5-star resorts
Or take boat tours of the mangroves to
Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden)
Gua Cerita (Cave of Stories)
Gua Langsir (Curtain Cave)
Other attractions:
Field of Burnt Rice
Hot Springs
Telaga Tujuh (The Seven Wells)
Beach of Black Sand
Langkawi Underwater World
For perfect match of beautiful scenery, great adventures and five-star conveniences, Langkawi is the place to go.
Marina Barrage
Apr 11th
The Marina Barrage is a dam in Singapore built across the Marina Channel between the reclaimed lands of Marina East and Marina South. It was officially opened on 1 November 2008[1].
The S$226 million project turns Marina Bay and Kallang Basin into a new downtown freshwater Marina Reservoir. It provides water supply, flood control and a new lifestyle attraction. This structure will provide flood control by changing the tide flow into the barrage.
The building of the Marina Barrage required the relocation of Clifford Pier from Collyer Quay to Marina South.
Fort Canning Park
Apr 7th
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Established way back in 1859 as an arms store, barracks and hospital, Fort Canning contains precious memorials of Singapore’s early history dating back to the 14th century and Sir Stamford Raffles’ personal bungalow.
Open: Daily. Getting There: Take the MRT to Dhoby Ghaut Station (NS24) and walk towards Fort Canning Road. Click here to view MRT route map. |
East Coast Park
Apr 7th
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Looking for a one-stop family fun site? It has to be East Coast Park. Located off the East Coast Parkway, the beach and landscaped terrains make East Coast Park a weekend favourite for Singaporeans.
Open: Daily. Park is lit from 7:00pm to 7:00am. Getting There: Take a taxi from Orchard Road, or take SBS Transit bus 16 and alight at Marine Terrace. Then use the underpass to cross the ECP expressway. Or take bus 401 to East Coast Park Service Road (Sundays and Public Holidays only) |
Chinese Garden
Apr 7th
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Step into the Chinese Garden and you might just imagine you’re in ancient China! Built in 1975 and designed by Prof Yuen-chen Yu, a well-known architect from Taiwan, the Chinese Garden is modeled along the northern Chinese imperial style of architecture and landscaping.
Open: Main Garden 6am – 11pm (daily). Getting There: The gardens are a 5-minute walk from the Chinese Garden MRT Station (EW25). Click here to view MRT route map. |
Chek Jawa
Apr 7th
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For environmentalists and conservationists, Chek Jawa is a gem of marine wildlife. Located at the eastern tip of Pulau Ubin, Chek Jawa is a collection of six distinct habitats – coastal forest, mangroves, sand bars, seagrass lagoon, rocky shore & coral rubble. Some of these habitats can be found at Pulau Sekudu, which is considered part of Chek Jawa.
Getting There: Take the MRT to Tanah Merah station (EW4). Click here to view MRT route map. Then take SBS Transit bus 2 or 29 to Changi Village bus interchange. Then take a bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (SGD 2 for a single trip). The bumboat service operates from 6 am to at least 8 pm. Once on Pulau Ubin, either rent a bicycle from one of the bicycle kiosks or take a local taxi to Chek Jawa. |
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Apr 7th
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It may surprise many to know that the small city-state of Singapore is only one of two cities in the world to have a significant area of primary rainforest within its boundaries – the other being Rio de Janeiro.
Open: 8.30am – 6.30pm (daily) Getting There: Take the MRT to Newton Station (NS21), then take SMRT Bus 171. Click here to view MRT route map. |
