Category: Singapore

Singapore is probably one of the most “westernized” Asian metropolises. Nevertheless, influences from the most diverse cultures can be found here, and in a very small space.

Singapore: Visiting the Gardens by the Bay at Night

Singapore doesn’t always have to be expensive: The gardens surrounding Marina Bay Sands, Singapore’s famous hotel, are free! You can easily spend a few hours here at Gardens by the Bay and unwind from the stress of city life.

The gardens of Singapore

During the day, you can go into the adjacent greenhouses and marvel at the beautiful plants. At night, the famous trees in the Gardens by the Bay are illuminated. When the planted supertrees are really put in the limelight with the Gardens by the Bay light show, the gardens in Singapore are truly impressive. The lightshow is really a unique experience! No wonder many people just look for a quiet place and stare fascinated at the luminous sky.

Buy a ticket for the greenhouses at Gardens by the Bay*

Marina Bay Sands: The most famous infinity pool in the world

Next door, you will immediately notice this familiar futuristic building. Who doesn’t know the now world-famous postcard view from the infinity pool of the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore?

Opened in 2010, the Marina Bay Sands and the area around it have quickly become Singapore’s new attraction. There was nothing here before. Now a complete recreational resort has been built on the empty lot.

The hotel itself is not only a hotel, but also a shopping center and casino. The luxury shopping center houses brands from Dior to Louis Vuitton to Dolce&Gabbana.

I’m sure before the Marina Bay Sands, no one really knew what the term “infinity pool” meant. Until the first pictures of the pool on the roof of the ship-shaped Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore appeared. After every self-respecting Instagrammer was hanging around the edge of the world’s highest pool, the term “infinity pool” became a household word. By the way, you can only get access as a hotel guest. Smuggling in is pointless. With luck, the cheapest room starts at about 350 euros a night. So that’s already a higher investment. It’s worth checking, the prices vary greatly.

➜ Rates & Availability at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore

If you don’t want to spend that, you can visit the viewing platform next door, which is open to the public for an entrance fee, and enjoy the view of Singapore without the pool.

➜ Buy your ticket for the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck here*

Gardens by the Bay: the glowing trees of Singapore

Equally impressive are the Supertrees at night, when the light show kicks in. The show is well attended, but the area is relatively spacious and you don’t step on each other’s feet. Many simply lie down on blankets, jackets or just nothing on the bare floor and watch the lightshow so quite chilled – I’ve also done the same: you just can not get out of the amazement!

When is the light show at Gardens by the Bay?

The show is held twice a day: 19.45h and 20.45h. The OCBC Skyway that connects the various Supertrees at altitude can also be accessed during the light show.

29/03/2019
Tiong Bahru: The trendy district of Singapore

If you want to get to know a different side of Singapore, then I can highly recommend a walk through Tiong Bahru. I had already chosen accommodation in Tiong Bahru in advance for part of my trip to Singapore and didn’t regret spending two days a little off the beaten track.

Tiong Bahru in Singapore: a district for insiders

Singapore is a melting pot of diverse cultures. A bit like Hong Kong, only Singapore seemed to me even more diverse, even more crowded in the smallest space. Indians, Chinese, Malays, British, every culture has left something here and created this multicultural place that I still find difficult to categorize.
The few days I spent in Singapore were probably not enough, I didn’t just visit the usual sights such as Chinatown and Marina Bay with its Gardens by the Bay, but also more unusual corners such as Tiong Bahru.

Tiong Bahru: residential district in Singapore with history

Strictly speaking, there are no real sights in Tiong Bahru, it’s just too residential for that. But a very special one. Tiong Bahru ist das erste soziale Wohnungsbauprojekt in Singapur und wurde schon in den 1930er Jahren erbaut. Da in Singapur wegen des Platzmangels oft Gebäude abgerissen werden, um neuen, besseren und höheren Wolkenkratzern zu weichen, ist Tiong Bahru heute das älteste Wohnviertel der Stadt.

Formerly a cemetery, then a purely residential area and now one of the trendiest districts in Singapore. Incidentally, social housing has a long tradition in Singapore. I was very surprised, because when you think of Singapore, you usually only think of big banks in tall skyscrapers and spectacular architecture such as the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the Gardens by the Bay.

Without social housing, many Singaporeans would not be able to afford a home: Singapore has been very far-sighted in the past. The entire Tiong Bahru district with its residential buildings is now a listed building. And rightly so, because the Art Deco-style houses are truly special: rounded shapes characterize the design of the buildings and are reminiscent of Bauhaus or Miami South Beach.

More info & tips about Singapore

The Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail also leads through Tiong Bahru and tells a little about the history of this special district with information boards. Here you will also pass the Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter , the last remaining bunker in Singapore from the Second World War. However, you can only get inside on a guided tour.

The new hipster district in Singapore

In recent years, hipsters have conquered the previously sleepy Tiong Bahru and breathed new life into the district. In any case, I was very surprised at the contrast to the other parts of Singapore that I had visited up to that point.

The atmosphere in Tiong Bahru is simply special. In the evening, for example, you can sit in one of the cozy bars or restaurants in sultry temperatures, half outside under arcades, with the ceiling fan humming peacefully above you. There is also good food or the best cocktails, all in a tropical ambience with lots of green plants and the bright houses all around: Tiong Bahru is a real insider tip.

During the day, we recommend a visit to the Tiong Bahru Market. Recently renovated, it is one of the most popular hawker centers in Singapore. And as you know, you can never go wrong in Singapore if you are looking for good, reasonably priced food.

Hawker centers are food courts in indoor shopping malls. You can find real culinary highlights there. There is even a stall in Singapore that is so good that it even has a Michelin star.

Tips for Tiong Bahru: shopping, cafés and restaurants

Tiong Bahru Bakery One of THE institutions in Tiong Bahru. Bakery with kitchen, for coffee or a snack in between.

Plain Vanilla Bakery Famous for its fantastic cupcakes, located in a small street with some other lovely cafés and stores such as Books Actually.

Café Pandan —Simple atmosphere, but very well-kept and affordable. The Char Siew Rice (Cantonese-style barbecue-marinated pork over rice) is divine. A must-try specialty in Singapore!

Hotel Tip | Tiong Bahru

I stayed at the COO Boutique Hostel* for two nights. Pretty hip, clean rooms, but unfortunately small and cramped – but that’s Singapore. However, I can still highly recommend it, especially if you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation. The price level in Singapore is very high, especially for accommodation.

➜ Prices & availability COO Boutique Hostel*

22/03/2019