The stunning Gardens by the Bay (www.gardensbythebay.com.sg) celebrates the nation’s golden jubilee by presenting a special flower exhibition at the Flower Dome from now through Sep 13. Designed by acclaimed Singaporean landscape architect Damian Tang, the flower display boasts more than 8,000 orchids arranged in deference to 10 local folklores under the theme From Tales to Legends: Discover Singapore Stories. Among the classic tales recounted is the one of the mythical Merlion saving a fishermen’s village from a 10-meter-high wave. As part of the celebrations, they’re also organizing walking routes that pay tribute to the unsung heroes who helped build the nation. See details at goo.gl/1OX2JS.

 

If you’ve visited Singapore, chances are you’ve wandered around Chinatown. But if you really want to get the most out of your walk, we recommend joining a Red Clogs Down the Five Foot Way walking tour (S$35 [B890] per person, goo.gl/fqwQAO), which recalls the extraordinary journey of Singapore over the past half a century by focusing on the country’s preservation efforts. The route starts at Thien Hock Kheng, the oldest Hokkien-Chinese temple in Singapore, before heading to Amoy Street, lined with beautifully preserved shop-houses that originally belonged to some of the earliest Chinese immigrants. Cutting through Ann Siang Hill Road, you will reach Chinatown via South Bridge Road. Here, you’ll pay a visit to the Chinatown Wet Market, a hidden spot off-the-radar for most visitors. The two-and-a-half hour tour starts early in the morning, so we suggest continuing your nostalgic trip with a visit to the Chinatown Heritage Centre on Pagoda Street. Check www.chinatownheritagecentre.com.sg for exhibition updates. Also, make sure to drop by the Maxwell Food Centre, home to the famous Hainanese chicken rice spot Tian Tian (open Tue-Sun 11am-8pm), which is praised for its super-tender and juicy chicken and aromatic rice.

 

The Peranakans—aka Baba Nonyas, the descendants of Chinese migrants—make up one of Singapore’s most distinctive cultures. The best place to explore their colourful heritage is in the Joo Chiat and Katong areas where you can go house-hopping. Katong Antique House (goo.gl/ZUUuXo) displays old furniture and costumes, and features a gallery on the top floor, while NUS Baba House, the first Peranakan museum on Neil Road, is free but you need an appointment (see goo.gl/GypWm5). The east side of town is home to the active Peranakan Museum (open daily 10am-7pm [till 9pm on Fri], tickets S$6 (B152), peranakanmuseum.org.sg). Leave some time (and belly-room) to visit cafes on Joo Chiat Road. Try Strictly Pastry (open Mon-Wed 3-9pm, Thu-Fri 1-9pm, Sat-Sun noon-10pm, www.strictlypastry.com) whose full range of cakes includes its signature Pucker tarts made with white chocolate and lime.

 

Hidden inside the Sentosa enclave, Image of Singapore (open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7.30pm, tickets S$39 [B992] for walk-in and S$29 [B737] online, www.imagesofsingaporelive.com) may share a space with Madame Tussauds Singapore, but instead of creepy waxworks it uses real actors and actresses to recall important historical events that have taken place over the last 50 years. Afterwards, you will enjoy a small boat ride as part of the exhibition The Spirit of Singapore which charts the country’s progress from a small fishermen’s village in the 15th century to its 21st century boom-time.

 

Set aside an afternoon to get in touch with nature through River Safari (open daily 9am-6pm, ticket S$5 [B128, separate from the zoo admission fee of S$28 [B712], riversafari.com.sg), a newly expanded activity of Singapore Zoo. The boat ride takes you on a tour of the Upper Seletar Reservoir, a wonderfully preserved eco-system that’s home to marine lives from around the world. The reservoir is split into zones named after famous rivers (Mississippi, Congo, Nile, Ganges, Yangtze and Mekong). Don’t miss the stunning giant aquarium dubbed Amazon Flooded Forest which has the green and mysterious atmosphere of a submerged Amazon.

 

Even if you don’t identify as Hindu, there’s no time to visit Singapore quite like Deepavali Festival, aka Festival of Lights, which sees Little India transform into a colourful fantasy land. This year, the celebration starts on Nov 11. Further afield, Chinese New Year (early February, 2016) is packed with must-see events such as Chingay Parade, a samba-like carnival, and the River Hongbao lantern festival. Plan ahead.

 

Probably the best place to get some historical insight is the National Museum’s (open daily 10am-6pm, tickets S$6 [B152], nationalmuseum.sg) permanent multimedia exhibition Singapore History and Living Galleries. We also recommend another temporary exhibition, 50-Made-in-Singapore Products, which gives an overview of Singapore’s manufacturing industry. Runs through Sep 6. Opening Nov 2015, the National Gallery will offer a modern take on Southeast Asian art through 10,000 works in a stately heritage building.

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