Singapore: Plenty to sing about

The extravagant Supertrees at Singapore's Gardens by the Bay. Photo / 123RF

Next time you're on a stopover in Singapore, why not spend more than a few hours there?

Many people visit Singapore just as a stopover on their way to somewhere else. But there are plenty of sights in Singapore to reward travellers who stay longer in the city-state.

The Marina Bay Sands hotel, for example, offers a swimming pool with a view over the whole city. The highest hotel pool in the world is solely for hotel guests, but anyone else can enjoy the view from the observation deck for SGD$23 ($25.60).

However, a tip to get around the cost: the same view is free of charge from the Ce La Vi bar, also atop the hotel.

Directly next to the hotel is Gardens by the Bay. The botanical park reminds one of a science-fiction theme park with its 50m-tall so-called Supertrees. These are steel frameworks for ferns and climbing plants formed like giant trees. They even light up at night.

The greenhouse, Cloud Forest, promises the highest indoor waterfall. Entrance to the park is free but you must pay to visit the greenhouse.

The Raffles Hotel is an often-visited destination from the British colonial period.

The hotel, which is named after Singapore's founder, Thomas Stamford Raffles, is known throughout the world especially for the Singapore sling cocktail, a mix of mainly gin, cherry brandy and Benedictine.

A short walk from Raffles is Haji Lane, where another kind of art exists far from Singapore's extravagant Supertrees - the alleys of the Muslim district Kampong Glam - the meeting place for another Singapore scene, where house walls are colourfully painted and graffiti creates a lively atmosphere.

More and more small fashion shops, art galleries and cafes are popping up in Haji Lane, offering an alternative to the luxurious Orchard Rd shopping street.

The classic botanical gardens are located not far from Orchard Rd and offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of Singapore.

There are no artificial trees here, instead housing tropical plants as well as the world's largest collection of orchids.

Visitors will have to pay SGD$5, but the reward is a place to truly relax.

Meanwhile, back in the city jungle, a visit to Singapore's Indian district - Little India - is worthwhile. Among Hindu temples, mosques and churches, visitors can bargain for jewellery and fine fabrics.

Little India also offers a street market and many restaurants, rivalling another of Singapore's eating destinations, Chinatown.

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Getting there: Air New Zealand and alliance partner Singapore Airlines offer twice daily non-stop flights from Auckland to Singapore and a daily flight from Christchurch.

- AAP