103 Best Sights in Singapore

The Bright Hill Temple, as it's commonly known due to its location on Bright Hill Road, is Singapore's largest Mahayana monastery. Built in the 1920s as one of the first traditional Chinese forest monasteries in Singapore, it's in a relatively modern complex made up of colorful buildings decorated with gilded carvings, as well as immaculate gardens and a large number of Buddha statues. Pick up a map of the temple at reception to help guide your wanderings, and don't miss the relaxing Zen Cafe to finish your visit. Ensure shoulders and knees are covered when visiting.

More than 4,400 white gravestones line the manicured hillside in neat rows at this World War II memorial site, honoring the men and women who died in the line of duty for Singapore. You'll also find a number of larger memorial stones, one of which bears the names of more than 24,000 Allied soldiers and airmen killed in Southeast Asia who have no known grave. Visiting is a poignant experience—a reminder of the greatness of the loss in this and all wars.

One of the Southern Islands and situated less than 4 miles southwest of Singapore, Kusu, whose name means "turtle" in Chinese, is known for its beaches and temples. One of these is Kramat Kusu, dedicated to a Malay saint named Haji Syed Abdul Rahman, who, with his mother and sister, is said to have disappeared supernaturally from the island in the 19th century. To reach the shrine, you climb more than 100 steps that go up through a forest. Plastic bags containing stones have been hung on the trees by devotees who have come to the shrine—particularly during the ninth lunar month—to pray for forgiveness of sins and the correction of wayward children. If their wishes are granted, believers return the following year to remove their bags and give thanks. Staying overnight or camping is not permitted, and it's best to pack food and drink.

The dusty, incense-filled interior of this popular temple has altars heaped with hundreds of small statues of gods from the Chinese pantheon. Of the hundreds of deities, Kwan Im, more often known as Kuan Yin, is perhaps most dear to the hearts of Buddhist Singaporeans. Legend has it that just as she was about to enter Nirvana, she heard a plaintive cry from Earth. Filled with compassion, she gave up her place in paradise to devote herself to alleviating the pain of those on Earth. Her name means "to see and hear all." People in search of advice come to the Kwan Im temple, shake cham si (bamboo fortune sticks), and wait for an answer. The gods are most receptive on days of a new or full moon.

This temple's main altar is dedicated to Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy)—also known as Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara—and is framed by beautiful, ornate carvings of flowers, a phoenix, and other birds. The temple, also called Dragon Mountain Temple, was built in 1926. To the right of the main altar is an image of Confucius to which many parents bring their children to pray for intelligence and filial piety. If you enter from the prayer hall's side doors, you'll reach the ancestral hall in the rear, where you can see tablets with the names of deceased worshippers. When you visit, be sure to observe a modest dress code.

Tens of thousands of devotees visit this sprawling multi-religious temple every month to pay their respects to the Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu deities and worship in the Muslim shrine here. Elaborately carved patterns on the ceilings demarcate the different areas in the temple, which is especially popular with those seeking wealth and good fortune. During the Nine Emperor Gods Festival in the ninth lunar month (from late October to early November), the temple takes on a carnival atmosphere as some 100,000 Taoist pilgrims descend on it, bringing exotic foods, flowers, joss sticks, and candles as offerings for their prayers.

Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, and local footballer Fandi Ahmad are just some of the realistic wax figures to admire and strike a pose with at Madame Tussauds Singapore. Included with the standard ticket is "Images of Singapore," a 45-minute show about Singapore's history, and the Spirit of Singapore boat ride, in which iconic landmarks and Sir Stamford Raffles (the founder of modern Singapore) make an appearance. The entry fee also includes admission to the Ultimate Film Star Experience and one souvenir digital photo. There are additional combination packages for access to Marvel Universe 4D and VR Racing experience. 

This large cultural center is in what was once the home of Malay royalty. The Malay-style mansion, which was built in the 1840s on the site of an even simpler thatched building, may have been designed by George Coleman. Next door is another grand royal bungalow: the home of the sultan's first minister. Notice its gateposts surmounted by green eagles. The center serves as a heritage institution for the local Malay community and offers free guided tours in English and Mandarin.

Right next to the Singapore Zoo, the safari is the world's first wildlife park designed exclusively and especially for night viewing. More than 85 acres of secondary jungle provide a home to over 900 animals (from approximately 100 species) that are more active after the sun sets. Some 90% of tropical animals are, in fact, nocturnal, and to see them do something other than snooze gives their behavior a new dimension. From elephants, lions, and clouded leopards to flying foxes and rare pangolin, the Night Safari is an unusual way to spy animals after dark. Their habitats have been designed to come as close to their natural setting as possible, with just enough light for you to see what they're doing but not enough to limit the animals' normal activity.  To save a bit, you can buy a combo ticket for access to all four wildlife parks (Bird Paradise, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and River Wonders) or two of your choice, to be used within seven days of purchase.

This cool, contemporary space is one of Singapore's most well-known galleries, with works of art from some of the greatest painters in the world, including Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol. The gallery, which also has outlets from Paris to New York, hosts a number of specialist exhibitions throughout the year in the Singapore branch. Many of the paintings and sculptures are also available to buy, though expect a hefty price tag.

Used primarily as a playing field, the Padang (Malay for "field" or "plain") is behind the Singapore Cricket Club and has traditionally been a social and political hub. Once called the Esplanade, it was half its current size until an 1890s land reclamation expanded it. During World War II, the Japanese gathered 2,000 British civilians here before marching them off to Changi Prison and, in many cases, to their deaths. Today, it serves as a sports facility for cricket, hockey, and rugby teams.

Beyond the Padang's northeastern edge, across Stamford Road and the Stamford Canal, are the four 220-foot (67-meter) tapering white columns of the Civilian War Memorial, known locally as the Four Chopsticks. The monument honors the thousands of civilians from Singapore's four main ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, Indian, and "others," including Eurasians and Europeans) who lost their lives during the Japanese occupation or were dispatched to build the Burma–Siam Railway.

Designed by the famed Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, the towering Raffles City complex contains an office tower; a variety of retail stores, including Robinsons Department Store; and two hotels, the Swissôtel The Stamford and the Fairmont Singapore. There's a stunning view of downtown and the harbor from the Swissôtel's 70th-floor restaurants, contemporary grill Skai and mod British fine diner Jaan by Kirk Westaway.

A statue of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles keeps permanent watch over the spot where he first landed in Singapore on the morning of January 29, 1819.

A second physical location of the Red Dot Design Award (one of the world's largest displays of contemporary design, first held in Germany) occupies a quiet corner of Marina Bay. The striking full-glass and geometrical facade of its pavilion packs over 300 design works on exhibition. The annexed design shop is a good place to buy peculiar mementoes, and the museum café serves good desserts and coffee.

This refresh of the famed Sentosa Musical Fountain from the 1980s is also the tallest fountain in Southeast Asia, standing at 80 meters tall. A spectacular water show runs at various times of the day between 10 am and 10 pm (last show at 9 pm); it is at its most visually enticing at night when illuminated by full-color LED lights.

This wide, sandy beach is a hive of activity thanks to the concentration of beach clubs, water-sports centers, and nearby attractions such as the Mega Adventure Park. There are a number of casual eateries along the stretch of sand, and in-line skaters zoom up and down the promenade. For swimmers, there are red and yellow flag markers (swim here), as well as beach patrol officers if help is required. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming.

Founded in 1852 and housed in a charming 1884 building with 1907 and 1921 modifications, this club was for a long time the center of social and sporting life for the British community (they played cricket on the Padang at least from the 1830s). It now has a multiracial active membership and offers facilities for various sports, in addition to bars and restaurants. If you're going to be in Singapore for more than a couple of weeks, you can apply, with the support of a member, for a visiting membership. The club isn't open to the general public, but from the Padang you can sneak a quick look at the deep, shaded verandas, from which members still watch cricket, rugby, and tennis matches.

This world-class children's center makes education entertaining through a large number of multimedia attractions that aim to engage the senses via demonstrations and digital animation, including 3D films and 4D simulations. There is a focus on the history and growth of Singapore as a state through multimedia permanent exhibitions, plus plenty more activities for older kids with paintball and laser tag. There are guided tours of the permanent exhibitions that can be booked each day; ask at reception for more details and timings.

One of the largest observation wheels in the world, and the biggest in Asia, the Singapore Flyer offers one of the most exciting ways to soar over Marina Bay and capture its best views. The 30-minute journey provides unparalleled day and night views that, with good weather, stretch up to 45 km away to Changi, Sentosa, and parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. Packages that include dinner are available.

If sky-high views are your thing, this gentle, spiraling open-air ride that hovers 35 meters in the sky, affording a panoramic view of the Keppel Bay area and the nearby Southern Islands, is one to make time for. If you're planning to travel over or back from the island via the cable car, you can slot in this ride as one of the bonuses for your combo pass. It's located at the Sentosa cable-car station.

Snow is a novelty when you live in a country where it's tropical all year-round. Locals endure freezing temperatures for a rare chance to touch and play in real snow at the only permanent indoor snow center in Singapore. Although it's geared more toward locals, it's a fun way to spend some time if you're not used to experiencing freezing temperatures. Admission includes the use of winter jackets and boots.