Singapore Sights

Many people visit Singapore on business, or as a quick stop-over on their way to other destinations in Asia. Singapore is a very good place to start or end an Asian vacation. Since many people stop for only a day or two, many don't get beyond the shops of Orchard Road.

While Singapore may not have ancient temples or fantastic natural scenery, it does have its own interesting and even world class sights. Here's our list of the things you must see:

Singapore River

The Singapore River is the heart of old Singapore. There's not much left of the real old Singapore, but there's still lots to see of historical interest, as well as gastronomic. Start at the Merlion statue, the symbol of Singapore. Walking up the east side will take you past the national museum, old customs house and parliament, eventually ending up at Clarke Quay. Up the west side will take you past the Fullerton hotel and Boat Quay.

You can comfortably walk the most interesting part of the river, although you can also take a more extensive tour by boat from either Raffles Landing or Clarke Quay. A new interesting option we noticed in September 2002 was the Singapore "Duck Tour." This tour uses an amphibious vehicle to give you a tour of Singapore by road and water. The tours depart from Suntec City.

Singapore Zoo

Considered one of the best zoos in the world, this massive open system park requires the better part of a day to explore. For up to date information on what's going on, check out the web site of the Singapore Zoological Gardens.

One option for getting to the zoo is to book a tour. The following offerings from Viator include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel:

	Singapore Zoo Morning Tour with optional Jungle Breakfast amongst Orangutans
	4 hours. Departs from Singapore	Starting from USD $30.02 per person
	See the orangutans at Singapore Zoo on a morning tour from Singapore, with the option of enjoying a wild breakfast with these fascinating animals. Singapore Zoo has the world's most successful orangutan-breeding program, and the largest social colony of these highly intelligent primates. Don't miss the opportunity to photograph and interact with the orangutans as they swing and climb in their naturalistic enclosure. And if you choose to breakfast with the orangutans it will be an experience you'll never forget. You'll also have a close-up visit with a reticulated python, the longest snake in the world. After your breakfast in the wild, take a tram ride around the Open Zoo, a new concept in animal-keeping featuring landscaped gardens and minimal cages. Singapore Zoo is in the north of the island at Mandai, by the serene Seletar Reservoir, and is immensely proud of its orangutan-breeding program. By focusing on these magnificent creatures, whose plight symbolizes the disappearance of tropical rainforests around the world, the zoo hopes to nurture a respect and deep appreciation of nature in all who visit the zoo. More information & booking »
	Singapore Zoo Night Safari Tour with optional Buffet Dinner
	4 hours. Departs from Singapore	Starting from USD $33.55 per person
	Grab the chance to take the family on a Singapore Zoo Night Safari Tour through the jungle. From the safety of your visitors' tram you'll spot nocturnal animals in their natural habitat, from fierce predators to timid forest dwellers. Then take the plunge to follow a walking trail with your guide to see the animals at closer quarters. At the Singapore Zoo there's also the option to enjoy dinner at the Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant. The world's first nighttime zoo safari takes you through 40 hectares of secondary jungle adjoining Singapore Zoo, enhanced by subtle moonglow lighting. The mystery and drama of the tropical jungle comes alive after dusk, and you'll experience a thrilling sense of roaming through the jungle as you travel through the grounds by open tram. You'll pass a large reservoir and weave through habitats specially designed to replicate the natural environment, from the Himalayan foothills to the Southeast Asian rainforest and Indian subcontinent. Why not complete your Singapore Zoo Night Safari exprience with dinner at the Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant. The Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant is a 600-seater signature restaurant offering an extensive array of local favourites and international cuisine in a charmingly ethnic setting. Dine under burnished wooden beams and rustic rattan fans or opt for an al fresco setting and drink in the symphony of the cicadas, frogs and other night creatures while a herd of Ankole cattle grazes nearby. Singapore Zoo Night Safari Tour - Winner of the Singapore Tourism Awards Best Leisure Attraction Experience More information & booking »
	Private Tour: Singapore Zoo Morning Tour with optional Jungle Breakfast amongst Orangutans
	4 hours. Departs from Singapore	Starting from USD $63.57 per person
	Enjoy the flexibility of this private Singapore Zoo tour where you will experience a new concept in animal keeping with the Singapore Zoo's beautifully landscaped gardens and very few cages. This morning tour is your chance to enjoy an optional 'Wild Breakfast" with three of the friendly animals, including the famed Orangutan. Singapore Zoo has the world's most successful orangutan-breeding program, and the largest social colony of these highly intelligent primates. Don't miss the opportunity to photograph and interact with the orangutans as they swing and climb in their naturalistic enclosure. Singapore Zoo is in the north of the island at Mandai, by the serene Seletar Reservoir, and is immensely proud of its orangutan-breeding program. By focusing on these magnificent creatures, whose plight symbolizes the disappearance of tropical rainforests around the world, the zoo hopes to nurture a respect and deep appreciation of nature in all who visit the zoo. Witness the orangutan descend from a naturalistic backdrop filled with vines and branches, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for interaction and photography with these intelligent and iconic symbols of the disappearance of the tropical rainforests. With a commentary highlighting the plight of this magnificent creature, the Zoo hopes to inspire in its guests a respect and deep appreciation of nature. After the optional breakfast enjoy a tram ride around what is also known as the Open Zoo - a totally new concept in animal keeping with its beautifully landscape gardens and very few cages! More information & booking »
	Private Tour: Singapore Zoo Night Safari Tour with optional Buffet Dinner
	4 hours. Departs from Singapore	Starting from USD $76.81 per person
	A trip to Singapore would not be complete without a stop at the world's first Night Safari. This private tour of the Singapore Zoo will unfold the mystery and drama of the jungle at night with stunning effects. You will be lead on a tram ride to cover a loop of the Zoo where you will be able to view animals in complete safety and comfort. For the adventurous, walking trails are available! For those preferring to avoid the larger groups, touring by private car and guide, will offer a more rewarding experience on the Night Safari in Singapore. See a myriad of nocturnal animals, from fierce predators to timid forest dwellers, in their natural habitat under subtle moonglow lighting. Enjoy the experience in the complete safety of a tram and with a sense of roaming through a jungle. Your tram ride takes you through the East and West Loop passing by a large reservoir and weaving through selected habitats designed specially to replicate the natural environment from the Himalayan foothills to the jungles of South-East Asia and Africa. On completion of the tram ride, your tour guide will lead you on a walking trail where you will be able to view the animals at closer quarters. Why not complete your Singapore Zoo Night Safari exprience with dinner at the Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant. The Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant is a 600-seater signature restaurant offering an extensive array of local favourites and international cuisine in a charmingly ethnic setting. Dine under burnished wooden beams and rustic rattan fans or opt for an al fresco setting and drink in the symphony of the cicadas, frogs and other night creatures while a herd of Ankole cattle grazes nearby. Voted winner of Singapore Tourism Awards Best Leisure Attraction Experience award for 2006. This is the seventh time it has won the award since 1994. More information & booking »

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Singapore Sights

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Singapore Zoo