Singapore is famous the world over for the strictness of its laws. It's also slightly well less known as being one of the most expensive cities in ALL of Asia. In my opinion both are greatly exaggerated. It's a safe city, its a fun city, and no its not the cheapest city, but with so many fun, interesting, and most importantly FREE things to see and do. Singapore can be budget traveler friendly. So here's my four favorite free things to do in the lion city!
1. GARDENS BY THE BAY LIGHTSHOW (pic above)
This is the DO NOT MISS event when visiting Singapore! Held every night at 7:45 and 8;45pm, its basically a light show set to music, with the solar powered lights of the giant man made supergrove trees providing the show. It's cliché to say you have to see it to believe it, but it was the highlight of my Singapore experience Word of warning if you want to watch it from the skywalk it will cost you S$5.00, but seeing it from the ground is just as amazing!
2. SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDENS
158 years old the Singapore botanical gardens are a UNESCO world heritage sight and the only tropical gardens to be named as such. Spread out over 182 acres amongst three lakes, anyone could spend a full day wandering its different gardens (my pick of the bunch is the rain forest) Garden lovers could spend two days or more. The flora is excellent, and the fauna can be quite surprising too!
3. SINGAPORE CHINATOWN
When I travel to a new country or city (or in this case both) I like to stroll through different neighborhoods and really get a feel for the daily lives of the people who live there. Unfortunately most of Singapore's residential areas are just soulless apartment high rise after soulless apartment high rise. However there are some exceptions. One of them is China town. Thanks to British colonialism the de facto language (at least the one taught in school) is English, but the Chinese are by far the largest ethnic group in the country, which means you'll hear Mandarin being spoken everywhere, especially in Chinatown.
Here its not just the language that's Chinese, its, the store fronts, medicine shops, temples, and food hawkers. IF you close your eyes and just take in the sounds and smells, you can almost imagine what Singapore was like back in the day, back when it was a seedy seaport, full of vice and character.
4. SINGAPORE LITTLE INDIA
One of Singapore's minority ethnic groups, the Tamils of India have left a giant mark on the country as well. Instead of the Chinese temples and medicine shops, here in Little India you find the vibrant flowers and colorful idols of Hindu temples. Mix with that elaborate mosques and the five times a day call to prayer of little India's local Muslims, and its almost like you're in a different country, instead of just a different neighborhood. Walk among the hawkers selling everything from flip-flops to durian fruit (try not to gag on the smell) from incense to bootleg Justin Bieber CDs. Visit the temples and the mosques (but be respectful) and talk to the locals, learn about them. Let them tell you about Singapore, let them tell you about life. Because you know some of the best things in life are free.
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