A Remarkably Well Designed City

Singapore, a city-state island south of Malaysia, is perhaps the best example of urban planning and governance I’ve ever come across. Fueled by its massive wealth (as the second highest GDP country in the world), constant influx of skilled immigrants, and stable (albeit conservative and essentially one-party ruled) government, Singapore is a blueprint for how to design a city of the future.

Known for streets so clean you could eat off of them, everything in Singapore just seems easy, on time, and pristine. Public transportation is incredible, the architecture is beautiful, and the city never feels too crowded - even though it’s the third most densely populated country in the world. Residents boast one of the longest life expectancies in the world and a home ownership rate of almost 90%. The city is multicultural, multinational, and multilingual - including four official languages (with the lingua franca being English, or Singlish). The ease of movement and life will leave you in a perpetual state of envy - wondering why things can’t be this nice back home.

That’s not to say Singapore is perfect, including its own migrant labor issues, high cost of living, and socially conservative legislation. But the focus on infrastructure and livability by the government has been so persistent and successful that, whether or not you find yourself wanting to live in Singapore, you’ll surely find aspects of the city you want to bring home with you.

Stroll Through Gardens By the Bay

Potentially the most photographed area in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is a massive seaside park space with large variety of plant life, beautifully landscaped. The area is free to walk around - though some parts have steep entrance fees (including the tree walk, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest). The free sections are more than worth the visit, though, and include the Supergrove Trees (a set of vertical gardens designed to look like a forest). Every night, twice a night, the Supergrove also has a free light show that is a must-see.

As a bonus, the Gardens by the Bay offer some of the best viewpoints for Marina Bay Sands - the architectural highlight of Singapore.

Marvel at The Marvel Bay Urban Core

The urban core of Singapore is along the sides of Marina Bay, with the west side having the massive skyscrapers of the business district and the east side the east side having more interesting architecture (like Esplanade, a theater shaped like durian). I recommend walking to this district by going down the river from the northern districts (particularly Clarke Quay), stopping at Merlion Park (which has the famous Merlion statue - a symbols of Singapore), and then walking along the floor paths around the bay. If you’re looking to spend some money, head to the rooftop bar at the Marina Bay Sands.

Be sure to check out the nightly light show (Spectra) in front of the Marina Bay Sands in the bay. It’s a real delight - and it’s free.

Enjoy at Least One Historic Neighborhood

Before Singapore was absolutely full of skyscrapers, it was dotted with small colorful row homes. Some of these historic neighborhoods have been preserved and are worth checking out.

The first that I think is a must is Chinatown. While you’re there, stop at Thian Hock Keng (a temple) and Maxwell Food Center (a hawker center that is much less impressive if you don’t eat meat).

The second that I think is a must visit is Kampong Glam, historically the Muslim Quarter but now gentrified into a hipster, bohemian neighborhood full of street art and trendy shops.

Some other options are Serangoon Road (Little India), East Coast Road, Koon Seng Road, or the areas near Clarke’s Quay (CQ).

Other Things to Do

Singapore is one of the economic and transport hubs of Asia, and the second highest GDP per person country in the world. As a result, it offers much more to do than a country (city-state) of its size usually would. Here are some of the other most common things to do (which are all worthwhile . . . so be careful to prioritize).

• Shop at the Airport Mall: Singapore is unique in the world in that its locals hang out at the airport. This is because it has a massive indoor mall with (no joke) an indoor forest and waterfall. It’s stunning. Definitely try to stop by at least on your flights. The waterfall doesn’t turn on until 10am, though, so depending on your schedule it may be worth making an extra trip.

• Take a Tiny Vacation in Sentosa: On the south side of Singapore, you’ll find a coastal strip designed like an extremely local vacation town. It has a beach, amusement parks (including Universal Studios) and a luxury fashion mall.

• Take Some Time in Nature: While Singapore is a city state, there are some nature getaways on the island. Try the Southern Ridges, The Botanical Gardens, or Sungeh Buloh Wetland Reserve for a chance to escape the city (without really leaving the city).

• Take a Step Back in Time: Pulau Ubin is a small village island off of Singapore that you can get to via ferry. The locals here still live the village life traditional to the island of Singapore, so it offers a small step back in time to before Singapore was a major metropolis.

• Go to a Museum: If you’re in a mood for learning or to just appreciate art, try out the National Gallery of Singapore, The Intan (a private collection of Peranaken artifacts that requires reservations), Haw Par Villa (an art park designed to teach Chinese culture and values), The Singapore Art Museum, or the Art Science Museum in the Marina Bay Sands.

Sometimes Singapore can feel like a massive, expertly designed suburb and, because of it, it’s not everyone’s taste. But that also renders it singularly livable, and I think it’s hard to escape the envy sensation of “this would be a really great place to live” while you’re there.