Despite what the glossy brochures tell you, Singapore isn’t all glitzy shopping centres and perfectly manicured gardens. See the darker, more dilapidated side of the city with a visit to the bizarre cultural theme park known as Haw Par Villa. Originally known as Tiger Balm Gardens, the park was founded in 1937 by Aw Boon … read the full post

It’s wise to keep an eye out for stingrays when you’re swimming in shallow water, but you should also watch out for them at Singapore’s hawker centres – they’re delicious! Though it may seem exotic, stingray (also known as skate) is available at any hawker stall specialising in fresh seafood alongside the squid, prawns and … read the full post

UPDATE, December 2012: While the coffee still exists, it’s now being served at Chye Seng Huat Hardware and the address below is no longer current. Instead head to 150 Tyrwhitt Road, or contact them on 6396 0609. Describing a cafe as a hidden gem sounds like such a cliche, but it really is a fitting … read the full post

Located on the easternmost part of the island, Changi International Airport is a 25-minute taxi ride or about 35 minutes by MRT from downtown Singapore. If you’d like that trip to be shorter, the following hotels are located near the airport. The Crowne Plaza Changi is the only hotel that is walking distance from the … read the full post

Some travellers dismiss Singapore as “Asia lite”: sanitised, commercialised and dull. Dispel such silly notions with a visit to the wet market at the Chinatown Complex where some of the produce is so fresh it’s still hopping. With ground level stalls selling cheap souvenirs and sundries, the Chinatown Complex doesn’t look like much from the … read the full post

Get your pink T-shirt ready – Pink Dot is scheduled for June 30, 2012. This is the one time of year when Singapore’s gay and lesbian community, along with their friends, family and supporters, make a stand for equal rights. While Singapore is historically a multi-racial and multi-religious society, the same tolerance hasn’t evolved for … read the full post

For countless reasons – cheap food, a central location – the Little India neighbourhood is home to Singapore’s highest concentration of hostels. Since it’s no secret that backpackers like to drink, backpacker bars have popped up to keep them full of Tiger Beer. Here’s a rundown of where to go and what to expect. The … read the full post

Most travellers know to be wary of scams in cities like Bangkok, but feel they can let their guard down in Singapore. The fact that people feel so safe here combined with the belief that Singapore has cheap electronics is the perfect breeding ground for shopping scams. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, 37% of … read the full post

Singapore is known as the Garden City, so take some time to relax and smell the pepper flowers at the Spice Garden at Fort Canning Park. This lush hill near the city centre wasn’t a random choice for a spice garden — Singapore’s colonial leaders established one here nearly 200 years ago. When Singapore became … read the full post

When the British colonised Singapore in the 18th century they sent more than just governors and garrison – they also sent naturalists to document the island’s exotic flora and fauna. One of them was William Farquhar, and a new permanent exhibit at the National Museum Singapore showcases his well-known collection of natural history drawings. William … read the full post