Sightseeing in Singapore with a Twist

Singapore has been written about umpteen times before this. Yes, yes, the magnificent Marina Bay Sands, the Sentosa Island, Gardens by the Bay, et all. Perhaps, I am rather a little too late to write about things to see and do in Singapore. But, don’t they say better late than never? But let me give a shot at trying to suggest a few things to see and do with a twist, in Singapore.

Park Yourself at East Coast Park

Looking to revel in the nature’s bounty? Well, what better place could it be than The East Coast Park. The park is a 15 km stretch of beach where you will get sun and sea breeze in abundance. Walk, cycle or skateboard your way in this delightful park dotted with coconut palms and casuarinas. Not a cycling person? No problem. Grab a bite or a drink. There are a slew of restaurants, bars and cafes along the beach. Are you an adrenaline junkie? Head over to the Xtreme SkatePark. Once you are here, you won’t realize how a couple of hours or perhaps even more go by in absolute bliss.

Walk Around China Town – Where Hep Meets Heritage

Divided into four districts, Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Pasoh, the China Town has a melee of things for the tourists. The maze of narrow roads includes Chinatown Food Street, where restaurants serve a variety of fare including traditional as well as the new and experimental. It is sure to get you spoilt for choice. Smith and Pagoda streets are the mainstay of the hustle and bustle. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple are a short walk away from each other here. For the young and hep, Club Street is full of wine bars. One of the bars in the area also doubles up as a mini cinema making it a perfect place to make friends over a drink or a film.

A Haven for Book Lovers

If you are a book lover in Singapore, then Kinokuniya Book Store is a must visit. Books Kinokuniya was started by Moichi Tanabe in 1927 in Shinjuku, Tokyo. In Singapore itself, it has been 35 years of book selling for the brand.

Kinokuniya Singapore Main Store on Orchard Road is spread across a whopping 38,000 sq. ft. of retail space in one floor and features an extensive collection of more than 500,000 quality titles from all over the world in various languages including English, Japanese, Chinese and many others. I really had a hard time dragging myself out of this book store.

Chill Out At Clarke Quay

If you are in the mood for some clubbing and pubbing, Clarke Quay, which is a historical riverside quay in Singapore, is where you can head to. The night life here is absolutely electric. Yes, you may find people tripping over as a result of having too much to drink, but that should not prevent you from having fun! Dine by one of the riverside cafes or restaurants or break a leg at one of the chic nightclubs. Sea food is naturally in abundance here. Pick your favourite octopus or a lobster here or simply go for a good old pizza. At the mouth of the river you can marvel at the architecture and monuments of colonial Singapore. An evening at Clarke Quay is a great way to end your Singapore jaunt with a twist.

Singapore, I feel, is one of the most interesting cities and countries in the world to explore. It has the yin and the yang, the old and new, a great mix of the occident and the orient and what have you. And yes, while you enter and exit the country, don’t forget to spend some time at Changi Airport, touted as one of the best globally.