Visiting Singapore is the perfect way to experience a diverse and exciting city with rich history, culture, food, and attractions. There are many landmarks in Singapore to discover, from the historical and famous monuments to the modern buildings and old structures.
There are also plenty of natural wonders to explore, both those that are part of nature and those that are human-constructed. Some of these landmarks are iconic and famous, while others may be less well-known but no less interesting.
Whether you’re a history buff or nature lover, you’ll find something of interest within the iconic landmarks in Singapore.
Most Famous Singapore Landmark
The Singapore Merlion
One of the most iconic landmarks and things Singapore is famous for is the Merlion. This sculpture, which is half lion and half fish, is at the mouth of the Singapore River and is a great place to start your sightseeing tour.
The Merlion is a mythical creature that is part of Singapore’s history and culture. The Merlion was originally designed as a tourism mascot for Singapore, and it’s definitely a sight worth seeing! It is one of the most popular Singapore landmarks.
You can take photos of this Singaporean symbol at the Merlion park; and if you go early enough, even catch the sunrise along with it.
Other Famous Landmarks In Singapore
Orchard Road
Orchard Road is the main shopping street in Singapore. The road is home to a large number of high-end retail stores, including brands like Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton.
The road is also home to the Orchard Road Shopping District, which is the largest shopping district in Singapore.
The most famous landmark on Orchard Road is probably the ION Orchard mall, which is one of the largest malls in Southeast Asia. Other notable landmarks on Orchard Road include Wheelock Place, the Wisma Atria, and the Paragon.
Chinatown
Singapore’s Chinatown is one of the oldest and busiest districts in the city. The Chinatown Heritage Center is a museum that tells the story of Chinatown and its people. The center is housed in three restored shophouses on Pagoda Street and features exhibits on the history, culture, and lifestyle of the Chinese in Singapore.
Chinatown is also home to a large number of temples, including the Thian Hock Keng Temple, which is the oldest temple in Singapore. Other temples in Chinatown include the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple.
Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam is a historic district in Singapore that was once the home of Malay royalty. The district is now home to a large number of mosques, including the Sultan Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Singapore. The district is also home to several traditional shops and restaurants.
The most famous landmark in Kampong Glam is probably the Masjid Sultan, which is the royal mosque of Singapore. The mosque was built in 1824 and is one of the oldest mosques in Singapore.
Little India
One of the popular tourist destinations in Singapore is Little India. It is located in the Central Region of Singapore. The district got its name from the large number of Indian immigrants who settled there in the 1920s.
There are a lot of Hindu temples and Indian shops in the area, which makes it a vibrant and colorful district.
The Mustafa Centre is a 24-hour shopping mall located in Little India. It is one of the largest shopping malls in Singapore and it sells a wide variety of items, from clothes to electronic gadgets.
The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in Little India. It was built in 1881 and it is dedicated to the goddess Kali. The temple is famous for its intricate carvings and colorful decorations.
The Tekka Centre is a market in Little India. It sells a variety of Indian food items, from spices to sweets. It is also a great place to buy souvenirs, such as traditional Indian clothes and handicrafts.
Famous Buildings In Singapore
Marina Bay Sands
The Marina Bay Sands Resort is one of the most iconic landmarks in Singapore. It is a world-famous integrated resort that is made up of a three-tower hotel, a casino, a convention center, shopping malls, and restaurants.
The resort sits on the Marina Bay waterfront and features an infinity pool on its iconic, ship deck rooftop.
The three towers of Marina Bay Sands are each 55 stories high and have a total of 2500 rooms. The casino is the largest in Asia and has more than 900 gaming tables and 3000 slot machines. The convention center is one of the largest in Asia with a total floor area of 200,000 square feet.
The shopping malls at Marina Bay Sands are known as the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. They are home to more than 200 stores including luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci. There are also several restaurants at Marina Bay Sands, including celebrity chef restaurants like Wolfgang Puck and Guy Savoy.
The Marina Bay Sands Resort is a popular tourist destination in Singapore and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. It is also one of the most expensive hotels in the world, with room rates starting at $500 per night.
Raffles Hotel
The Raffles Hotel is a historic hotel in Singapore that was built in 1887. The hotel is named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore.
The Raffles Hotel was originally built as a home for British officials and their families. It is a designated National Monument of Singapore and is one of the most famous hotels in the world.
Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay
The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is a performing arts center in Singapore. It is situated on the Marina Bay waterfront, next to the Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino, and across the street from the Singapore Flyer.
The center consists of two performance halls, a concert hall, and a theater. It also has a large outdoor theater, a public plaza, and exhibition spaces. The design of the Esplanade was inspired by traditional Asian arts and culture.
Changi Airport
Changi Airport is the primary airport for Singapore and one of the busiest airports in the world. It is about 17 kilometers (10 miles) northeast of the city center. The airport has five terminals and growing.
The airport was built in 1981 and originally had just one terminal. It is consistently one of the best airports in the world, famed for its facilities and infrastructure.
The airport is home to the world’s largest butterfly garden and has many other attractions, including a movie theater, a spa, and a playground.
National Gallery Of Singapore
The National Gallery of Singapore is an art museum in the city-state of Singapore. The museum is housed in two former national monuments, the City Hall and the former Supreme Court. The National Gallery is the largest art museum in Singapore, with a collection of more than 17,000 artworks.
The museum features a permanent collection that includes artworks from Southeast Asia, India, and the Islamic world. It also features a number of temporary exhibitions.
The most famous artwork in the National Gallery is probably The Singapore Girl, which is a painting by renowned artist Yusof Ghani.
Famous Monuments In Singapore
Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel in Singapore. It is the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, with a height of 165 meters (541 feet). The wheel has 28 passenger capsules, each of which can hold up to 8 passengers. The wheel takes 30 minutes to complete one revolution.
The Singapore Flyer was completed in 2008 with a diameter of 150 meters and offers amazing views of the city skyline.
ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum is a museum outside Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The interesting architecture and structure were designed by Moshe Safdie, and it opened to the public in 2011.
The ArtScience Museum is dedicated to the arts and sciences. The museum has a collection of over 1,000 artworks. The museum also has interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience the arts and sciences.
Helix Bridge
The Helix Bridge is a pedestrian bridge in Singapore that links the Marina Bay Financial District to the Marina Bay Sands Resort. The bridge was designed by Australian architect Philip Cox and opened to the public in 2010.
The Helix Bridge gets its name from its spiral shape, which is meant to represent DNA. It is 280 meters (920 feet) long and has a width of 12 meters (39 feet).
Natural Landmarks In Singapore
As a metropolitan city and island, there are not a whole lot of pure natural landmarks in Singapore. However, Singapore is also known for its greenery and garden city. There are many nature based landmarks in Singapore that are impressive to visit.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden in Singapore. It is the oldest botanic garden in Southeast Asia and was founded in 1859. The gardens occupy an area of 74 hectares (183 acres) and are home to over 22,000 plants from around the world.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015 and is the only tropical botanic garden in the list.
Gardens By The Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a new garden in West Singapore that was opened to the public in 2012. This award-winning nature park is a must-see for any visitor to Singapore. The gardens feature beautiful landscaping, a Supertree Grove, and multiple zones that house exotic plants from all over the world.
The Supertree Grove is an iconic sight in Gardens by the Bay. These man-made trees are up to 50 meters tall and were designed to be vertical gardens.
The Flower Dome is the world’s largest glass greenhouse. It has a diameter of 150 meters and is 36 meters high.
The Cloud Forest is a greenhouse with a 35-meter high mountain inside it. There is a waterfall that cascades down the mountain.
The Water Garden is a large lake with fountains and sculptures. The Bonsai Garden contains bonsais from all over the world.
Singapore River
Singapore River is the key river in the Central Area of Singapore. The Singapore River is about 3.2 kilometers long and drains into Marina Bay.
The Singapore River played an important role in the development of Singapore. The first settlements in Singapore were along the Singapore River. The river was also used for transportation, with boats traveling up and down the river.
Today, the Singapore River is a popular tourist spot, with many restaurants and bars located along the riverbank. The Clarke Quay and Boat Quay areas are especially popular for nightlife.
Sentosa Island, Singapore Landmarks
Sentosa Island is a resort island off mainland Singapore that is home to several theme parks and attractions.
The most famous attraction on Sentosa Island is probably Universal Studios Singapore, which is the only Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia. Other notable attractions on Sentosa Island include the S.E.A. Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark.
Universal Studio Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore is the only Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia. It was opened in 2010 and is located on Sentosa Island.
The theme park is divided into seven zones, each with its own unique theme. The zones are Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Lost World, Far Far Away, Madagascar, and A Bug’s Life.
The most popular attraction in the theme park is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is based on the Harry Potter series of books and movies.
S.E.A. Aquarium
The S.E.A. Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world. Opened in 2012, it’s home to more than 100,000 marine animals from over 800 species. It also has the world’s largest collection of manta rays. If you’re a fan of marine life, or if you’re traveling with kids, this is a must-visit attraction.
Adventure Cove Waterpark
Adventure Cove Waterpark is a water park located in Singapore. It was opened in August 2010. The water park is themed around the tropical ocean, with a variety of attractions such as rides, slides, and pools.
Palawan Beach
Palawan Beach is a beautiful and serene beach on Sentosa island. It is one of the most popular beaches in Singapore and is well known for its crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, and lush tropical greenery.
Palawan Beach is a quieter option than the popular Siloso beach, giving you more privacy. It is also home to an iconic suspension bridge that is an extremely photogenic Singapore landmark.
Discovering Famous Landmarks In Singapore
Singapore is a relatively young country, which has only been independent since 1965. Despite its small size, Singapore holds many landmarks and memories that have helped shape the culture of this nation. Some of these landmarks have been around for decades, while others are more modern additions.
Regardless of their age, each of these landmarks has a unique story to tell and provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture, history, and capabilities of Singapore.
When traveling in Singapore, be sure to set aside time to visit some of these famous landmarks and learn about the amazing history of this vibrant country.
