A trading hub to a tourist hub , Singapore River is where modern Singapore began.
Back then it had served as a trading harbor and home to diverse communities which shaped the land what we see today and now it is a standing example of the heritage.
A walk from Clark Quay to the Marina Bay gives a glimpse of the past and how it has shaped the modern present.The trial takes you from the shop houses through the Art by the river , the sky scrappers to the lush green gardens. Here you find beauty , fascination and picture perfect postcard images at every corner.
River Side Point : - Closest MRT - Clark quay
Just a couple of minutes walk from the Clark quay MRT is the river side point which stands majestically by the Singapore River.
With its unique river side dining experience it attracts a large number of locals and expats.
One can come here to enjoy the fresh sea food or just take a relaxing stroll with the picturesque view of the beautiful shop houses of Clark quay.
Tan Si Chong Su : - Closest MRT - Clark quay
"Tan Si Chong Su" or "Palace for the protection of the innocent" is a Chinese temple right across the street from the River Side Point. The architectural beauty of curved ridges on the roof adorned with dragons and flowers , the carved dragons and the murals on the walls are just one reason to visit this beautiful century old ancient temple. The calm and peace in the temple is very inviting !!
There was an elderly Chinese man in the temple who came up to me and handed few incense sticks to pray with and said "He knows your name , your language and your wishes" as he pointed towards the God. His words reminded that religion is no barrier in front the beautiful feeling called "Faith".
Clarke Quay : - Closest MRT - Clark quay
On the other side of the River opposite to River side point is the Clark Quay.
This is what a good restoration can do !!! The shop houses date back to the time when the Singapore river was a hub for trading , these are now restored and serve as diners enjoyed by the locals and the tourists.
With the picture perfect shop houses , each unique yet alike !! You can experience a Buoyant lifestyle with its unique river side dining and breweries.
The read bridge and read street offer picturesque views.
At Clarke quay one can enjoy the dining experience or the vibrant night life or a relaxing stroll with the river on one side and the colorful shop houses on the other or take a boat ride round trip to the bay.
As you stroll past the Clark quay you will notice "The old hill street police station", this one definitely will not miss out your sight.
"The old hill street police station" a huge structure with its vibrant colorful windows is a sight to behold , this earlier served as a police station where the prisoners were locked up and if you were a police back then your family quarters would have been in the same building as the prisoners you caught !! yeah true ! but now you need not worry about it , now the building serves as ministry of culture , community and youth as well as a treat for our eyes !!!
Fort Canning Hill : - Closest MRT - Clark quay
If you are a nature person or enjoy trekking , you can go for a small trek up the "Fort Canning hill" which is right across the road from the Clark quay and beside the OHSP.
One can enjoy a trek here at "Fort Canning Hill" or "Bukit Larangan" - "The forbidden hill"
and unwind the long history of the hill at every turn !!
the canons ,the Rafles House , a Light House , a Spice Garden and many more await you on this trial.
Boat Quay : - Closest MRT - Clark quay or Raffles place
Just like the River Side Point and Clark quay , The Boat Quay houses many river side diners and starting here till you reach the Merlion you will encounter several art works instilled on the side walk.
This Sculpture walk takes us back in time to the good olden days of Singapore as a fishing village and to a time when the Banks of the river served as a trading hub. The art of the sculptures brings back to life the heritage of this Country.
At Boat quay one can enjoy a meal in the diners or a stroll enjoying the view of the river on the one side and sculpture on the other or just sit at steps on the river bank enjoy the boats cruising and cool wind brushing through your hair. You can also board a cruise boat at Water B point at Boat Quay.
Merlion Statue : - Nearest MRT - Bay front or Raffles place
Mythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish. The tail symbolizes the humble beginnings of a Singapore as a fishing village and the lion head represents the Majestic "Singapura - the lion city".
A happening place , At the Merlion statue you can click some pictures with majestic Merlion and never get tired to soak up the beauty of the bay with the backdrop of skyscrapers , Singapore flyer and the marina bay sands.
This walk was not just about the fascination of things , but we came across so many interesting and inspiring travelers , A Turkish traveler selling string bracelets and postcards to support his love for travel "I am a traveler , inspired by the world" was what he says and a big happy smile on his face.
A funky motorcyclist with a Singapore flag on his well decorated motorcycle posed for pictures with the tourists with a big welcoming smile.
Helix Bridge : - Nearest MRT - Bay front or Marina Bay
DNA carved out of metal !!! The Helix bridge is one of its kind pedestrian bridge connecting the merlion Statue and Marina Bay.
You can take a stroll across it from the Merlion Statue to reach the other side of the river where you will find the Marina bay and gardens by the bay. The walk has not yet ended !!
A lot more happening on the other side of the helix bridge.
Marina Bay Sands : - Nearest MRT - Marina Bay
An iconic structure which you would have come across in pictures of people who visited Singapore , the worlds most instagrammed hotel !!!
Contributing approx 2 % of GDP for the country is Marina Bay Sands , which houses hotel , restaurants , casino , sky deck , infinity pool , shops you name it and they have it here , all under a roof , the whole entertainment package !!!
The main attraction being the unbeatable view from the boat shaped sky deck , charging around $23 per person. On a clear day you would be able to get a glimpse of Indonesia !!!
The best time to be on the sky deck is during a sunset so you can enjoy the view of the harbor and gardens by the bay before the sunset and lit up city of skyscrapers after sunset.
Its a beautiful sunset from the top of the deck !!
Another attraction is the laser show which happens at 9 and 10 pm every night , beautifully composed orchestration of the laser , water and music is mind blowing and like all good things in the world its free of cost :)
As we roamed around in front of Marina bay sands we came across an inverted dome shaped structure , into which water was flowing and we could talk to people standing on the other end like a telephone !!! Give it a try if you around :)
One can enjoy the view from the sky deck , roam around the mall , enjoy the laser show after dark , shop , gamble at the Casino here at Marina Bay Sands..
Gardens by The Bay : - Nearest MRT - Marina Bay
Once you enter this place , you feel like you have been transferred from a city of Skyscrapers into lush green forest !!!
Unimaginably contradicting experience to what you would have had in this day if you had followed the above trial to this place !!! Living up to the words said in the Singapore tourism add "This is where we live among trees and carve them out of metal and make them electric !!" this is a world of plants and super trees made out of metal and concrete.
The entry to the garden is free of cost , but there are two domes - Flower dome and Cloud Forest which would cost around 32$ per person and extra 3$ if you opt for tram ride to reach here.
You would also be charged to walk around on the OCBC sky way connecting the super trees.
You can pick up the tickets at the entrance , its definitely worth visiting the domes or you can walk around the gardens by the bay for free.
Flower Dome - Where the Wonder Blooms
Flower dome houses 30000 varieties of plants from around the world. A perpetual spring , the flowers and the baobabs !! definitely an eye candy. The green houses are the largest of its kind in the whole world and you will be amazed how you can travel around the world as you walk through the gardens dedicated regions which host plants from different countries and how all these come together under a single roof !!!
Cloud Forest - Tropical Highlands
We felt this was the best out of both the domes , well its a personal choice.
A tropical montane housing many ferns pitchers orchids. As you enter this place you will be transferred into a whole new tropical world with a man made mountain of 6 stories high housing moist dense tropical trees and plants. Adding to the magic of the highlands , is the highest man made waterfall.
The surreal misting and the cloud walk converts the tropical wonderland into a fantasy fairy land with only minus the fairies :)
Check the misting time before you enter to experience the domes beauty to the fullest.
The domes might need an hour or two to view and soak in the beauty.
Like in Marina Bay Sands there is a light show which happens here at 7.45pm and 8.45pm every night and is free of cost. You can either sit on the grass near the Super trees or enjoy it from the Sky Deck of Marina Bay Sands.
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