Conrad Singapore Orchard

Begin your cultural immersion at the Chinatown Heritage Center where you will learn about the history and culture of Singapore’s earliest immigrants. A fascinating juxtaposition of old and new, Chinatown is home to family-run medicine halls, old textile shops and teahouses, as well as trendy bars and chic eateries. Highlights in the neighbourhood include Maxwell Food Center, Chinatown Complex and religious landmarks the likes of Sri Mariamman Temple and Jamae Mosque.

Over 3,000 animals from 316 species reside in their natural spacious habitats at the acclaimed Singapore Zoo. The Elephants of Asia exhibit, for example, offers an upclose look of these gentle giants at work and at play in surroundings fashioned after a Burmese logging camp, while the white tiger habitat, reminiscent of a dense jungle clearing, provides a beautiful wildlife sanctuary where families can learn about these magnificent felines, only a few feet away. Not to missed are the Night Safari, the world’s first wildlife night park with over 1,000 nocturnal animals as well as the River Safari, famed for its 1,500 square meter Giant Panda Forest, home to Singapore’s two adorable Giant Pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

Besides the historic Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan), you will find brightly-coloured conserved shophouses housing an eclectic mix of shops selling everything from Middle Eastern handicrafts and prayer rugs to rattan wares in this traditional textile district. Culinary enthusiasts will enjoy Arab Street and its neighbouring alleys which are packed with Middle Easter and Muslim restaurants and cafes.

A renowned shopping mecca, Singapore offers everything from premier luxury retail experiences in dazzling megamalls to quaint boutiques in charming districts. Among the most iconic is the Orchard Road shopping belt, just minutes walk from Regent Singapore. There, you can explore stretches of world-class shopping malls filled with luxury labels, high street finds and local souvenirs. Spanning almost 2.2km, the bustling tree-lined boulevard is flanked conveniently with rows of shopping malls including the famed ION Orchard, from Wheelock Place (near Orchard MRT station) to Plaza Singapore (near Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station). The best time to visit is during the annual eight-week Great Singapore Sale where you will find great deals and discounts islandwide.

Home to over 250,000 rare plants, this 101-hectare horticultural highlight is a five-minute stroll from Marina Bay. Composed of three spaces – Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central – the Gardens offer gorgeous views of the Marina Bay Financial District skyline as well as insight into plant species from all around the world. Soak in the view from the 16-storey-tall Supertrees or explore the lush vegetation from tropical highlands atop a 35-meter tall mountain in the “Cloud Forest” where you will also find the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

No trip would be complete without a visit to the bucolic Singapore Botanic Gardens. In this sprawling urban oasis, just steps away from Regent Singapore, you’ll find over 60,000 plants and orchids – or what’s lauded as the world’s largest orchid display – in the National Orchid Garden, as well as the fun-filled Jacob Balls Children’s Garden. Learn about native trees such as the Tembusu, along with other floral and fauna; a handful of eateries in the garden offer award-winning cuisine and a brief respite from the elements.

This recreational resort island, 15 minutes from the city center, offers something for everyone. Those looking for an adrenaline rush can head to Skyline Luge Sentosa for a thrilling go-cart style ride through jungle trails, the Wave House Sentosa for some serious simulated surfing, or iFly, the world’s largest themed wind tunnel, for a spot of indoor skydiving. Nature lovers will appreciate the walking trails, as well as the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom. Among its biggest attractions, Resorts World Sentosa which home to Marine Life Park, the world’s largest oceanarium, and Universal Studios featuring movie-themed rides and attractions for thrill seekers and their families.

Former British army barracks-turned-vibrant dining hotspot, the Dempsey precinct is a treasure trove of eclectic stores and chic restaurants, surrounded by lush greenery and conservation charm. Shoppers can take their pick from handcrafted carpets and fine art pieces to antique and fine teak furnishings, while diners enjoy an equally international range of restaurants offering everything from fine French cuisine to local seafood.