For many, the Lion City is best experienced through her sights, sounds and tastes. Whether you’re a foodie, nature-lover or culture vulture, Singapore is bound to provide a sensory experience to ignite your passion.
When a group of social media influencers from India visited Singapore in 2017 to discover their passion in SG, they explored the country in an unconventional way. Their experiences ranged from cycling along Marina Barrage at night and eating at hawker centres to partying at Ce La Vi and shopping at the most sought after homegrown brands.
Here’s a glimpse into some of the influencer’s most memorable experiences.
Photo by Shivesh Bhatia Part of the foodies group included Karishma Sakhrani, foodie-fashionista and finalist of MasterChef India Season, Shivesh Bhatia, a self-taught baker and Himanshu Sehgal of ‘My Yellow plate’ fame.
1. Sweet Brunch Treats @ Tiong Bahru Bakery
A local establishment that has earned a reputation for quality desserts and pastries, Tiong Bahru Bakery is famous among the local for its signature croissants, a perfect blend of crispy shell and pillow-soft insides. Raspberry cakes, Paris-Brest and lemon curd tarts were just some of the sweet treats that the foodies sampled.
Tiong Bahru Bakery. 56 Eng Hoon Street #01-70, Singapore 160056. +65 6220 3430.
Daily 8am-8pm.
Photo by Shivesh Bhatia 2. A Tapestry of Flavours on the Makan Makan Food Tour
Singapore’s leading culinary tour group, Wok N’ Stroll, offers insights into our city’s culture through delicious dishes and traditional tastes. The foodies were brought on the Makan Makan food tour, a half-day heritage walking tour of Kampong Glam.
A home to Malay heritage and hipster boutiques alike, the neighbourhood has always been a place where the bold meets the beautiful. The group visited the picturesque street of Haji Lane—home to quirky boutiques and hip cafes—and sampled traditional dishes such as popiah (a savoury wrap) and otah (a grilled fishcake consisting of ground fish meat, tapioca starch, and spices).
The group ended their day at Geylang Serai Market, a bustling suburban wet market and favourite stomping ground of local chefs shopping for fresh produce for their Peranakan and Malay dishes.
Book your tickets at Wok N’ Stroll, Wok N’ Stroll at info@woknstroll.com.sg or call +65 8338 3571.
Photo by Native Bar 3. Authentic Asian Tipples @ Native Bar
Located along Amoy Street, Native Bar is famous for preparing cocktails that are created from regional spirits and ingredients, such as turmeric - a spice commonly used to give Indian curries their colour—and belimbing (a sourish tropical fruit).
The foodies enjoyed a night of music, laughter and epicurean pleasures, and got to experience the delicious and innovative tastes of the experimental cocktails created by Vijay Mudaliar, the bar founder and award-winning mixologist.
Native Bar. 52a Amoy St, Singapore 069878. +65 8869 6520.
Mon-Sat 6pm-12am.
Photo by Aayushi Bangur Sahu Getting to know the city better through the lens of fashion and culture were Instagrammers Aayushi Bangur Sahu, Kritika Kurana and Shereen Sika Bhawarni.
4. Art For All @ National Gallery Singapore
A must-visit for culture vultures and those looking for Instagram-worthy moments, National Gallery Singapore was once Singapore’s Supreme Court and City Hall. The gallery’s iconic architecture now houses artwork from local and international artists alike.
The culture lovers got to see the inimitably ‘dotty’ artwork of Japanese art doyen Yayoi Kusama, whose vibrant, 120-piece exhibition ‘Life Is The Heart of The Rainbow’ drew a record crowd of over 235,000 visitors.
National Gallery Singapore. 1 St Andrew's Road, Singapore 178957. +65 8869 6520.
Mon-Thu 10am-7pm; Fri 10am-9pm; Sat-Sun 10am-7pm
Photo by Aayushi Bangur Sahu 5. Getting Close To Nature @ Singapore Botanic Gardens
A verdant park located a stone’s throw away from the city centre, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is home to over 10,000 tropical flora and the largest collection of orchids in the world.
Aayushi spent an afternoon wandering amidst the lush greenery, marvelling over the garden’s range of orchids and tropical flora after a scrumptious brunch at Halia.
Singapore Botanic Gardens. 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569. 1800 471 7300.
Mon-Sat 5am-12am.
Photo by Gursimran Basra Exploring the nuances of the island’s urban and natural landscapes were travel photographers Gusimran Basra, Amol Goel and Pratik Talreja.
6. Peranakan Charms With Singapore Sideways Vespa Tour
A charming neighbourhood just ten-minute’s drive from the city centre, Joo Chiat is home to rich Peranakan heritage, with its colourful shophouses, quaint colonial-era bungalows and Peranakan-inspired hotels.
They got to explore the many charms that Joo Chiat had to offer on the back of Vespa scooters.
Book your tickets at Sideways.sg, email Singapore Sideways Vespa Tour at contact@sideways.sg or call +65 6247 7340.
7. Dazzling Night-time Cityscapes on the Marina Bay Night Cycle Tour
There’s no better way to experience Singapore’s urban nightscape than on the bicycle. Marina Bay’s wide wooden boardwalks—outlining the Singapore River - provide an idyllic setting for a night ride.
From Marina Bay Sands to the Singapore Flyer, explorers were treated to the bright lights of Singapore’s urban nightscape., the explorers feasted their eyes on Spectra, an impressive light and water show outside Marina Bay Sands.
Book your tickets at Let’s Go Bike Singapore, email Let’s Go Tour Singapore Pte Ltd at contact@letsgobikesingapore.com or call +65 9004 4332.
Photo by Amol Guel 8. Experiencing Tranquil Nature @ Pulau Ubin
An island sanctuary accessible via a short bumboat ride from Changi Village, Pulau Ubin is best known for its unspoiled greenery, mangrove swamps, and serene atmosphere. Old granite quarries, a teeming ecosystem of flora and fauna, and coral reefs greet visitors to Singapore’s last kampong (‘village’ in Malay).
A group of middle-aged local gentlemen treated our group of explorers to ice cold beers. It goes without saying that, before they departed, group’s newfound friends taught them a local toast with the words Yum Seng (a Cantonese term that means ‘drink to victory’).
Pulau Ubin. 61 Pulau Ubin, Singapore 508310. +65 6542 4108.
Daily 24 hours.
Gursimran commemorated his time in Singapore by publishing a photo of one of his newfound friends from Pulau Ubin on Instagram. Under the photo, he wrote, “I’m living my life in search for my heart’s happiness… so far, I have succeeded.”