Secret Singapore: A 3-day itinerary

1 Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Morning

Take a break from the bustling city centre of Singapore and spend a day wandering in the heartlands instead.

Start your day at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, located at the heartlands of central Singapore. Go for a jog or rent a bicycle to make your way around the 62-hectare park. There are plenty of spaces for a picnic along the grassy banks on both sides of the park’s meandering three-kilometre-long river.

2 Toa Payoh New Town

Afternoon

Hop on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and make a beeline for housing estate Toa Payoh, which is just two stops away.

Besides joining the locals at the area’s popular hawker centres at lunchtime, check out the precinct’s green spots such as the Toa Payoh Sensory Park and the Toa Payoh Town Park. As for food, try Hokkien mee (stir-fried prawn noodles) at Kim Keat Hokkien Mee—located at Lorong 4 Toa Payoh.

Learn about the evolution of public housing in Singapore with the Housing & Development Board’s LIVINGSPACE Gallery, located at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh.

3 Emerald Hill Road

Evening

If you happen to be in the city, try hitting up areas like Emerald Hill on Orchard Road. This charming enclave is known for its vibrant nightlife scene, as well as the beautiful architecture of its low-rise heritage houses, with their Sin-Baroque architecture and Peranakan-style adornments.

4 Singapore Island Cruise

Morning and afternoon

Embark on an island-hopping journey with Singapore Island Cruise, situated just above the Marina South Pier MRT station.

Sail to the southern islands, such as St John’s Island and Kusu Island, to take a break from the hectic city life. You can spend the day soaking up the sun, enjoying a picnic on the sandy beach, exploring the island's many winding tracks or simply lazing the day away by the lagoon.

Once you’ve alighted from the ferry at St John’s Island, head to the right from the pier, where you’ll find a perfect picnic spot by the lagoon. Or turn left from the pier and take a leisurely, 20-minute walk towards Lazarus Island’s unspoilt beaches.

Then, hop on the ferry for your next stop at Kusu Island, also known as Tortoise Island in Chinese. Begin your exploration at the Da Bo Gong Temple, which was built in 1923, before making your way up 152 steps to the three Malay keramat (shrines) dedicated to a pious family from the 19^th Century.

You can also visit the shelled inhabitants of the Tortoise Sanctuary; the same creatures that give Kusu Island its Chinese name.

5 Satay By The Bay

Evening

Ready your appetites for a scrumptious feast over at Satay by the Bay. To get here, take the MRT from Marina South Pier to Bayfront, then walk over to Gardens by the Bay, where this iconic open-air hawker centre is situated.

Sample classic creations like satay (grilled skewered meat), char kway teow (stir-fried noodles with cockles and Chinese sausages), and sambal (chilli paste) stingray.

6 Coriander Leaf

Morning

After two activity-packed days, it’s time to slow down the pace and take it easy with a range of enriching classes, located in some of Singapore’s most beloved historic districts.

Go for a cooking class at Coriander Leaf, to learn how to prepare some uniquely Asian dishes. Classes and themes vary widely—from South Asian cuisine to the best of Singapore hawker favourites—so be sure to check out their website to find the right class for you.

7 Yixing Xuan Teahouse

Afternoon

After the delicious food, make your way for a tea appreciation session at Yixing Xuan Teahouse. Discover the fine art of Chinese tea making as well as its storied history during this informative one-hour session, then bring home a souvenir with the tea paraphernalia on offer at the teahouse.

8 Trimmings Salon & Spa

Evening

End your day at Dempsey Hill, where you’ll find a varied array of restaurants, bars, boutiques and spas. Trimmings Salon & Spa is a great place to pamper yourself with a massage or manicure before your meal.  After three days of exploring our city’s hidden gems, you’ve certainly earned it.