Singapore is notoriously interesting, but it is also one of the most expensive cities in Asia. That said, the city-state is not without delightful free attractions. Given the small size of the country, all these free attractions are also very convenient to visit.
Glory Changi Airport
Most visitors to Singapore arrive by plane. If that’s your case, one of the best free attractions in the country is right in front of you.
Known simply as ‘The Jewel’ by locals, Jewel Changi Airport is a mixed-use complex located in the heart of Changi Airport. Shopping malls, entertainment centres, cinemas and greenhouses come together, and the highlights here are the stunning HSBC Rainswirl Indoor Waterfall and the lush Shiseido Forest Valley that surrounds the waterfall. Both can be enjoyed for free throughout the day.
For visitors who don’t mind spending a little money, Canopy Park, located at the top of the complex, also boasts a variety of games and attractions. In short, spend an entire day on the ultra-modern Jewel.
Gardens by the Bay
Located at the southern tip of Singapore, Marina Bay Gardens is now a model for Singapore’s tourism industry. Nighttime photos of its iconic “Supertree” flood many postcards.
In addition to the Flower Cloud Forest Dome and the Floral Fantasy Exhibition, the entire Gardens by the Bay is free to enter and enjoy. Beyond the Super Tree, there are many mini gardens, art sculptures, and picturesque sights. For energetic visitors, a 15-minute walk south also leads to the Marina Barrage. This futuristic barrage, a sentinel facing the south of Singapore, is completely free to enter.
Buddha Relic Temple and Museum
A newer temple in Singapore and the most striking landmark in Chinatown, entering the ornate Temple of the Relic of Buddha and Museum is like stepping into a golden palace. One of the walls is decorated with thousands of Tibetan Buddha statues.
The upper level of the temple, the free museum, also houses a large collection of Buddhist sculptures and artworks, with the dazzling hall dedicated to the relic of the tooth of the same name. Whether you are a Buddhist or not, you will surely be amazed by the exotic religious masterpieces in every corner of this beloved institution.
Haw Par Villa
Do you like Chinese mythology? Or are you a creepy fan? If so, free entry to Haw Par Villa is a must-see on your Singapore holiday itinerary.
Haw Par Villa, an older sculpture park on the outskirts of the city centre with a metro station in front, has long been hailed as one of Southeast Asia’s strangest attractions. Filled with statues based on Chinese folk tales and myths, this compact park is both fascinating and disturbing. Infamously, there is even a “Ten Courts of Hell” Hell Museum, one that unapologetically displays what happens to sinners in hell.
Here are the notes about the Museum of Hell. The display in it is very graphical and grotesque, to say the least. Visitors with a weak stomach or those with children should be careful.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and consistently known as one of Asia’s top park attractions, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is conveniently located next to the Orchard Road shopping district and is free for all to enjoy.
In addition to an endless array of plant species and many landscape features, the center of the venue contains a fairly large open-air auditorium that regularly hosts free concerts. Picnicking on verdant grounds while listening to exciting professional performances has long been Singapore’s most popular weekend event.
Chinese and Japanese garden
This is another free garden attraction in Singapore. One dates back to the 70s and is located at the western end of the city-state.
Located next to the man-made Jurong Lake, the Chinese and Japanese gardens contain a variety of ethnic buildings based on their namesake. The Chinese Garden, in particular, has three unique Chinese pagodas and even a seventeen-arch bridge based on the Summer Palace in Beijing. On top of that, these two gardens, as older attractions, tend to be less crowded even on weekends and public holidays. As long as you don’t mind taking a half-hour subway ride from the city center, these two atmospheric sights are sure to delight you.
Holiday lighting
As a multi-racial and multi-religious society, Singapore celebrates various festivals throughout the year.
During major festivals such as Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Diwali and Christmas, the country’s traditional ethnic enclaves will be illuminated by street lamps and dazzling artworks. These celebrations are free for everyone to enjoy and photograph, and are often accompanied by festive street markets, the most famous of which is the Chinatown Lunar New Year Market.
Apart from these traditional celebrations, the Singapore Tourism Board hosts many tourism festivals such as the annual Singapore Night Festival. In short, no matter when you visit, there is a possibility of enjoying some kind of lighting at night. Some night markets for you to taste national cuisine.
