Changi Village Off the beaten track near the Eastern tip of Singapore, Changi Village is a sleepy district in contrast to the bustling city. The local beach attracts fishermen and bathers alike, especially on weekends. Getting There: Take the MRT to Tanah Merah Station (EW4) and board SBS Transit bus 2. Click here to view MRT route map.
Holland Village Dubbed the “bohemian enclave” of Singapore, Holland Village is a microcosm of Singapore life, a curious mix between old and new. Traditional coffee shops and a wet market jostle for space aside ritzy wine bars and fine dining restaurants.
Getting There: Take SBS Transit bus 7 or 106 from Orchard Boulevard.
Katong The distinctive charm of Katong can be traced back to its Peranakan roots. A quiet residential area formerly dominated by wealthy Straits Chinese families or the Peranakans, many of the older Peranakan homes in Katong, once seaside villas, still stand tall and picturesque.
Getting There: Parkway Parade: Take SBS Transit bus 14 or 16 from Orchard Road. Eurasian Heritage Centre: Take the MRT to Bugis Station (EW12) and take SBS Transit bus 12 from opposite Bugis Junction. Alight at Katong Swimming Complex. Click here to view MRT route map.
Tampines Tampines (pronounced “Tam-pe-nees”), a HDB (public housing) estate in the eastern part of Singapore, has the distinction of having won the coveted United Nations World Habitat Award for Excellent Housing Design.
Getting There: Take the MRT to Tampines Station (EW2). Click here to view MRT route map.
Toa Payoh One of Singapore's earliest public housing estates, Toa Payoh has developed a distinctive character through the years. The area bustles with activity and is a great place to soak in the local lifestyle.
Yishun Yishun is a satellite suburb in the northern part of the island. Step straight off the MRT into the six-level Northpoint Centre, a modern shopping mall complete with all the brand names to be found along Orchard Road.
Boat Quay Looking for a swingin’ good time? Then head on down to Boat Quay - the trailblazer of the Singapore entertainment scene.
Getting There: Head towards the Singapore River from Raffles Place MRT (EW14/NS26). Click here to view MRT route map.
Clarke Quay Shop, eat and be entertained by the riverside! Featuring five blocks of restored warehouses, Clarke Quay offers a quirky alternative to mainstream attractions, with second-hand and antique shops and restaurants with an amazing array of F&B options.
Getting There: Head to the Riverfront from Clarke Quay MRT (NE5). Click here to view MRT route map.
Robertson Quay A more laid-back cousin to Boat Quay, Robertson Quay offers a more tranquil ambience for dining and entertainment by the Singapore River. Housing a string of hotels hugging the river against a background of the old go-downs of Singapore, Robertson Quay is the perfect locale for an evening out.
Abdul Gaffoor Mosque Tucked away from the bustle of Little India, this mosque was completed in 1910 and recently restored. The main entrance of this mosque boasts an elaborate pediment, the center of which is a sundial.
Getting There: Take the MRT to Bugis Station (EW12) and head for Rochor Road/Jalan Besar. Click here to view MRT route map.
Armenian Church The Armenian Church in Hill Street is credited with being the oldest church in Singapore. Built in 1835 and designed by colonial architect, George Coleman, the church is regarded as Coleman’s masterpiece and is dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator.
Getting There: Take the MRT to City Hall MRT Station (EW13/NS25) and walk in the direction of Hill Street. Click here to view MRT route map.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum is a living cultural monument in the heart of Chinatown housing what Buddhist leaders regard as the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic in a magnificent Relic Stupa composed of 420kg of gold donated by devotees. Getting There: Take the MRT to Chinatown Station. Exit onto Pagoda Street. Turn right at the exit and BTRTM is a short 5 min walk away. Click here to view MRT route map.
Central Sikh Temple The chief place of worship for Singapore’s 15,000 Sikhs, the Central Sikh Temple was built to commemorate the 518th anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru. The temple boasts a skilful blend of modern and traditional architecture. Getting There: Take MRT from Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station (NS24) to Boon Keng MRT Station (NE9) and follow the sign boards pointing to the temple. Click here to view MRT route map.
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque Built in 1846, the Hajjah Fatimah Mosque is named after a Malacca-born Malay who married a wealthy Bugis Sultan. Although it exhibits a combination of architectural influences, it has a decidedly British flavour. Getting There: Take the MRT to Lavender Station (EW11) and walk toward Beach Road
