Singapore Layover Tour - Highlights of Singapore in Just a Few Hours!

Upon arrival, your driver and guide will meet you at the airport. Then, visit Singapore with Asia Odyssey Travel to discover why Singapore is so Safe, Clean, Diverse, and Rich.

Welcome to Singapore City, the Second Smallest Country in Asia (only bigger than Maldive) ! Singapore is a unique city-state Island Nation, where the city is the country and the capital itself. Despite its land area of about 728 sq km, Singapore is renowned as the Gateway City to Asia due to its location. (PS: Singapore is about half the size of London and slightly larger than the New York City).

First, head to Kampong Glam, a good place to explore Muslim & Malay Culture. As one of the oldest street in Singapore, this area used to be the center of activities for the Malay Royal Family, and it retains many historical buildings and cultural attractions such as the Sultan Mosque, Arab Street and Haji Lane.

Kampong Glam was a seaside village 200 years ago. In Malay "Kampong" means 'village,' the village was named for the gelam trees that once grew there, used for shipbuilding and medicine. During Singapore's colonial era, Sir Stamford Raffles designated it for Malay, Arab, and Bugis communities in 1822. Today, its 19 th-century shophouses host textile shops and diverse restaurants.

The Sultan Mosque is the landmark of Kampong Glam due to its huge golden dome and towering minaret. Its architectural style is a fusion of Malay, Indian and Mughal styles, epitomizing Singapore's multiculturalism. Sultan Mosque was built in 1824 by Sultan Hussein Shah, the Sultan of Johor. In 1819, Sultan Hussein Shah's agreement with the British was a key event in the founding of modern Singapore. As part of the agreement, Sultan Hussein Shah was recognized as the First Sultan of Singapore, and the area of Kampong Glam was allocated to him and his followers. Now, the Sultan Mosque can accommodate up to 5,000 believers for worship at the same time. (Note: To enter the mosque, wear long pants and sleeves out of respect).

When visiting Kampong Glam you should not miss a visit to Haji Lane to check out the murals by local artists such as Yip Yew Chong (叶耀宗). Haji Lane is famous for its striking murals and graffiti, making it a photographer's paradise. It's packed with independent shops selling trendy fashion, vintage items, and quirky souvenirs. It's a hub for hip cafes and bars, perfect for relaxing and people-watching.

After that, you will pay a visit to Merlion Park by driving past Civic District, the historic heart of Singapore. You can view important landmarks (colonial era buildings) from your car such as the Padang, a historic field hosting national events, the elegant Singapore Cricket Club (Founded in 1852), the colonial-era Parliament House (Completed in 1827), and the stunning National Gallery Singapore.

You will have a quick stop at Merlion Park for the Merlion Statue. It is a National Symbol of Singapore that finished in 1972. The Merlion combines a lion's head and fish body, representing Singapore's 'Lion City' name and fishing village history. According to myth, a brave prince saw a lion on the island and named it Singapura, blending strength and maritime heritage. As the smallest park in Singapore, Merlion Park is the perfect spot for photoing the Merlion Statue (8.6 meter’s Height) at a close distance and viewing the Marina Bay Sands and CBD of Singapore from afar.

Then transfer to explore Thian Hock Keng, Singapore's oldest Hokkien temple and a symbol of local Taoist culture. Thian Hock Keng, built-in 1840 by early Hokkien immigrants, is dedicated to Mazu (妈祖), who protected early Chinese immigrants during their perilous sea journeys. Located in Chinatown, it is a masterpiece of traditional Southern Chinese Architecture. You can marvel at its intricate carvings, nail-less construction, colorful tile, ancestral worship traditions, and peaceful ambiance.

At Last, head to Singapore Botanic Gardens. Established in 1859, it has transformed from a British colonial-era tropical garden into a modern, world-class scientific institution focused on conservation and education. The gardens attract plant enthusiasts who come to explore tropical plants and orchids, birders hoping to spot species like the Oriental Pied Hornbill, Buffy Fish-Owl, and Stork-billed Kingfisher, as well as wildlife enthusiasts eager to encounter otters, monitor lizards, plantain squirrels, geckos... Locals frequent the gardens for jogging, picnicking, or attending concerts at its Symphony Lake.

Did you know that the Singapore Botanic Gardens played a pivotal role in the rubber industry, contributing to its recognition as the only World Heritage Site in Singapore? In 1877, the Gardens introduced the rubber tree to Singapore from Brazil via the Royal Botanic Gardens in the UK. This breakthrough led to the successful cultivation of rubber across Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand), transforming the region into a global hub for rubber production. Its contributions to rubber cultivation, along with its rich tropical rainforest plant collection, stunning garden design, unique architecture, and cultural history, earned it UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status in 2015.

You won’t miss the crown jewel of the Singapore Botanic Gardens - the National Orchid Garden! Step into a world of color and beauty, home to over 1,000 orchid species and stunning hybrids. This is the ultimate spot to admire the Vanda Miss Joaquim (卓锦万代兰), the beloved National Flower of Singapore, and marvel at orchids named after global icons like Lee Kuan Yew (李光耀), Jackie Chan (成龙), Princess Diana, Michelle Obama, and Singapore’s very own songbird, Stefanie Sun (孙燕姿).

Travel Tips:
1.The iconic 150-year-old Tembusu tree, featured on Singapore's $5 note, is located within the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Specifically, it's found not far from the Tanglin Gate entrance.
2.The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a great spot to see Singapore's National Bird, the Crimson Sunbird. The small size and agility bird feeds on nectar and is often found among flowers in forested areas.

After That, it is time to end your Singapore Layover Tour. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your Singapore City Tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next tour to Asia. Safe journey!

Extension Ideas:
1.Want to explore more of Asia? We can help you arrange trips to China, Japan, the Philippines, the Maldives, Thailand, Laos, Bhutan, Nepal, India, and more.
2.Planning to visit Malaysia or Indonesia, the neighboring countries of Singapore? Let us know, and we'll customize your itinerary and help with travel arrangements.
3. Changi Airport is an attraction worth exploring for a full day. Consistently crowned "World's Best Airport," it is more than just a travel hub - it's a destination in itself. Blending top-notch travel amenities with shopping, dining, entertainment, waterfall, and stunning gardens, it offers a unique experience.