Singapore City Tours and Places of Visit

Start your day with city Tour in the heart of where you can discover the Esplanade Theatre by the Bay: calling it “two copulating aardvarks” similar to a durian (a tropical fruit). Many Singaporeans casually refer to the Esplanade as “ The Durian” .

Next stop is Park , the area soon became a popular tourist attraction and took its place among the famous landmarks of great cities of the world. The Merlion is a beautiful hybrid of a lion and a fish. Strong and lithe, its lion head alludes to the fabled beast that once roamed the ancient island state, while its fish body symbolizes Singapore’s origin as a prosperous seaport.

After that, you can enjoy cruise along the , the cruise passes by many grand old bridges of diverse designs decorated with quaint old lamps of a bygone era. The Singapore River has seen 150 years of commercial activity and has been at the heart of the growth of an obscure fishing village to a great seaport and metropolis.

The Padang is an open field located within the Downtown Core of the Central Area in Singapore, at the heart of Singapore’s central business district. It was formerly know as the Padang Cricket Ground. The padang is surrounded by several important landmarks, which include Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, City hall, the Old Supreme Court building and the City Hall MRT Station.

The City Hall & Supreme Court is a national monument gazetted on 14 February 1992. Located in front of the historical padang and next door to the Supreme Court of Singapore, it was designed and built by the architects of the municipal government.

Parliament House has a single House and together with the President of Singapore is known as the Legislature. It is a public building and cultural landmark and houses the Parliament of Singapore. It is located in the Civil District of the Downtown Core.

Singapore Cultural Experience

China Town is an ethnic neighbourhood featuring distinctly Chinese cultural elements and a historically concentrated ethnic Chinese population. Singapore’s oldest ethnic district‐ Chinatown is a must see for every visitor to the island nation. Richly steeped in culture and history, every corner holds a different surprise. One can expect to walk into a wide array of Chinese medical halls, teahouses, eateries, and boutique hotel. Not all parts of Chinatown are Chinese though. The Jamae Mosque and Sri Mariamman Temple along South Bridge Road witness to the harmonious racial and religious atmosphere in Singapore.

Little India is an ethnic neighborhood found in Singapore that has India cultural elements, Little India lies to east of the Singapore River‐across from Chinatown, located west of the river and north of Kampong Glam. The little India area is reported to have developed around a former settlement for India convicts. Its location along the Serangoon River originally made it attractive for raising cattle, and trade in livestock was once prominent in the area. Eventually, other economic activity developed, and by the turn of the 20th century, the area began to look like an Indian ethnic neighborhood.

There’s also an Indian Cultural Corner within the Arcade. Admission to the Cultural Corner is free. It is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m from Mondays to Saturdays, but closed on Sundays and public holidays. Visit the Cultural Corner for an introduction to Little India.

Singapore Shopping Experience

Orchard Road supposedly got its name from the orchards and plantations that existed in the area until the turn of the 20th century. In the 1900s, a mysterious disease swept through the nutmeg plantations, wiping them out within a year. Because of its location in a valley, floods were also common. They were only controlled in 1965 when Stamford Canal - part of which runs below the pedestrian mall fronting Wisma Atria Shopping Centre today - was deepened and widened.

In the 1970s, pioneering landmarks like C. K. Tangs, Plaza Singapura and the Mandarin Hotel came up and led the way for entertainment complexes. Brick by brick, and block by block, towers of glass and steel lined what used to be mud-tracks to make the premier shopping belt today.

Singapore Flyer

Singapore Flyer offers you breathtaking, 360° panoramic views of Singapore and beyond.

Located at Marina Bay, it sits astride a three-storey Retail Terminal with an exciting array of retail and F&B choices. A central atrium opens out to a lush tropical rainforest, while an open-air theatre hosts live performances. Adding to the buzz of sights, sounds and activities will be a 210-metre long waterfront dining promenade.

Standing at a stunning 165 metres, you will be able to experience remarkable scenes of the Singapore skyline: the magnificent Marina Bay, towering skyscrapers, tropical greenery, and the bright lights and non-stop action against the beautiful skies.

Sentosa Island – Singapore’s Discovery Island

Sentosa, which means Isle of Tranquility in Malay, has been transformed into a pleasure resort offering an interesting variety of activities. Start the journey by coach to Mount Faber for a Cable Car Ride to Sentosa Island and a panoramic view of the world's busiest harbour.

Upon arrival on island, visit the fascinating Images of Singapore to relive the history and festivals of Singapore.

Next, proceed to the Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon Asia's first and largest tropical fish oceanarium with over 2,500 marine specimens.

After dinner, get ready to fall under the spell of Sentosa Island’s latest nightly multi-sensory extravaganza-. Set in the sea, this mesmerising show is presented by a live cast, with captivating music and dramatic visual effects, including pyrotechnics, lasers, water jets, flame bursts and computer imaging.

Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park is a 20. 2 hectare open‐concept park. It is the largest in the Asia Pacific and one of the finest bird parks in the world. Jurong Bird Park, collection of more than 8,000 birds from 600 species, offers visitors an experience that is entertaining as well as educational. The whole family can enjoy the comical parrot circus and be enthralled by the birds of prey in the King of the Skies show. The bird shows at the Pools Amphitheatre featuring flamingoes, macaws, hornbills and cockatoos are both spectacular and funny, and recommended particularly for children. To watch magnificent birds of prey in action, catch the Fuji World of Hawks ‘show.

Night Safari

As the sun sets, a different world comes to life. At the Night Safari, you can look a rhinoceros in the eye, hear the howls of a pack of striped hyenas or watch giraffes glide serenely across the plain in the still of the night.

This premier night zoo houses over 900 animals of 135 exotic species in eight zones re-created to simulate geographic zones like the Southeast Asian rainforest, African savanna, Nepalese river valley, South American pampas and Burmese jungle.

Strike out on your own along the walking trail or relax in a tram ride - whichever you choose, Night Safari is a wild adventure not to be missed.

Singapore Zoological Gardens

Tired of having the usual breakfast? Then feast with an orang utan, the Oriental small-clawed otter, or even the reticulated python! These are just some of the many unusual escapades that await you at the acclaimed . Come up close and personal with the over 3,200 mammals, birds and reptiles and fishes at this 28-hectare “open” zoo.

Take a walk in the Fragile Forest and experience first-hand the rich lushness of a tropical rainforest with its thriving wildlife. You can also trek down the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia to meet over 50 hamadryas baboons, the black-backed jackal and the banded mongoose.

Here at the Singapore Zoo, you will come face to face with many special “babies” - threatened species successfully orn and bred in the zoo, such as the douc langur, white rhinoceros, proboscis monkey, manatee and of course, orang utan.

Rainforest Kidzworld Children can look forward to splashes of exhilarating activities at Rainforest Kidzworld this November. This new and special attraction within the park offers an educational, fun and engaging time with family-focused activities.

Waves of fun await children at the water play area, themed like a wet animal wonderland! For a wild ride, both adults and children can hop onto the animal-themed carousel. Pony rides are also available for children. The ride takes you on a leisurely trot around the periphery of Rainforest Kidzworld, with picturesque views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir.

Boat Ride along Upper Seletar Reservoir We are upping the fun-factor by introducing a boat ride along the scenic Upper Seletar Reservoir, to further enhance visitors' experience at the Zoo. A total of four boats will be plying the reservoir, aptly named after the Zoo's animal stars: Pedro, Omar, Komali and Ah Meng.

Bask in the majesty of nature as you enjoy the leisurely boat ride, and learn more about water and wildlife conservation from our knowledgeable guides. Discover the history behind Singapore's reservoirs, and the importance of watere as a vital lifeline to all. Listen carefully and keep your eyes peeled for the call of wild animals and birds, which continue to flourish all around us.

Cheng Ho Cruise

Admiral Zheng He, also popularly known as Cheng Ho, was born in Kunyang, Yunnan before he was bought to serve in the imperial court of the Ming Dynasty. Under Emperor Zhu Di (the Yongle Emperor), Zheng He rose in power to become the principal envoy and commander of the great treasure fleet. In July 1405, Zheng He left Liujia Harbour with a vast fleet of more than 300 ships manned by more than 27,000 men and began on the first of his seven voyages. From 1405 to 1433, Zheng He covered more than 30 nations, extending China's influence to Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East and Africa.

The new Cheng Ho V arrived in Singapore on June 2007, with a capacity of 200 persons with comfortable seating and 3 lavishly furnished air-conditioned dining halls

Boarding at Marina South Pier, you will enjoy attractive sights of the vessels anchored in Marina South Pier bay, the Singapore Flyer, Sentosa Cove, Tanjong Pagar Container Port- the busiest in the world by shipping tonnage-and the coastline of Singapore's pleasure isle, Sentosa.

Day Cruise passenegers get to do a stopover (except during the annual Kusu pilgrimage) on our Southern Island Paradise also known as Turtle island or Kusu Island to visit an ancient Chinese temple, a terrapin sanctuary and a Malay shrine. During the ninth lunar month, the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims, praying for good health, babies and a peaceful life.

Enjoy the sumptous spread of food selection and set sail on a romantic harbour cruise. Catch the sun setting over the horizon or the bright city lights on board the night cruises. This will be an experience to remember.

Johor Day Tour

Enjoy a trip to Johore Bahru, Capital of the State of Johor, Malaysia which is linked to Singapore by a Causeway. The state has a population of approximately 1.7 million and Johore Bahru is the second largest city south of Kuala Lumpur.

Across the causeway, visit the Royal Abu Bakar Mosque. Then drive along Lido Beach to Craft Town to observe batik painting for wall pictures and sarongs. This is followed by a visit to a Malay Cemetery and and the exterior of Royal Mausoleum. Enjoy some of the good shopping and local fares before making our way back across the causeway.

Malacca Day Tour

Malacca, is the seat of the 15th century Malay Sultanate, which was colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and British conquerors who sought to control the whole region and the lucrative spice trade.

Malacca is a quiet town but history abounds. Walk the streets where Malay folk heroes such as Hang Tuah once did around 1400 A.D.

Visit historical sites such as the St. Paul's Hill, where St Francis Xavier preached three centuries ago; Chen Hoon Teng, the oldest Chinese Temple in Malaysia and the Porta De Santiago, the Portuguese fortress, rubber, palm oil and coconut plantations in your drive to Malacca and stop at a pewter factory to see how pewter is transformed into useful decorative objects.

Sample Itinerary for your holiday in Singapore

Tour Itinerary A

Day 1

Meet and Greet upon arrival at Changi International Airport Transfer to Hotel for Check-In.

Day 2

Breakfast at Hotel Singapore City Tour Esplanade Theatre by the Bay Singapore River Bum Boat Ride Padang Supreme Court City Hall Parliament House Lunch at Local Restaurant

Singapore Cultural Experience Chinatown Little India

Sentosa Island Tour Cable Car Ride into Sentosa Images of Singapore Underwater World Dolphin Lagoon Buffet Dinner at Arches Songs of the Sea

Day 3

Breakfast at Hotel Free n Easy Transfer to airport for departure flight home

Tour Itinerary B

Day 1

Meet and Greet upon arrival at Changi International Airport Transfer to Hotel for Check-In.

Day 2

Breakfast at Hotel Singapore City Tour Esplanade Theatre by the Bay Merlion Park Singapore River Bum Boat Ride Padang Supreme Court City Hall Parliament House Lunch at Local Restaurant

Singapore Cultural Experience Chinatown Little India

Sentosa Island Tour Cable Car Ride into Sentosa Images of Singapore Underwater World Dolphin Lagoon Buffet Dinner at Arches Songs of the Sea

Day 3

Breakfast at Hotel Free n Easy Lunch Singapore Animal Kingdom Zoological Gardens Dinner Night Safari

Day 4

Breakfast at Hotel Free n Easy Transfer to airport for departure flight home

Tour Itinerary C

Day 1

Meet and Greet upon arrival at Changi International Airport Transfer to Hotel for Check-In. Lunch

Singapore Animal Kingdom Jurong Bird Park Zoological Gardens Dinner Night Safari

Day 2

Breakfast at Hotel

Singapore City Tour Esplanade Theatre by the Bay Merlion Park Singapore River Bum Boat Ride Padang Supreme Court City Hall Parliament House Lunch at Local Restaurant

Singapore Flyer Singapore Cultural Experience Chinatown Little India

Singapore Shopping Experience Orchard Road, Suntec City & Marina Square Shopping Dinner Cruise Free n Easy

Day 3

Breakfast at Hotel Check-Out Hotel Singapore Science Centre Snow City Sentosa Island Resort Cable Car Ride into Sentosa Check-In Resort

Sentosa Island Tour Images of Singapore Underwater World Dolphin Lagoon Buffet Dinner at Arches Songs of the Sea

Day 4

Breakfast at Hotel Free n Easy Transfer to airport for departure flight home

For F.I.T or Private Group bookings, kindly email us at [email protected]

Optimice Worldwide Services Pte Ltd 12 Prince Edward Road #02-07A Podium B Bestway Building Singapore 079212 Tel +65 6592 6818 Fax +65 6293 6818 www.optimice.com.sg www.businesstravel.com.sg www.leisuretravel.com.sg