HANDY TIPS 02 Useful information about Singapore Welcome WHAT’S ON 04 Exciting events in to the the months ahead Lion City! There’s no better time to RETAIL THERAPY shop, eat and play in the city. 20 Singapore’s shopping The Great Singapore Sale is hotspots and what to here to rack up a shopping buy from there frenzy with its great deals. The local dining scene is COVER STORY sizzling with a smorgasbord 11 Illustrator Kristal Melson of mod-Sin (local cuisine shares her favourite spots with a modern twist) plates in Singapore created by the city’s top local chefs. It's also time to DAY TRIPPER soak up the sights, smells 12 Recommended tours by and sounds of the streets the Singapore Tourism of Geylang Serai as we Awards 2016 that will THE EAT LIST celebrate the festive holiday, show you different sides 24 Hawker highlights and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. of Singapore the hottest tables in town Flip through the pages of this BY NIGHT edition of Singapore Insider 28 Cool bars and clubs to where you’ll be treated to a drink and be merry slew of handy guides – from essential information for travellers, unique tours and neighbourhood trails to the best eats, drinks and hip events in Singapore. Whether you have a week to deep dive or a weekend to scratch the ESSENTIAL surface, we’ve definitely got 14 SINGAPORE you covered! City must-dos and FAMILY FUN neighbourhood guides 30 Things to do with for every visitor the little ones FOUNDER Chris Edwards THE HONEYCOMBERS For general enquiries, contact the [email protected] SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD MANAGING DIRECTOR Hamish Mcdougall , Tourism Court, 1 Orchard Spring Lane, EDITOR Kevin Ho HO PRINTING SINGAPORE PTE LTD 31 Changi South Street 1 Singapore 486769 Singapore 247729 SUB-EDITOR Chelsia Tan Tel: (65) 6736 6622 | Fax: (65) 6736 9423 Tourist line: 1800 736 2000 (outside Singapore) WRITERS Shairah Thoufeekh, Zakaria Muhammad SALES & MARKETING Daniel Lim STB is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of this publication and shall not be liable for any damage, loss, injury or inconvenience arising DESIGNERS Aliff Tee, Stephanie Cahyadi from or in connection with the content of this publication. You should verify or seek clarification from the individual third parties referred to in this publication. All COVER ART Kristal Melson information in this guide is correct at the time of printing. DC 001 05 17 Q2 HAD A GOOD TIME? SHARE IT WITH US AT #YOURSINGAPORE 02 | HANDY TIPS Handy Tips A guide to surviving Singapore Transport MRT BUS TAXI Trains typically run from 5.30am Fares start from as low as $0.78. Try Cab fares start from $3.20. to 12.00am. Standard tickets vary to have the exact fare as bus drivers SMRT Taxis from $1.40 to $2.70. See page 32 do not give change on public buses. (65) 6555 8888 for map. www.sbstransit.com.sg Premier Cabs www.smrt.com.sg www.smrt.com.sg (65) 6363 6888 (65) 1800 336 8900 (65) 1800 336 8900 Comfort Taxis & CityCab (65) 6552 1111 Connectivity Visitor Centres FREE WIFI SIM CARD Register for free public Buy a Singapore prepaid SIM TOURIST HOTLINE: Wi-Fi service with your card from Singapore Visitor (65) 1800 736 2000 foreign mobile number Centre (orchardgateway), (65) 6736 2000 (overseas) at any Wireless@SG Changi Recommends and hotspot across telecommunication retail shops Singapore, and receive located at the airport, major your login details via an SMS shopping malls and convenience CHINATOWN message. Overseas charges may stores island-wide. 2 Banda Street (Behind Buddha apply. Alternatively, you can rent a Tooth Relic Temple and Museum) pocket Wi-Fi device at Singapore 9am-9pm daily Visitor Centre (orchardgateway) Chinatown or Changi Recommends at Changi Airport. ION ORCHARD Level 1 Concierge, 2 Orchard Turn 10am - 10pm daily Cessation of 2G services in Singapore Orchard From April onwards, telcos in Singapore – M1, Singtel and Starhub – will cease the provision of the 2G network in ORCHARD Singapore. If you're using devices that do not support 3G/4G 216 Orchard Road roaming, you may consider purchasing a prepaid card on (Next to orchardgateway@emerald) arrival so as to stay connected instantly. 8.30 - 9.30pm daily Somerset WANT MORE? VISIT WWW.YOURSINGAPORE.COM HANDY TIPS | 03 Local Quirks Singlish, explained Language Uncle / Aunty Can or not Out of respect, locals address A way of asking if something is English is the spoken language, older folks on the street, like possible or can be achieved though Singlish - a collection a shopkeeper or a taxi driver, “Dinner at 7? Can or not?” of colloquial catchphrases and as “aunty” or “uncle”, even lingo - dominates everyday though they are not related. conversations among locals. Aiyoh Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and Chope An expression of surprise various other dialects are It means to reserve a place or and/or annoyance also used. call dibs on something. If you “Aiyoh, why is the bus taking so see a pack of tissues on a long to arrive?” seat or table at a hawker centre during lunch hour, try Har-nor your luck elsewhere: the spot Paiseh The Singlish equivalent of “I agree”, has been choped. A Hokkien term for embarrassing or “Exactly!” and shy A: “The movie is exciting!” Queuing Up “Paiseh – can you lend me B: “Har-nor!” Waiting in line for the latest some cash?” and the best in the city is a way of life for Singaporeans. We do Boleh it all the time – and whatever Tapao A Malay word for “can” you get at the end of the The Singlish equivalent of takeaway or “possible” queue might be worth your “I’m going to tapao lunch from the “You check on the movie timings while, too. hawker centre.” and I’ll handle the bookings. Boleh?” GST Refunds Shopping For a pleasant shopping experience, As a tourist in Singapore, you can claim a refund on the 7% Goods compare prices, enquire about and Services Tax (GST) under the Tourist Tax Refund Scheme if refund policies, and check the you make any purchases of more than $100 at the participating invoice as well as the warranty shops - and it’s super easy too! of the product before making a purchase. More information and shopping tips can be found on the Consumer Advisory section at YourSingapore.com (under Look out for these At the eTRS kiosk, swipe your “Traveller Essentials”). 1 signs at the shops. 4 assigned Token to retrieve your purchase details. Otherwise, scan your For assistance or to flag eTRS tickets to retrieve your purchase details. inappropriate retailer behaviour, call Choose one credit /debit 1800 736 2000 or email feedback@ 2 card as a Token for tagging stb.gov.sg. your purchases. Don’t forget to ask for your eTRS Ticket, original You can choose to have the invoice or receipt. refund credited directly into your Tipping 5credit card at the eTRS self-help kiosk, or get cash refund. If you choose the It is not usual practice to tip latter (available only at Changi Interna- Apply for your tax refund at the tional Aiport), proceed to the Central in Singapore, although it is 3 eTRS self-help kiosk located at Refund Counter after the immigration appreciated by service staff. Most the airport or international cruise checks. hotels and restaurants quote centres. Be sure to file your GST price as “++,” which includes 10% claims before checking in your goods. service charge and 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST). HAD A GOOD TIME? SHARE IT WITH US AT #YOURSINGAPORE 04 | WHAT'S ON From Apr 1 UNIVERSE AND ART Despite today’s progress in Science, the universe is still engulfed with Apr countless mystery. This thought-provoking exhibition offers a historical overview on mankind’s interpretation of the universe via art – allowing visitors to contemplate the meaning of life. www.marinabaysands.com/ArtScienceMuseum ArtScience MuseumTM Bayfront Apr 1 ARMIN ONLY EMBRACE 2017 LIVE IN SINGAPORE Brace yourselves for the return of the popular Dutch DJ, Armin Van Buuren, to our shores. Armin Only Embrace is a dance event like none other, where theatre meets dance music. www.arminonly.com The Meadows, Gardens by the Bay Bayfront April is the month to indulge your inner culture vulture. Be sure to make time for a slew of eye-opening From Apr 5 exhibitions at ArtScience BBQ DONUT BOAT Museum, Singapore First in Asia, hop on the BBQ Donut Philatelic Museum and Boat and embark on a unique dining experience where you can enjoy Asian Civilisations delectable barbeque dishes on a Museum. Also, don’t floating donut boat in Sentosa. miss the exciting yet www.flodoco.com 46 Siloso Beach Walk enriching Singapore HarbourFront Heritage Festival. Food Apr 6 to 23 lovers, indulge your LAO JIU: THE MUSICAL tastebuds at the highly anticipated MICHELIN Based on a play by the late well- revered local playwright, Kuo Pao Guide Singapore Street Kun, Lao Jiu: The Musical tells a Food. Lastly, catch some heartfelt tale of Lao Jiu, the only thrilling actions by the son of his family, and the challenges he faced while pursuing his passion world’s top rugby players for traditional art of puppetry. at The HSBC Singapore www.practice.org.sg Rugby Sevens. Drama Centre Theatre, The National Library Building Bugis WANT MORE? VISIT WWW.YOURSINGAPORE.COM WHAT'S ON | 05 Apr 13 to 30 TROPICANA THE MUSICAL Inspired by a real-life Las Vegasstyle nightspot in Singapore during the 1960s, Tropicana The Musical is based on real and imagined people and places from, in, and around this one- of-a-kind Singapore establishment in what was probably Singapore’s most dynamic era in history.