Singapore Through Fresh Eyes

Take a deep dive into the best of Singapore with these insider experiences that will have you seeing the city in a new light, writes Nafeesa Saini.

- Nafeesa Saini

With travel still a distant dream this year, soothing those pangs of wanderlust can start from your own backyard. Enter the “Singapoliday”, a term coined by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in conjunction with the SingapoRediscovers campaign that was launched to support local tourism businesses.

With Singaporeans above 18 years old now armed with $100 tourism vouchers, STB is rallying locals to explore precincts, hidden destinations and innovative attractions. These digital vouchers can be used from now until Jun 30, 2021 at over 200 merchants across authorised platforms such as Changi Recommends and Klook.

With or without the vouchers, there is plenty you can do as a local tourist. This guide offers some of the most unique experiences to help you reconnect with your Singaporean identity.

CLIMB UP A CLOCK TOUR

Trafalgar’s Near Not Far series offers a two-day staycation tour with a Singaporean Heritage Highlights itinerary (trafalgar.com/staycations). Hear untold stories of the Civic District’s historic landmarks from heritage blogger Jerome Lim of The Long and Winding Road. You will learn about the history of The Arts House, and climb up to the 54m-high iconic clock tower of Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. Lim will also share trivia about the tower’s connection with London’s Big Ben. Other highlights include the Be My Guest experience of a Nyonya dinner at the National Kitchen by Violet Oon, where the chef herself will speak about the influences behind her dishes.

WALK THE PATH OF PERANAKANS