Overview

The Singapore Heritage Tour is perfect for people interested in learning about the history and cultural heritage of Singapore. This trip offers you deep insight into the country’s colonial past, and how it has shaped the current lives of its citizens. Singapore is known for being home to diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicities. Different communities live together in harmony while celebrating their unique identities. Observe the progress of time in the city as you visit Singapore’s oldest and newest housing estates, and walk through the alleys of the vibrant Chinatown. Explore the various colonial landmarks like the Colonial District that will tell you the history of the British rule in Singapore, and the resulting influences in the architecture, culture and cuisine of the country. Walk through the cultural enclaves developed by the various ethnic communities living in Singapore, and immerse yourself in the bustling life of the local markets. Delight your taste buds by sampling authentic Chinese, Malay and Peranakan dishes. Learn about Singapore’s struggle under Japanese occupation as you visit the World War II memorial sites. Learn about the fascinating biodiversity of Singapore as you visit the Butterfly Park and the Insect Kingdom at Sentosa Island, and the Singapore Zoo.  

Best Time to Visit: All the Year Round  
4 Nights 5 Days Available on request
Inclusions/Exclusions
What we'll give. What we won't

What is included in the tour

  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All domestic transport
  • All local permits
  • English speaking guides 

What is NOT included in the tour

  • International airfare
  • Extra meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Services not included in the itinerary
  • Personal expenditure during day tours 
Highlights
What makes this tour special
  • Visit Tiong Bahru, the oldest public housing estate in Singapore
  • Explore Chinatown, Peranakan Place, Little India, and other cultural enclaves
  • Visit imperial landmarks on a Colonial District Walk
  • Enjoy authentic Singaporean dishes on a heritage food trail
  • Visit the Haw Par Villa theme park for a thrilling experience
Itinerary
Day 1 (Tiong Bahru, Chinatown at Night) (-, L, D)
  • Travel to your hotel from the airport in an air-conditioned vehicle. After checking in, relax for a while and get ready for exploring the fascinating history and cultural heritage of Singapore.
  • Your first stop for the day is the Pinnacles @ Duxton Public Housing Project. Enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the city from the sky bridge at the fiftieth storey.
  • The visit to Tiong Bahru after this experience will be all the more fascinating as you will feel the sharp contrast between the old and the new. Built in the 1920s, the Tiong Bahru is the oldest housing estate in Singapore. Explore this old neighbourhood and the famous Tiong Bahru market to sample some delicious local cuisine at the stalls.
  • The next stop is the Qi Tian Gong Temple. This ninety-year-old temple of the Monkey God is one of the oldest temples in the country.
  • Stop at an old bakery run by a family through four generations and learn about their craft as you buy some of their delicious ware.
  • Finally, enjoy a delightful lunch at the Nostalgia Hotel that reflects Singapore’s colonial past.
  • Spend your evening exploring the vibrant Chinatown of Singapore. The area is teeming with shops and diners and provides a fascinating nightlife. You will find it hard to resist buying the beautiful souvenirs lined in the street shops at the Night Market. Observe and learn the art of Chinese Calligraphy by visiting a calligrapher at work.
  • Enjoy a delicious dinner of authentic local cuisine at one of the eateries in the neighbourhood.
  • Afterwards, take a ‘trishaw’ ride through the alleyways and reach the Clarke Quay, where a bumboat will welcome you on board.
  • Cruise along the Singapore River and marvel at the beautifully illuminated city skyline.
Day 2 (Colonial District Walk, Raffles’ Landing Site, Heritage Buildings) (B, L, D)
  • Like in many other countries, British Imperial rule is a part of the cultural heritage of Singapore. Learn more about the colonial history of Singapore as you start the day visiting all the imperial landmarks in the city.
  • The tour begins with a Colonial District Walk, where you will gain insight into the country’s history and culture. Learn about Singapore's national flower, a hybrid orchid named Vanda Miss Joaquim, the Sarkies Brothers who famously founded the Raffles Hotel, the history of the national daily The Straits Times, and the country’s famous drink 'the Singapore Sling', developed around 1915 in the Raffles Hotel.
  • The ‘The Time of Empire’ Colonial District walk will take you to several historic buildings. The St Andrew's Cathedral is the largest in the country. This Anglican Church was built in the mid-nineteenth century.
  • Walk through Coleman Street, and visit Chijmes, a nineteenth-century Catholic Convent (now declared as a heritage building). Admire the elegant architecture of the Armenian Church, the oldest Christian Church in Singapore. Enjoy the majestic sight of the Old Supreme Court Building that has now been converted into the National Art Gallery of Singapore.  
  • Resume your tour after lunch at a nearby eatery. Visit the historical Raffles’ Landing Site on the North Bank of the Singapore River. This site is considered to be the place where Sir Stamford Raffles first landed on the island in 1819. He would eventually found a Malay settlement for the Sultan of Johore, and sign a treaty with him to establish a trading port at Singapore. This port would lead to Singapore’s economic flourish as it would grow in importance as a thriving financial centre. Beautiful neo-Palladian buildings adorn the banks of the river.
  • The next stop is the Fullerton Hotel, where you can enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea. The building was constructed in 1928 and used to house the General Post Office, The Exchange Room and Exchange Reference Library, and the Singapore Club.
  • Visit the Fullerton Heritage Gallery to know more about the history of the building.
Day 3 (Cultural Enclaves, Haw Par Villa Twilight Tour) (B, L, D)
  • Continue your Singapore Heritage Tour as you delve deeper into the diverse cultures of the country. Today’s trip will provide you with fascinating insights into the various cultural and ethnic groups that have made Singapore their home as you explore Singapore’s cultural enclaves.
  • Begin your journey from Kampong Glam, formerly home to the Malay aristocracy. Enjoy the vibrant neighbourhood teeming with traditional markets that cater to the needs of the Malay community.
  • Here you will encounter the old Royal Palace of Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor, the majestic Sultan Mosque, and the graves of the Malayan royalty. You will find the streets lined with enchanting shops of handicraft, fabric, trinkets, and a variety of other goods, ideal for souvenir-shopping.
  • Continue to the bustling Chinatown that reflects the history of Chinese settlement and their cultural influence on the country. The Five Foot Way crammed with all kinds of shops in a must-visit. You can buy a pair of traditional clogs, or taste delicious Chinese dishes like hot buns, sticky cakes and traditional sweets.
  • Do not forget to enjoy a fragrant cup of Chinese tea! Watch your step as you move on to the wet market – a chaotic yet fascinating place where you will come across an astonishing range of products. Learn about Chinese traditional medicines by interacting with some of the local vendors.
  • Explore Peranakan Place, a storehouse of the history and culture of the Peranakans – a unique community of Straits-born Chinese people who share a mixed heritage of Malay and Chinese cultures. You will walk through the residential district that is also busy with many bars, restaurants, and shops. Visit the museum where you will gain further insight into the Peranakan culture.
  • Admire the beautiful architecture of the buildings as you pass through the many enclaves in the region. Do not miss the delicious sweet rice dumplings at Kim Choo Kueh Chang restaurant. You can also try some Nonya dishes; a hybrid style developed from Malay and Chinese cooking.
  • Finally, visit Little India – a tiny pocket in the city that preserves the culture and cuisine of the Indian community. Walk through the streets lined with shops selling saris, flower garlands and spices, and take in all the vibrant colours and aroma that pervade the district. Admire the Dravidian architecture of the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. These unique cultural enclaves add a whole new dimension to the rich cultural heritage of Singapore.
  • In the evening, visit the theme park Haw Par Villa, considered to be a significant part of Singapore’s cultural heritage. Formerly known as the Tiger Balm Garden, this eighty-year-old theme park was built by Aw Boon Haw of the Aw family, who also developed the widely popular ointment Tiger Balm. The Villa is adorned with statues and dioramas that depict scenes from Chinese mythologies. Enter the ‘Hell Museum’ that depict scenes of afterlife across different religious faiths. The Ten Courts of Hell are particularly sinister with their grisly depictions of suffering in Hell as described in Chinese mythology. You will thoroughly enjoy this theme park if you have an appetite for the macabre! However, if horror is not your genre, you can choose to explore several other attractions that will provide you with a fascinating glimpse into Chinese and Buddhist mythology.
Day 4 (Singapore Zoo, Heritage Food Trail, Gardens by the Bay Night Tour) (B, L, D)
  • Enjoy a different side of the country today on your Singapore Heritage Tour. Begin your day at the beautiful Singapore Zoo, where you can enjoy a unique dining experience with its inhabitants! Choose from a sumptuous breakfast spread. Interact with the orangutans, tamarins, and other fascinating animals as you take a walk along the various enclosures, and take photos with some of them. You can also take the tram to explore in ease.
  • Your journey will take you through distinct ecological habitats; from the African savannah grassland to the canyons of the Great Rift Valley, where you will encounter nearly three thousand animals across three hundred species.
  • Make today’s lunch a unique experience by going on a culinary journey through the city. You will taste the flavours from Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan cuisine that represent the diverse cultural heritage of Singapore.
  • Visit the Geylang Serai market, famous for its Indian and Malay food stalls. Observe the fresh produce sold at the wet market, and enjoy a variety of dishes like Roti Prata and Thosai at the food centre. Go on to explore the Joo Chiat/Katong enclave, once home to the Peranakan and Eurasian communities and taste some of the famous delicacies like Laksa and Ondeh-ondeh. 
  • End your day with a refreshing walk at the Gardens by the Bay with its stunning waterfront views. Enjoy the enchanting view of the Marina Bay skyline as the iconic Supertree Grove lights up. Look down from the observation deck of the Skypark set at a height of 200 meters to glimpse the nocturnal city.
  • Have dinner at a local eatery and hop onto a bumboat for a leisurely cruise along the river before you head back to your hotel.
Day 5 (World War II Sites, Sentosa Island Tour, Departure) (B, L, -)
  • Visit the World War II sites of Singapore that are the witnesses to the country’s past struggle. Listen to the guide’s account of some of the stories during the War. Visit the Ford Motor Factory, a historical site where the British forces officially ceded Malaya to the Japanese. A three-year-long Japanese occupation followed, which caused immense suffering to the people of Singapore.
  • Visit the Kranji War Memorial at Woodlands Road, built to honour around twenty thousand people from the Commonwealth nations who lost their lives protecting Singapore and Malaya against Japanese forces during World War II. You will gain further insight into Singapore’s struggle against the Japanese at the Chang Museum.
  • The final stop on your Singapore Heritage Tour is the famous Sentosa Island. Enjoy a bird’s eye view from your eight-seater cable car from Mount Faber.
  • Explore the wonders of the colourful Butterfly Park and the Insect Kingdom. Enjoy an immersive 4D movie experience, and amble about the beaches. Enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional cuisine at one of the many restaurants on the island, and return to your hotel.
  • Relax at the hotel or enjoy any of the services (such as swimming) it has to offer you or finish your last-moment packing until your time of departure.