Singapore

Imagine a destination that is able to fulfill all your travel dreams! Yes, you heard that right! Whether you’re looking to simply soak in the tranquil beauty of nature in the heart of a bustling city or perhaps want to take a stroll around the world’s best markets infused with history and culture, or simply maybe want to experience slow-paced traveling, cruising on boats sipping mimosas underneath the sun, then Singapore is the country you’ve been searching for! Providing its visitors a perfect mix of modernity and tradition, Singapore is a nation that remains in your heart even long after you’ve visited it!

If you are wondering how Singapore got its name, then we’ve got you covered! The word “Singapore” is said to be derived from the Sanskrit word “Singapura,” where the word “singa” means lion and likewise “pura” means city, resulting in Singapore being known as the “lion city.” Though present-day Singapore is Southeast Asia’s largest port city, known for its top-notch architecture, diverse food cuisines, and rich biodiversity, in the past, it functioned as a small port city called “Temasek” and was used as a trading post for centuries. Later down the road, during the 18th century, after the arrival of the British Empire, Singapore slowly started developing in terms of infrastructure and business, where the Raffles Town Plan initiated by Sir Stamford Raffles divided the country into different sectors for business, agriculture, and residence. In the present time, after Singapore gained its independence in 1965 after separating from Malaysia, it now functions as an independent nation and is divided into 5 distinct regions, where these regions are further separated into 55 smaller areas for better urban development and growth of the country.

Additionally, Singapore has to be the most culturally diverse nation in the world, where ethnic groups such as Chinese, Malay, and Indian people have been residing harmoniously in the country for decades. Likewise, to appreciate the cultural richness found in this nation, an array of festivals such as Deepawali, Chinese New Year, Thaipusam, Zhong Yuan Jie, and Verak Day are celebrated widely all across the nation by many cultural, ethnic, and religious communities yearly. Similarly, in terms of food cuisines, Singapore offers its visitors an assortment of mouth watering cuisines! To best capture the everlasting beauty and rich food traditions of Singapore, multicultural neighborhoods like Chinatown, Haji Lane, Arab Street, Little India, Emerald Hill, and Kampong Gelam are the best hotspots to take a walk around! From popular Indian dishes that Nepali travelers grew up eating (like freshly fried samosas and slow-cooked tikka chicken masala) to traditional Malay-Chinese dishes (like spicy pidan-mian and mouthwatering hokkien mee), tourists from Nepal are able to find what they’re looking for in this mesmerizing nation!

Singapore, although a cosmopolitan area surrounded by towering skyscrapers, you’ll notice that when you take a walk around the city, there are bits and pieces of nature scattered everywhere you look! Whether you travel the city by car, via bike, or on foot, there are endless lush nature reserves, vibrant gardens, and tranquil sanctuaries offering travelers a moment of serenity and calmness in the midst of Singapore's chaotic yet charming city energy. Furthermore, this country has also initiated the “One Million Trees Movement,” which was proposed by the Singapore Green Plan, which began in 2020, where this movement aims to plant one million trees in different parts of Singapore till 2030. Likewise, efforts of this movement can be seen in various parts of the city, as numerous trees have been planted throughout the years in the city’s gardens, parks and nature reserves. So, if you’re someone who is born with a city spirit but loves being in nature at the same time, then this country is an unmissable destination for you!

Why visit Singapore?

With its numerous historical landmarks, top-notch hospitality and diverse food cuisines, there are more than a million reasons why you should visit the beautiful nation of Singapore! To make things easier, we’ve listed four reasons why you should definitely keep this nation on your list of destinations to visit. 

• Visa on arrival: While traveling internationally, many travelers find the visa and documentation to be a stressful process, but if you’re planning to visit Singapore, a visa on arrival is provided for Nepali citizens, which means no waiting time or visa fee is required, making the entire process of traveling to this country simple and straightforward. You just need a passport that has a 6-month validity, upon which your visa on arrival will be provided. 
• Cleanliness and safety: Singapore is one of the cleanest countries in the world! Many tourists have stated that while traveling in this country, almost all places located here, from its various transportation mediums to its numerous accommodation services, local eateries, and even public restrooms, are kept in pristine conditions, especially after the Covid-19 outbreak. Additionally, the government of Singapore also takes the cleanliness of the country very seriously, where fines and penalties are given to people who litter in any public space, where even chewing gum is strictly prohibited here! In terms of safety, this nation also ranks in the top 10 safest countries in the world, where tourists are able to explore this destination without any stress or worries. 
• Perfect mix of tradition and modernity: What makes Singapore an attractive destination is that it has provided its visitors a perfect mix of tradition and modernity. For instance, Singapore has many towering skyscrapers, bustling city streets and efficient transportation systems, things that have stood as a symbol of modernity for decades, but at the same time, this nation heavily prioritizes its ancient history and cultures, even to this day, as there are many historical neighborhoods, museums, temples and mosques that are visited by hundreds of people and preserve this nation’s flourishing cultures and traditions.
• Easy Communication: Due to Singapore being a multilingual destination, the main languages spoken here include Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English, so Nepali tourists traveling to this country are easily able to communicate with the locals there. Additionally, you can also download translation apps such as Google Translate, Naver Papago, and TripLingo, allowing you to communicate with the local people there easily without any stresses or communication barriers. 
• Diverse cultures and food cuisines: Travelers who are into history, culture and food will find Singapore an absolutely fascinating destination to travel to! To get the best out of your trip, some popular destinations catering to these include Singapore City Gallery, Clarke Quay, China Town, Little India, Hawker Center, Bugis Street and Katong Joo Chiat, where you can see Singapore's rich history, brilliant cultural legacy and traditional food cuisines reflected in every corner. 

To learn more about the beautiful nation of Singapore, we’ve provided you with short descriptions highlighting the top regions located in the country. 

Central Region

Travelers wanting to experience Singapore's rich biodiversity with a bit of adventure, history and culture incorporated in it should definitely visit the central region! This region, which functions as the nation’s economic, social and political development, is one of the most densely populated locations with numerous tall skyscrapers, serene natural parks and lively markets! Additionally, this area is also home to Singapore’s most prominent landmarks, such as Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer, Chinatown, Merlion Park and Gardens by the Bay.

Moreover, the Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s most renowned destination! Rather than being a traditional urban park, this uniquely designed park spans across 105 hectares and is home to 1.5 million plants from all continents except Antarctica! Some must-visit spots around this park area include the SuperTree Grove, Cloud Forest, Flower Dome and OCBC Skywalk, which are truly breathtaking to explore in real life and also make some impressive backgrounds for taking those aesthetic Instagram shots! Furthermore, travelers wanting a more culturally immersive experience can visit Chinatown, a historic neighborhood full of ancient temples, vibrant markets and traditional eateries, where a few of the very best spots here include Buddha Tooth Relic, Maxwell Food Center, Sri Mariamman Temple, Chinatown Heritage Center, Hawker Center and Chinatown Street that you can add to your travel list while exploring this stunning neighborhood. 

Northern Region

Traveling to the northern region of Singapore will truly feel like taking a fresh breath of air! Not only metaphorically but also literally, as you’ll find numerous lush green parks and serene nature reserves (located within and around this region), making any nature lover swoon over these scenic destinations! The most renowned natural attractions cherished both by the locals and foreigners include Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which includes the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Rivers Wonders, Rainforest Wild Asia, and Bird Paradise. 

Furthermore, the Night Safari has to be an ultimate favorite among these, as this is far from a traditional wildlife reserve but a reserve that operates during the late hours of the night, hence also earning the title of the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park in 1994! Perfect for animal lovers, there are safari trails located here, where you can spot rare animals such as Asiatic lions, three-legged armadillos, and Tasmanian devils. Additionally, another must-see attraction is River Wonders, Asia’s first river-themed wildlife park, where you can see majestic marine life such as Mekong giant catfish, stingrays, and manatees up close and personal just floating through the glass aquariums located here! Made for wildlife enthusiasts and animal lovers alike, the North is surely made of many awe-inspiring experiences!

Southern Region

For a scenic yet exciting getaway, explore the southern side, popular for its tranquil beaches, exciting theme parks, and mouthwatering Singaporean cuisine. More suited for younger travelers due to this region being home to renowned destinations such as Sentosa Island, Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Singapore, Trick Eye Museum, and Wings of Time Firework Symphony, the south truly offers some of the most legendary and jaw-dropping activities/shows in the world! Likewise, Sentosa Island is one of the must-visit spots here, where the best way to get to know the island is to take a cable car from Mount Faber to the island itself. 

Along this mesmerizing cable car journey, which lasts around 30 minutes, travelers are able to see panoramic views of the majestic views of Mount Faber, lush green foliage, and the nearby surrounding valleys! In a similar fashion, Universal Studios is another top destination here where you can find numerous entertaining activities. Divided into 7 epic zones (which are centered around themes like Hollywood, Sci-fi City, and Minion Land) and numerous entertaining shows (like Shrek 4D Adventure and Lake Hollywood, to name a few) and thrilling roller coaster rides (like Battlestar Galactica, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventures, and Revenge of the Mummy), tourists are able to get a range of unforgettable experiences that you can find nowhere else in Singapore! If you’re someone who loves fun-filled, adventurous activities, then the southern region is the ideal destination for you to explore!

Eastern Region

Providing a mix of cultural, adventurous, and culinary travel experiences, the eastern region of Singapore is suitable for all kinds of travelers. This region is known for one of the country’s historical neighborhoods, Katong Joo Chiat, which is centered around Peranakan culture, which is a mixture of Chinese and Malay cultures/traditions and refers to communities belonging to this culture. Additionally, touring the Katong Joo Chiat neighbourhood is said to be one of the most culturally immersive experiences you can get in Singapore, as there are numerous ancient shophouses, traditional eateries, and historic boutiques located within this vibrant neighborhood. 

Moreover, tourists who find subjects such as history/culture fascinating will definitely have a great time here, as this region is also known for just this, where destinations such as the Peranakan Museum, Katong Antique House, Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, Geylang Serai Market, Eurasian Heritage Gallery, and Kuan Im Tng Temple have long preserved Singapore's rich history and cultural heritage. In a similar manner, the region is also a perfect location for food enthusiasts to explore, as there are a range of diverse food cuisines available here from Chinese, Italian and Singaporean, and similarly, a few of the top restaurants that serve these cuisines include Shang Palace, Gotti Italiano, Long Beach Udmc, and Sandbank.

Best time to visit Singapore

Due to travelers having different preferences for weather and travel activities, the best time for you to visit Singapore is during the dry season, which falls from February to April. During this three-month time period, Singapore faces fewer chances of humid weather and low rainfall, offering plenty of sunny days ideal for engaging in various activities ranging from historical and cultural to adventurous. 

Likewise, a few of the most popular attractions that are perfect for visiting during this time span include Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island, Chinatown, Singapore Zoo, and S.E.A. Aquarium, where you can visit plenty of iconic landmarks, explore vibrant market areas, stroll around historic museums/neighborhoods, or simply dine at local restaurants and cafes. Furthermore, as Singapore is a culturally diverse nation where ethnicities such as Chinese, Malay, and Indian have been living here for centuries, there are many festivals celebrated during these months, which are Thaipussam, Chinese New Year, and Lantern Festival, which are widely celebrated all over the country.