Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions in Singapore
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The Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions in Singapore

The Lion City isn’t just about Michelin-level hawker fare, breathtaking architecture, and strict cleanliness and orderliness. It also offers hidden gems here and there, with places and attractions that don’t quite make it to glitzy tourism blogs.

Consider the following off-the-beaten-path places in Singapore, which can give you a different view and lesser-known facets of this tiny island nation.

Haw Par Villa

Address: 262 Pasir Panjang Rd, Singapore 118628 (Google Maps)

Contact: +6567730103

Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 8 PM

Price: Free

Website

Step into the vibrant world of Haw Par Villa, a creation from the 1930s by the visionary Aw Boon Haw, founder of Tiger Balm. This enchanting place boasts over a thousand lively sculptures and dioramas, each telling tales of traditional Chinese values.

Wander among the sculptures for fantastic photo moments, and explore pathways in certain dioramas for an extra dose of excitement (or creep-out factor).

It’s not as popular as it was in the 70s and 80s so you’ll pretty much have the place to yourself to discover graphic depictions of punishments for various sins. Even weekends have become typically quiet here, so it will be just you and the ghosts (kidding!).

Pro-tip: It’s not just your imagination; Haw Par Villa’s sculptures are intentionally graphic and gruesome to grab visitors’ attention!

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

Address: 88 Bright Hill Rd, Singapore 574117 (Google Maps)

Contact: +6568495300

Hours: Daily, 8 AM – 4 PM

Price: Free

Website

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, Singapore’s largest Buddhist temple, covers 75,470 square metres. More than a spiritual space, it’s a hub of cultural and architectural beauty with a pagoda that can house 10,000 Buddhas! 

Though it’s massive, many still consider the place an off-the-beaten path for the tranquil environment it offers. No specific dress code is enforced, but it’s recommended to wear attire covering knees and elbows when entering the monastery.

Pro-tip: There’s an on-site canteen that serves vegetarian lunch from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Hay Dairies Ltd Goat Farm

Address: 250 Neo Tiew Cres, Singapore 719866 (Google Maps)

Contact: +6567920931

Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays), 9 AM – 4 PM

Price: Free

Website

Got (goat) milk? Did you know that your stomach can process goat milk in just an hour, while cow’s milk takes four hours to digest?

Hay Dairies is Singapore’s sole goat farm, established in 1988 with four dozen goats, and now housing around 700 bleating milk providers. It also sells fresh goat milk.

Bring the entire family and purchase alfalfa hay for S$5 to feed the goats in the barns. Goat milking occurs from 9 to 10.30 AM, so make sure to get there early to witness the process.

Pro-tip: You can explore the farm with a self-guided tour, no prior booking is required.  But groups of 10 or more need to book in advance and will be charged an entrance fee, which includes an educational tour package.

Changi Chapel and Museum

Address: 1000 Upper Changi Rd N, Singapore 507707 (Google Maps)

Contact: +6562426033

Hours: Daily (except Mondays), 9.30 AM – 5.30 PM 

Price: Free for Singaporeans, children, and permanent residents; S$8 for tourists and foreign residents; S$5 for senior tourists, foreign residents and foreign resident students 

Website

Not all locals are aware of the presence of the Changi Chapel & Museum. But behind its unassuming white facade lies the vibrant history of prisoners of war and civilians during WWII. 

If you’re ready to experience what happened during the Japanese Occupation and the conditions during that time, step into eight galleries that vividly depict Changi’s evolution from a swamp to a prison camp.

Pro-tip: There’s quite an evocative experience to be had here thanks to the immersive videos and panels all over the place.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Address: 301 Neo Tiew Cres, Singapore 718925 (Google Maps)

Contact: +6567941401

Hours: Daily, 7 AM – 7 PM

Price: Free

Website

Nature lovers won’t be able to resist the allure of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve—a paradise filled with flora and fauna. Spanning 87 hectares, this ecological site welcomes migratory birds, journeying from as far as Siberia to Australia. 

Explore the lush landscape of the reserve, featuring mangrove forests, mudflats, and serene waterways. During the dry season, witness a spectacular influx of migratory birds, creating a delight for bird lovers. 

Pro-tip: Try to be as quiet as you can to drink in all the beauty of the reserve so you won’t startle birds and water creatures.

Pulau Ubin and Chek Jawa 

Address: Pulaub Ubin Island (Google Maps)

Contact: NParks hotline 1800-471 7300

Hours: Bumboats to the island operate from as early as 6 AM to 7 PM

Price: Bumboats to Pulau Ubin are S$6 per person round-trip, and bicycle rentals from jetty stores range from S$6 to S$20.

Website

Embark on an adventure through the vibrant landscapes, abandoned quarries, and native wonders of Pulau Ubin. It’s known as the last kampong in Singapore.

It preserves the rustic charm of old Singapore with traditional wooden houses and a simple way of life, offering a nostalgic step back in time. For a bit of adventure, stroll along the lively 1.1 km boardwalk at Chek Jawa, where you’ll uncover thriving ecosystems.

Pro-tip: Don’t be surprised if you encounter wild boars and monkeys! If they approach, back away slowly without turning your back to them.

Satay Street at Lau Pa Sat

Address: Lau Pa Sat, Boon Tat St, Singapore (Google Maps)

Contact: +65 6220 2138

Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 PM – 3 AM; Saturdays and Sundays, 3 PM – 3 AM

Price: $$

Website

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Lau Pa Sat, translating to ‘old market’ in Hokkien, attracts both locals and tourists enjoying Singaporean favourites. It’s one of Southeast Asia’s oldest Victorian structures and an early example of pre-fabricated cast iron construction in Asia.

By day, it serves office workers with dishes like minced pork noodles and chicken rice. From 7 PM to midnight, the market transforms with around ten stalls offering grilled skewered meat and seafood in various styles. 

Pro-tip: Popular stalls sell out quickly, so arrive early to secure your choice.

Japanese Cemetery Park

Address: 825B Chuan Hoe Ave, Singapore 549854 (Google Maps)

Contact: 6591 7621

Hours: Daily, 7 AM – 7 PM

Price: Free

Website

Discover a peaceful and lesser-known cemetery for quiet contemplation via the Japanese Cemetery Park. Announced as a memorial park in 1987, it offers a serene space to stroll, read panels, and reflect on the past. 

It’s Southeast Asia’s largest Japanese cemetery, the resting place of Singapore’s early Japanese community. With 910 tombstones, it honours civilians, soldiers, and war criminals executed in Changi Prison. 

Pro-tip: The park also features heritage trees, including a rubber tree from its plantation days and a lychee tree.

Bollywood Farms

Address: 100 Neo Tiew Rd, Singapore 719026 (Google Maps)

Contact: +6568985001

Hours: Thursdays and Fridays, 9 AM – 4 PM; Saturdays and Sundays, 7 AM – 5 PM

Price: $$

Website

Formerly Bollywood Veggies, this Kranji farm cultivates artificial-chemical-free fruits, vegetables, and herbs. You can visit for locally grown, healthy produce and enjoy hearty, home-cooked meals at the in-house eatery.

Choose between a short or long route. The longer path winds through diverse gardens, including a fruit garden and medicinal plants patch. Just follow the arrow signs for guidance.

Pro-tip: Bring a mosquito repellent to prevent pesky bites.

Children’s Museum Singapore

Address: 23-B Coleman St, Singapore 179807 (Google Maps)

Contact: +6563373888

Hours: Daily (except Mondays), 9 – 10.45 AM; 11 AM -12.45 PM; 2 – 3.45 PM and 4 – 5.45 PM

Price: S$10 per child, S$15 per adult

Website

CMSG, housed in the former Singapore Philatelic Museum, fosters a love for museums and lifelong learning in children. The Play Pod offers free play for young toddlers, while older kids can explore Singapore’s history. 

At The Marketplace, they’ll experience bustling shophouses, handle products, pump water, learn about spices, hear shopkeeper stories, and try heritage trades like a street barber or a letter writer.

Pro-tip: Little ones can explore the four recommended galleries in order: The Hidden Chamber, Ahoy Singapore, The Marketplace, and My Neighbourhood for a better understanding of how the nation came to be.