Singapore is one of Asia’s easiest cities to love on a stopover, because everything runs smoothly and you can see and taste a huge amount in a short time. It is modern and immaculate, but it is also a city of old shophouses, temples, family-run food stalls, and neighbourhoods that still feel proudly local. The heat and humidity can be a shock if you arrive from New Zealand, so plan your days the Singapore way: early starts, air-conditioned breaks, and evenings outside when the city softens and comes alive.
For the iconic first impression, spend time around Marina Bay, where the skyline, water, and light shows feel genuinely spectacular. The views from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark are best just before sunset, when you get the daytime cityscape and the night lights in one go. Nearby, Gardens by the Bay is far more than a photo stop, especially if you time the Supertree Grove for the evening light-and-music show. If you want something calm and surprisingly beautiful, the cooled conservatories are a smart option in the middle of the day when the humidity bites.
Singapore really shines at street level, and the best way to understand it is by exploring a few distinct neighbourhoods. Chinatown is great for food, temples, and traditional shops, with Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the lanes around Pagoda Street giving you a quick hit of history. Little India is colourful and energetic, and a wander through Tekka Centre is a brilliant way to see daily life and sample snacks. For a more relaxed, design-led side of the city, head to Tiong Bahru, where art-deco blocks and excellent cafés sit alongside a superb local market and hawker stalls.
Food is the main event here, and hawker centres are where Singapore feels most itself. Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat, and Newton Food Centre are classics, but the best one is often the one nearest you at the right time, when the grills are firing and the tables are full of office workers and families. Go with a little strategy: order small, share everything, and try a mix that tells the story of the city, from chicken rice and laksa to satay and chilli crab if you are up for a proper feast. If you want a simple rule, queue where locals queue, and do not be shy about asking what is good, because people are usually happy to point you towards their favourites.
Getting around is wonderfully straightforward, and the MRT makes it easy to hop between areas without relying on taxis. It is still worth using taxis or ride-hailing late at night, or if you are dressed up, tired, or carrying bags, because it saves time and effort. Singapore is also a good city for small “splurge” moments, whether that is a night at Marina Bay Sands for the pool experience, cocktails at a rooftop bar, or a meal in a polished dining room before you fly on. If you have an extra half day, Sentosa offers beaches and easy attractions, while nature lovers might prefer an early walk through the Singapore Botanic Gardens or a night safari experience at Singapore Zoo.
A few practical pointers make everything smoother. Dress lightly, carry water, and pack a small umbrella, because tropical downpours are common and often intense. Be mindful that Singapore takes rules seriously, so treat public spaces with the same respect you would in a temple or museum, and save chewing gum dramas by simply not bringing it. If you have only one evening, make it hawker dinner followed by a waterfront walk at Marina Bay, because it is the quickest way to feel you have really arrived.
Sepilok, amidst densely forested terrain and lush landscapes, is situated within the Malaysian Sabah District of North Borneo.
This alluring town is home to wonderful attractions and exciting activities, which draw in travellers from far and wide.
Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the many hiking and paddling opportunities; while those interested in animal care can visit various sanctuaries which include: Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, a wonderful establishment which provides care to rescued sun bears; and the acclaimed Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a mixed dipterocarp forest which offers a natural home to orphaned orangutans.
A must-see attraction is the Bristlehead Tower, a wondrous viewing platform providing panoramic views over the surrounding scenic landscapes.
An impressive landmark on the map of Malaysian Borneo, Kinabatanagan River meanders for 560 kilometres from its source in southwestern Sabah in the soaring Crocker Range to its vast river mouth at the Sulu Sea.
It is the longest river in the incredibly scenic state of Sabah and provides a rich ecosystem for a host of wildlife.
A boat cruise down the river is the best way to explore the region’s lush rainforests, sparkling lakes, and abundant wildlife, with both day trips and overnight water-based safaris offered to visitors.
Regularly sighted wildlife includes proboscis monkeys, orangutans, crocodiles, macaques hornbills, Irrawaddy dolphins, owls, civets and if you’re lucky – the endangered Borneo pygmy elephant.
This low-lying wilderness of virgin rainforest is recognised as one of the planet’s hubs of biodiversity - its vast canopies shelter some 300 bird species, over 100 mammals - including the clouded leopard, Malayan sun bear, Bornean orangutan and the rare Bornean pygmy elephant - and a profusion of vividly coloured butterflies.
This exceptional ecosystem is a popular research destination among natural scientists and it is possible to attend talks by resident environmental experts at the Danum Valley Field Centre.
A network of trails wind through the surrounding jungle, taking in viewing platforms tucked amidst the treetops, a suspension bridge over the Segama River, cascading waterfalls and even several ancient burial sites.
In the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, lies the picturesque Gaya Island. This sizable Malaysian island has been protected as a reserve since the early 1920s and is home to a legendary beach at Police Bay.
A 400-meter stretch of pristine white sand slopes out gently to the sea forming an ideal spot for swimming in the crystal clear turquoise waters.
There is also a 20 kilometre long hiking path as well as plenty of coral reefs along the entire coast making Gaya a dream destination for snorkelers, scuba divers and nature lovers alike.
Visitors can choose between three luxury resorts, namely: Gaya Island Resort, Gayana Marine Resort and Bunga Raya Island Resort.
Located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, this unique city-state consists of mainland Singapore as well as numerous smaller islands covering a total area of about 640 square kilometres.
With its strong Chinese, Malay, Indian and western influences, this metropolis offers a dazzling melting pot of diverse cultures, exotic cuisine and a range of architectural styles.
This multicultural population has resulted in a number of national cultural districts, such as Chinatown with its impressive Hindu shrines and temples adorned with marigold garlands.
These pockets of traditional culture stand in stark contrast to the rows of glitzy state-of-the-art malls and futuristic skyscrapers.
With all of this variety on offer, it is easy to see why famous natural historian William Hornaday described this remarkable city as 'the handiest and most marvellous city [he] ever saw'.
