Credit: Tripzilla
March 2021

Discover unique experiences in Singapore that are sure to surprise even the most informed insiders!

Many may be under the impression that they have already ticked off all the incredible experiences here. Mega attractions — check. World-class hotels — check. Popular Instagrammable spots — check. Famous local food — check. But, think again!

Singapore boasts a plethora of under-the-radar experiences, too. Some might even surprise locals who believe they've seen or done it all! If you find yourself scratching your head trying to figure out what else you could have possibly missed out in our little red dot, read on to discover all the unique things to do and places to stay in Singapore with your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers (SRV). 

Plus, you enjoy bigger savings when you redeem your SRV with UOB Cards today! How, you may ask? Simply follow these three easy steps:

  • Secure your activities or staycations on authorised booking platforms such as Klook and Trip.com.
  • Pair your SRV with UOB Cards when checking out for added discounts!
  • Insert the relevant promo code (only applicable for bookings on Trip.com) and enjoy savings up to S$100. With that, you can snatch a whopping S$200 on savings (S$100 with SRV + up to an additional S$100 with UOB Cards). Now that’s a deal that’s too good to be missed!

UOB Cards Exclusive:

Enjoy up to S$100 additional savings if you use your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers on Klook and pay with UOB Cards.

Hotels
S$20 off with minimum S$200 spend
S$50 off with minimum S$500 spend

Attractions
S$5 off with minimum S$30 spend
S$10 off with minimum S$60 spend
S$20 off with minimum S$100 spend

Enjoy up to S$100 additional savings if you use your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers on Trip.com and pay with UOB Cards.

Hotels
S$20 off with minimum S$200 spend
(Promo code: UOBHTL20)
S$50 off with minimum S$500 spend
(Promo code: UOBHTL50)

Attractions
S$5 off with minimum S$30 spend
(Promo code: UOBTNT5)
S$10 off with minimum S$60 spend
(Promo code: UOBTNT10)
S$20 off with minimum S$100 spend
(Promo code: UOBTNT20)

 

Unique activities in Singapore redeemable with your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers

 

1. Explore Singapore’s shores teeming with wildlife during a Sisters’ Island Intertidal Tour

Photo credit: National Parks Board Official Website 

 

Off the south coast of Singapore, you can find a pair of hidden gems that beckon to be explored. The site, called Sisters’ Islands (inspired by folklore about two sisters, Minah and Lina), is the first-ever marine park in our little red dot. Set on a Sisters’ Island Intertidal Tour to discover the underwater treasures of this place!

During low tide, you can spot a trove of marine biodiversity that is otherwise submerged. It’s home to a large variety of hard corals (32% of the global population), coral fishes, sponges, seagrasses, and even endangered species of seahorses. The intertidal specialist guide will be ready to take on any questions with his or her wealth of knowledge, so ask away!

Tip: With transport to and from the islands included, you need not worry about making your way there! Just remember to book ahead of time as the availability of the tour is limited. Additionally, don’t forget to lather on some sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. 

 

2. Go ghost hunting with The Singapore Ghost Stories Tour around Old Changi Hospital

Photo credit: Brian Jeffery Beggerly

 

Growing up, we’ve all heard eerie tales of the dilapidated Old Changi Hospital. Legend has it that it was once used as a torture chamber to house prisoners of war during the Japanese occupation in Singapore. Already getting the chills? That’s just a smidgen of what we know of the spooky spot.

Embark on a Singapore Ghost Stories Tour Around Old Changi Hospital with Oriental Travel & Tours to delve deeper into the hair-raising history of the defunct building. Armed with your own paranormal investigation devices coupled with spine-tingling stories from a licensed guide, you can step into the shoes of a ghostbuster for the night. Be warned though: This is not for the faint-hearted. Don’t forget to tag us in your photos if you ever get to capture a spectre floating about — pics or it didn’t happen!!

Tip: Strap on a comfortable pair of walking shoes so that you can scamper as fast as lighting should you encounter any paranormal activities. Kidding aside, as you will be walking around the vicinity a fair bit, doing so will put less strain on your feet.

 

3. Step into the shoes of a pilot with this Exclusive Hangar Tour

Photo credit: WingsOverAsia Official Website

 

With travelling off the cards right now, here’s your chance to get up close and personal with your favourite propeller planes! Check out the Fascinating World of Aviation PLUS Exclusive Hangar Tour. At Seletar, you’ll find a military airbase — once formerly a mangrove swamp — filled with private aircraft.

Your exhilarating journey kicks off with a tour around various spots including the remaining Art Deco buildings, which were station headquarters and military barracks under the operation of the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Catch a glimpse of the new Seletar airports, too! They’re just a stone’s throw away from where the main guided tours happen.

Tip: Come equipped with your cameras, because this tour oozes with Instagram potential. From the rooftop garden, where you can board a propeller plane, to the Private Aviators’ Lounge with unbeatable views of the runway and control, you’ll find yourself wanting to snap away!

 

4. Scale new heights at Sentosa Team Challenge Hourglass

Photo credit: Team Challenge Hourglass Official Website

 

You can find a unique pursuit to take on with your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers off the coast of Sentosa. The Team Challenge Hourglass is ideal for a team-bonding session. It comprises a series of 24 rope courses stacked across a 24-metre tower for a group of five to six to conquer.

Suspended high up in the air, you’ll have to rely on one another to overcome the obstacles in order to reach the summit of the colossal structure. With the most advanced safety features, your focal point should be overcoming your fears. Once you’re at the top, you can choose to para-jump, abseil, or climb down the tower.

Tip: While individual ascent is possible, we suggest gathering your group of colleagues or friends to tick off this challenge. After all, two heads are better than one, right?

 

5. Indulge in Singapore’s national fruit during a 1-Day Durian Tour

Photo credit: Jim Teo

 

Calling all fans of the king of fruits! Here’s your chance to show your love for durians on a Singapore 1-Day Durian Tour. Expect to tuck into a variety of durian such as the D24, Golden Phoenix, and Mao Shan Wang (if you’re lucky enough!) during a buffet session. The durian’s peculiar mash-up of sweet, savoury, and creamy all at once is sure to pack a punch and let you get your money’s worth. After eating to your heart’s delight, have a shot at durian mochi-making In case you need help picturing that, the delicacy features a mouth-watering durian filling encased in soft, chewy rice cake — yum!

Tip: Durian may be an acquired taste, but to those who are not fond of it, we suggest to just ignore the pungent smell and dive straight into the custardy flesh. It’s a taste that can grow on you. 

By the end of the tour, you’ll be able to pick a good durian like a pro by discerning the smell, shape, joint, and colour of the tropical fruit. Plus, if you're planning to grow a durian tree (yes, they grow on trees!), you can pick up some techniques from an expert to achieve different flavors naturally.

 

6. Get up close and personal with bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Island

Photo credit: Resorts World Sentosa Official Website

 

Dolphins are often heralded as one of the smartest marine animals, thanks to their complex brain structure. Studies have shown that they are quick learners who demonstrate an uncanny ability to solve problems, exhibit self-awareness, and communicate with one another. That’s dolphinately something all animal lovers would love to witness themselves! See for yourself what these intelligent creatures are capable of with the SingaporeDolphin Discovery Programme.

Splash around a waist-deep lagoon with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins at close range. You’ll have enough opportunities to come into contact with the playful, gentle mammals. The in-house dolphin handlers will make sure that both you and the animals are safe at all times, and that you learn a lot from this educational wildlife encounter!

Keep your eyes peeled; dolphins are known to propel themselves out of water in a majestic way. You can even bring home stunning pictures of your day at Dolphin Island (at an additional price) to remember this unique experience in Singapore.

Note: at the time of writing, this attraction is temporarily suspended until further notice.

 

Unique Singapore workshops to sign up for with your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers

 

7. Unleash your creative side through Street Art and Graffiti Spray Painting Experience

Photo credit: rigel

 

If you’ve ever found yourself stopping in your tracks to admire the colourful wall murals at Haji Lane, then this unique artsy experience in Singapore is right up your alley. It’s surely something not many Singaporeans can say they have done before: A hands-on workshop where you can spray paint on a wall in the vibrant precinct of Kampong Glam!

Street Art and Graffiti Spray Painting Experience in Kampong Glam includes a guided tour headed by a local artist around the hipster neighbourhood. The main goals? To appreciate art as an unrestricted form of expression and to enjoy an interactive seminar where you can pick up various graffiti spray techniques. With an arsenal of tools and materials provided during the workshop, all that’s left is for you to let your imagination run wild. The cherry on top: adding your magic touches on an actual concrete slab. We assure you that you won’t get into trouble with the law.

 

8. Take a walk down memory lane and immerse in Peranakan heritage

Photo credit: Winel Sutanto

 

For the uninitiated, Peranakans are generally people with a mix of Chinese and Malay heritage. Singapore is a true melting pot, and these individuals make up a notable fraction of our population. In fact, the origins of Peranakan culture date back to the 15th century..

Fall in love with the eclectic nuances of the culture through a Peranakan Heritage Tour with Peranakan Tile Painting. The tour begins at Joo Chiat, an area steeped in Peranakan history. Let a local guide bring you around to see iconic spots such as the rows of rainbow shophouses and the Heritage Gallery at Rumah Kim Choo.

Afterward, paint your own ceramic tile in an instructional tile painting workshop. Put on your creative hat to recreate the ornate designs reminiscent of the same Peranakan tiles adorning shophouses in the past. What’s more, you’ll be taking the memorabilia home! End your exciting tour with an authentic Peranakan lunch at True Blue Café. You’ll soon understand why Nyonya cuisine is still turning heads to date.

Tip: Ready your cameras; images from this Peranakan tour are perfect for upping your Instagram game! 

 

9. Try a traditional art form with a Woodblock Print Workshop

Photo credit: Sunaina Bhalla Official Website

 

Have you tried your hands at woodblock painting — one of the oldest printing techniques known to mankind? If you have indeed, know that you just relived an age-old tradition originating in East Asia as early as 220 AD. If, like the majority, you haven’t, now is the time to redeem your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers for a Woodblock Print Workshop

Conducted by Sunaina Bhalla — a contemporary artist with a background in textile design specialising in print — at National Gallery Singapore, the workshop allows you to gain insights into and appreciation for this art form. Design your own masterpiece during this two-hour workshop, and experience what it was like to make an intricately designed print in the olden days.

Tip: Vary the placement of blocks provided and incorporate a kaleidoscope of colours to create your own woodblock print that you’ll be proud to display at home.

 

 

Unique staycations in Singapore to book with your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers

 

10. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating stay at minimalist haven, Lloyd’s Inn

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Inn Official Website

 

Lloyd’s Inn is a refreshing oasis just a stone’s throw away from Singapore’s bustling shopping belt. As opposed to a handful of swanky accommodations in the area, this boutique hotel is simple yet profound — and that certainly makes it a standout option.

With 34 rooms immaculately spruced up in an almost entirely white aesthetic, it’s a minimalist’s dream come true. Some even have an en suite outdoor bathtub, where you can soak your worries away in ultimate relaxation. Facilities in this unique hotel include a dipping pool fringed by verdant greenery, a roof terrace where you can feel the wind in your hair, and an outdoor pantry to tuck into a hearty meal amidst nature. If you’re looking to get away from it all, you’ll certainly appreciate the serenity this hidden gem exudes. 

 

11. Surround yourself with old world charm at Duxton Reserve, Autograph Collection

Photo credit: Duxton Reserve Official Facebook Page

Tucked away in the vivacious Tanjong Pagar, Duxton Reserve is an amalgamation of impressively refurbished 19th-century heritage houses. The property pays tribute to its former glory with the elegant meshing of Chinese, Malay, and European elements.

Stepping foot inside, you’ll be transported to bygone times — before the advent of technology. The sumptuous pairing of black and gold interiors creates a dramatic spectacle that’ll enrapture even the most discerning guests. Here, there are seven room categories (all boasting unique designs), with one quirkily named the Opium Suite. Don’t be alarmed though, it’s just the boutique hotel’s unique way of paying tribute to snippets of the past. Trust us, you’ll feel right at home with all the well-appointed amenities.

Tip: Check out one of the restaurants at Duxton Reserve to complete your stay. Take your pick from Yellow Pot, which dishes out authentic Chinese cuisine, and Anouska’s Bar, which can serve up a mean martini. Whatever your choice, you’re in for a treat. Just remember to make a reservation online.

 

12. See the world in black and white at Hotel Mono

Photo credit: Hotel Mono Official Website

 

Perhaps the coolest kid in Chinatown, Hotel Mono is a far cry from what you’ll expect from hotels in Singapore. But, in a strikingly remarkable way. It’s decked out in black and white right from the facade to the individual rooms. Think monochrome tiles, crisp linen in pristine white, and functional steel bars as black as coal. You get the idea! If you’re a fan of ultramodern design, this distinctive building will surely capture your attention.

The 46 black-and-white themed rooms of varying size areas here are perfect for both individuals and families seeking a unique experience in Singapore. Not to forget, you’ll be within sniffing distance from a myriad of dining and entertainment offerings. Just walk a few steps and you can fill your stomach with good food and immerse in the heritage of the place. 

 

13. Steep yourself in history at The Sultan Hotel

Photo credit: The Sultan Official Website

 

Billet yourself right smack in the middle of Kampong Glam at The Sultan Hotel. Here’s a stay that promises to immerse you in Singapore’s rich Malay roots, while placing you close to several must-try restaurants and attractions. The iconic Zam Zam Restaurant (which serves flavourful Indian fare), Hjh Maimunah Restaurant (which doles out the most mouth-watering nasi padang), and the imposing Sultan Mosque are all within walking distance. You’ll have plenty to do in these parts of the city during your staycay!

Fun fact: The 60-room boutique hotel is a stellar example of adaptive reuse in heritage. The Sultan Hotel is housed within 100-year-old shophouses, including the old Al-Ahmadiah Press Building. Now that’s one luxurious way of steeping yourself in history!

Uncover a different side of home with your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers! Save this list of unique things to do in Singapore so you’ll never have to face boredom here. There is a delightful array of experiences that awaits you — some we’re sure you’ve never heard of before.

So, what are you waiting for? Your UOB Card discounts and SingapoRediscovers Vouchers evidently make the perfect pair. Don’t have a UOB Card yet? Click here to find the right card for you.

 


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