SINGAPORE-OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Updated: Mar 12
Choa Chu Kang - Ang Mo Kio - Woodlands - Sengkang - Punggol - Yishun - Mandai - Kovin
Pasir Ris - Bukit Timah - Jurong East - Geylang - Katong - Tampines - Bedok - Joo Chiat - Changi
Where few tourists dare to travel
Who knew there was so much to see and do on this tiny Red Dot we call Singapore. Sadly many holiday travelers visiting our island nation never make it beyond the tourist areas of Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam or the Marina Bay area. Now its true these areas are exciting and beautiful locations and you will surely have some incredible experiences discovering them, the truth is Singapore has so much more to offer.
In this blog we're going to talk about taking The Road Less Traveled and discovering Singapores many Hidden Gems. The information put forth below should help you do your research and create a great plan for exploring Singapores off the beaten path locations.
We'll also give you tips for creating beautiful photos that help you tell your own unique Singapore story. So grab your camera, put on some comfortable shoes and follow me as we go where Few Tourists Dare to Travel in Singapore.
THE FAR NORTH
SEMBAWANG - SENGKANG - PUNGGOL - PASIR RIS
ANG MO KIO - BUKIT PANJANG
All the above neighborhoods are accessible using the MRT- North east (Purple) line, North South (Red) line, or the Thompson East Coast (Brown) line, Downtown (Blue) lines.
Let's start with Sengkang and Punggol as they are centrally located in the north and easily accessible with the MRT, and have a really cool train system for getting around town called the LRT. Both of these train systems do sort of a figure eight through the Sengkang & Punggol neighborhoods.
You can visit many of the locations listed in the pdf files below
Things to do in Sengkang
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Download PDF • 1.93MB
GETTING AROUND
I use GOOGLE MAPS and the MRT & BUS Systems along with a few Taxi's to explore Singapore.
Want to learn more about using the MRT & BUS system to quickly get around Singapore? See our Blog Using Singapore's MRT & BUS System to save time and money
IT'S HOT & HUMID IN SINGAPORE SO SEE OUR BLOG FOR STAYING COMFORTABLE
DRESSING FOR SECCESS-Look good and Feel good on your day-trip Discover Singapore in style and comfort after reading our blog.
SINGAPORES FAR EAST
KALLANG - GEYLANG- TAMPINES - BEDOK
Just a hop-skip-and a Jump Away
If you're staying in the Downtown or Orchard area, the Marina Bay or any of Singapores tourist sections, its easy to get out and discover these distant locations. Fact is they are just a hop-skip-and a jump away, as most of these neighborhoods are located directly on the outskirts of Chinatown-Little India and Kampong Glam.
SINGAPORES OFF THE BEATEN PATH
TEMPLES - CHURCHES & MOSQUES
Now is your chance to photograph some of the most beautiful Temples-Churches and Mosques in Singapore, like the Chong Yee Temple 萬國山忠義廟, Masjid Al-Islah and the Church of The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
I can tell you that you won't find any of these locations advertised in the city guides, these are truly Hidden Gems. If you love to visit and photograph Temples, Mosques and Churches you're going to be happy with these lists.
Trust me when I say, your friends will be envious and impressed with the photos you post, as all these locations are stunningly beautiful.
See our lists below of Singapores Off the beaten path Temples-Mosques & Churches. Here you will find stunning locations for photography that most tourists never discover.
SINGAPORE TEMPLES
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Download PDF • 118KB
SINGAPORE MOSQUES
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Download PDF • 91KB
SINGAPORE CHURCHES
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Download PDF • 85KB
SINGAPORES OFF THE BEATEN PATH
RESTAURANTS-HAWKERS-MARKETS
You don't want to miss out on some of the Lion city's best food so you'll have to visit Singapores Hawker Centers. I recommend you venture out into neighborhoods and explore as many Hawkers & Stahl's as possible. Have everyone in your group order a different dish, so all can try as many different dishes as possible.
There is something about ending your day at a fantastic restaurant directly on the waterfront. Its so nice to sit back with a few sunset beers or cocktails, and talk about the incredible sites you've visited and the fun you've had during your day. All the while waiting for your Chilli crab or sizzling hot steak to arrive at your table.
Knowing some great locations for lunch & dinner, along with a few awesome spots for an AirCon break and a cool drink are essential for any successful day trip.
See our list of fantastic off the beaten path restaurants below. Many of the restaurants on this list are on the water and great places for dinner and sunset cocktails.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH WATERFRONT RESTAURANTS
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Download PDF • 83KB
TIP- Eat lite during the heat of the day and avoid having to many alcoholic beverages. Remember your whole day and evening is ahead of you...
See our Blog on Singapores Hawkers-Markets & Restaurants for more information on great places to visit and dine out in Singapore.
PARKS - NATURE RESERVES
Northern Singapore
Some of these parks and nature reserves are huge, and you can make a day trip exploring them. Bring along your best 400-600mm long lens if you have one, as you'll make good use of it with the amazing birds and wildlife hidden in these reserves.
Central Catchment Nature Reserve - Is the largest of Singapores nature reserves occupying over 2,000 hectares of forest. located in this reserve is the MacRitchie Reservoir Park with its famous Tree Top Walk. Bring along your longest zoom lens and keep a close eye out for wildlife and birds in this reserve.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve - Home to a large percentage of Singapores (native) flora and fauna and also Singapore’s highest hill, Bukit Timah Hill, which stands at about 165mtrs. The forest on this hill has been a botanical collection area for over 100 years.
Bukit Batok Nature Park- Create some stunning photos of the cliffs at Hindhede Quarry and Singapore Quarry, located within this Nature Park.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Kranji Coastal Nature Park
Upper Seletar Reservoir Park
Lower Seletar Reservoir Park
Pasir Ris Park
Changi Point- Coastal Walk-Beach Park
Singapore Zoo & Bird Park
SHOPHOUSES
You guessed it! Some of the most stunning Shophouses in Singapore are located OFF THE BEATEN PATH. No worries though, we make them easy for you to find.
Want to learn more about Singapores beautiful Shophouses and there locations, see our Blog SINGAPORE SHOPHOUSES - Telling your Singapore story with photos.
Closing Remarks
In Conclusion,
I hope this Blog has been helpful and informative, and inspires you to make the most of your visit to the Singapore and Asia. Be sure and enjoy one of our Singapore Street Shots Photo walks .
Singapore is well known for it's incredible verity of delicious foods from every corner of Asia, so do stop at the Hawker centers for lunch and discover the local cuisine...
Also for night life, try hitting some of the Roof-top Bars and restaurants in Chinatown and the downtown area for drinks & dinner.
Please do not forget to post some of your best Singapore photos along with a short story about your experience on our Singapore Street Shots Facebook Page.
Cheers,
Mark Stevens & Ilonka Guenther
Business Owners, Photographers & Travelers
Singapore Street Shots Pte. Ltd.
Want some help going off the beaten path in Singapore
Book a Singapore Street Shots Photo walk and let us help you create stunning photos for your Singapore story.
BLOGS
Singapore in Pictures - Telling your Singapore story with photos.
(A Seven blog series)
SINGAPORE SHOPHOUSES - Telling your Singapore story with photos.
Singapore Skyline Panorama's - Photograph Singapore's world class Skyline
Singapore's Chinatown - Kreta Ayer - Telok Ayer - Tanjong Pagar - Bukit Pasoh
Singapore's Little India - Culture & Colour
Kampong Glam - Singapore's Arab Quarter
Hawkers & Markets - Flavor the Moment
Singapore - Off the Beaten Path - Discover the Singapore most tourist never see
DRESSING FOR SECCESS -Look good and Feel good on your day-trip
Tips for Travelers: Capture your Memories with Pictures
Singapore's MRT & BUS System-Saving you Time and Money using : Utilizing Goggle Maps with the MRT
A Rainy Day Holiday in Singapore - Things to do in Singapore when it's rainy weather
MASTER YOUR CAMERA - Use your camera like a pro
EASY EDITING - Make all your photos pop
Great Singapore Shophouse locations - The best locations for photographing Singapore Shophouses
Temples-Mosques-Churches - Singapores Places of Worship
FUTURE BLOGS
(Coming soon)
A Five Blog series
"Discovering Singapores Parks"
Parks:
1st Series: East and West coast parks:
2nd Series: Singapore Botanical Gardens:
3rd Series: Kent Ridge & Hort parks:
4th Series: Fort Canning park:
5th Series: Lakeside Gardens
A Three Blog series
"Photographing Singapores Natural Beauty"
Nature Reserves:
1st Series: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
2nd Series: MacRitchie Nature Reserve
3rd Series: Singapore Zoo and Singapore Bird Park
A Six Blog series
"Photographing Singapores Islands"
Singapore’s islands:
1st Series: Pulau Ubin
2nd Series: Coney Island
3rd Series: Sentosa Island
4th Series: St. John Island
5th Series: Kusu Island
6th Series: Lazarus Island.