Welcome to the Wanderlust

Back to nature

Sustainability in Singapore is more than just a buzzword; it’s a way of life. This innovative country has been blending urban living with nature for decades. The most famous example is Gardens by the Bay, a futuristic world where green foliage tumbles from metal ‘supertrees’, and flora from the world over thrives high in its canopies. There’s also MacRitchie Reservoir Park, a pocket of wilderness in the centre of the city, where you can walk an 11km rainforest trail to spy macaques and flying lemurs.

Nature awaits on Singapore’s islands, too. Pulau Ubin island is located off Singapore’s north-eastern coast and the unspoilt paradise provides a home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Head to the island’s Chek Jawa Wetlands to stroll the boardwalk and kayak through the mangroves, looking out for wildlife including fiddler crabs and collared kingfishers.

Wherever you are in Singapore, it’s easy to make eco-friendly choices. Choose from a variety of responsible tour operators, stay in an eco-certified hotel, and make your mealtimes sustainable by eating at farm-to-fork restaurants and ordering plant-based options.

Urban wellness

Despite the hustle and bustle of the city’s eclectic neighbourhoods, Singapore is a place where peace can be found. Spend a quiet morning at Fort Canning where you can get lost in history and relax in nature. Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, also makes for a tranquil escape. Sit for a while among the ancient trees at the Botany Centre, then stroll Swan Lake and take time to breath in the greenery all around. XIU Nature Connections offer moonlight meditation classes at the Singapore Botanic Gardens and can take you out among the city’s trees to practice shinrin yoku (forest bathing).

End your day with a soak at a spa. Aramsa The Garden Spa is situated in lush greenery, and here you can bathe outdoors surrounded by the scents of its herb-filled garden.

Foodie paradise

Singapore’s tongue-tingling cuisine reflects its diverse cultural make-up. Head to Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Gelam to enjoy a melting pot of flavours and many of Singapore’s national dishes. Those after fine dining are also in luck, with 52 Singapore restaurants achieving star status in Michelin’s latest guide. Indeed, local talent and flavours collide with a visit to Michelin-starred Labyrinth, where chef Han Li Guang ensures you feast on Singaporean favourites with a modern twist. And don’t miss Candlenut, the world’s first Michelin starred Peranakan restaurant.

A visit to Singapore isn’t complete without eating at one of the hawker centres (hawker culture is inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity) where the country’s famed street food takes pride of place. Michelin quality can be sniffed out here, too, with a visit to A Noodle Story, a hawker stand that has bagged a Bib Gourmand award for its Singapore-style ramen soups. Street food is arguably best enjoyed at night, and on the Singapore After Dark Night Tour a local guide will take you to some of the best hawker stands, rooftop bars and drinking dens in the city.

A green future

Singapore is already a world leader in sustainability and its plans are only getting bigger and bolder. The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a national sustainability movement that charts ambitious targets for the next decade to achieve net zero emissions. The huge plan involves setting aside 50% more land for nature parks so that everyone will live within a 10-minute walk of a green space. As well as this, one million trees will be planted and solar energy will be quadrupled. That means cleaner air and more natural space for locals, visitors and wildlife alike. So there will be plenty to capture on camera, both now and in the future.