Singapore is the smallest country in terms of land area in Southeast Asia. But don’t be fooled–the Little Red Dot is the region’s most progressive country. Discipline and efficiency are the hallmarks of this island nation, popular for its transport system and green spaces. The Lion City attracts both splurging tourists and backpacking travelers frequenting the city-state’s landmarks such as the Merlion and Marina Bay Sands area.
Business travelers, on the other hand, only have a limited itinerary during visits to Singapore. Here are three places to see during short business trips to the Lion City.
Changi Airport
Located at the easternmost part of Singapore, the city-state’s only civilian airport is an attraction in itself. Changi Airport has been consistently awarded as the best airport by Skytrax for seven years straight. Being the first and last stop for travelers, Changi does not run out of food and retail establishments in the first three terminals (linked by the Changi Skytrain monorail.) There are also a few hotels within the airport for those who want to be on time for their flight. Jewel Changi in Terminal 1 is a new development attracting new arrivals with its centerpiece Rain Vortex Fountain.
Downtown Core
The Downtown Core is connected to Singapore’s early history as a trade hub in the Straits Settlements, being the original financial and business district back then. Today, most offices are located in this area dotted by skyscrapers. It’s not uncommon to see white-collar workers — both local and expats — around the vicinity. Tourist attractions such as the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum, and Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay can be found here — all a stone’s throw away from each other. A few cultural monuments and landmarks can be found at the nearby Esplanade Park developed in 1943.
Clarke Quay
In the olden days, Clarke Quay was lined with warehouses storing goods transported by small boats up the river from the main ports. Today, bars and clubs have taken over the riverside warehouses. The quay’s watering holes are favorite spots for sunset-watching with a beer in hand. You’ll occasionally see office workers, tourists, and a few expatriate families enjoying a meal here, paired with good conversation. Clarke Quay is usually busiest during Friday nights – when people drink out after a long week!
Singapore does not run out of sights and establishments for business travelers, whether it’s for a quick business meeting or a major industry conference. The three places here are not the only ones business travelers will find. Going around the Lion City is a breeze with its seamless transport system — making it easy to travel from the office after an important meeting, to one of the international exposition centers for a business conference, and finally to a bar for socials and networking.
Enjoy your visit!
(AUTHOR’S NOTE: This post was supposedly a potential entry for a project in my previous work. The said project focused on business cultures all around the world, and this was lined up as a draft. However, I resigned from that job — leaving this one on the queue — and I only got to finish this one during the extended community quarantine period in Manila.
As always, I received no compensation in the process of drafting this post. And obviously – with the threat of Covid-19 hanging above us, we won’t be going overseas any time soon. Thus, let this one serve as a virtual trip to the Little Red Dot. Until the next post!)
I can’t wait to get back to Singapore. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from London!
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Same here, mate. I miss dining at hawker centres, exploring the city via train, and checking out the shopping malls for good finds.
Of course, all that – when this pandemic is over.
Stay safe, and KTF! ✊
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Thanks my friend! You too!
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Hello! Blog hopping 🙂
I miss Singapore! I went there last year to attend AFASG but I also visited those tourist sites as well 😀 It was an enjoyable experience! 😀
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Thank you! 🙂 Incidentally, a former colleague also went there for that same reason! (Back when I was a cosplayer, my opinion of Singaporeans wasn’t so favorable. It was only after I quit six years ago, and visited the Lion City in 2017, that it changed for the better.)
If anything, I’d want to go shopping there again this July! It’s usually the Great Singapore Sale around that time, so Orchard Road and Jewel Changi would be good stops! (Though Mustafa Centre is also a wonderful shopping hub to check out.)
Still, nothing beats good ol’ hawker centre food! 😀
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I love those old colonial shops, old Singapore, miss Katong. Can’t go now, of course but even before, I did not want to go as the currency is 3 times the value of ours, way too expensive.
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You gotta admire how a good number of Filipino travelers hustle, though; they get to enjoy Singapore with less than P15,000 (S$400 / RM1,300) pocket money (excluding plane fare and lodging.)
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So many things to talk about this tiny island. 🙂
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True that! Just one blog entry is insufficient! 😀
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Nice to read your introduction of spots to visit in Singapore. And happy to read the nice memories people have, mostly hawker food it seems (laughs). Singaporeans are generally very nice too, u know, especially to foreigners who need help. Finally, thank you for following my blog, thanks!
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Sure thing! Thank you likewise for following 🙂 Actually, that should have been more than three – but I lack my own pictures haha!
I can definitely attest to how helpful Singaporeans are; there was one instance that an uncle even held the door open for us whilst getting out of the lift at Terminal 1! (We couldn’t open it immediately as our hands were full.)
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That’s a good itinerary for a business traveler with a few hours to spare 🙂 Thanks for posting!
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Sure thing! 😀 Partida, I didn’t include the usual last-minute shopping places that Filipinos would usually frequent, e.g. Lucky Plaza and Mustafa Centre =))
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That’s fine! I think LP’s mostly for us craving Jollibee and Tapa King anyway… and as for Mustafa, lingering is almost mandatory 😂
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Now that Lucky Plaza was mentioned, I still crave the nasi padang at Minang House – three years after I ate there! (I was unable to visit during my trip there last year – doon lang ako sa basement hawker centre that time.) 😦
Thanks for following the blog, by the way! 🙂
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Yes to Minang House! Another reason to come back (when we’re all able to fly again 🙂) Look forward to reading more of your posts!
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Feel free to browse around – you can even check out my Singapore series posts if you wanna roam around without getting out of your seat. It’s a safer way to go around even though they’ve lifted the CB measures there 😉
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