Things to Do in Singapore
• Access seven themed zones: Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Minion Land.
• Express Pass upgrade lets you skip lines once per participating ride with dedicated entry in first three hours.
• VIP Tour upgrade gives unlimited skip-the-line access with a 5-hour guided tour and exclusive extras.
*Should a certain date be “full”, please feel free to send us a text at info@offbeat.sg or dm us at @offbeatsingapore on Instagram/Facebook*
*Tour is in ENGLISH and is fast paced, we apologise for not being able to accommodate to requests for translation. Private tour requests in other languages may be available. Please enquire*
Multi-ethnicity, multiculturalism, multiracial and interracial.
Singapore celebrates it all.
This offbeat walking tour (IN ENGLISH) in turn pays tribute to this exceptionally unnatural occurrence; from hearing the good, not so good; to tasting ethnic bites & smelling the roses of flowers knotted into garlands. And here are the highlights!
- Top tips for how to enjoy Singapore within your short stay
- In not 1 or 2, but at all 3 ethnic quarters as our backdrop
- Engages your 5 senses all within one tour
- Ask away any question about anything of this melting pot
- We also hop onto public transport too!**
Background Story (to date):
With colossal buildings, hurried development, and incredible economic growth that thrives as much as its greenery, this bustling cosmopolitan Singapore overflows with opportunities, businesses, and trade. But what's pulsating within the city is beyond what most eyes see. Made up of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and various other ethnicities, cultural heritage is what makes Singapore, Singapore — a gathering of different cultures coexisting in one agreeable space.
Against this backdrop, we take you on a walk into 3 unique neighbourhoods in order to share with you our favourite tips. Got a preferred ethnic quarter that interests you more; tips on what to do for the rest of your remaining hours; food suggestions to tickle your palate, WE GOT YOU!
IMPORTANT notes.
i. We reserve ALL rights to our tours and will not stand for abusive language and/or unreasonable requests. We ask for your kind understanding pertaining to this basic right we have as the tour operator
ii. Please reply our messages otherwise we ignore your reservation and cancel them wherever we see fit
iii. There’s a minimum of 8 participants (keeping our groups small under 15p) in order for this tour to start. We do our best to combine groups, and/or start as many tours as possible
iv. Suggested tip amount: S$30 ~ S$50 per person (most of us are not crazy rich Asians, and life here is expensive, we really do appreciate your love)
v. This tour is designed to hit all the 3 ethnic quarters in a short & sweet manner providing you a clearer idea of what we are about. We are hopeful it'll give you a better idea where to spend more time in
vi. We're taking public transport for short rides. Participants need their own Visa/Mastercard. YES! Your own card allows you to travel with ease (costs about S$2.50 per ride) on this island's public transport system
vii. Photo of Meeting Point can be found in the photo slide show for reference
viii. Unfortunately, this tour is not designed for families with children below 12 years old; neither is it for folks with moving difficulty. The pace is medium to fast covering 3-4km; taking the train twice
ix. Last but not the least, we do not accept large group (> 6 persons) booking. The main reasons are, keeping our experience tight and intimate and we want to be fair to smaller group reservations. Thank you for your kind understanding.
• Walk through the misty Cloud Forest and come face to face with life-sized dinosaurs in Jurassic World The Experience.
• Explore the Flower Dome’s gardens filled with baobabs, olive trees, and vibrant seasonal floral showcases from around the world.
• Capture the perfect photo moments from lush indoor mountains to blooming flower fields to sweeping city panoramas.
• Upgrade your experience by adding entry to Floral Fantasy, featuring a limited-time *My Little Pony* showcase.
Today, 74.3% of Singapore’s population is Chinese. Many of their forefathers left China during difficult times in search of a better life, and their journeys, struggles, and resilience are etched into the streets, shop-houses, and heritage of Chinatown.
Join us on this 2-hour walking tour through the heart of Chinatown, where history and culture come alive. Step back in time as we uncover the origins of this vibrant community—how early immigrants lived, worked, and played after arriving on Singapore’s shores. Discover their dreams and aspirations, as well as the challenges that caused many of those dreams to fade. The Chinatown story also mirrors those of immigrants from other ethnicities, making it an essential chapter in Singapore’s multicultural heritage.
Are you passionate about art? If so, don't miss a visit to the National Gallery Singapore, the largest public art collection in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
• Swap between the 2 lines simply by hopping on and off at any of the 36 stops scattered across Singapore.
• Want more? The Explore Pass offers an English-guided night tour taking you across iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer.
• Stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi on the open-top buses, and delve into Singapore's history with audio guides available in 7 languages.
• Discover must-see sights including Fort Canning Park, Thian Hock Keng Temple, and the bustling Chinatown on your route.
Beneath the futuristic, modern city lies a rich history of an improbable country.
Join me on a journey through time as I share tales of Singapore's beginnings and the remarkable people who shaped this vibrant city. Explore an ancient hill and a transformed river, your classroom for today's extraordinary lesson.
My difference? I have been a teacher in Singapore schools for over 20 years - Come experience the Singapore teacher! This tour will be a 'lesson' you will not forget.
On this tour, we will bring back 700 years to discover the stories behind the Singapore that you see today. You will:
- explore Fort Canning Hill and the many stories connected to this hill
- visit an excavation site which rewrote Singapore's history
- learn how being a former British colony has impacted our country today
- discover the importance of the Singapore River in our history as a port
- see the past, present and future of Singapore
This is more than just a tour; it's a chance to step back in time and discover the heart and soul of Singapore.
Important Notes:
- Our tour will end at the heart of modern Singapore near the Marina Bay area (The Merlion is a very short walk from our ending point.)
- This is a 3 hour walking tour so come after a hearty breakfast and bring a bottle of water with you. Dress light and it helps to bring an umbrella or raincoat. We will walk, rain or shine! (unless it is a downpour).
- We will be going up and down multiple flights of steps so this tour is not recommended for families with prams or individuals with mobility challenges. If you are unsure, do check with me if the tour is suitable for you.
- Do note that this is a Pay-As-You-Wish Tour. If you enjoyed the tour, a recommended tip of SGD30 is appreciated.
Note: If you do not see a tour available on a date which you would like attend, do contact us to see if we can open a tour on that date.
• In your comfortable and secure tram, the audio commentary in English ensures that you always know what you are looking at, and cool facts about the animals.
• Don't miss the Creatures of the Night presentation, where you'll watch these fascinating animals showcase their skills and learn all about their unique traits and behaviors.
• You can choose the All-Park Hopper ticket and visit the Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, and Bird Paradise.
Come Hungry!
Food Tour: Chinatown Hawker Hop is the only tip-based food tour in Singapore that takes you into the heart of award winning hawkers, where locals eat, chat, laugh and keep traditions alive.
Best to book on your first day in Singapore, to give you a head start to our Food Culture to Eat Like a Local in our overwhelming Food Markets, aka Hawker Centers! We’ll explore some of Singapore’s iconic hawker centres and wet market, uncovering the stories behind everyday dishes and the people who make them. Learn how hawker food became an important part of Singapore’s identity, why it’s recognised by UNESCO, and how to order like a local without feeling lost.
This tour is perfect for first-time visitors, food lovers, curious travellers and crazy over Michelin street food who want to experience Singapore beyond guidebooks.
Why book this tour?
- Fall in love at first bite
- Famous & award winning stalls
- Learn the culture and stories
- Relaxed pace
- Led by local foodie
- Rain or shine, the tour goes on
Important note
- Personal food expense is not included. Only local cash is used in most hawker centers ($20-$30 per person depend on how much your want to eat!)
- Suggested tip: S$30 ~ $50 per person (appreciate your love in this Crazy Expensive Country)
- WhatsApp is widely used for communication
- Send me a message if theres no slots
• Enjoy buffet dining with free-flow non-alcoholic drinks and two alcoholic beverages, perfect for refreshing yourself between flights.
• Stay connected with high-speed WiFi, charging stations, and real-time flight info screens, along with access to TV, newspapers, and magazines.
• Relax in a calm, less crowded environment with comfortable seating, ideal for resting, working, or unwinding during transit.
• Customize your visit with 3, 5, or 10-hour access, and upgrade to include shower facilities for added comfort during your layover.
Join me on this Chinatown walking tour, where we will trace the footsteps of our forefathers.
We begin at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Centre, visiting the City Gallery to admire the city model and get an overview of Singapore’s urban landscape. We’ll then explore Singapore’s history, starting with Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in 1819.
Next, we visit St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital, which provided care to impoverished women and children in the early 1900s.
From there, we walk along Erskine Road, admiring the conserved shophouses. I’ll explain the significance of the five-foot way, a unique feature once used by small businesses.
In Chinatown, we’ll see landmarks like the Statue of the Coolie at Smith Street, honoring past laborers. We’ll marvel at vibrant murals by local artist Yip Yew Chong on Temple Street. As we continue down South Bridge Road, we’ll pass Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. On Pagoda Street, we’ll stop at Unit 37, a former coolie house, and Unit 34, a former opium den, to glimpse early immigrant life.
Our tour concludes at Chinatown Complex, one of Singapore’s largest hawker centres. Here, I’ll introduce you to some of our famous street food, including Michelin-starred hawker dishes.
Come along on this journey through our history, heritage, and culture. I look forward to sharing Singapore’s stories with you!
• Admire city landmarks like Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Flyer, and Marina Bay as they stretch beneath the expansive SkyPark observation deck.
• Pick off-peak access to enjoy peaceful daylight panoramas or select peak hours for dramatic sunsets and sparkling nighttime skyline vistas.
Join me for a tour of the City for an initial introduction, which will help you understand how Singapore turned from a poor fishing village into one of the most important cities in the world.
Come and discover the rich history and heritage of this fantastic island. Enjoy the unique City View and take breathtaking photos.
Itinerary:
- We’ll start at Raffles Place, the heart of Singapore Business District, since 1822.
*Subject to availability - Continue to one of the best observation decks in Singapore, from the second-highest tower in the City.
- Head to Merlion Park, the icon of the City.
- Continue to the colonial Civic District.
- Reach to the point that started the story of modern Singapore in 1819.
- Stroll aside the river between the skyscrapers to the old colonial government buildings.
- We will end the tour in the National Gallery of Singapore Observation Deck.
*If we visit the tower observation deck at the beginning of the tour, we will back to Raffles Place MRT and end the tour there.
*Please reply to my messages and confirm your participation in the tour. It would be very helpful if you added an active WhatsApp number to your info. If you do not reply to my messages, I will often cancel your booking.
**Suggested tip amount: S$25 ~ $35 per person
*** This tour requires a minimum of 5 participants (max, usually 15p) to start. I’ll try my best to combine groups and/or start as many tours as possible where I can. I appreciate your understanding.
• Step into Cloud Forest’s misty highlands where *Jurassic World: The Experience* brings lifelike dinosaurs to an immersive adventure.
• Explore cool-dry gardens from around the world at Flower Dome, showcasing ever-changing floral displays in the world’s largest glass greenhouse.
• It’s the perfect combo to enjoy both serene floral beauty and exciting prehistoric encounters without missing a thing.
• You can also upgrade your visit by adding Floral Fantasy featuring *My Little Pony: Petals of Friendship*, enjoying a 20-minute audio-guided tram tour through the outdoor gardens, or heading up to the Supertree Observatory.
Step into a vibrant mosaic of heritage, faith, and community on this immersive walking tour through Little India. Begin your journey at the roots of Serangoon’s settlement, where early Indian immigrants made their mark amid rivers, racecourses, and rattan. Discover beautifully preserved places of worship, from the grand Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple to the humble Foochow Methodist Church, reflecting the area’s rich spiritual tapestry.
Marvel at the last Chinese villa in the district, learn the secrets of traditional trades depicted in murals, and follow the scent of spices to third-generation family businesses. Along the way, uncover fascinating stories—from astrologers with parakeets to brides receiving gold thalis.
Conclude your adventure with hands-on experiences at the Indian Heritage Centre and savour the buzz of Tekka Market. This tour is a feast for the senses and a heartfelt tribute to the resilient, diverse community that shaped Little India.
• Your flexible round-trip pass lets you hop on and off at 3 exciting stations, exploring both mainland Singapore and Sentosa at your own pace.
• Upgrade your experience to ride the cable car across both the Mount Faber and Sentosa lines with access to all 6 stations, add a one-way SkyOrb glass-bottom experience, or top it off with a KitKat cone or an ice-cold beer.
Delve deep into the history of Kampong Glam as we recount when the British arrived in Singapore, where they sought to control, how Kampong Glam became the Seat of the Malay Royalty, who Sultan Mosque is named after, and what became of him and his family.
Examine the Islamic roots of Kampong Glam, as we trace the origins of those who settled into the area, and learn about their traditions, customs and cuisines.
End the tour at hip and happening Haji Lane, where heritage meets contemporary. Vibrant street art adorn the walls of century-old shophouses which house popular thrift stores, indie boutiques, themed photo booths, and laidback cafes and bars.
Highlights:
- Crawford Bridge
- Heap Seng Leong, an old school coffeeshop from the 70s
- Hajjah Fatimah Mosque
- Istana Kampong Glam
- Gedung Kuning
- Peranakan architecture and culture
- Teh Tarik (Indian Muslim Pulled Tea) Demonstration
- Sultan Mosque
- Heritage shops along Arab Street
- Haji Lane, the most Instagrammable street in Singapore
