Forget Japan and Thailand: this is the craziest destination in the East

While all the Israelis talk about countries in the East like Thailand, Vietnam and Japan, Singapore is the true and future pearl of Asia. It has one central island, another 88 small islands, about 6 million inhabitants and the appearance of a country from the future. It feels like a perfect mix of Dubai and Hong Kong.

This small country, roughly the size of Gush Dan, has managed to engineer itself into a one-time tourist utopia. So just before you order a ticket, here is the guide to the city that is probably the closest to a sci-fi movie set, and also to the airport that you really won’t want to leave.

The first point where Singapore’s futurism will hit you with its full force is the famous garden complex – “Gardens of the Bay” in Hebrew. This is not another city park with a few benches and a lawn, but a grandiose project built on more than 1,000 dunams and including outdoor botanical gardens (free of charge) and the “Supertrees” – iconic steel structures in the shape of trees 9 to 16 stories high, which are covered with more than 160 thousand plants. When the evening falls, all eyes are on them, especially at 19:45 and 20:45, when the spectacular light and sound show Garden Rhapsody starting It is recommended to arrive about fifteen minutes before to get a good spot on the grass or on the paths under the trees. This visual experience is completely free and feels like a scene from Avatar.

beside theSupertrees and the open gardens stand atGardens by the Bay”Also two giant glass greenhouses that look like giant oysters from the future. The most famous greenhouse among them, theCloud Forestis a surreal experience: as soon as you enter you will see in front of you a huge waterfall 35 meters high falling from an artificial mountain. In the greenhouse you can walk on suspension bridges around the mountain and see rare flora from tropical mountainous regions. Directly opposite is the second greenhouse, theFlower Domewhich is defined as the largest glass greenhouse in the world. It simulates a dry Mediterranean climate and hosts stunning flower displays from all continents, from South Africa to California, all within a space designed without support columns to obstruct the view.

You cannot miss the most iconic structure in Singapore, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel – three buildings connected at the top by a huge “ship”-like structure. What you may not have known is that by visiting here you can be filled with blue-white pride, because the person behind this architectural wonder is the Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdia. Spadia designed the building to become a symbol of modern Singapore, and it includes the world-famous infinity pool, open only to hotel guests. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can go up to the observation deckSkypark on the 57th floor. The view from there is breathtaking and allows you to see the entire skyline of the city and also to look at the shipping lane, perhaps the busiest in the world. From this height you can see huge amounts of cargo ships and tankers making their way west, an impressive sight that illustrates the importance of Singapore as a global crossroads.

At the foot of the hotel is theThe Shoppes at Marina Bay Sandsa huge and prestigious mall, a temple of super brands. It includes shops floating on the water, such as the one of Appleand an inner canal that can be navigated in gondolas. After wandering through the mall, head to the outdoor plaza for the showSpectra. This is an immersive show of fountains, lights and lasers that lasts 15 minutes. It takes place every evening at 20:00 and 21:00 (on Fridays and Saturdays there is another show at 22:00). And finally, right across the bay, is the Merlion Park (Merlion Park), where stands the famous statue of the half-lion, half-fish creature spewing a jet of water, the unofficial symbol of the city and the perfect spot for photos by the water’s edge with the Marina Bay Sands Hotel on the horizon.

Singapore’s Chinatown is a multi-sensory experience that combines tradition with vibrant nightlife. The main temple in the district is theBuddha Tooth Relic Templea spectacular five-story house of prayer that makes all its visitors feel as if they have arrived in China. Right next to the temple is the Chinatown street market. The market is actually a tangle of alleys with red lantern lamps, where you can find everything from souvenirs to traditional Chinese medicine. The smell of durian that dominates there will be hard to miss.

If you get hungry while visiting the district, there are two stops that are a must for Foodies. The first is theMaxwell Food Centrea complex of Asian street food stalls in which the stall “Tian Tian” who submits theHainanese Chicken Rice which received recognition in the Michelin guide. The second station is the complex ofLau Pa Satwhich is housed in a beautiful Victorian building. In the evening, the street adjacent to it is closed to traffic and dozens of stalls are opened along it grilling skewers on coals with thick and fragrant smoke that smells as close to an Independence Day barbecue.

This is not just any shopping street, but miles of huge malls connected underground, which may remind many of the connected malls of Bangkok. With all due respect to the many malls, ION Orchard It is the king of the boulevard, with futuristic architecture, over 300 stores, a huge food court, gourmet restaurants and also an observation deck located on the 55th and 56th floors with a spectacular panoramic view of the city.

mall Paragon The neighborhood appeals to lovers of high luxury, whileNgee Ann City Hosts the largest bookstore in Asia. And if you want a bonus, don’t miss the Emerald Hilla small and picturesque street that comes off the boulevard, with restored historic houses that house trendy bars and cafes – a brief and refreshing escape from the giant malls.

If Orchard is the place to find luxury and finesse, Bugis is the place for cheap bargains. Bugis Street is the largest indoor market in the city, with over 800 stalls selling clothes, accessories, souvenirs and street food at ridiculous prices. It is a crowded, noisy and incredibly fun place, which is right next door to Bugis Junction, a modern shopping mall that is partly covered in glass and looks like a classic shopping street.

Sentosa is a small island dedicated entirely to leisure, and is a whole world that is easily connected to the city center. Getting to it is part of the fun: you can enter it on foot over a short bridge within fifteen minutes from the VivoCity mall the giant (where it is recommended to make a stop for shopping or food), while other options are on theSentosa Express (monorail) from the same mall or on the cable car that leaves from Mount Faber and provides a 360 degree view of the port and the island. Getting around within Sentosa is incredibly convenient with completely free shuttles and internal buses, as is the trip from the island back to the mall VivoCity.

Inside the island you will find resorts for families, bathing beaches and also many attractions such as the Universal Studios Singapore parks and theSEA Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. One of the newest and most exciting attractions is the SkyHelix Sentosa, an open observation deck 79 meters above sea level where you sit with your feet in the air and enjoy a drink in front of the panoramic view.

The beaches in Sentosa are the perfect place to relax. Inside the island there are three artificial beaches with gorgeous white sand: Siloso (the lively beach with bars), Palawan (suitable for families and perhaps the most beautiful) and Tanjong (the quiet and luxurious). in Palawan Beach You will find one of the most photogenic spots: a hanging and swinging rope bridge that leads to a small island, which is considered the southernmost point of mainland Asia (or at least the closest). In terms of bathing, prepare yourself for an average water temperature of 29 degrees, when even on “cold” days it does not drop below 26 degrees.

Alongside the commercialized attractions, Sentosa offers surprising nature trails, such as the Imbiah Trail. The circular and easy route, which is about 3.5 km (an hour) long, passes through a lovely rain forest with sandy soil, along which you can enjoy views of artificial waterfalls and the remains of old British military fortifications.

When traveling in Singapore, one of the first things you feel is a peace of mind that is hard to find in many places in the world. It is a country where personal security is one of the highest in the world, with one of the lowest crime rates. And if that’s not enough, Singapore is considered one of Israel’s closest and oldest friendships in Asia, with a historic alliance that dates back to the 1960s. When Singapore gained independence and was looking for a friend to help it build an army from scratch, it found one in Israel. This relationship, which started with security and military advice, has turned over the years into a technological and economic partnership that makes Israelis feel very welcome. In the current reality, Singapore remains an island of stability and friendship, a destination where you can speak Hebrew without fear.

It is important to note that Singapore does not have direct flights from the country and can be easily reached via Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the Emirates.

If you thought that an airport was just a place you pass through to get to a flight, Changi Singapore is redefining everything you know about airports. This field has been repeatedly chosen as the best in the world, not because of the efficiency and short lines, but because it is simply an amusement park of experiences. To make the most of it, the first and most important tip is to arrive at least 5 hours before the flight, and preferably even earlier.

Let’s start with the diamond in the crown – the area ofJewela huge complex located in the public area of ​​the field (before check-in), designed by the Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdia (who also designed Terminal 3 in Israel). At its center stands theRain Vortexthe highest indoor waterfall in the world, which falls from a futuristic glass roof from a height of about 40 meters and is wrapped in an indoor rainforest. In the evening the waterfall becomes the center of a mesmerizing light and sound show. On the top floor you will find, for a nominal fee, theCanopy Parkwhich includes a hanging glass bridge, gardens and giant nets that you can jump on.

the complexJewel It is far beyond a standard shopping complex. It houses over 280 shops and restaurants, ranging from luxury brands to the first flagship store of Apple inside the airport, and the center of thePokemon The first official one outside of Japan. The brilliant design of the architect Moshe Safdia creates a perfect combination between a shopping experience and wild nature, where all floors are surrounded by a waterfall and the central tropical forest. Please note that the stores inJewel They are not duty-free shops, and accordingly they are not exempt from VAT (due to the location in the section open to the general public, before passport control). However, you can fill out a form and get a refund.

The best tip, which makes Changi very special, is to get to know the early check-in service (Early Check-in). At the airport, we know very well how inconvenient it is to drag the luggage around inJeweland therefore in most airlines you can hand in your luggage even 12 to 24 hours before the flight at designated counters and roam the field completely free.

What not to miss in the various terminals?

To get the most out of Changi Airport, it is important to understand that each terminal is a whole world with a unique character, and moving between them is an integral part of the entertainment.

In Terminal 1 is one of the most beautiful places in the airport – the “Discovery Garden” (Discovery Garden). The garden is characterized by elevated walkways winding around tree-like sculptural steel structures, covered in a rich variety of plants. Another garden, located on the roof of the terminal, is the cactus garden, with 100 types of cacti and desert plants from Asia, Africa and America, and even a beverage bar. And finally, pampering lovers and those with extra free time will be happy to hear about the swimming pool located on the roof of the terminal, which allows you to dip in the water under the sky while watching planes take off and land. The complex also has a jacuzzi and a pool bar, and all this goodness costs about NIS 60 per person.

In Terminal 3 is the world’s first butterfly garden located inside an airport. In a closed and air-conditioned space that extends over two floors, a tropical paradise for butterflies has been designed with an abundance of flowering plants, lush vegetation and a 6-meter waterfall. In the garden there are over 1,000 tropical butterflies from about 40 different species.

In addition to all the activities, Changi Airport also offers all passengers the opportunity to relax and take a nap completely free of charge, through sleeping lounges (Snooze lounges). These rest areas are designed to provide a quiet space where you can take a short nap on reclining seats, and are available 24/7 in all terminals. And finally, another activity, available in terminals 2 and 3, is watching movies in movie theaters that operate free of charge. Blockbuster movies are screened in comfortable, air-conditioned spaces, and are a perfect solution for those who have a few hours to spend after passport control.

Moving between the terminals is almost an attraction in itself, and it was designed so that you don’t feel for a moment that you are in an oppressive transition. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected by the trainSkytraina light, automatic and completely free train that runs every 5 minutes. The best part of this train is the track connecting Terminal 2 and 3, which runs right inside theJewel and provides a spectacular and close shooting angle to the huge and iconic waterfall. If you prefer to extract bones, there are also comfortable walking conveyors that connect these terminals through air-conditioned bridges. For Terminal 4, which is a little further away, the port operates a free shuttle service that departs from Terminal 2 and operates around the clock, so getting to any point in the field is simple, fast and, above all, effortless.

Despite its microscopic size on the map, Singapore is living proof that vision and courage can create a new and exciting place in such a short time. Whether you dip in the warm waters of Sentosa, savor a dish of chicken rice at a traditional street stall or stand in awe in front of Moshe Spadia’s iconic waterfall at the airport, there is no denying that the destination succeeds in challenging the imagination and bringing its visitors together with spectacles they have never seen before.