23 fun facts about Singapore
If you’re looking for some fun facts about Singapore, you’ve come to the right place.
I have been lucky enough to visit Singapore and experience first-hand how fantastic it is.
In this post, I’ll share some straightforward fun facts about the city, like its efficient public transport, impressive green initiatives, and strange laws, like how it’s prohibited to sing in public.
Let’s dive in!
Fun facts about Singapore
1. Singapore is a city-state
Did you know that Singapore is both a city and its own country?
That’s right.
It’s not just one place; Singapore actually includes a main island and 63 other smaller ones, including Sentosa, Pulau Ubin, and Sisters’ Islands.
2. The Merlion is Singapore’s mascot
The Merlion is the symbol of Singapore.
It’s a statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, and you’ll find it by the river. It stands for Singapore’s history as a small fishing village and its original name, ‘Lion City’.
3. The Raffles Hotel is the birthplace of the Singapore Sling
Raffles Hotel has been around since 1887, and it’s famous for being the place where the Singapore Sling drink was invented.
The hotel is named after Sir Stamford Raffles, a British East Indian administrator and the founder of Singapore (1819).
4. Time zones in Singapore have changed six times
Singapore has changed its time zone six times, which is quite a bit. It used to match up with Malaysia’s time, but now it’s set to GMT+8.
That said, if you want to get technical, GMT+7.5 would be the exact match for Singapore’s location.
5. The Esplanade looks like a Durian fruit
The Esplanade’s architecture is pretty unique.
It’s right there on the Marina Bay waterfront, and it’s easy to spot because of its twin domes that have this cool spiky design.
People often say it looks like a durian, which is this big, spiky fruit that’s super popular in Southeast Asia.
6. Changi Airport has a butterfly garden
If you’re flying through or from Changi Airport, take some time to check out the butterfly garden.
It’s the first one ever in an airport.
It’s like a mini rainforest with lots of flowers, plants, and a waterfall that’s 6 meters high.
You can see over 1,000 butterflies there, and they come from around 40 different types depending on the time of year. They’ve also got spots where you can learn stuff and watch butterflies up close, like where they grow and eat.
7. The ArtScience Museum looks like a lotus flower
Then you’ve got the ArtScience Museum, which is another architectural gem in Marina Bay.
The building is designed by Moshe Safdie and it’s shaped like an open lotus flower.
8. Singapore has some of the weirdest laws
Singapore is known for its strict regulations, and some of the laws here might seem pretty weird to outsiders.
For example, it’s illegal to sell chewing gum, and you can’t forget to flush a public toilet without risking a fine.
These unique laws are part of what keeps the city so clean and orderly.
9. A vending machine in Singapore dispenses luxury cars
Now, get this: there’s a vending machine in Singapore that’s way cooler than one that just drops out chips or candy.
This one dispenses luxury cars! Imagine a multi-story machine that delivers high-end vehicles right to you, making buying a car as simple as pressing a button.
10. Singapore is home to the world’s first ‘green’ skyscraper
When it comes to eco-friendly design, Singapore is home to the world’s first ‘green’ skyscraper.
The Oasia Hotel Downtown is wrapped in this red aluminum mesh that doubles as a support for a bunch of plants, making the whole thing look like a massive vertical garden.
This isn’t just any building; it’s a pioneer in sustainable architecture, with sky gardens and solar panels that show how urban spaces can be environmentally conscious.
11. Singapore’s passport gives you extensive visa-free travel
With a Singapore passport, you’ve got one of the best passports for traveling around the world.
It lets you go to loads of places without needing a visa, making your trips a lot smoother and less stressful when it comes to planning.
12. Haw Par Villa has bizarre mythological scenes
Haw Par Villa is a theme park that’s off the usual tourist trail.
It’s filled with vivid sculptures and scenes that bring Chinese mythology and teachings to life.
Some of these displays are quite graphic and unusual, but they’re all about sharing traditional stories and lessons.
13. A secret bar in Singapore is hidden behind a fridge door
In Singapore, there’s a secret bar that’s got a pretty cool entrance – it’s hidden behind a fridge door!
14. Gardens By the Bay has ‘Supertrees’
My favorite place in Singapore is Gardens by the Bay, which is home to the ‘Supertrees’.
These large structures range from 25 to 50 meters tall and serve as vertical gardens. They’re a combination of nature and technology, and they become even more impressive at night when they’re part of a light and sound show.
15. Night Safari is the world’s first nocturnal zoo
Night Safari is the world’s first zoo specifically for nocturnal animals. Since opening its doors in 1994, it’s been a hit with visitors who want to see what animals get up to at night.
Spread over 35 hectares, the Night Safari is home to more than 2,500 animals from around 130 species, and impressively, about 40% of these species are considered endangered.
As you wander the park or ride the tram, you’ll pass through six different geographical zones that mimic the animals’ natural habitats.
16. Singapore Botanic Gardens is a UNESCO site
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been around for almost 160 years.
It plays a significant role in botanical and horticultural research, making it a hub for scientific study in Asia.
Extra fun fact: the Singapore Botanic Gardens is one of the world’s most visited botanic gardens with over 4.5 million visitors annually.
17. The National Orchid Garden has over 1,000 species of orchids
The National Orchid Garden is a real treasure within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, especially if you’re into orchids.
With over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, it’s got the largest orchid display anywhere on the planet.
It even has a VIP Orchid Garden section where orchids are named after visiting dignitaries and celebrities.
18. MacRitchie Reservoir has a canopy walk
If you’re planning to visit MacRitchie Reservoir, don’t miss out on the TreeTop Walk.
It’s a cool suspension bridge that hangs 25 meters up in the air and stretches for about 250 meters.
It’s a great spot to catch a bird’s-eye view of the forest and you might even see some long-tailed macaques swinging by. Just a heads-up, you’ll need to hike a trail to get there, so wear comfy shoes!
19. The Fountain of Wealth is the largest in the world
When you’re exploring Suntec City, make sure to check out the Fountain of Wealth.
It’s got a rep for being the biggest fountain in the world since 1998 and people say it brings good fortune to walk around it three times.
20. Malay is the national language
If you’re curious about languages in Singapore, Malay is the official national language.
You’ll hear it in the national anthem for sure. But when you’re out and about, you’ll find that English is super common, so you’ll have no trouble communicating.
And if you’re into languages, you’ll also hear Mandarin, Tamil, and Singlish, which is a unique Singaporean way of speaking English with a local twist. Just so you know, even though Malay is the national language, most Singaporeans speak English or Mandarin at home.
21. Singapore’s public buses are double-deckers
Singapore’s public buses aren’t your average buses; they’re double-deckers!
Riding on the top deck gives you a cool, elevated view of the city, making your commute feel more like a sightseeing tour.
22. The Jewel Changi Airport has the world’s tallest indoor waterfall
The HSBC Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport is smack in the middle and it’s huge, stretching up seven stories.
It’s the tallest indoor waterfall on the planet, standing at 40 meters. Since Jewel opened in April 2019, this thing has been turning heads.
23. Singapore’s Changi Airport has a slide
And for a bit of unexpected airport fun, Changi Airport has a slide that travelers can use.
The Slide@T3 is 12 meters high—that’s like stacking four houses on top of each other.
It’s the tallest slide you’ll find in any airport, and it’s a super fun way to get to your gate or just have a little fun before your flight.
FAQ – Singapore fun facts
What is a fun fact about Singapore for kids?
A fun fact for kids is that Singapore has a vending machine that lets you buy luxury cars, just like getting a soda or snack!
What is special to Singapore?
Singapore is special for its mix of cultures and languages and has one of the world’s busiest ports right in the heart of Southeast Asia.
What is the Singapore known for?
Singapore is known for its super clean streets, strict laws, amazing food, and iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion, and Gardens by the Bay.
