No matter how much time you spend on this beautiful island, you still feel short of missing something. Every day there are new things to learn and Singapore never shies from amazing you each time every day during your Singapore travel. Below listed are some of the amazing things you did not know about Singapore which would help you have a great time during your Singapore holidays. These facts can be useful Singapore travel information along with some amazing Singapore facts when you plan a trip here.
Interesting Fun Things about Singapore You Never Knew
1. Singapore is one of the three surviving city-states across the globe
Singapore is one of the three surviving city-states across the world. The other two being the Vatican City and Monaco. The capital of Singapore is Singapore itself, so ideally speaking there is no capital of Singapore.
2. Singapore comprises of 60 beautiful islands
You won’t believe this one, but yes! This is true. Singapore comprises of 60 beautiful islands. Some of the popular ones include Pulau Ujong, Pulau Semakau, Island City, Mah, and Pulau Tekong.
3. The national anthem of Singapore is on the micro text on the back of the $1000 note
If you ever get a chance to place your hands on one $1000 note, flip it over and you can see the lyrics of the national anthem of Singapore. One of the coolest things which you would ever come across.
4. 6 number of times the time zone has changed for Singapore since 1995
Prior to 1982, for 36 years, Singapore was 7.5 hours ahead of GMT. Post-1982, the Singapore Standard Time was changed to 8 hours ahead of GMT. This was primarily because Malaysia wanted to standardize their timing across East and West Malaysia. Singapore would have been left behind if they would be the only one 7.5 hours ahead of GMT.
5. There are natural hot springs located in Sembawang and Pulau Tekong
Situated in the northern tip of the city-state, visiting the natural hot springs is one of the things to do in North Singapore. This is the only place in Singapore where you would find a natural hot spring.
The natural hot spring at Sembawang Air Base is placed along Jalan Ulu Sembawang where the water flows through the granite stones at 150 liters per minute. The source of the water is unknown, but some studies have indicated that the water could be on the high ground at Bukit Timah. The public can enjoy these natural attractions daily from 7 am to 7 pm.
The one at Tekong is not very popular as it is located in the northern part of Unum, which is considered by many as one of the haunted parts of Tekong. But that has not left it isolated, as the spring is well maintained along with a signboard and boardwalk.
6. You will not find any lions here
Sang Nila Utama, a Srivijayan Prince from Palembang saw a creature which he felt was a lion and named the island Singapura. Singapore is often referred as the Lion City in Sanskrit, but as a matter of fact, there are no lions in this beautiful lion city.
7. There is another place in the world named Singapore
There is a town which is named the Singapore Yacht Club which is located at the end of the town. People here refer it as the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.
8. Singaporeans walk faster than most on the planet
Singaporeans walk the fastest on this planet according to a research conducted by the British Council. On an average, Singaporeans can cover a distance of 6.15km in an hour which 18 meters in 10.55 seconds. A speed at which the bumblebees fly. No wonder Singaporeans are referred as busy bees.
9. A 1-hectare plot within Bukit Timah Nature Reserve houses more tree species than in North America
Well! This is quite a record to hold considering its tiny size. But this 1-hectare plot in Bukit Timah Nature Reserves houses 400 species of trees. But these trees are dying faster at a 3% mortality rate higher than Malaysia. Researchers from NTU’s Asian School of the Environment are on the case to find the root causes of the same.
10. The location of SMU was initially an Indian convict’s prison who was involved in the construction works of colonial Singapore.
Many Indian convicts were transported from India and Hong Kong to Singapore in the early 19th century. Due to the crowd intensity of the convicts, a prison was built at Bras Basah to accommodate all of them. The prison was also called as Lau Kah Ku Keng Khau. Here they were trained in construction work skills like masonry, painting, blacksmithing, carpentering, and much more. St. Andrew’s Cathedral was also built on such convict labor. The tree which was planted by one of the prisoners still stands strong at the University.
11. Singapore has the biggest Yakult bottles in Southeast Asia
Now the favorite Yakult bottles come with big sizes to fulfill your childhood cravings. The Yakult bottles in Singapore are probably the biggest overseas and it comes at an expense too. But one wouldn’t mind paying a premium for owning a bigger Yakult bottle.
12. Singapore has a ‘Hug-Me’ Coca-Cola machine in the NUS
Looking for a bear hug? The National University of Singapore has a ‘Hug Me’ Coca-Cola dispensing machine. Here the machine dispenses a bottle of Coke when the person hugs the machine with its arms around the machine. It’s true that money can’t buy love but it can surely get you some Coke to quench your thirst.
13. Singapore is one of the few countries who have official Tintin shops
Many places in this world have authorized resellers, but the official dedicated Tintin shops are present only in five countries namely Belgium, Japan, Spain, the UK, and Singapore.
Singapore is a beautiful country which has many tourist attractions and continues to amaze you each time you visit this place no matter whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned visitor. The best part is that is a family-friendly tourist destination, as there are plenty of things to do in Singapore with kids.
14. You can’t chew gum in Singapore
In Singapore, chewing gum is not permitted. Gum can only be chewed by people if a doctor has asked them as a part of medications.
15. Properly speaking, Singapore is among the twenty smallest independent countries in the world.
It is the main island which is 42 kilometers long and 23 kilometers wide though the whole land area together with some small islets measures to a mere 683 square kilometers.
16. Singapore has a height limit for buildings
Singapore law requires that no building be constructed beyond 280 meters high. The Tanjong Pagar Centre is an exception as it is the tallest building in Singapore. It has a height of 290 meters. It officially started operations in 2016. It was given special permission to rise over the height limit.
17. There are now 27 Singlish terms in the Oxford Dictionary.
Singlish has officially made it to the Oxford Dictionary with 27 Singlish terms. Singaporeans can speak five languages, and Singlish is one of them. Together with English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. But instead of being a shattered language as one can infer from the label, it is a very difficult creole that is easily rendered unintelligible to anyone who is not a local.
18. Singapore’s largest hawker center
The Complex Food Centre in Chinatown is Singapore’s largest hawker center, housing over 260 food vendors.
19. Singapore is the best to do business
A World Bank business list claims that Singapore is the easiest country in the world to do business, second only to New Zealand.
20. You can watch movies at Changi Airport
Changi Airport offers free movie screenings every day of the year. Visit Terminal 4 for 4D cinema and Terminals 2 and 3 for 2D films.
21. The youngest person to pass the GCE paper is from Singapore
Singapore has recorded the youngest person to pass the GCE ‘O’ Level, Chemistry paper at the age of seven.
22. Toilets are a highly passionate topic in Singapore, indeed!
It is also prohibited to urinate and defecate at unapproved places and make no flushing in the lavatory without paying the penalty of SGD 150 within the country. The government passed a resolution within the framework of the United Nations to declare November 19 as World Toilet Day and the World Toilet Organization was formed in 2001.
23. It is the site of the first night zoo in history.
Indeed the Night Safari in Singapore stands as the first Night Zoo on the planet after sundown, unlike anything in Singapore. To describe some details: the park itself occupies 35 hectares of the area, it has existed since 1994 and is home to over one thousand animals, which representations belong to 120 species; all the animals are placed in real nighttime environments.
24. It’s a city with beautiful man-made waterfalls.
As per the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the first artificial waterfall was constructed in 1971 at Jurong Bird Park. Reportedly, it is the highest waterfall in an aviary to date, plummeting from a height of thirty meters. There are other artificial summits to discover, such as Gardens by the Bay and Cloud Forest. The focal point of the misty conservatory, which was created to host plants from the tropical highlands, is this enormous 35-meter waterfall.
25. Singapore was the first to host an F1 night race.
The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, the main event, created racing history by being the first-ever Formula 1 night race. The narrow Marina Bay street circuit hasn’t altered much over the years, and the brilliant floodlights on the course enhance the breathtaking nighttime vistas of Singapore.
26. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in Singapore.
1859 was the year the Singapore Botanic Gardens was made. Hence it is more than a hundred years older than present-day Singapore. It was finally gazetted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.
27. Singapore does not support hippie culture
For example, during the 1970s men with long hair were prevented by the government from possessing long hair because they feared that the hippy culture prevalent all over the world would spread in their country.
28. There is less corruption in Singapore
Singapore has ranked the sixth least corrupt city in the global league and the least corrupt city in Asia.
29. It is one of the most developed green societies on the surface of the Earth.
Singapore has a National Tree Planting Day on the 7th of November every year, where people including the common fig and diplomats go out and plant trees. A few even take up adopting trees as wedding or birthday presents!
30. The Singapore government is sensitive to pollution caused by vehicles
Private automobile use is strongly discouraged by the Singaporean government, and car owners must pay 1.5 times the original price to have their vehicles certified.
31. Singapore Wheel – second largest man-made structure
The Singapore Wheel, at 165 meters tall, is just 2 meters short of becoming the highest structure on Earth! When the Singapore Flyer first opened in 2008, the view from the Marina Center showed it rotating counter-clockwise. The Feng Shui masters advised that it be reversed later that year.
32. Army training compulsory for Singaporean men
In Singapore, all men after passing high school are required to serve as army personnel for two years. Additionally, service members must return to training annually until they are 40.
33. In Singapore, littering is a very serious offense.
If you are found to be polluting minor items, you will be fined SGD 300. However, if you leave bigger items like cans and bottles lying around, you may receive a Corrective Work Order that will require you to clean up a specific area and wear a bright green glowing vest. This will disgrace you in front of others and make you understand how difficult it is for the sweepers and cleaners!