Who would have thought that such a geographically small island nation of Singapore would have such global significance? There are many reasons for this. Some claim that Singapore is vital due to its strategic location, being located at the intersection of South-East Asian trade routes. Others point to its political tolerance as a beacon of eastern civilization, after all, Singapore allows people from different countries, cultures, and religions to live side-by-side and learn from one another, all within a relatively small area of 729 square kilometers.
Whichever the reason, Singapore's port remains the busiest in the world. The country's oil refining output ranks second highest globally, and Singapore is one of the world's primary financial centers.
The cultural wealth of Singapore is something you must experience with your own eyes. While exploring the city, you will find a mosque, a Buddhist temple, and a Hindu sanctuary, practically standing right across from one another. If that wasn’t enough, Singapore is ranked in the top ten safest countries in the world, making it a comfortable and worriless tourism destination.
A Dog-Friendly Tourist Guide to Singapore- Routes and Landmarks
To get our first taste of the city, we are going to grab our canine buddy and take a stroll down the Clarke Quay, which is part of the historic “old town”. Initially, a commercial center of the city, the district was largely populated by warehouses and depots. Over the years the area transformed, keeping a few historic buildings and landmarks along the way, with new shops, marketplaces, and stylish restaurants opening and rebranding the area as a great tourist destination and a popular place to visit amongst the locals. For a unique experience, come to Clarke Quay during the evenings or at night, when the seawall becomes majestically illuminated with lanterns!
Let's grab our pup and head to the central part of the city to visit one of the most recognizable symbols of Singapore - the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Consisting of three skyscraper towers, the buildings are linked together with a massive roof that resembles a boat, which holds a plethora of palms and tropical plants, creating a truly one-of-a-kind sight, dazzling even the most difficult to impress travelers.
Another must-see wonder of Singapore is the Gardens by the Bay. In addition to natural plants, the gardens house several exotic-looking structures, which serve varied purposes. Some are there to create scaffolding for vines and other climbing plants, others collect rainwater. During the evenings and at night, the "trees" become illuminated, producing an otherworldly and futuristic atmosphere, creating ideal conditions to take a few surreal photos with your pet.
If you thought we were done with gardens and flowers, you thought wrong! Another unique landmark we recommend visiting is the ArtScience Museum. Resembling a massive flower, the whole museum conforms to the process of creativity and innovation in arts and sciences. It's hard to imagine the developers and architects of the Museum picking a more fitting design for the building.
Our next stop is Orchard Road. A century and a half ago, this street led to a fruit garden, from where it got its name, but over the years, the road and its surroundings transformed into a massive shopping district. Orchard Road’s sidewalk will lead you past several art galleries, prestigious hotels, beautiful restaurants, and cozy cafes. If you want to pick yourself, or your loved ones, some souvenirs, or simply spend quality time with your four-legged friend, this is a great place to visit.
The next stop in your exploration of Singapore should be Chinatown. Entering it with your canine companion, you seemingly teleport to a traditional Chinese city. The district has everything you would expect from its namesake, including small family shops, delicious Chinese cuisine, bright garlands, and fiery floating lights. Singapore's Chinatown is a busy place, with thousands of tourists and locals visiting it every day. Some come here for its atmosphere, others for its architectural landmarks, two of which we strongly recommend visiting, namely the Sri Mariamman Temple and Temple of the Tooth.
Another dog-friendly district of Singapore that will seemingly transport us to another corner of the world is Little India. If you want to plunge yourself into the authentic oriental culture of India, purchase exquisite spices, and bright fabrics or visit Indian beauty salons, this is the district for you!
Singapore is a unique place, combining things that may seem incompatible, which is most pronounced on Geylang Road - a whole district that is considered the spiritual center of the city combining temples, mosques, museums, and spiritual academies with strip clubs and brothels.
While exploring the city with your canine friend, you may notice statues of a mythical creature with the body of a fish and the head of a lion. Meet Merlion, the official mascot of the city! Its name combines the old-English word for sea "Mer", representing the city's humble origins as a fishing village with the "Lion", representing the original city name of Singapura, meaning "Lion City".
In honor of the mascot, Singapore opened Merlion Park in 2002 and placed a gigantic 70-tonne statue of the mythical creature as its centerpiece. The statue doubles up as a fountain, spewing an impressive jet of water from its open mouth. The park itself is beautiful, giving you an excellent spot to enjoy the view of the bay and take amazing pictures with your pet.
Another great place that is sure to be a hit with both you and your pet is MacRitchie Reservoir. Situated inside the oldest park in the city, the landmark is always filled with people. The park’s pathways provide an excellent reprieve, the tropical trees comprising the forest are a sight to behold, and it's common to see bands perform live music for the park’s visitors free charge. Several challenging hikes in the area can take you deep inside the forest and the local wildlife in their natural habitat is sure to pique your canine's curiosity.
Singapore is truly a diverse and intriguing city to explore. There are numerous landmarks to see, places to visit, and experiences to enjoy, so needless to say, you will not be doing it in one day. To help you relax and rebuild your strength, we have compiled a list of some great dog-friendly hotels for you to check out.
Dog-Friendly Hotels in Singapore
If you want to feel a truly exceptional 5-star service, we recommend stopping at Capella Singapore. Before you even fly to Singapore, as soon as you book your room, the hotel staff will contact you and will be personally responsible to ensure you have a smooth trip to the hotel.
Capella Singapore is located in the middle of a rainforest on the island of Sentosa, giving you heaps of room for pet walks. The guests are provided a free shuttle service to several selected destinations and the hotel accepts Union Pay, making it a great place to visit if you don't have a Visa or Mastercard.
Another great bit of news for those traveling with a canine companion is that the hotel will not have any additional surcharges should your pet accompany you. Just make sure that his/her weight does not exceed 15 kilograms.
Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore is in Singapore's Chinatown district, right beside the city's gallery, Asian Civilizations Museum, and the Chinatown Heritage Center.
This hotel is a perfect place to kick back and relax, with its private bar, restaurant that serves authentic local cuisine, fitness center, swimming pool, lounge area, sunbathing terrace, and a shuttle service that can transport you to or from the airport.
Even if you have high expectations for rooms in a five-star hotel, the suites of Dao by Dorsett AMTD will still manage to surprise you, providing you with everything may need for a prolonged stay. The amenities include a fridge, toaster, tea and coffee necessities, TV, work desk, safe for your valuables, air conditioning or heating, and a large private bathroom. Some suites even come with your private kitchen and oven!
If your wish to have your canine friend stay with you, note that the hotel will collect a daily surcharge of S$20 (20 Singapore dollars).
If you wish to stay amidst a lush green oasis, come stay at the Sofitel Sentosa Resort & Spa. Located on the island of Sentosa, the hotel provides a large selection of rooms and suites, ranging from traditional one-bedrooms to large secluded personal villas, with its windows giving residents an exceptional view of the sea and sunset.
Its suites (and villas) take their design inspiration from the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. Every room comes with a cosmetic and hygienic kit from one of a few top brands, and the hotel offers unique spa sessions, which combine traditional eastern massage techniques with modern innovations in cosmetology.
If you are planning on bringing your canine companion with you to Sofitel Singapore, note that the hotel will collect a S$100 surcharge for every day your pet stays with you. The staff will provide pet food and water bowls upon request.
Final Thoughts
No matter how much time you decide to spend in Singapore, you will surely be touched by its cultural heritage and witness how the locals manage to combine the incongruous. Even in a single short trip, you will experience a multitude of bright emotions and create unforgettable memories.
Come to Singapore with your dog and experience a density of architecture and culture, that you will be hard-pressed to find anywhere else!
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