Chinatown: Part of Singapore’s vibrant past lives on in Chinatown. The traditional Chinese-style architecture and Peranakan shophouses give it a different vibe from other parts of the the city. Find amazing Chinese food, stores, and souvenirs along the street market section and amongst the smaller streets that make-up this historic enclave.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: Within Chinatown, you’ll find this beautifully ornate temple that houses the relic, as well as an array of Buddhist culture pieces from many Asian countries. There are four floors to the temple, and a pretty little garden sits atop.

Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple: This temple is located in Singapore’s Chinatown and is the country’s oldest Hindu temple. It is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, who was known for curing illness and disease. The building is hard to miss, as the elaborate and colorful detail of the entrance way definitely stand out.

Clarke Quay: This is one of Singapore’s nightlife areas and features nice bars and restaurants along the riverway. It’s a fun place to walk through during the day or at night, but the area is much more lively once the sun goes down. There are also some nightclubs, such as Zouk and Attica, in the Clarke Quay area, so you may see people casually drinking on the streets before entering.

Haji Lane: If you’re looking for somewhere quirky and hip to shop and eat, Haji Lane is the best place. There are lots of cute boutiques, shops, and bars to choose from along the street, as well as some highly rated cafes. Haji Lane is a great place to hang out with friends or go for a solo stroll, as you can wander at a leisurely pace.

Peranakan Museum: “Peranakan” is the term used for Straits-born people of Chinese and Malay or Indonesian heritage. This interesting mix of cultures surfaced due to historic trade routes connecting countries and cultures via Singapore. Fittingly, the word comes from Malay and means “locally born,” defining the descendants of foreign traders who married local women many years ago. This museum is interactive, very colorful, and informationally rich.

Asian Civilizations Museum: Sitting along Singapore River in the Clarke Quay area, this expansive museum displays artwork from the various cultures that contribute to the country Singapore is today. It explores the intricate histories and diversity of Asia through the many art pieces. My favorite display was that of Indonesia, as the Javanese art of puppet theater was highlighted.

Tiger Brewery: Tiger Beer is Singapore’s main domestic brew. You can take a guided tour at the Tiger Brewery in western Singapore that includes a 45-minute tasting session (all-you-can-drink!) at the end. The history is reviewed, as well as the brewing process. It’s a little out of the way, but makes for a fun afternoon. I recommend reserving a tour ahead of time, as you can save a couple dollars by doing so.

National University of Singapore: Ranked as one of the best universities in the world, NUS is a wonderfully diverse center to get your education on. The campus itself is quite lush and beautiful, and the canteens serve up some great food. This is where I studied abroad, therefore I wanted to include it as a place of interest—NUS will always have a special place in my heart.

Travel tip: There’s much more than what is listed above to experience while in Singapore. The best way to tackle everything on your list will be to separate the items on your itinerary by area. Although Singapore is small—it takes less than one hour to drive across the entire country—the densely populated streets make it a challenge to do it all in a short time. Additionally, you may want to consider cost when planning. Singapore is notoriously expensive, but can be effectively experienced on a budget.

This travel guide is based on travels from May 2014 and information has not been updated since that time. Some businesses may not be in operation or information may have changed since the creation of this guide.