8 Over-the-top Experiences in Singapore You have to Try

Some forty million people have visited Gardens by the Bay since it opened–and with good reason. Not only do the man-made “Supertrees” stand a towering 164 feet tall, but there’s an equally photo-ready on-site Flower Dome—as big as two football fields and the largest glass greenhouse on earth, according to the Guinness Book of World Records—filled with African baobab trees, tulips in every Technicolor color, and a succulent garden Martha Stewart would kill for.

If you’ve ever been safari-ing through the bush in South Africa, you know that daytime jaunts can be a little…lackluster. Under the guise of night, all the animalia come out to play—and pounce. Enter The Night Safari, which takes place (you guessed it) under cover of darkness, from 7:15 pm to midnight. You might spot Malaysian tigers, pangolins, Asian elephants, or even an extremely rare white African lion. Don’t miss dinner in a Tipi tent or the cocktail tram, which ferries you throughout the park with a drink in-hand (if this all sounds cheesy, it’s not: the experience consistently wins Best of Singapore awards).

One of Singapore’s hottest new restaurants, the 72-seat Xin Divine blends European and Chinese fare to great foodie acclaim, with an interior that’s more art gallery than eatery. Dinner is a multi-course menu where dishes might include parma ham with XO fried rice or Chinese yellow wine shark bone soup.

One of the most glamorous new spas on earth just happens to be Singapore’s Espa. The 10,000-square-foot space faces the water and is outfitted with everything to fulfill all your pampering needs: crystal steam rooms, a Japanese onsen, the city’s first Turkish hammam. Choose from six types of personal massage, from Balinese to hot stone (we recommend the Stressbuster after the long flight over).

RELATED: 8 Best Hotels in Singapore

The Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool may just be the most eye-popping backdrop in Asia (it’s at the very least in the running). There’s only one problem: it’s only open to guests of the hotel. Do yourself a favor and book a night there for the experience of going for a dip 57 floors above the city.

The National Orchid Garden has been one of the world’s top pilgrimages for flora lovers since 1859—there are a staggering 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids on display. Don’t miss a tour of the VIP Orchid Garden, which was inspired by the manicured gardens of British estates.

The London Eye has met its match in the Singapore Flyer—a 541-feet-tall spinning wheel designed by Japanese architect Dr. Kisho Kurokawa that’s undoubtedly Asia’s largest observation wheel. One rotation lasts 30 minutes, plenty of time to scan the skyline for your next exploit (you’ll be able to see as far as 27 miles away).

RELATED: 25 Photos That Will Have You Itching to Go to Singapore