Singapore Sightseeing Tour: Merlion, Chinatown & Gardens

See Singapore's landmarks and explore two conservatories without arranging the route yourself

This 4-hour sightseeing tour of Singapore includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and entry to Gardens by the Bay's Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. You'll pass the Fountain of Wealth at Suntec City, visit the 70-ton Merlion statue at Merlion Park, walk through Chinatown's narrow streets and stop at Thian Hock Keng Temple, then spend time exploring the conservatories and Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay at your own pace. The driver will collect you at 1:30 p.m. for the return to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Merlion Park25m
2. Gardens by the Bay1h 30m · entry included

Singapore city sightseeing and Gardens visit

• Hotel pickup in the morning
• Pass Suntec City and Fountain of Wealth
• Visit Merlion Park and see the statue
• Drive through Chinatown area
• Visit Thian Hock Keng Temple
• Explore Gardens by the Bay conservatories
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a hotel pickup in a shared air-conditioned coach, then heads straight into the city's landmarks. You'll pass Suntec City to see the Fountain of Wealth (recognized by Guinness in 1998 as the world's largest fountain) before arriving at Merlion Park, where the iconic 70-ton half-lion, half-fish statue sits overlooking the harbor. This is the symbol most visitors come to photograph, and the guide will explain how it represents Singapore's transformation from a fishing village into a modern metropolis.

From there, the route takes you through Chinatown's maze of narrow streets lined with historic shophouses and red lanterns. You'll step inside Thian Hock Keng Temple, the oldest and most significant Taoist temple for the Hokkien community in Singapore, where incense smoke fills the air and the walls hold centuries of offerings. The guide points out the food stalls and souvenir shops that fill the neighborhood, though you're not stopping to eat. That's on your own time if you choose to linger.

The final stop is Gardens by the Bay, where you explore the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories on your own schedule. The Flower Dome is the world's largest glass greenhouse, and the Cloud Forest holds a 40-meter indoor waterfall. The towering Supertrees are visible throughout the gardens, and you can walk among them without a guide narrating every detail. At 1:30 p.m., you report back to the designated drop-off point for the return transfer to your hotel. If you want to stay longer, you can arrange that with the driver in advance, though the return transfer won't be provided in that case.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a shared air-conditioned coach.
• English-speaking guide for the route through Suntec City, Merlion Park, Chinatown and Thian Hock Keng Temple.
• entry tickets to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2)

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by I Asia Singapore

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you'll follow the commentary comfortably if that's your language. The fixed 1:30 p.m. return time means the schedule holds together without you managing the logistics. Pickup, route, entry tickets and the return transfer are all arranged, leaving you free to focus on the sights.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2).

What's the Merlion statue and why is it so important to Singapore?

The Merlion is a 70-ton statue combining a lion's head and a fish's tail, located in Merlion Park. It's the city's most iconic symbol, representing Singapore's transformation from a fishing village into a modern metropolis, and it's the most photographed landmark on this tour.

Do I need to book the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest separately, or are they included?

Entry tickets to both the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are included in this tour. You explore them at your own pace once you arrive at Gardens by the Bay. No guide accompanies you inside the conservatories.

How much time do I spend at Gardens by the Bay?

You have time to walk through the Flower Dome, the Cloud Forest, and the surrounding gardens with the Supertrees until 1:30 p.m., when you return to the coach for the trip back to your hotel. The exact amount depends on how quickly you move through the conservatories.

What happens if I want to stay at Gardens by the Bay longer than the scheduled return time?

You can arrange with the driver to stay longer, but if you do, the return hotel transfer won't be provided. You'll need to make your own way back. Let the driver know before the tour ends if you plan to extend your time.

Is there time to eat during the tour?

The tour doesn't include meals or stops for dining. Chinatown has restaurants and food stalls, but the route passes through rather than stopping for a meal. You're welcome to eat on your own time if you choose to linger in any area.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English throughout the tour and accompanies you until you reach Gardens by the Bay, where you explore the conservatories independently.