‘There’s nothing to do in Singapore’.
Almost every person born and bred here would have uttered those words at least once in their life and with good reason.
On this tiny island where nearly every building is identical and every major shopping mall is part of a franchise chain carrying the same products, it’s not hard to see how that sentence has merit.
Yet, for the person willing to venture out of their comfort zone and look beyond conventional means, this little island has a few significant surprises that’ll impress and take your breath away.
And on Valentine’s Day, nothing says ‘I love you’ more than sweeping your significant other off their feet.
So in the spirit of love, here are just five places in Singapore that might be romantic enough to do just that;
5. Henderson Waves
Ordinarily, this undulating bridge that connects Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park is as commonplace as the other avant-garde/post-modern architecture found throughout Singapore.
By day, it’s hardly the place for a romantic stroll.
By night however, the 274 metre bridge morphs into a candle in the dark. The steel wave-forms that rise alternatively over the deck are lit by LED lamps where each rise doubles as a shelter with seats.
Situated 36 metres above Henderson Road, Henderson Waves is the highest pedestrian bridge on the island so when you take a stroll with your partner on the bridge, the rest of the city spreads out before you like a vast sea of stars.
The warm lights that twinkle, illuminate the way into the parks where dense canopies of trees are ready to transport both of you into a magical place far from Singapore, or at least, as far as your imagination will allow.
4. National Orchid Garden
Alright, so the name of the place is not exactly romantic but a pretty name is only superficial.
The orchid garden is as verdant a garden as you’re going to get. A single path that trails throughout is flanked by beautifully manicured copses of trees and green arches. Orchids add a dash of color in an otherwise emerald landscape.
There are four zones in the Orchid Garden that attempt to mimic the four seasons with appropriate colors.
The spring zone has flowers of a lively shade of gold, yellow and cream. The summer zone is full of strong reds and pinks. The autumn zone has a more mature shade while the winter zone is filled with cool blues and whites.
A slow walk through this in the early evenings promises to be a cool, peaceful and quiet affair – an ideal way to end Valentine’s Day.
3. Jurong Gardens
So maybe a bridge and orchids aren’t really your thing but what about open land surrounded by a picturesque lake with a pagoda sitting serenely on it?
No such place in Singapore you say? Take the train to Chinese Garden MRT station, look out the window and you’ll see what we mean.
It is one of the few places in Singapore that is so beautiful, you can almost forget about the MRT station and HDB blocks disrupting the picture perfect scenery there.
Jurong Gardens, also called Chinese Garden, has the rare capacity to make you feel as if you’re someplace else. And since most of the architecture is modelled after the imperial Chinese style, it is not hard to see how it would have such an effect.
As you sit with your partner and watch the sun set from across the lake, the rays that bounce off the pagoda and bridges exudes an ethereal and majestic atmosphere.
Is there a more romantic place than this? Probably.
But you’re unlikely to find anything this distinct in Singapore. If your partner enjoys the peace and quiet of nature, then visit Jurong Gardens.
Besides, it’s a good place for a proposal yes?
2. Capella, Sentosa
If you ever wondered why Sentosa has become a popular location for couples, you need only look at Capella, the paramount luxury resort surrounded by 30-acres of lush tropical landscape.
The numerous one bedroom villas that come with private pools are a perfect getaway for you and your partner. Tastefully designed and sufficiently secluded, Capella provides couples with just enough privacy and comfort to make you feel like you’re at home.
If this is not enough to convince you, Capella being in Sentosa, is within range of several noteworthy locations. Universal Studios, The Underwater World and several beaches where white sands and the soft breeze of the ocean can cool even the most troubled hearts, are all right there for you to take advantage of.
A night out by the beach is enough to evoke the appropriate mood before you head back to your villa for a private and romantic dinner.
The name of the game is relaxation and although Capella villas are pricy, they’re well worth the money if only to share a special night with your sweetheart.
1. Little Guilin
If you have to ask what’s so special about an old unused quarry, then you’ve obviously not been to Little Guilin in Bukit Gombak. Taking its name from Guilin, China – which it resembles- the disused granite quarry has gone on to become an idyllic park in Singapore.
It was not always designed to be a park however. In 1984, HDB had wanted to fill the quarry up and build a road but after being captivated by the beauty of the surrounding green hills, decided to convert it into a pond/park.
Let that revelation sink in for a moment; this old quarry managed to convince HDB – by is natural beauty – to forgo plans of building a road in favour of preserving it.
If its splendour could captivate HDB, imagine what it’ll do for your loved one? Little Guilin is a lovely albeit slightly out of the way place (unless you live at or near Bukit Gombak) where you can just sit and enjoy each other’s company without the cacophony of a hundred other noisy couples around you.
For this Valentine’s Day, why don’t you try something different?
Chocolates and roses can only get you so far. Expensive dinners are nice but they’re so common these days that it’s become more about fulfilling an expectation than genuinely doing something meaningful.
Bring your partner out to any one of these places for a quiet and romantic night out and they’ll love you all the more for it. You’ll know you’re in a strong relationship when your partner appreciates something other than lavish gifts!
But here’s the thing about Valentine’s Day most people seem to forget though; you don’t have to wait for February 14th to do anything nice.
These places will be as romantic as you want them to be any day of the year, not just on Valentine’s. So why not take the time to visit them?
Image: All rights reserved
Written by: Christopher Chitty
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