Meet me in Singapore. It’s a short stopover, but we can still make a night of it. Give me 12 hours, and I’ll show you the symphony of lights. 

Changi Airport is a labyrinth; a neverending ‘Welcome’ mat for travellers from around the world. When you have less than 24 hours in Singapore, you don’t need to leave the airport. There is a plethora of food, shopping, gardens, and entertainment. It is truly the jewel of air travel and feels a bit like fairyland: if you eat the fruit, you will stay there forever. Between the air conditioning and the convenience, that doesn’t seem so bad…

But it’s not Singapore. 

It is contained. It is convenient. But it is not Singapore. Come with me. Step outside and see for yourself. 

If we leave now, we can make the night show at Gardens by the Bay. It’ll cost us about SGD$35 for a quick ride in a taxi. With more time we could catch a bus or train, but you don’t want to miss this show. It lights up the sky and fills your heart with song and joy. 

The taxi will drop us off at the front gate, near the Marina Bay Waterfront. From the moment you step out of the taxi, you will feel the full weight of Singapore’s heat and humidity, even this late at night. Some people love the climate; warm on their skin, wrapping around them like a comfortable blanket. Some people are surprised by the heat long after the sun has gone to bed, but the nightlife lingers. Dress light and comfortable. It’s a short walk to Gardens by the Bay, and we are probably in the coolest part of the city. 

At night, everything is bright and clear, with plenty of directions. Feeling hungry? There are so many restaurants open until late. The Jurassic Nest Foodhall is open until 9 pm. There’s a wide range of flavours to choose from Michelin-rated cuisines. If we have the time, we can dine with dinosaurs in a fun atmosphere that blends with the garden surroundings. Or let’s grab some noodles to go, and follow the trail of prehistoric plants and stunning stalagmites leading us to the light show. 

The Garden Rhapsody starts at 7.45 pm, with a second show at 8.45 pm. You might think the best view is from way up high, on the walkway above the canopy. It has a stunning view with a unique perspective on the giant tree structures and their beautiful light show. Tickets to the Supertree Observatory start from SGD$23 and allow us 45 minutes to see the skyline.

The truth is the best viewing spot for the Garden Rhapsody is on the ground. Here, I brought a towel. There’s a beautiful spot under the trees in the northeast corner. We can have a picnic dinner, and lie back to enjoy the show: A kaleidoscope of vivid, vibrant lights dancing across the canopy and around the trunks of the structures. The visual display is perfectly timed with the soundtrack to create a tangible aesthetic that reaches right into your soul. 

By the end of the show, we’ll be ready to wander around the gardens, and maybe grab an ice cream or milkshake. Shake Shack is still open, and it’s not far from the water’s edge. Choose your favourite sweet treat (I’ll grab a Pandan Shake–it’s a Singapore Exclusive), and we’ll head for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. 

At night, the water is lit up, reflecting the shine of the city. The underside of the SkyPark Observation Deck proudly shows its Singapore colours. The Singapore Flyer twinkles against the night sky. We will continue through the gardens, down past Dragonfly Lake and listen to our second symphony of the evening: the soothing sounds of nature’s nightlife. Crickets, birds, frogs. Each sings their song in the warm night air. 

We still have time to catch the last train back to Changi Airport. Of course, there is so much more to see in Singapore. We haven’t even touched the Hawker Food scene. Nor have we ventured through the nature reserves or seen the wares of the local markets. But we only have a stopover, and our next flight is early. Let’s head back to Changi to rest and refresh. 

Singapore Airport is the heart of travel in Asia, if not the world. I can almost guarantee we will pass through here again. 

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Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia, and one of the busiest airports in the world. It stretches across four (4) terminals, with a fifth terminal scheduled to open in 2030. It is popular for stopovers for airlines, home to Singapore Airlines and Scoot as well as a ‘Focus City’ for QANTAS. 

Changi Airport is located less than 20 kilometres from Gardens by the Bay. The quickest way to travel there is by taxi. You can also catch the Changi Airport Shuttle from the airport to the City. There are public buses, and the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) trains too. At present, you will need to catch two (2) separate trains to reach Gardens by the Bay. However, there is a new direct tunnel that will run under the harbour from Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay. It is planned to open in March 2024 and will change Singapore stopovers in the most amazing way!

One final note for Singapore: You can only leave and re-enter the airport ONCE during your stopover. When you pass through immigration on your return to the airport, you will not be allowed to leave the airport again. You will also need to complete an SG Arrival Card prior to entry. It is FREE (do not follow any scams that require payment). Make sure you make the most of your stopover and choose your return time wisely.