Entrance Archways

River Hongbao take on a very similar concept and layout this year. First off with the Grand Welcome Arch @ Meadow archway at the meadows carpark entrance. If you drive, this is a good spot to park and start your visit. The bayfront entrance be recommended from Bayfront MRT.

The large welcome arch features giant floral silhouettes symbols of spring and renewal, with a prominent number 40 indicating forty years of River Hong bao. Also, the archway leads into a pathway adorned and surrounded by lanterns depicting oversized blossom plants and fluttering butterflies which brings you into the Meadows portion of the event grounds where the main stage and god of fortune is located.

Golden entrance and Bayfront archways

Furthermore, the next most impressive walkway be the Welcome arch at the golden garden. This one is located at the gardens main drop off point by the garden’s conservatories. Also, it is more tuned to the horse zodiac year, drawing inspiration from the horse’s cultural symbolism.

Titled Ma Dao Gong Cheng, meaning swift success and triumphant achievements in the Year of the Horse. The horse in Chinese culture, represents strength, vitality, speed, this is depicted on the archway is flanked by two majestic dynamic horses lanterns, representing this motion and energy.

Moreover, here by the Golden Garden Welcome arch is the family-inspired lantern called All smiles for a joyous new year. It is inspired by the phase Xi Mei Xiao Yan, depicting heartfelt joy and festive cheer of welcoming a brand-new Chinese new year. Here, you can find cheerful Peranakan-inspired characters through backdrop window frames. They bear local favourites such as Nyonya sponge cake, yuanbao (gold ingots), mandarin oranges, pineapple (ong lai).

Also, the welcome arch bayfront entrance has a smaller treatment. Titled Zhan Chi Gao Fei meaning “spread your wings and fly high”, it is a small overhanging arch decorated with colourful paper birds. The arch and birds symbolising upliftment and progress for continued success and growth.

God of fortune display

River Hongbao is a display of festive lanterns and this year, we can find them dotted all over from the Meadows golden garden, the Supertree Grove and the Bayfront dragonfly lake area. Crowds peak after sunset and you can enjoy the lanterns once they are lit up after sunset.

First off, staple a highlight for every River Hong bao is the God of fortune. The God of Fortune this year  is situated at the Meadows Stage area. He holds a Ruyi sceptre a symbol of power and a cabbage (cai) in his right hand which symbolising wealth and the promise of prosperity, luck, and auspicious blessings. Notably the god of fortune offers golden shower sessions at hourly intervals in the evening, subjected to weather conditions.

Themed Lanterns

Moreover, within the Meadows area is the Good Fortune, Great Wealth lantern which takes a nod to similar theme of good fortune, with a lantern showcasing Fu, Lu, and Shou. They are the Three Star Gods and symbolises the traits happiness, prosperity, and longevity. The lanterns depict endless water flowing from three gourd-shaped bottles, where gourds (hu), sounds like (fu), representing good fortune.

By the God of fortune lantern is the Event main stage which offers a packed nightly Thematic Performances by The Meadow. Here for free, you can catch live performances each night, with performances from the internationally acclaimed Gansu Provincial Performance Troupe to local favourites like Kowloon Club Singapore.

Also, we also see a return of the wishing lantern this year where you can have a go at hitting one of the 9 hanging bells for luck. This year’s Wishing heart theme is one of gratitude and thankfulness “Gan En De Xin”, meaning “a grateful heart”. It features a floral theme depicted by three large springtime flower blossoms and bells of blessing hanging you can hit with your coins with donations given to charity.

Chinese Zodiac Animals lanterns

The animal zodiac is favourite lantern for every River Hongbao. It is also one of the more sizable and noteworthy display. Also, the theme revolves about the new AI buzzword spread across 4 individual displays with three zodiac animals each.

Interestingly, all the zodiac animals are all anthropomorphised into robots. For instance, the dog being a security robot dog, while the Rooster is a doctor and the Dragon a firefighter.

Also, the Rabbit, tiger and rat are depicted as bi-pedalled and wheeled assistance robots. The Goat and Horse are also mechanised into rather expressionless robots, while the Ox is a robot gardener tending to some greens.

The Soaring dragons and horses’ spirits of success lantern situated by the Planet open field is a striking lantern display. It is inspired by the auspicious Chinese idiom Long Ma Jing Shen. I find this horse lantern one of the more impressive horse themed ones with a combination of a prancing horse and Chinese dragon against a backdrop of stylised clouds and mountains. It tad creates a striking scene of mythical strength and festive artistry.

Closing up the lantern display here at the planet Meadows bridge sector is the Scales of prosperity, inspired by the idiom Cheng Xin R Yi. It expresses fulfilment of wishes and smoothness in the year ahead. Also, this lantern features a balance scale as its centrepiece and decorated with pineapples (ong lai), linked to prosperity with springtime orchid flowers, monkeys, butterflies, and garden critters.

This sector is also home to the trade stalls area where you can find the Lantern riddle booth as well as event partner booths.

Bayfront entrance lanterns by dragonfly lake

Across the Meadows bridge from the Bayfront MRT station by the Dragonfly Lake are two lantern displays. The Leap of blessing at dragonfly lake is notably one of the larger lanterns. Based on the auspicious phrase Yu Yue Long Men, meaning “carps leaping over the dragon gate”. The floating display features a village scene flanked by two large leaping carps with cheerful boy. Also, it tad captures the festive spirit of Chinese New Year, symbolising perseverance, overcoming challenges, and achieving success.

Moreover, one of the more adorable pieces here is Chirping harmony. It features a chicken family with a rooster, hen and 5 chicks. This lantern display is inspired by our resident kampong wild chickens we often seen in Singapore’s parks, gardens, and housing estates. If you listen, you might hear the gentle “chirp chirp chirp” chirping of little chicks from the lantern. Though it sounds more like (ji ji ji), meaning Ji Xiang Ru Yi, meaning “may you have good fortune, and may your wishes be fulfilled”.

Four decades River Hongbao exhibition

At the SG50 Lattice nearby from the Bayfront entrance and the Flora Fantasy building is the 40 years of River Hongbao exhibition. Within, you can explore on infographic boards text and photos on the evolution of River Hongbao over four decades.

The rare photographs and videos takes you back in time, tracing its journey from a modest riverside celebration in 1987 to Singapore’s iconic annual Chinese New Year extravaganza.

The 40th Anniversary Special Exhibition sits slightly apart from the main lantern walk. You can recognise a photo scene or two from the past River Hongbaos. Also, examples include past events previously held on 2020 at the Floating platform before the platform was demolished.

Also, you can pen your thoughts and well-wishes on a blossom tree at the end of the exhibition, or have a go at imprinting your own red packets with provided stamps at the end of the exhibition to take home as a souvenir.

Supertree Grove lanterns

The last of the lantern displays is located at the heart of the Gardens in the Supertree Grove. This is the spot which also does twice nightly light shows at both 7:45pm and 8:45pm now themed to the Chinese new year theme. The Super tree link way with overhead lanterns lit in the foliage leads you into the Supertree grove area.

Galloping into the year of the horse is the last of the horse-inspired lanterns here at the Supertree grove. This dynamic lantern features horses running in motion, galloping across the sky with a HDB skyline background.  The lanterns are not just tall. They are deep, with clean and angular shapes that are not cartoonish, with foreground figures and cut-out silhouettes. Also, the phase Wan Ma Ben Teng on the lantern here depicts unstoppable power and collective strength advancing swiftly like ten thousand galloping horses. It symbolises one’s hopes for continued prosperity and success.

Food hall and amusement rides

Another lantern here is titled Springtime harmony. It depicts four dancers dancing in harmony with the super trees in the background. Moreover, the Supertree Grove is also home to an event main screen where you can catch the Meadow stage events. There are also secondary attractions like the Food Street hall and the outdoor children amusement rides. The food hall is a sheltered white tent with Food stalls lined on both sides of the route.

Also, you can smell of grilled items mixes with sweet pastries. It is not curated like a food festival, and more a pasar malam night food market which is functional and great for a snack or drink.

We also see the return of the Double-Storey Horse Carousel and an assortment of amusement rides at the Supertree Grove including bumper cars. There are also midway carnival games, as well as small toss games, and prize counters create noise pockets.

As you walk the grounds, you hear coins clink and children arguing over turns. These attract families earlier in the night and these sections break the visual rhythm of lanterns and dark sky. They remind you that this is still a public festival, not just an art display.

Wrapping up a rather wet CNY River hongbao

All in all, that wraps up all the lanterns of this year’s River Hongbao 2026. It was a rather wet River Hong bao this year, and the event does not try to reinvent itself but builds on its own history with a refresh. The major lantern installations gives structure. The 40th anniversary exhibition adds context. The rest fills in the gaps with noise, food, and amusement. You leave with specific images in mind, mostly with horses. It feels seasonal, temporary, and very deliberate about staying that way. River Hongbao runs at the Gardens by the Bay from 17 to 24 February, admission is free.

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Welcome the year of the Horse zodiac

The Horse zodiac has never been subtle. The zodiac exhibits traits of drive, restlessness, and the urge to move forward even when the road is unclear. Horse years are often linked with energy, ambition, and quick decisions. However, they also come with a warning and horses do bolt when startled. They tire if pushed too hard. In daily terms, that means initiative will be rewarded. You might feel pressure to act fast. Deals close quickly. Plans change midstream. It is a year that suits people who like momentum, but it can exhaust those who prefer stability. Balance matters more than bravado.

As we gallop into an unpredictable world shaped by geopolitics and trade tensions. Regional politics will likely stay jumpy, with small events triggering big reactions. You prepare for this kind of year by keeping buffers. Save more cash. Keep schedules loose. Avoid betting everything on one outcome. Even festive spending feels measured. You still buy mandarin oranges and new clothes, but with an eye on tomorrow. The Horse year rewards preparation that allows movement, not rigid plans that snap under pressure.

Also, we can expect workplaces lean toward faster cycles. Technology adoption feels rushed rather than planned. This New Year carries a quiet reminder that speed and strength matter, but so does control. People talk about resilience more than luck. You hear it in casual lines about jobs, travel, and food prices.

Festive in Singapore

In Singapore, the celebrations reflect that mix of cheer and alertness. Walking through Chinatown, you can marvel at the large decorative piece you can see at the junction above Chinatown MRT station, and see long rows of lanterns strung overhead over the streets. You can also see horse-shaped lanterns, lit in sharp reds and golds. Within the market places, pop-up markets line the streets with snacks and paper decorations. Over at Gardens by the Bay, River Hongbao returns with its usual scale. This year, you can expect again giant zodiac sculptures, stage shows, and nightly crowds drifting between food stalls and photo spots.

Wrapping up the CNY festive be the Chingay Parade in the city, which we expect to also take on the Horse theme this year. You can expect to find streets lines with street performers, with faster rhythms and more movement-heavy choreography. Additionally, you can also expect smaller events spread out across the community Singapore heartlands clubs and malls, from calligraphy corners, and lion dances in hawkers centers and business where people hunt for the lucky lottery numbers at all instances.

Wrapping up, you notice how the festival is less about spectacle alone and more about reassurance. The Horse is a symbol of motion, yet the crowd seems to absorb it as a lesson rather than a command. This Lunar New Year feels like a pause before a long run. You greet it with oranges in hand and eyes open. Not to chase blindly, but to be ready when the road tilts forward.

Wishing all my readers a Happy Lunar New year of the Horse!

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A 10th edition for 2026

On some history, the Singapore Airshow traces its roots to the Asian Aerospace shows held in the 1980s and 1990s. Singapore took over as organiser in 2008 and rebranded it as the Singapore Airshow to today. The event goals through the years has stayed consistent to create a regional hub for aerospace, defence, and aviation services.

To today, the event at Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC) serves as a meeting point for manufacturers, air forces, airlines, and regulators. You can sense that dual purpose on the floor. One half feels like a serious trade fair typically held on the first few weekdays of the show. The other half, typically on the weekend leans toward public outreach and display.

The event feels large even before you reach the gates. with the buzz of crowds already in the background. Registration and security screening take a relatively quick 15 minutes, using your registration email where your paper passes are printed on-site.

Also, the Changi Exhibition Center, which sits on the eastern edge of the airport, so aircraft movements are part of the setting. This spot is one of the most remote places in Singapore, with part of the Changi coast road closed for the event.

Interior exhibition halls

Inside the exhibition halls, the layout is dense but structured. You start with the major aircraft manufacturers. Their booths focus on scale models, cockpit mock-ups, and digital flight simulations. Commercial aviation takes up a noticeable portion.

Furthermore, you see displays on next-generation narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, cabin layouts, and fuel efficiency concepts. Defence companies occupy another zone. Radar systems, drones, avionics, and command-and-control platforms are shown through interactive panels and physical mock-ups.

Also, the tech emphasis is clear. Cybersecurity, space systems, and unmanned aircraft get their own clusters. These sections feel quieter, more conversational, with staff explaining use cases rather than pushing spectacle.

Country pavilions

The Singapore Airshow is a global event, the hall is split into country regions. The entrance area occupied by Singapore booth. Other notable sections include the United States, China and Japan pavilions as well as South east Asian booths including those from Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.

Also, the European sector sees in attendance Germany, Switzerland, Czech and the UK to name a notable few. You tend to see western nations hawking finished Aviation products, platforms and solutions. Booths on China are more involved in supply chains, logistics and aviation materials, such as Titanium supplies for instance.

Incumbents such as ST engineering which always dominates the entire front entrance of the exhibition hall. They have on display their new 5th Generation Terrex infantry wheeled vehicle on display.

There is also an emphasis on transport, drone logistics, weapons and munition as ST engineering product staple offerings.

Furthermore, Singapore is one of the few countries where you can see major superpowers coming together under one roof, still there is also a thoughtful separation of booths between geographical regions. For instance, the China, US and Israeli sections are located in distinct sectors apart.

Aircraft makers

Returning exhibitors includes incumbents such as Boeing, Airbus, Comac planes, Bell helicopters, Thales and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) occupying the larger booths as anchor exhibitors.

Notably, new for this year is Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), a subsidiary of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). They have on display their portfolio of military and civilian aircraft including a J-35A fighter jet mock-up model on display as their centre stage piece.

RSAF is around with a booth to find out more of the airforce and try out flight simulators. Notably, United Aircraft (UAC) booth is notably absent this year. Though we do see a representation by the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter performing the aerial displays this year. Also, NTU has on display their in-house developed VTOL transport aircraft, planned for commercial adoption.

Engines and aviation support products

Furthermore, engine makers CFM, General Electric and Rolls Royce are back with their engine showcase. Moreover, smaller exhibitors fill the connecting aisles. Maintenance, repair and overhaul firms promote lifecycle services.

Moreover, Changi airport group (CAG) and CAAS has their display of airport services. Flight schools and training providers show flight simulators and pilot pipelines. Raytheon Technologies now come under the RTX brand, where Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace are under now.

Smaller start-ups booth located on the hall fringes demonstrate small prototypes, concepts, services, compact sensors and lightweight materials. It feels like walking through an Aviation supply chain rather than a single industry. You do not need technical knowledge to follow everything, but the language is professional. There are also concurrent summits held within the exhibition center too.

Do note that the indoor exhibitions would be as crowded as it is on trade show days. Typically, over more than half of the trade show booths be closed before the public visitation days. This includes some commercial planes which would not be around after the trade days. Still, do expect community related booths, like ST engineering, RSAF and Singapore companies typically will continue to operate on the weekends.

Aerial Flying Displays

Furthermore, the aerial flying displays is a highlight of any Aviation airshow event. And this year’s run-up is respectable. run on a fixed daily schedule typically performed by Air Forces and National Operators. National aerial display participants at this year’s event come from Australia, India, Indonesia, China, Malaysia and Singapore. All the photos here were shot on an Honor V3 phone.

Highlight displays includes group aerobatic performances by the Jupiter aerobatic team from the Indonesian Air Force, who had been regular supporters for the aerial airshow with their highly manoeuvrable light propeller planes in tight formations and turns with smoke trails.

Also, we also see the return of China People’s Liberation Army Air Force Bayi aerobatic team. You might remember Bayi did their debut at the 2020 Singapore airshow.

This year, their light jets upping the ante with a display of aerobatic formation jet power. You hear them before you see them.

Fast jets perform high-speed passes and tight turns, followed by slower demonstration aircraft showing short take-off or steep climbs. Aerobatic teams add colour with smoke trails and formation work.

Indian Air Force Sarang helicopter display

The Indian Air Force Sarang helicopter display team is a relatively new edition, despite being not as fast faced at planes. The light helicopters with their smoke trails demonstrated aircraft manoeuvrability and pilot skills.

The helicopters flew nearly tail-to-tail which is quite a daring stunt spectacle which might not be noticeable to the layman.

Moreover, the programme mixes local Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) demonstrations with international participants. RSAF has a smaller display this year with an integrated display between a lone F-16C jet with an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter.

They wowed the crowd with seemingly close “near misses” and Chaff dump from the Apcahe.

Notably, RSAF used to have the Black Knights aerial display aerobatic team which does not perform under the name. This comprised of a fleet of F-16 combat aircraft which doubled up as performance planes in livery paint livery. That had been scrapped due to operational priority, though that were one of the best parts the public used to relate to the RSAF.

Airbus and COMAC Commercial aircraft aerial displays

Commercial and manufacturer show segments displays includes flybys from France Europe by Airbus SE featuring the Airbus A350-1000 display. It signifies Airbus as a European multinational with strong French ties.

Also, China have on display their COMAC C919 (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd) in a flyby display. Notably, the C919 was China’s first domestically developed narrow-body jet developed to challenge the segment dominated by both the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 duopoly.

Still, you do not need to understand aircraft types to follow the show. The rhythm is simple as it is a face value. It is loud, fast and spectacular show segments followed by slower technical routines. Wind and cloud cover shape what you actually see, which gives each session a slightly different feel.

Air superiority showcase

There are solo segments too brought to you by the Royal Australian Air Force with their F-35A Lightning II. As well as the Royal Malaysian Air Force returning with their Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter. The ability to see two competing Super power air platforms performing in one airshow segment is a uniquely-Singapore setting from a geo-political standpoint.

The Su-30MKM fighter jet wowed audiences with loud afterburners and demonstrated its agility and several, vertical climbs, mid fight stall turns and change of direction stunts. Also, the F-35 did more conventional manoeuvres with loops, vertical climbs and speedy flybys close to the speed of sound.

Additionally, the performance this year is the conventional F-35A (non-B-variant), and not the tarmac-melting Short take-off and Landing (STOL F-35B variant) we saw at the 2020 Singapore Airshow. Also, we didn’t see a return of the Black Eagles from the South Korean Air Force (ROKAF) with their Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50B since their air crash in the 2018 Singapore airshow aerial display. Notably, Korea Aerospace Industries has a presence in the exhibition center with a sizable booth too.

On show slots, there was a single large 90min performance on noon at the Tuesday opening day covering all the display teams and commercial showcase at one go. It the best show to watch if you want to catch the entire aerial display at a go.

Also, there are shorter 11am 50min-long single flying displays on Wednesday and Thursday trade days. Notably, there are no aerial performances on Friday. On the weekend public days, there are 2 distinct aerial displays at 11am and 3:30pm. Notably, the airshow website does not publicise which teams are performing, so nothing telling what you are expecting each day.

Outdoor static aircraft displays

Moreover, the aircraft outdoor static display outside is where scale becomes real. Here you can find a mix of military and commercial aircraft parked in the open tarmac lot space beside the main air-conditioned exhibition hall.

Also, on the trade days, there is a significant portion occupied by commercial planes. These commercial aircraft are parked nose-to-tail on the apron. You walk under wings that stretch wider than the hall entrances. Cabin doors are open on selected aircraft, and you can step inside to view seating layouts and flight decks from a distance.

Here, the A350-1000 being one of the biggest as well as a few smaller single-aisle jets, such as the COMAC C909 and C919, A220 and Private jets such as the Gulfstream G500, G700 and the Bombardier Global 7500. Some aircraft makers do provide a visit on board the planes.

Notably, this year airshow did not publish a detailed event map showing the exhibition and static locations. So you have to make sure you cover all grounds in-person and not miss out of any of the displays. Also, I found the outdoor display is more muted this year. You might remember the 2018 airshow where RSAF had their RSAF 50 open house tents in the static display area. This year, gone are the white air-conditioned tents which provided much refuge from the heat

Notably do not expect most of the commercial aircraft on display here on the trade days to be gone before the public show days. This includes the commercial airline planes as well as private jets and helicopters from Embraer, Bombardier and Bell too. But fret not, most of the military aircraft will remain on public days, with offerings from RSAF, USAF and the German Airforce to name afew.

Military craft and RSAF outdoor display

Military aircraft sit further into the far end from the exhibition hall. There are three USAF F35A fighters on the far end as well as a USAF MQ-9 General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft and KC-46 Pegasus plane on display.

The German Air Force also has a representation with their A400M Altas massive transporter aircraft. It also dominates the static display grounds in addition to the RSAF A330 tanker as the largest military planes of the lot.

Also, Embraer, a company known for commercial craft also showcased their C-390 Millennium, a medium-size, twin-engine, jet-powered military transport plane.

Though it is notably similar but smaller than the Boeing C-17 Globemaster we saw during the 2020 airshow.

Moreover, the Republic of Singapore Air Force section draws steady crowds. The relatively new RSAF A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport takes a center stage and dominates the outdoor area.

You can also find the usual suite of RSAF hardware range including both the F-16C and F-15SG fighter platforms, as well as the Apache, Chinook CH-47F, H225M Medium Lift Helicopter and mobile truck-based SPYDER air defence systems to name afew.

Also, you can board and explore the RSAF aircraft. Fighters, transport aircraft, and helicopters are arranged with information boards and crew nearby. The mood shifts here. People take photos instead of notes. The contrast between civil and military aviation is obvious when they sit side by side on the tarmac.

On-premise food options

Food options are functional rather than curated. Temporary cafeterias line the edges of the outdoor area, mainly served by food trucks. You find standard local fare, bottled drinks, and simple western burger meals priced in the $18-25 range per person. Ritz Carlton were offering $25 bento meals in the indoor exhibition hall rest area, while food trucks dominate the outdoor white food tents by the static displays. Seating is mostly sheltered but open-sided.

Also, during peak meal hours, queues stretch, so bringing your own packed food is also an option. The experience feels closer to a large outdoor event than a mall. You plan meals around the flying display schedule, otherwise you miss part of the show.

Transportation to CEC

Moreover, transport is straightforward but requires patience. Shuttle buses run from Expo MRT station and is the recommended method of reaching the CEC even if you drive. The ride in takes about 30-mins given security checks, traffic control and the remoteness of the CEC venue. You see many people arriving early to avoid the late-morning surge just before the first aerial display. Leaving after the last aerial display creates another bottleneck. The organisers manage flow in waves rather than continuously.

Visiting the airshow itself is not cheap, tickets cost S$39/pax cost itself could be a deterrent too. Though the event is touted to draw over 60 thousand trade visitors and just as many public visitors on the two public days. Also, shuttle service is now provided for by private coach bus operators and not by charted public buses on previous years.

Also, the shuttle service outbound from the Singapore Expo MRT area is no longer free. Transport are largely limited to official shuttle buses costing $18 for a return trip, so a family of four shuttle inclusive will cost at least $228 in total. Notably, shuttle bus out of the venue is free.

If you think you can beat the crowds by taking a cab or ride-hailing, also Grab and taxi rides into the venue has a $20 surcharge per vehicle on top of your fare. Also, if you plan on driving and require parking there, it will cost you $250 for 4 pax, which puts it at an expensive $100 for a day parking. Notably, the cars used to ferry delegations are all Toyota Alphards, a departure from the tradition of using aviation-orientated BMWs.

Wrapping up

All in all, that wraps up our visit to the 2026 Singapore Airshow. I found what stands out most is the mix of intent. The airshow is not only about looking at planes. It shows how Singapore positions itself as an aviation and defence hub. Trade deals, technology announcements, and bilateral meetings happen in parallel with public viewing. As you move between halls and runway, that split becomes visible. You read about autonomous flight systems indoors, then watch a human pilot perform precision manoeuvres outside.

The main airshow highlights are easy to define, with the exhibition halls for industry context, touring the static displays and the flying displays to feel the event rather than just see it. None of these parts stands alone. Together, they form a picture of how modern aviation blends engineering, commerce, and national presence in the global aerospace scene.

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On some history, the smart factory project at Bulim Ave began as a partnership between Hyundai Motor Group and the Singapore government. It was announced around 2019 and positioned as Hyundai’s first smart urban mobility hub outside Korea.

HMGICS is framed as more than a factory but an innovation center and farm as well. The idea was to build a “human-centered” factory. Not just to assemble cars, but to test automation, sustainability, and food production under one roof. It officially opened to the public in phases from 2023, with guided tours becoming the main way for people to learn about the place.

You arrive expecting a production site. What you get feels closer to a hybrid of showroom, lab, and urban farm. The building is cladded in dark glass which looks more office than car factory. Here, you check-in via a QR code at the entrance counter manned by counter staff and guides.

Do note that all tours here are guided with a guide taking you through all the sights and buzz. Also, do note you need to make a reservation booking on their website prior. Slots are typically open 30 days from the tour date, and the tours are free and runs for about 60 mins and up to 90 mins for larger groups.

HMGICS 60min guided tour

Furthermore, the guided tour is structured but not stiff. It moves through several zones, each meant to show how Hyundai imagines future manufacturing in dense cities like Singapore. The entire lobby is decked in white from floor to ceiling, giving it a sterile feel.

The tour starts off at the vast two floored ground floor lobby of the building. You start with background of HMGICS, explaining why Singapore was chosen. Space limits and labour costs are used as talking points. The indoor farm is a highlight piece on the ground floor, noticeable via the vegetable pods.

The indoor farm itself is vertical, not wide like traditional plants. Production happens across stacked floors. Robots and people share the space as a common working experiment, and probably less of a museum.

Lobby display highlights

The first major lobby highlight is the car display section. You see Hyundai electric models, usually IONIQ 5, 6 variants, as well as Hyundai’s first mass-produced Pony car from where Hyundai started from in the 70s. Notably, Hyundai sister brand, Kia with their EV-5 SUV is also assembled here in Singapore. The cars assembled here bare the “proudly made in Singapore” number plate frame.

The cars here are not just parked for viewing, though you can really enter or mingle with the cars like in a showroom. They are tied into the factory story as told at the Ioniq lounge here too. Screens show how parts are moved by autonomous robots. You are shown body panels, battery packs, and assembly steps. The tone is technical but simplified. It feels curated for the public, not engineers.

Vertical Urban Farm

Next comes the urban farm also on the ground floor. This is where the tour shifts away from cars. You enter a controlled indoor farming room area with vertical racks of leafy greens.

Here, a special mix of nutrient solution is fed through vertical trough farms. Within the control pods, lighting is artificial and humidity is managed. This allows for the plants to be grown throughout the day in controlled environments.

Also, the guide explains that crops are grown for on-site use, including the in-house restaurant Na Oh and sold in local supermarkets too.

Notably, Hyundai is a big conglomerate in their homeland of South Korea and agriculture is a large part of it. It is fitting too that modern urban farming concepts are being trailed here, to meet Singapore’s targets for food self-sufficiency.

It feels symbolic as much as practical. Manufacturing and food are placed in the same system. You are shown farm robotics that move trays and monitor growth.

Also, they look like scaled-down warehouse and production line ABB industrial robots, adapted for moving seeds and plants around.

Through a touch screen, you can manually select a seed for the robot to plant, where it would take about 60 days to full grow.

Harvesting greens to take back

The robot arm will also bring mature greens to the harvesting room for manual packing. You also get to harvest your own greens from the pod to bring back in the harvesting zone. The vegetable selections availability for your visit depends on what is growing at that point of time. You pack your harvest into paper bags and decorate it using a drawer of stationery.

There is also a small corner here offering infographics to how the farm works, as well as microscopes you can use to view the fresh plants specimens.

Farm greens tasting

Moving on, up the high lobby escalators, there is a short farm tasting segment at the 3rd floor lobby area, where you can also find more horizontal vegetable planters.

Moreover, in the open space here, you sample greens grown in the building. It is not a full meal, just a sampler of the plants currently grown here. It is more of a demonstration, and you get to taste the unique and finer details of the vegetables grown here. Also, the produce tastes fresh, each with their own special unique tastes. You are eating something grown a few floors above. That idea is pushed more than the flavour.

Up here too, you can view the “Pope mobile”, a locally-produced Hyundai Ioniq 5 Prestige which was used by Pope Francis during his Singapore visit as part of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour on 2024. There is also an autonomous EV signed by the Prime minster of Singapore.

Virtual Reality Factory Tour

Moreover, the VR factory tour on the 3rd floor comes next. You wear a HTC VIVE headset and watch a virtual production line with some physical interaction elements. It fills in parts you cannot access physically. Welding, painting, and final assembly appear in sequence, you get to “assemble” simple parts like a kiddy puzzle game too.

I found the VR segment is polished and stable. It feels designed to avoid showing raw industrial risk. You are kept in safe zones while still being told you are “inside” the factory. Though an actual viewing of the live factory floor via broadwalk might be more exciting. Also, the general idea is similar to the Hyundai innovation center we visited previously in Korea, only that this time round, a VR theatre is used instead of mock up and gallery walkthrough.

Factory Floor viewing

After your VR experience, the projection screen rises and you get a window view of the real factory floor through glass panels. This is one of the stronger moments, though no photographs are allowed due to factory secrecy. Here, you can see the illustrations from the VR with Robots moving car bodies along tracks.

Also, in the video, automated guided vehicles carry components. Human staff monitor screens and perform checks. Notably, the factory is located on the third floor of the building where it comprises of 27 different pods for each stage. Autonomous guided vehicles bring the vehicles to each stage to be assembled.

Only about half of the assembly pods are manned by staff, with most of it automated. The pace looks steady, not rushed. You do not see sparks or loud noise. It is quieter than expected. Also, the factory is geared towards low volume production, with about 30,000 cars assembled per year here and shipped to around the region with the Autonomous Ioniq 5 shipped to US. In comparison, a typical car factory produces about 50,000 cars a month.

Roof top skytrack

The tour continues up to the 5th floor, where the roof garden and the more playful sky test track is located. A curved screen at the lift lobby depicts the 37 degree banking-angle of the 620m long skytrack.

It is a rooftop test track on the 5th floor where completed vehicles from the factory are driven in loops. Also, up here you can see a mobility personal concept vehicles on display, though it does look pretty out of place in a lift lobby. This area is also where the employee offices, roof top garden and cafeteria area located too. More on that later.

The highlight up here be the skytrack ride, where you get to ride with a driver two anti-clockwise rounds around the skytrack in one of the cars assembled here. Also, the car range includes the Ioniq 5, 6 and Kia EV5. The driver will talk you through the car and track.

Thereafter you go through an acceleration on the banked corners and slowing down on the curves to let you feel the degree of the bank. Notably, the track is used as part of the quality and testing for the cars assembled here. There is a 80km/hr speed limit on the skytrack.

Sky track lounge

A side, but not widely mentioned display here is a range of reference books in the sky track lounge you can self-explore. Notably, there is a hardcover photobook covering the construction of the building, as well as some mention of how the smart factory came about.

There could also be more coverage of Hyundai WRC rally and their motorsports N-division, which should be given more credit than the minor section here. Also, it might be great if this section could be expanded with its own dedicated mini gallery bringing the book contents to screens or wall displays as a mini gallery.

Dining at HMGICS

Interestingly, at the top floor here is home to the building staff cafeteria. It serves staff and visitors with only cashless payments. The space is functional, with large windows and decked with soft wood theming and traditional Korean mat seating too.

Additionally, food is standard corporate fare with two set meals a day, with a selection of pastries and machine coffee and tea. Also, the upper floor here too is where most of the staff offices resides too. It provides some separation from the public areas.

Furthermore, within the same building is the Na Oh fine-dining Korean restaurant that is run in collaboration with a Michelin-starred chef. It uses ingredients from the urban farm. Dining there feels like part of the narrative, where technology tad feeds into food and the food feeds into experience. Also, if schedule allows, you could also book a concurrent table reservation at the Na Oh restaurant for the full experience.

Wrapping up

You are good at Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore for about 2 hours tops. I noticed while the farm and tasting are unique experiences of its own, you can find they are largely fillers to what could be a very short tour of the car factory as the main highlight. Even at a slow pace, the tour takes up to an hour including the skytrack ride. Also, the experience is very different from the Hyundai Motorstudio Korea we visited in Korea some time back. The one in Korea is more of a showroom dealer with realistic mock-up factory and infographic displays. In comparison, HMGICS is a tad more toned-down version despite the building itself being the real deal as a car assembly factory.

All in all, the guided tour feels like a controlled walkthrough of Hyundai’s future concept. You are shown cars, crops, robots, and screens in one sequence. The event exists to show integration. Manufacturing is no longer hidden. It is staged, vertical, and tied to daily life. You leave with images of plants growing beside car frames. The point is not speed. It is coexistence.

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At Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore, Na Oh is meant to express “nature coming out” or “what emerges from nature.” The name reflects three ideas the restaurant is built around from a traditional Korean term associated with harmony between food and environment. The restaurant was developed as part of HMGICS’ public-facing concept, alongside tours of the automated production lines you can read up on a separate post. Here at Na Oh, the idea is that food, like cars, can be rethought using technology and systems. What you see today is a modern Korean restaurant with a seasonal tasting format. It is positioned as both a showcase and a functioning restaurant, not a pop-up.

A fine-dining restaurant in a car factory

Also, the restaurant appears as part of the facility rather than a separate destination. You enter through an industrial, controlled space rather than a mall or hotel lobby. This what makes Na Oh unusual in Singapore is the context. Few restaurants operate inside an industrial R&D facility. Fewer still link their menu to ideas about sustainability, fermentation, and future production. You are not just eating Korean food. You are eating Korean food framed as process and design. Ingredients are explained in terms of sourcing and seasonality.

Notably, that shapes expectations, as this is not casual dining. It feels closer to a lab for Korean cuisine, tied to Hyundai’s larger idea of smart manufacturing and future food systems. The leafy greens and herbs served here are grown right here in from the HMGICS smart farm. You do feel that setting immediately, with the distinctively Korean interior with a mix of light, dark wood and paper elements, and down to the cutlery used, comprising of traditional wooden spoons.

A menu with the seasons

The menu offered here at Na Oh is a fixed set course meal which you typically see in fine-dining restaurants. It is also known as jinjitsang, a traditional Korean set meal, akin to the Japanese Teishoku. Here, the selection changes with the seasons, with our dine-in today being the winter selection. Notably, a set course rather than à la carte allows for the restaurant to control the quality of the food with a smaller menu.

Moreover, the current winter selection menu reflects a colder-season idea of Korean cooking. Dishes lean toward warming broths, fermented depth, and earthy ingredients. You are served cool towels at the start of your meal, with the paper menu is presented at the side for reference to know what is coming next. Also, service follows the tone of the space. It is calm and formal but not stiff. Some dishes reference temple food or royal court traditions, but the plating and pacing are modern.

The restaurant staff would explain the ingredients of every dish served in a factual way. You are guided through the sequence. The room is quiet. Tables are spaced out. You hear little beyond cutlery and conversation. Windows look into parts of the facility, reminding you where you are. It feels more like dining inside a research centre than inside a restaurant district.

Appetisers & First Courses

For my dine-in you start off with three different Appetisers starting with Homemade Tofu with Aged Soy Sauce. You are served in a small bowl and egg-like soft tofu which is made in-house. The tofu itself has a silky, delicate texture sprinkled with seemingly chilli-like flakes which are not spicy at all. It is dressed with aged soy sauce that brings a deep, mellow saltiness and umami. I found the contrast is subtle as a light small starter with the light soybean creaminess against a slightly pungent fermented sauce.

Next up is a platter of three assorted Jeon comprising of a collection of pan-fried bites featuring sablefish with maesaengi garnish (a fine sea weed), mountain yam, and Korean squash. Here, each item is coated lightly in batter and gently fried so the exterior crisps without heaviness.

First off is the sablefish, which has a creamy yet firm texture to it. The Mountain Yam provides a good filler with an addition of stickiness yet still very chewy within. The squash is the most basic offering to wrap up and brings mild sweetness, and the sea-tinged fish is briny.

Mix of hot and cold appetisers

The third and last appetiser is the Acorn Jelly and Beef Tendon Salad in Icy Kimchi Broth. You start this dish by mixing the cold salad with ice. Here, the Acorn jelly (dotorimuk) gives a firm, cool, almost gelatinous feel. Beef tendon is slow-cooked until tender. It appears like lotus root but has the chewiness of tendon reminding you of its animal origin.

Also, the he broth combines kimchi flavours, which is both tangy, slightly fermented. Serving this dish chilled does feel like an oddity, but does give it a refreshing yet sharp start to your meal. Notably, if you do not consume beef, there an option without beef tendon and beef stock. Just let your waitering staff know of your preference.

Jinjitsang Main Course Options, Beef short ribs

While the appetisers and desserts are fixed course items, the highlight and choice options are main courses. You have a choice of three mains, comprising of either beef, fish or pork as your main dish staple. They are served as jinjitsang, a traditional Korean set meal where several components are plated together. The three options are.

First off, we have the Galbijjim Finished Over Charcoal. These are Beef short ribs are braised in aged soy sauce with hanbang (herbal) aromatics, then finished over charcoal for a whisper of smoke. You dish is served across 6 different bowls. With a heated claypot holding the bulk of your meal it is a ginseng potpourri of large beef chunks, carrots and mushrooms.

Your staple is a bowl of chestnut and thistle sotbap (rice). It is creamy, grounding and pairs well with the broth and absorbs some of the braise juices. Accompanying your dishes are four smaller side dishes of Maesil dongchimi (plum-infused radish water kimchi) brings a cool, sharp, subtly sour counterpoint.

Also, fermentation is central here, and Na Oh uses jang, aged soy sauce, doenjang, gochujangthat that is naturally fermented and deeply savoury. The beef is the highlight and is really tender within. You can also see the even marbling of the bee fat evenly distributed inside the thick chunks of meat. It does have fine wagyu beef vibes.

Grilled Jeju Beltfish with Golden Queen’s Rice

The second main is Grilled Jeju Beltfish. The Beltfish is grilled with care so the flesh stays moist and just slightly charred, and served on a metal grill. The chunk is thick, generous and bone-free. It is soft and creamy within despite being grilled and charred on the exterior.

Moreover, your grilled fish is served with Golden Queen’s rice. It tads provides a nutty, aromatic rice and a bed for the fish. Also, I found the rice has depth without heaviness. Another consistent strength is their handling of rice. You notice texture first, then aroma. It is treated as a main element and not a filler despite being a staple. The set meal is paired with a spicy winter seafood stew rich with pollock roe and cod milt. The stew also served with clams brings gentle heat, brine, and silky roe texture and carries the weight paired with rice.

Wrapping up are 5 different sides comprising of Yuja (a citrusy note) and cabbage saengchae (fresh slaw) cut through richness; bellflower root muchim adds an earthy, slightly bitter hint. The anchovies used in the sides are also fresh, crispy and not soggy, expected for a meal served with attention to detail.

Ground Soybean Stew with Mangrove Crab

The last but not least be the Jeju pork collar option. You get two main staples here, first with the Ground Soybean Stew with Mangrove Crab comprising of a hearty stew of coarsely ground soybeans. It provides creamy body and fermented savouriness. The mangrove crab pieces are mixed into the stew, which adds a sweet, oceanic flavour.

The rich and slightly creamy-thick Soyabean stew is naturally not spicy, despite its looks and garnished with chopped chillis. I found the stew pairs well with the rice as an accompaniment while enjoying the thin Jeju pork by the side.

Separately served is the Jeju pork collar suyuk (simply boiled pork). It is served on a heated bed which stays warm throughout your meal. So you do not need to rush while the mini wok keeps your pork collar warm throughout your meal. Also, the pork is thinly sliced and is really tender without being oily. This dish is one of the more filling options too, with your dish is served with four separate standard side dishes with a pear and minari geotjeori (quick-pickled salad). It gives the brightness and herbal notes.

Sorbet and cake Desserts

The following desserts comprises of a two part. First with a Injeolmi Cake infused with Candied Nuts and Seeds. Injeolmi is a chewy rice cake dusted with bean powder. This gives it a rather earthy and lightly sweet taste with crunchy candied nuts and seeds within which add crunch. Lastly, accompanying your dessert cake is their Pear Sorbet with Fresh and preserved persimmon Sujeongwa.

Also, the Pear sorbet cools the palate with crisp fruitiness. Also, the dessert selection tends to draw from traditional Korean sweets, do expect mild sweetness. I found the toasted sugar Sujeongwa, a traditional Korean spiced punch with dried persimmon (goguma), adds warmth and spice on the crust plays off the chewy base.

I noticed the cake crust has the consistency like cinnamon sugar. The cake interior is pretty crumby and get get rather messy when cut into.

However, if you prefer rich, Western-style desserts, this is where you may feel underwhelmed. Drinks include Korean teas and light alcoholic options, sometimes with makgeolli or soju adapted for pairing. Drinks costs extra.

Wrapping up

As a whole, the dining experience at Na Oh is structured and deliberate. The restaurant does not try to replicate a Seoul neighbourhood restaurant. Only the Jinjitsang set meals are offered as the mains here with no other al-la-crate menu options.Also, the meal portions are measured. Flavours are controlled. You start with a range of small cold items that introduce fermentation and acidity. Kimchi appears in refined forms rather than as a side dish. Broths arrive clear and light, not aggressively spicy. The seasoning leans subtle. Soy, doenjang, and sesame are used carefully. Nothing feels overloaded with chilli.

You eat slowly. You notice temperature and timing. It feels closer to a curated demonstration than a spontaneous meal. That can be interesting if you enjoy concept-driven dining. It can feel distant if you want comfort food.

Expensive, but good value for what you get

Additionally, each Jinjitsang set meal here at Na Oh costs S$78 per person excluding tax and service charge, which would bring you in the sub $94/pax dining here. This is not cheap, a visit possibly reserved for occasions and as pricey as an equivalent hotel buffet dine-in. Notably, there are no complimentary parking provided by the restaurant.

While we can be rather thrifty on our dine-ins, you know good value when you see it. I say, Na Oh is one of the few places with both quality and quantity in one spot. Even offering far better value than most establishments in the sub $100/pax price point, and even bettering the value of Bread Street Kitchen at Marina Bay Sands.

Still, you do not leave hungry, unlike most fine-dining restaurants with tiny servings leaving you unfilled at the end of your course meal. The portions served here at Na Oh are in-fact rather filling and worth the price for the quality. The change in seasonal menus every quarterly does add to the revisit value too, with this winter menu due for a spring menu in coming March.

All in all, dining here feels tied to the HMGICS itself. You leave with a clearer sense that the restaurant is meant to be part of a system, not just an eating place. What you pay is what you get, and a recommended place to dine indeed. Na Oh is located inside the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore at 2 Bulim Way. Entry is controlled, and prior reservations are required.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.

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Walking in, the Singapore Hooters space feels open and busy. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating available, with the indoor section offering live a sports bar and seating for small groups. The interior follows the global template of wooden tables, tall bar seating, orange accents, branded signage, with a bar that anchors the room. Notably, the Hooters restaurant story is well established, founded in 1983 at Clearwater, Florida, by a group of friends into a casual sports bar focused on wings, beer, and a unique visual identity. Over the decades, the chain expanded globally, adapting to local rules and tastes, with Singapore being their first Asia establishment.

Additionally, the Singapore outlet feels more restrained than some overseas branches. The atmosphere leans towards mainstream casual dining rather than spectacle. You notice families, groups of friends, office colleagues, and tourists sharing the same space without friction. I reckon what makes Hooters in Singapore distinct is this balance. The concept is intact, but the tone is moderated.

Service staff follow the brand’s white and orange uniform and friendliness, though service is often hard to come by, especially during busy peak hours. Yet, interactions remain professional and measured. The environment feels closer to a sports bar than a themed attraction. That tad difference stands out if you have visited Hooters in the United States or other regions.

Try their Buffalo wings

Furthermore, Hooter’s menu selections range of American staples to Mexican and Italian. The menu stays close to what the brand is known for. Their American style Buffalo chicken wings are the centrepiece.

You can order them fried or grilled, with 12-levels of sauce spiciness ranging from BBQ (the lowest spicy level) to the familiar mid-range “hot” to the hottest “triple dog dare” levels. The classic Buffalo-style wings remain the safest and most consistent choice.

Also, their wings are great for sharing, if you really love their wings and are in a big group, their original Wing 50pcs ($65.90) is one to consider. 50 pieces are served over few sharing plates. I found the chicken wings skin is crisp, the meat reasonably juicy, and the sauce balanced enough to avoid overwhelming saltiness. Grilled wings are available, though they tend to be drier and less forgiving if you expect bold flavour.

What else is on the menu

Moreover, beyond wings, the menu covers burgers, sandwiches, seafood, and bar snacks. Their American style beef burgers form the staple meal offering here at hooters. Also, their Philly Beef burger ($18.90) is also one of contention. Still, they are just pretty average burgers.

For something lighter, their Buffalo Chicken sandwich ($17.90), or Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($10.90) is a lighter breaded choice which is also a good brunch option. Also, there are items you might want to skip.

However, I found their Pasta dishes lack identity and feel out of place. Though out of their usual menu, Hooters also offers a selections of set meals and all-day western grill selections. You can also upgrade to a set meal with a drink and soup for $6.90 extra. Their bright green celery soup interestingly does looks and feel like slime.

Top on their set menu selection includes chicken chop and pasta. This is tad a nod to the localised menu offerings akin to that of Collins resturants and Astons specialities for instance. I would recommend their Creamy Chicken Ragout ($22.90) from this special menu. It is a rather nice filling dish comprising of large potpourri of pasta with an accompanying chicken leg.

The chefs recommendations Fish & Chips ($22.90) is not a bad offering too, though good in quality is pricey for the small servings of a single fillet and sides of wedges. If you like potatoes, their Lots A Tots sides ($9.50) is one to consider too.

Also, if you prefer a Mexican flare, there is a selection of Tacos, Nachos and Quesadillas. Notably, their Chicken Nachos ($21.90) and Chicken Quesadillas ($14.90) are options to shortlist.

The quality is adequate and skin not soggy though nothing great to scream home about. Also, the Nachos are drenched in cheese sauce and chips crispy. Though I found they are not as great as dedicated Mexican restaurant like Huevos we previously visited at New Bahru.

End with sweets and drinks

To wrap up, Brownie & Ice Cream $9.90 is a sweet dessert to close your meal. Though I find their desserts are serviceable but forgettable. This is not a menu built for experimentation. It rewards sticking to what the brand does repeatedly.

Drinks play a supporting role. Alcohol and bar beers are staples of hooters as an American sports bar and restaurant. Beer options include familiar international labels, with occasional promotions tied to sports events. Cocktails are straightforward and lean sweet. There is also a selection of mocktails to wrap up the selections. Also, you can’t be more American to pair your meal with a Root beer or Chocolate milkshake ($9.50). Though the milkshakes are rather watery and not even close to the quality offered at black tap burgers. You order them more for convenience than craftsmanship. If you are on a budget, their bottled Dasani water costs $1.20 a pop.

Wrapping up

On ambience, during live matches, the bar becomes livelier, and timing matters if you want prompt service. During my dine-in, service is rather slow and it is always difficult to get hold of table service. As a dining experience, Hooters Clarke Quay feels predictable in a good way. You know roughly what you are getting. Noise levels rise quickly at night. Conversations require some effort, especially near the screens. Service is efficient, with staff checking in regularly without hovering. Turnover can be fast during busy periods, particularly on weekends and match nights.

All in all, that wraps up our dine-in at Hooters at Clarke Quay. As we say goodbye to Hooters restaurant in Clarke Quay on 31st Jan after 30-year run by end of this month due to manpower shortages and low sales. You leave with the sense that Hooters here is less about shock value and more about familiarity. It functions as a casual sports bar with a recognisable brand identity, adjusted for local expectations. It is not a destination for refined dining, but it fits comfortably into Clarke Quay’s mix of food, drinks, and entertainment. Before they are gone by good in Singapore, Hooter’s is located at 3D River Valley Road, #01-03, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179023. It is easily accessible by MRT and sits within walking distance of the riverfront and surrounding nightlife spots.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.

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Light to Night has been around for a decade now. It started as a way to animate the Singapore Civic District with art and projections after dark and grew into one of the city’s regular January attractions.

The festival is spread across the civic district from the Asian Civilization museum, National Gallery, Funan and the Singapore Padang. Also, this year’s event marks the 10th edition of the festival, and for the first time, it will extend across four weekends from 9 to 31 January 2026.

Moreover, “The Power in Us” is the theme for this year’s Light to Night Singapore 2026 event. This year’s edition explores how the power of unity can shape shared experiences and spark new possibilities. Here, you can look forward to interactive art installations, façade projections, performances and programmes that invite you to take part in the festival in unexpected ways.

Building facade night projections

The projections are what most people talk about first. Big façades of heritage buildings became canvases after dusk. At the National Gallery itself you could catch shifting colours and patterns that played across the stone and windows.

Nearby, at the Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall, a piece called Flower Power mixed visuals and music so the wall seemed to breathe and pulse gently.

You find yourself stopping mid-step, just watching the shapes slide across old brick and plaster. The Arts house also has their own projection, with fringe events within.

Also, these pieces used light and structure to invite you to slow down, observe and feel the space around you. On the Padang, there was a weekend activation where people held or decorated lantern bags in patterns inspired by simple batik. At night in that big open field, the paper lanterns lit up like constellations carried by people.

SANTAI Series artworks

Unique for this year’s event is an extensive display by the SANTAI Series. SANTAI is a new series drawing from the Malay word “santai” (to relax). It explores themes such as the impact of language. Their sculptural works exhibits are scattered all about the district area, like key spots like Empress Lawn, ACM Green, and Esplanade Park. For instance, the Santai Series Coastal Home located at the ACM lawn as well as the Padang.

Also, the Rumah Laut (Coastal Home) is a three-part installation focused on the Singapore’s Indigenous Orang Laut communities. It reimagines their legacy, displacement, and resilience.

This includes the Orang Gelam, Orang Kallang, Orang Seletar and Orang Selat. You can also find three more SANTAI Series, at The Arts House Outdoor Lawn, and the Batu Ghaib (The Unseen Stone) at the Esplanade Park. there is also another one called the Untitled Gathering at the National Gallery City Hall Wing.

Exhibition displays

Inside the Gallery and partner institutions like the Asian Civilisations Museum, a different rhythm played out. There are interior exhibitions to explore within too. This includes paintings and sculptures on top of the regular National Gallery spaces which remains open extended to 11pm on event days. You could move between indoor galleries and outdoor installations without cutting the evening short.

Within the National Gallery, one of the more impressive displays is the SINGAPORAMA showpiece by Navin Rawanchaikul (Thailand). It is a large painting mural hung from the ceiling of the National Gallery Padang Atrium. There are also four multimedia works at the National Gallery Level 4 Gallery, as well as some quirky AR features.

Streets that are usually just routes between places now felt like paths into something unfolding. You find soft clusters of light from art installations that draw you into exploring pockets of space you might normally rush past. There was no single entrance. Instead, you met the festival in bits and pieces, from the lawn at the Padang to the open space outside the National Gallery Singapore.

The displays are also extended to shopping malls and the Burrows piece at Funan mall Basement 2 is not an exception. It is located at the underground pedestrian link with cutesy multimedia and print art on the walls brought to you by Tell Your Children.

Empress Lawn Art X Social: Festival Village

A real pull this year was the Art X Social: Festival Village, which spilled from St. Andrew’s Road to Empress Lawn by the Victoria theater. You might remember Victoria theater as one of the spots of the central CDC city trails.

Here, you can find small food and drink stalls, roving performances, DJs and pop-up activities. You can lounge on the chairs and hammocks on the field. It makes the night feel like something between a market and a festival.

There is not much of a crowd, but there were enough people that you sensed this was shared experience, not just art on walls or in fields. Here, you can find friends and families chatting over street food, and groups pausing between artworks to grab a bite.

Also, there is no one place that feels like the festival hub. Instead, it spreads through the precinct, like a thread tying buildings, lawns and street corners together. Walking from Old Parliament Lane down towards Anderson Bridge. Here you can find clusters of small installations, some kinetic, some glowing gently along the public spaces, others buzzing with sound or inviting passers-by to interact. The route does not demand a straight line; you zig-zagged, discovering art where you did not expect it.

Wrapping up

Interestingly, unlike past Light for Night event, what might have been a weekend’s light show years ago now fills four entire weekends in January. Though I found the longer duration dilutes the experience and the event rather scaled down and muted this year as compared to last year’s Light to Night 2025 event.

All in all, the wraps up our exploration of Light to Night Singapore 2026. If you plan to go, expect to walk a fair bit and be drawn into conversations or interactions by the art itself. There is no hurry. The lights let you move at your own pace, and part of the rhythm is letting a few things just catch your eye. It is clear the organising team behind it wants you to see this not as a one-off spectacle, but as something that links art, place and people.

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The New Balance 1080v15 pop-up at Suntec City sits along the walkway leading from the mall’s Esplanade MRT entrance at the convention center wing. Notably, this is unlike the 2024 v14 event sitting right in the middle of the mall’s open atrium, this year’s event is tad more scaled down. From a distance, it reads less like a retail booth and more like a temporary exhibition.

Furthermore, New Balance has used pop-ups like this in recent years to frame product launches as lifestyle moments rather than sales pushes. The space is organised loosely rather than in straight retail lines. You walk in without being funneled. The booth is split between two separate islands.

One side holds the shoe display with rows of shoes you can change into to take out for a test run. The other island is a pop-up store and an interactive booth where you can linger, take photos, or simply put in your exercise resolutions for the year.

The New Balance 1080v15 in the flesh

At the centre is the Fresh Foam X 1080v15 itself. Historically, the 1080 series has been New Balance’s flagship neutral cushioning shoe, evolving gradually rather than radically. The v15 continues that pattern. This pop-up reflects the same philosophy. The 1080v15 is clearly a shoe for daily mileage. Long easy runs, recovery days. It is for runners who value comfort over responsiveness.

From the midsole thickness and shape, the v15 continues the shift toward softer, more forgiving cushioning. Key features of the new shoe utilise what New Balance calls their Infiniōn midsole foam. It is engineered for long-lasting cushioning, sustained energy return and support on every run. The midsole feels slightly more compliant under hand than earlier versions.

Moreover, the v15 design stays soft. Nothing flashes aggressively. It tad suits the message, and touts to spot a new lightweight, breathable upper with moulded contour detailing for a secure, comfortable fit.

Also, the upper looks refined, with a smoother knit and less visual clutter. It is available in three colours, lime green, white-on-green and purple with reflective details, cushioned tongue and heel tab for everyday wear and long runs. Interestingly, the stretch laces offer a customisable, locked-in feel.

There is also a small market-style zone integrated into the event. Not a full retail bazaar, but a curated cluster. With sets of limited merchandise and accessories paired with a matching lime green colour scheme of the new shoe line-up. It works more as texture than commerce, adding movement and sound to the space.

Take it for a spin for the leader board

Moreover, the pop-up booth offers a slow, open-ended experience that lets you arrive at your own impression. The local shoe trials here allows you to take the 1080v15 out for a spin and test it in real conditions before purchase. There is also a live Mileage Tracker & Leader board where you can take part in a friendly challenge. You enter by submitting your run mileage via the Strava mobile App to the event board.

A live leader board screen here will spotlight your submission and list the top mileage runners in real-time throughout the week. Also, the pop-up store offers you a Mirror Photo Moment, allowing you to capture your personal “Run Your Way” moment. You can do so by snapping a photo using the polaroid cameras here and penning down your running goals for the year ahead.

Additionally, the event seems aimed at reinforcing New Balance’s position in Singapore’s running scene as steady and credible rather than flashy. It speaks to runners who train consistently but quietly. People who run for leisure, and not possibly for medals. The scaled down booth setting at Suntec City reflects this. The event mirrors that idea, calm, deliberate, and quietly confident. Gone are the showy treadmill and photo booths from past events, which could be daunting to some everyday patrons.

Wrapping up

Wrapping up, what stands out at the event is how unforced everything feels. You notice many attendees are not elite runners. Office workers, casual joggers, that feels intentional. You are free to engage or pass through. You can try the shoes, take it for a spin around the block, talk to staff, or do none of it. The pop-up does not chase attention. It waits, and you leave with a clearer sense of what the 1080v15 represents, a running companion and continuation of a shoe designed to be worn often. You also get to redeem a limited-edition New Balance running journal and sticker pack with every purchase of the 1080v15.

All in all, that wraps up our exploration of the 1080v15 pop-up at Suntec and introductions to New Balance new 1080v15 running shoe, and debut of the brand’s latest Infiniōn midsole technology. More than a launch showcase, the 1080v15 pop-up is a shared space for the community to move together, exchange motivation and celebrate individual journeys.

It is an event for runners of all levels to take the new shoes for a spin. Through interactive experiences, you are encouraged to connect and Run Your Way. The 1080v15 community pop-up takes place from 13 to 18 January at Suntec City Atrium at the Convention Centre wing from 10am – 10pm daily. The 1080v15 retails at S$259 and will be available from 15 January 2026.

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First, on some history. The brand began with a practical but thoughtful idea. BookXcess started in Malaysia in 2007, founded by Andrew Yap and Jacqueline Ng. Who were also the brain child of the Big Bad Wolf book store (launched in 2009) and event chain too. Both came from book distribution and publishing logistics. They understood inefficiencies in traditional supply chains where unsold books were often pulped instead of redistributed.

BookXcess focuses on excess and remaindered books sourced globally. These include last prints, surplus stock, and overproduced titles. Hence, rather than waste inventory, they redirected books to readers. This approach supports sustainability without heavy messaging. Affordability remains the core value at BookXcess. The prices are really low for what they are typically offered on online bookstores like amazon for instance. Prices stay lower than conventional bookstores. Access matters more than exclusivity here.

BookXcess goals comes from humble intent too, with the primary mission is to cultivate reading habits, increase English literacy worldwide and build a new generation of readers. This is done by making books more affordable and accessible, to everyone.

BookXcess RexKL Chinatown book store

The first book store we are checking out is also one of the most impressive. Their RexKL Chinatown outlet best represents this philosophy. It occupies the second floor (physical third floor) a repurposed cinema within the heritage complex. It is home to several arts tenants beside the book store.

Vintage shops and Basement food court

The entrance of the RexKL building is inviting as what you expect of an old cinema, with strong lighting. Stairs bring you up to stores and the book shop on the physical third floor while the basement leads you to a hipster food court and beer garden.

The basement food court, located on physical ground level does have a retro vibe complete with a full selection of Italian, and western flair foods as well as local foods. It is open-air and get get rather warm too.

Furthermore, the second physical floor is home to some vintage and thrift shops and the entrance to the main screen theater experience.

Thereafter, you enter the bookstore via a small inconspicuous sliding door on the third physical floor at the top of the main cinema stair well.

The space here is flanked by large glass windows overlooking the street outside. Here is also where you find children books, including a loft area and the book shop checkout counter.

The highlight a spectacle is through a staired walkway into the bookshop mezzanine area. The scale feels theatrical and slightly dramatic, not to mention a popular photo spot.

Shelves rise floor to nearly the ceiling, forming book-lined walls. It makes use of the entire open vertical space which was once the interior seating area of the cinema.

You often look upward while browsing and explore the little nooks and crannies of the maze-like layout which invokes curiosity and exploration.

A converted cinema space

Concrete surfaces and subdued lighting define the space. Also, the book shelves and tables are built around the existing steps of the cinema, where the seats had been removed, while retaining the aisles and steps. The book shelves and platforms are made out of both steel and wooden frames, which sits over the cinema void. Notably some parts of the concrete steps are pretty worn out too with age.

The book store setting retains traces of its cinematic past, a nod to the common arts and literature scene. Wide aisles encourage slow movement. Books feel dense but not overwhelming. Books covers face outwards encouraging picking it up. The mood remains urban and experimental. The bookstore shares a space with a theater, where you can have a peek at the top floor on what is screening.

Also, do watch out for uneven flooring, high steps and stay away from ledges and do not ignore warning signs, a little common sense goes a long way.

A design and arts curation

Also, at RexKL, the book curation leans toward art, photography, fiction, and design. Large-format titles dominate many sections. This encourages tactile browsing over targeted searching. You flip pages rather than scan spines. Many readers sit quietly on steps nearby.

Still, such arts places are a rarity in Singapore. Walking through their book stores you might remember the last time we visited arts places of a similar nature was that at the Peace center before it was torn down. You be tempted to cross-check prices here to that or online book store and I am pleased to say, the prices here are most of the time lower than those found online. It is usually the opposite and digital competition feels irrelevant here.

Also, the RexKL outlet also feels communal. It functions as more than a retail space. The Rex Chinatown, what you need is a sense of exploration and some common sense to navigate the area. You may leave with books you did not plan to buy. You may also leave empty-handed. Either outcome feels acceptable. That balance defines the experience. BookXcess succeeds by letting books speak for themselves. Though it be good if you could support the book store with a purchase.

Cheery BookXcess LaLaport Bukit Bintang

BookXcess at LaLaport BBCC offers a clear contrast to RexKL. The store spaces here feel brighter, polished and more conventional with what you expect of a mall book shop. The layout aligns with the mall’s Japanese-inspired design and pop culture theme, and spans a shop unit on the mall’s second physical floor.

Here, books dominate the space, not merchandise or promotional clutter. The atmosphere feels intentional, immersive, and calm. Browsing feels encouraged rather than managed. Reading is positioned as everyday and attainable.

Browse and have a cuppa

Also, the shop’s book highlights and curated section sits at the entrance. It leads into an activity dome where the stationery toys and the bookshop’s Austin chase café is located. Notably, navigation feels straightforward with little nooks, lofts and long shelves to encourage exploration. The shelving is cleaner and more linear. The LaLaport’s books curation focuses on lifestyle, business, and popular fiction.

Children’s sections are extensively large, located together with the Marvel and DC comics sections, with clearly zoned and accessible decked with clean yellow painted walls and floors. It is also cleaner and less dusty than the RexKL branch too.

There is an amphitheatre style seating area as well as a loft nook with steps and a mini-grand piano space where families browse comfortably together. It resembles a cultural venue more than a bookstore.

Moreover, the store shelving responds and weaves into the building space, unique and not a template seen anywhere else. the store sightlines are open and unintimidating. The store suits casual shoppers well.

Also, despite the mall setting, pricing remains competitive. Also, many imported English titles are heavily discounted. Value is immediately noticeable, with affordability promise remains intact.

That intention is clear once you step inside. The mission becomes obvious as you browse. There is no aggressive sales messaging. Staff do not hover or rush decisions. You are encouraged to explore at your own pace. Reading feels casual and unforced. Also, the environment supports lingering and quiet observation, with very minimal staff. Commercial pressure feels minimal. If you need assistance, you can find them at the shelves sorting books or the checkout counters.

BookXcess at MyTown mall

The last of the BookXcess outlets we are checking out is the MyTown Shopping Centre BookXcess outlet. It sits between both extremes of RexKL and Lalaport but not without BookXcess trademark to exploratory book store.

The MyTown branch has store lighting which is dimmer with a darker theming than the Lalaport branch.

Here you can find shelves with lights focused on the book shelves. Books face outward rather than hiding spines. Covers become part of the interior design. Pricing is clearly labelled throughout. Condition varies but remains transparent. Coffee table books offer especially strong value.

Zen inspired book store

Notably, design becomes part of the experience here. Unlike conventional bookstores, layouts are never uniform, with the exception of their smaller book store at Fahrenheit88 Shopping Mall. Each outlet uses architectural storytelling. Books are treated as visual and spatial elements.

Moreover, at MyTown, shelving uses subtle curves and clean materials. The environment feels polished but relaxed and curation feels more selective with the entrance targeted with children books while the fiction and non-fiction sections sits further in deeper into the bookstore. It is a pretty cavernous bookstore and is larger than it looks on the outside. It balances architectural ambition with retail practicality. Design elements feel modern, restrained and more zen-like.

Contemporary fiction and non-fiction stand out with titles appeal to working adults and young professionals. You know what you are buying, decision-making feels relaxed and trust builds quickly through clarity. On my visit this year, all their stores were running a one free book for every 4 books purchases.

Notably, there is also a Japanese restaurant tucked at the far end of the book stall.

Visits feel shorter and more purposeful. The store supports efficient browsing without pressure. Notably, across all outlets, visual identity stays consistent. Bold typography anchors the branding.

Also, you can find rows of book shelves are connected to little circular islands or nooks which houses additional books of interest. Islands of smooth pebble and gravel outline the islands as boundaries.

Wrapping up

All in all, that brings our visit to the three BookXcess outlets in Kuala Lumpur to a close. As a book worm, it is also a joy to visit book stores which are long a thing of history in Singapore. After moving between locations here in KL, clear patterns emerge. Affordable pricing remains the backbone of the model, and the value proposition holds up consistently across stores. Beyond retail, BookXcess also functions quietly as a cultural space. Occasional talks and small-scale events suggest a genuine, if understated, interest in community engagement. The emphasis, however, remains firmly on books and the physical environment.

Nothing feels overdesigned or performative. Each outlet reflects its surrounding neighbourhood, and none feel duplicated or formulaic. What stands out most is restraint. BookXcess does not chase trends or rely on gimmicks. Physical browsing is treated as meaningful, where touch, scale, and atmosphere still matter. Price comparisons inevitably come to mind, both between outlets and against online retailers. In most cases, the in-store prices are lower, reversing the usual expectation. In that context, digital competition feels largely irrelevant. There is more to BookXcess than this article can cover, like their newly-opened 24-hour bookstore Library in new Sunway Square Mall, Southeast Asia’s largest. That is another visit for another time.

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BatterCatch positions itself around classic fish and chips, with an emphasis on freshly battered fish and cooked-to-order plates. This branch at Orchard Gateway opened on January 2025. Also, the restaurant operates primarily as a beach-themed sit-down restaurant. They offer plated meals, sides, and desserts while keeping prices relatively accessible yet being in the heart of the Orchard Road district.

Tale of four types of Fish and Chips

The core of it is fish and chips, built around a few main fish options. You have a choice of 4 different types of fish within, each with a different price. On the most budget-end is the Dory fish option at $13.90, followed by midrange Haddock $18.90 and Barramundi $19.90. With the more premium being Halibut at $22.90. An almost cool $9 price difference.

The most popular choice is Barramundi. It comes in a thick cut, coated in a light batter that aims to be crisp rather than heavy. Haddock and dory appear as alternatives, with dory positioned as the softer, more budget-friendly option. I find that the Haddock and Barramundi strikes the best balance of cost and price. As your fish and chips are all covered in batter, visually, it is hard to determine the difference of your choice of fish, the differences is within.

Stick to mid-range fish choices

The Dory tends to be the more inferior cut, with the flesh more mushy and watered down. While the Haddock and Barramundi offers more firmness for the mid-range pricing. Also, I found the fish within flesh flakes cleanly, and the portion feels generous enough without crossing into excess.

The batter itself is one of the restaurant’s strengths. It arrives pale golden rather than dark, suggesting a lighter fry. When fresh, it cracks easily under a fork. The chips are chunky, “British-like” thin-cut fries. They lean soft on the inside, with slightly uneven edges. You get the sense they are meant to soak up malt vinegar and tartar sauce rather than stay rigidly crisp.

Also, the portions are not as large as the Smiths Fish and Chips Balmoral Plaza. Though BatterCatch is priced much cheaper than Smiths sub-$30 cod fillet offering and fires are not as thick cut. Cheaper fish options like the dory can turn soft quickly if left too long. When the batter cools, it loses its edge. Ordering during peak hours improves the odds of getting everything fresh from the fryer. Heavily loaded platters can feel oily by the end, especially if you over-order sides.

Additionally, sauces matter here. Default tartar sauce and guacamole is the default companion and comes with every fish and chips meal. The Tartar sauce is creamy with a noticeable pickle tang. Also, you have a choice of 2 sauces of homemade curry or brown sauce. Interestingly, these are remakes of the default staple Tartar sauce. They are creamy with a noticeable pickle tang. You find that the fish relies on these condiments to add contrast. On its own, the seasoning is restrained.

Other non fish and chips dishes

Beyond the classic Fish and chips plate, Battercatch offers variations. If deep fried fish are not your fancy or if you wish to avoid fried batter, their Pan Seared fish fillet is one to try. It is served with roasted vegetables, clams and lemon butter sauce with similar of 3 choice of fish types. This range from Dory at $14.90 to Halibut at $23.90. The Pan seared whole fish that touts to serves 2. However, it does not have enough portions for even one person. Still, the fish is nicely grilled and tender, but dependent on the sides of potatoes to really fill you up. Treat it like a meal for one and you have your expectations satisfied contrary to what the dish is advertised for.

Moreover, there is a fish platter ($39.90) option. It is great for sharing in a group, touted as a sea of flavour. It comprises of a serving of standard fish and chip set of dory fish and fries, with additional baked salmon, tiger prawns and pineapple rings. Still, I think you get more value ordering two separate Dory Fish and chips at cheaper rate rather than this costlier platter.

Besides staple fish and chips are two selections of linguine pasta, and western grills such as Steaks, Salmon and Chicken chop, with prices ranging from $12.90 for the budget friendly chicken to $25.90 for sirloin steak. Pasta are priced in the $14,.90 to $18.90 range. Topping up the carbs are three selections of Macaroni and Cheese too priced in the $14.90 to $18.90 price range. Still Fish and Chips Battercatch main menu offerings and I tad won’t recommend order these other dishes as you should be mainly here for their specialist Fish and Chips.

Try their Shepperd pie

However, I would recommend their Shepperd pie ($15.90) as a price conscious deep dish to share. It is tad like a British language with layers of dough sheets packed with minced beef within. Additionally, their raw oyster at $6.90 for 2 pieces is a pricey option to start your meal.

Desserts exist but feel secondary. Going with the British flair offering, their English Milk tea tart with Vanilla Ice cream ($8.90) fits the British theme, though it is not what most people come for. Drinks are standard mall offerings of sodas, tea, coffee, with no strong focus on craft beer or alcohol. Water costs $2 a pop, with no tap water options, a stingy bummer indeed.

All in all, that wraps up our dine-in here at BatterCatch. It feels relaxed and predictable. Service is relatively polite and efficient, geared toward table turnover rather than lingering. It works well for a mid-shopping break or an uncomplicated dinner when you want something familiar and filling. The atmosphere stays casual, with no pressure to dress up or linger. The fish and batter are fresh and prepared well for the sub-$25 price offerings. Battercatch at Orchard Central is best approached with clear expectations, a mall we also previously checked out the first Don Don Donki store in Singapore. Still, you come for classic fish and chips done competently, and that is pretty much you would come here for.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.

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Also, the Olympic stadium and park is well served by public underground metro station, with the Olympic park (奥林匹克公园站) being the subway station stop.

The park features large open broad walkways, with long lines of trees, providing a clear view of the main stadium from afar. Upon entering the park, two tall towers greet you at the vast park, with walkways which seem to stretch on into the horizon at both ends.

Notably, the space here is massive, even larger than the Tiananmen square complex we previously visited in size. You get a sense that the grounds were designed for large crowds, yet they still feel manageable on a normal day. Also, the park today is a recreational one, serving the sports and active needs of Beijing residents.

Ling Long Pagoda and Beijing Olympic Tower

Furthermore, the Ling Long Pagoda towers over the park. This tall modern structure sits just south of the Bird’s Nest and stands about 132 meters tall. Directly translated as “Delicate Tower” in Chinese, it was created for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics as a broadcasting tower, giving media teams a clear viewing vantage point over the park.

Architecturally, the structure has a stacked, open-frame design that looks tad like floating glass boxes stacked on top of each other, with the Olympic rings sitting at the top. Today, the international commodity shopping halls sits on the ground floor of the building, while you cannot enter most levels today, but the pagoda still acts as a visual landmark along the park’s spine. It’s slim profile and modern façade remains a distinctive marker when you walk through the Olympic grounds.

Also, on the far north of the park sits the Beijing Olympic Tower. It rises beside the central walkway of Olympic Park and stands around 246 meters tall. Notably, the tower was built after the 2008 Games as a new landmark representing Beijing city’s push toward modern urban design. The tower clusters five interconnected columns shaped like giant Olympic torches. For a fee, you can get a wide city view from the top decks, and the structure now works as an observation point and event venue. Its role today feels more symbolic than practical, but it anchors the park’s skyline.

Beijing Olympic stadium design

The highlight of the Beijing Olympic park is the iconic National “Birdnest” stadium which stands in the center of the park. It has a large presence in the park and your eyes go straight to the exterior steel structure.

The exterior steel woven pattern looks unusual and messy at first sight, resembling a Bird’s Nest which much became a misnomer. The name fits once you stand under to appreciate the design.

Also, the structure features an exposed steel lattice, sort of an exoskeleton or sorts which the stadium structure sits on. The lattice creates a strong bowl-like shape. The building was designed by Li Xinggang of China, with ArupSport, China Architecture Design and Research Group (CADG) and Herzog & de Meuron being the building architects.

The aim was to build a striking landmark for the city. The project took several years, and construction began in the early 2000s, with several design changes before the final form took shape.

Notably, the Birdnest stadium made its first grand debut on the 2008 Summer Olympics and following Paralympics. Subsequently, the stadium was used as the venue to host the the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Notably, you can still see remnants of the last 2022 event in the various theming and merchandise around the Olympic  park and gift stores.

Entering the National stadium

Entry to the stadium is via ground floor through one of the entry gates around the stadium perimeter for crowd management, especially for large events. For stadium access on days with no events, you enter through the stadium’s lower basement concourse, and the walk feels smooth with large, open spaces.

You can buy tickets from a small container hut just outside the front of the stadium. Entry cost 100RMB per adult and 80RMB discounted for students. Seniors can enter for free. Do have your passport with you for verification purposes.

Moreover, the tour runs in a linear fashion, starting from the basement entrance with a short security screening and a small exhibition and video area before headed up to the 2nd and 5th floors where exhibition galleries, stores and entry to the stadium seating area.

After a pre-show and mini exhibition at a basement gallery, you take an elevator to the 2nd floor where a sport exhibition reside with access to the lower deck of the stadium seating.

The stadium walkways which runs behind the seats are wide corridors with ramps that lead deeper inside. Series of steps on the exterior form as a bridge linking a floor to the next.

Also, the walls and corridors is also a home to a mini permanent exhibition, which features infographics of the various games Team China participated in, updated over the years.

Panoramic views of the Stadium interior

Furthermore, the tour continues from the second floor to the 5th floor via taking a lift. This allows you to access the upper seating decks of the stadium. You can enter the main seating bowl once you step past the first entrance. Firstly, the sheer size of the stadium allows you to grasp the size of the stadium’s 80,000-person capacity.

You take a moment to look around, and the size feels immediate. It hosted the main ceremonies, athletics events, and football matches during the 2008 Games. Looking afar, you see how the seating stands slope upwards in a clean curve.

Despite being 17 years old, the stadium is well maintained and clean. The field remains clear, and most of the equipment now serves events, shows, and public activities. You can even sport the track 100m start point and running track from afar.

Also, you notice how the sunlight enters through the steel frame and lands softly across the seats. The open top keeps the space bright during the day. Also, do note that the toilets here are all locked and you are advised to use the toilets in the public areas of the stadium before entering the tour.

You get good views of the field from most parts of the seating, with exception of a blind spot behind the large screens. Notably, the stadium also returned to service for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which surprised many due to its multi-season use. In winter, the stadium transformed into a huge performance venue with an internal stage. The flexible layout remains one of its strengths today. You sense that the structure was built to last beyond one major event.

A vast architecture marvel

On the 6th floor, you walk along the internal pathways and see sections that highlight the stadium’s construction. Some displays show design sketches and models. They explain how the steel beams interlock to create the woven shell. The walk-through exhibition also describe the challenges of building such a large structure in a short timeline.

You read brief notes on how the foundation was strengthened to support the heavy load of the steel frame. These details give you a clearer view of the engineering behind the iconic look as well as featuring iconic photos of the stadium’s crowning global spectacle.

Moreover, soon after, the tour then carries on toward the roof walkway. It extends the tour from just seating in the stadium. From the 5th floor, you take a lift up to the mid-level platform and climb up a grated stairwell onto the roof.

Do note that this section is non-wheelchair accessible. Once you step out on the roof, you stand much closer to the steel beams. The area up here is open and can get rather windy. The walkway runs along a guided linear route, with safety rails keeping the path controlled.

Also, the view expands as you climb a rise towards the center of roof. From a viewing deck here, you see the entire bowl beneath you, and the perspective feels different from ground level. You watch the patterns created by the lattice, and it becomes more obvious how the overlapping beams form the nest-like shape. A large tubular steel structure here also forms the anchor of the superstructure which once hoisted the Olympic torch tower from the roof.

Roof lookout area

You continue upward until you reach the roof lookout area. The height gives you a full view of Olympic Park. You see the Water Cube Aquatic center to the southwest, which is now a water park and event center. Its shape looks soft compared to the steel structure you stand on.

The translucent skin shifts with the daylight, and the bubbles pattern remains easy to recognize. You also see the Olympic Forest Park further north, stretching into a long green belt. The open space helps the area feel balanced despite the crowded city around it.

You turn to the east and notice other structures from the games. The National Indoor Stadium sits nearby with a more restrained design. The building focuses on smooth lines rather than a bold form. It hosts concerts and sports today. The Olympic Green Convention Center stands further down with a simple, clean form. You also notice the Ling Long Pagoda, which rises with a slim and tiered shape nearby. Each building carries a different identity, yet the area still feels unified.

Moreover, standing on the roof, the stadium’s scale becomes clearer. The bowl fits around 80,000 seats in its full configuration. The design also allows sections to be adjusted for different event needs. The airflow feels light due to the open shell, and you feel a slight breeze as you walk along the upper deck. The sound from below moves differently at this height. The park noise fades, and the space feels quiet despite the size.

Stadium Interlinking lattice structure

You take a slow walk back down, noticing how the interlinking steel structure catches the light. Shadows shift with every angle. The visual effect explains why the stadium became such a major icon. It also hints at why it continues to draw people long after the Games ended. The structure blends art and engineering in a rare way. You can see the effort behind every beam. The design still feels modern even after many years.

Once you return to the concourse level, you see retail corners and exhibition areas. Some stores sell souvenirs tied to both Olympic Games. Other sections display historical material about Beijing’s bid, construction phases, and key figures involved. You also find panels explaining how the stadium transitioned from an Olympic venue into a long-term attraction.

The shift includes festivals, concerts, sports events, winter shows, and tourism programs. Also, you see modern design, large-scale planning, and long-term vision blend into one place. I found the tour gives you a close look at how the stadium works from inside to roof, and how the larger park supports the entire story.

The Olympic park

Wrapping up you exit back into Olympic Park, and the open layout gives you room to breathe. The Beijing Olympic Park works as a mixed public space with several active roles. You see large areas used for sports events, concerts, festivals, and seasonal activities. Besides the Bird’s Nest used to host flagship sporting meets, cultural shows, and occasional international events. Wide paths lead toward the Water Cube and other buildings. The Water Cube operates as a public waterpark and competition venue.

The distance between each stop is walkable. You see families, joggers, and photographers scattered across the central plaza. The park feels active without feeling crowded. You sense that the area still serves as a public space rather than a preserved monument. Also, the park grounds function like an urban green belt, giving you wide walkways, landscaped zones, lakes, and cycling paths. Many buildings now serve as exhibition halls, training centers, or tourism spots.

Moreover, the area stays open all year-round, shifting between leisure use, commercial events, and national celebrations while remaining a major landmark in northern Beijing. As you walk through the central axis, you understand how the site was planned. The long path points from south to north, linking the main plaza to the forest park. The design follows a strict line, which helps guide your movement. The symmetry adds calm to the open space. The plan allowed Beijing to host huge crowds during the Olympics, yet still left room for a liveable environment after the Games.

All in all, that wraps up our exploration of the Exploring the Beijing Olympic birdnest stadium and park. You are good for the stadium for an hour and about another 30-60 mins walking the Olympic park outdoor areas. The Beijing National stadium stands for more than a single event. It shaped how the city presented itself during a major global moment. It also adapted for future use and kept its role in public life. The Olympic Park still carries that energy.

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Beijing city served as the capital for several dynasties, including the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, growing through dynasties, revolutions, and urban development. Today, the city serves as the political core of China, yet its older parts still anchor the culture. Beijing offers a good mix of modern sitting alongside old hutong lanes, and the contrast feels natural after a while. You get a mix of imperial history, communist milestones, and modern commercial energy all in one unique offering.

The administrative capital of China

Moreover, the city carries centuries of politics, power, and daily life in its streets. You will find remnants of these eras in palaces, temples, and old city walls. Each era added new structures and ideas that shaped Chinese governance and aesthetics. Beijing became a political symbol during the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. You notice these newer historical layers in monuments and state buildings near the city center. The city also stands as a cultural hub, housing national museums, universities, palaces and royal gardens which serves as public parks today.

Also, Modern Beijing mixes global influences with local customs, though the older norms still appear everywhere. The city itself can feel structured yet chaotic. The main roads form clear grids, but smaller areas remain tight and winding. The hutongs in older districts offer a quiet pace. You hear daily life unfold behind courtyard doors. Also, within the streets, you find small eateries, repair shops, and tea houses tucked into alleys.

Additionally, the newer zones feature wide streets, business skyscrapers, and heavy traffic. The air quality changes with weather and season, though it feels manageable on clearer days. Public transport works efficiently, with a well-connected subway comprising of 30 different lines covering most major sights and points of interests. Also, the subway allows you to travel quickly between historic quarters and modern districts without much hassle, especially avoiding the overhead traffic.

Beijing Tian’anmen Square

Tian’anmen Square sits right outside the palace area and carries political weight in the administrative capital. You stand in an open space designed to show national unity and state presence. The square hosted major national events, including the founding ceremony of the People’s Republic. You see monuments like the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Great Hall of the People.

You enter the landmark in the capital of China via a combination of underground walkways and above road crossings. There are security screening counters at the southern corners of the Zhengyangmen gate which sits in front of the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Here, you register yourself on check-in counters which scans your passport and captures your facial image.

The area feels controlled, yet its scale creates a sense of openness. You will likely see crowds visiting the site at all hours. The square links China’s imperial past with its modern political identity.

Here, you pass underground into the vast Tiananmen Square itself. Here, you can get great frontal shots of the Tiananmen front gate with a large hand-painted, framed, oil portrait of Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party Mao Zedong.

Within, you can find the National Museum of China and the National Museum of China sitting in this open outdoor space too. It is this vast space where you can also see in the distance the notorious Beijing Smog. Though the air quality in the city had been improved greatly since.

Forbidden City royal palace of Ming and Qing dynasty

Passing under another underpass crossing West Chang-an street brings you to the front entrance of the Tiananmen gate crossing under a small portion of the JinShui river.

The Tiananmen is the Monumental entrance to Forbidden City. This area is flanked by gardens left and right housing Imperial buildings, a central temple as well as music halls and pavilions. Also, the Forbidden City forms the strongest historical anchor in Beijing. You sense its scale when you approach its main gate. The palace complex served as the imperial seat for the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Moreover, the vastness of the grand palace is a sight to behold. Entering the Meridian Gate bring you into the Forbidden City. Each section opening up more of the inner-city which ones once forbidden to the commoner (hence the name forbidden city). Each section feels layered when you walk through it, and you sense its long role shaping Chinese identity.

Also, sitting as the centerpiece here in this vast area is the Hall of Preserving Harmony Imperial hall used as the working space of the emperor. This protected area is surrounded by the Tongzi river moat and getting up to the Hall of Supreme Harmony involves a stair climb to where the emperor sits.

Majestic Hall of Supreme Harmony

You can imagine how majestic it was in the early era (and like in the movies). Where people worthy to have a session with the emperor would climb up these vast steps into the halls within, buzzing with activities and surrounded by guards and soldiers.

Today this vast open area is thronged by huge crowds of tourists which fills the halls to the brim. The atmosphere can feel crowded, yet the structure still feels imposing after so many centuries.

Towards the back of the main hall are several smaller halls and sections serving the royal family. In this inner hall, you walk through large courtyards and smaller halls that reflect strict hierarchical layouts.

The buildings feature red walls, golden roofs, and intricate wooden carvings. You can see exhibitions displaying imperial artefacts and daily palace items. The site gives you a direct look at how power shaped architecture and ritual.

Behind the Hall of Preserving Harmony is the Palace of Earthly Tranquility Grand hall and former empress’s residence.

Also, this area is smaller and comprises of more courtyard and living areas which served the imperial family. There is also the imperial gardens here with gazebos and ancient trees.

You are good for the Forbidden City for about 2 hours tops. You can explore the Forbidden City in a linear fashion coming in from the Tian’anmen Square front entrance gate and making your way northbound and exiting at the Northern Gate of Divine Prowess.

Beihai and Jingshan Park

Furthermore, complementary to the Forbidden City is the Jingshan Park. This open hilly garden sits north past the Gate of Divine Prowess and over the Tongzi River moat when you exit the Forbidden City.

Typographically, Jingshan Park connects to Beihai Park via the Doushan Bridge. This bridge here provides great views Behai White tower temple sits on an island on top of a hill. Beihai Park sits just northwest of the Forbidden City.

Moreover, Jingshan Park is built on an artificial hill just north of the Forbidden City, using soil dug from the old moat. The climb is short but steady and you up on the hill after a short 10min climb.

At the top, the city opens out in all directions. You can find both the Qiwang Hall and Zhoushang Pavilion situated up here, the open areas here offers overlooking great views of the Forbidden City from atop the hill.

There is even a ground market here for you to orientate yourself to the landmarks from here on the hill.

Also, from here, you look south and see the palace roofs lined up in sequence, with modern Beijing visible on the horizon. It is a mix of traditional and modern architecture, all sprawled around with good visibility mid-day too.

Also, the site once carried symbolic weight as a protective barrier for the imperial complex. You come up here for the breeze, the photos, and the pause. History sits under your feet, but the view keeps pulling you forward.

A picturesque lake

Moving on to the adjacent Beihai Park, the site dates back to the Liao and Jin periods. Notably, the Ming and Qing emperors later expanded the grounds into a full imperial garden you see today. Here, the large lake forms the focal point and heart of the park.

Here, you can see the Jade Flower Island crowned by the Bai Ta White Pagoda which sits at the top of the hill as is a highlight. Notably, the park itself started as part of earlier imperial gardens and later became its own enclosed world of water, bridges, and small islands. The Pagoda also tad acts as a fixed point of interest visible as you circle around the lake.

Today, Beihai park serves as an public open garden. You take a roam around the lake, sit under the trees, boat in summer, or explore the manicured flower beds.

Also, you can take a trishaw ride for a small fee. Also, within, the park is home to old temples, walkways and courtyards in classic Chinese garden design.

It still carries the atmosphere of an imperial retreat. Though now the park is open more than closed to visitors. Walking the gardens, it has a relaxed, and easy to enjoy at your own pace. Here, you can see locals strolling the park, doing tai chi or mass exercises.

Moreover, from the paths, you can see layers of walls, trees, and roofs overlapping in short views. Also, here you can find locals strolling in the park, sitting along the edges or resting, or engaging in group exercises. The mood is calm and every day, closer to a neighbourhood park than a monument.

Summer Palace

Moreover, on some history and background, the Summer Palace traces its origins to the Qing dynasty, and was first constructed in the mid-18th century under Emperor Qianlong.

It is tad a home to the imperial gardens and offers a calmer atmosphere to that of the confines of the Forbidden City, serving as the imperial retreat spot for the royal family.

Also, the houses here were restored again in the early 20th century. It eventually opened to the public after the fall of the Qing dynasty.

The main focal point is the Hall Benevolence and Longevity which sits at the entrance. Notably, the Summer palace residences were heavily damaged during the Anglo-French invasion of 1860, where it was later rebuilt under Empress Dowager Cixi. This was before suffering further destruction in 1900 during the Boxer Uprising.

You may find the place a tad crowded on weekends, with several tour individual tour groups roaming about in hordes. Still, the vast palace grounds helps to disperse groups so it does not feel packed.

Kunming Lake

Also, the complex was designed around Kunming Lake as a center piece and is topped by the landscape of the nearby Longevity Hill. It tad blends natural scenery with pavilions, halls, and covered corridors which you can explore through a network of buildings. In winter, the entire lake freezes over and is a spot used for ice skating activities.

There is an interesting archway facing the lake which the emperor passes through when he boards his boat to sail out. Within, the residences, you can explore the various houses which served as the residence of the majesty during his stay in the Summer Palace.

Moreover, the garden design reflects traditional Chinese views on harmony between humans and nature. Here within, you walk through landscaped hills, and navigate through mazes of pavilions and imperial housing designed for leisure and reflection.

Notably, the Summer Palace a symbol of imperial authority and served as a retreat for Qing rulers away from state duties. Also, the national heritage site balances natural scenery with man-made structures, preserving both the grandeur and turbulence of China’s late imperial era.

Also, the gardens drew inspiration from famous southern Chinese landscapes, especially those around Hangzhou’s West Lake. There is a long sheltered wooden corridor running alongside the Kunming Lake, with the Longevity Hill forming a peaceful environment.

This path pass by several stone gardens and mini lakes which adds to the compound beauty. Notably the long corridor has paintings depicting the journey to the west folklore as told through end-paintings on the wooden walkway ceilings.

Temple of Heaven

Lastly, the Temple of Heaven grounds is our last spot to cover in our Beijing cultural exploration. The highlight piece here is the circular shaped temple which sits atop a stair mount lining up along a straight north-south axis.

In Chinese beliefs, round buildings stand for heaven, while square ones stand for earth. So, the round building you see here signifies one for heaven.

On some history, the Temple of Heaven dates back to the early 1400s, and built under the Yongle Emperor. He was the same ruler behind the Forbidden City. Subsequent emperors added new parts to it throughout the Ming and Qing periods, turning it into the main place for state rituals tied to farming and weather.

Also, within, you can see intricate interior of seating and the throne within. The majestic and imposing buildings speaks of a place built for ceremony, order, and timing, and less of a casual space. It is still after all a working space for royalty.

Echo Wall

Also, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests catches your eye first, with its blue roof and tall wooden frame held together without nails. Nearby, you can find the 600-year-old curved Echo Wall. It surrounds the Imperial Vault of Heaven and is a quirky one. It is known for its unique acoustics, used to transmit messages across its 65-meter diameter.

Walking through it now feels very different from its original purpose as a place for royalty, the vast spaces seem excessive in today’s context, but breath-taking in its own way. The grounds are wide and open, with long stretches of trees and stone paths between the main structures.

Also, the path here in the Temple of Heaven grounds follows a linear manner, with long pathways running through a public garden and park. You can also find some ruins of what used to be secondary buildings in the area. The park area provides some vantage views of the surrounding area.

The park itself is a public park now, just like most imperial palace gardens today. It opened for the people’s enjoyment and part of daily life. Here, you can find some exercising, some practising tai chi in the quieter corners of the gardens away from the main building swarmed with tourists. Interesting items here includes a myriad of ancient trees, as well as the Seven Star Stone formation sitting in the park, also called also the seven meteorites.

Lama Temple

Next stop is the Lama Temple a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is also known as the Yonghegong. You reach the main temple building after a walk through rows of Ginko nut trees. Interestingly, the establishment did not begin as a monastery in 1694 as a Qing dynasty residence for imperial eunuchs. Thereafter, became a palace for Prince Yong, who later ruled as the Yongzheng Emperor.

After his death, the site changed function again. Later in 1744, the residences were converted into a Tibetan Buddhist monastery and placed under imperial control. You can still sense the shift in purpose.

The layout follows palace logic rather than temple flow. Red walls, yellow roof tiles, and heavy gates give it a courtly feel. Nothing about it looks accidental. The Qing court wanted this place to look official, stable, and supervised.

Its importance sits in that political choice. You are standing in a temple used to manage relations with Tibet and Mongolia through religion, not force. Lamas from across the empire lived and studied here under Qing patronage. Rituals held inside were not only religious but symbolic.

They tied the Manchu emperors to Tibetan Buddhism and its authority. Within one of the many temple halls, you can find a massive sandalwood Maitreya statue. It fills the final hall with scale and silence. You realize the temple is not just sacred space. It is a diplomatic tool built in wood and brick. It shows how belief, empire, and image were blended into one working institution.

Wrapping up

All in all, Beijing overall aims to preserve culture while continuing its rapid development. Museums display national achievements, while older temples host traditional ceremonies. The mix creates a city that tells its story without hiding its contradictions. You come away with a sharper appreciation of China’s political and cultural evolution, and how the city’s landmarks link ancient identity to modern national goals.

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Historically, SGCC evolved from earlier toy and comic fairs. Over the years it expanded into a multi-genre convention. The show has steadily added international guests and professional panels.

It now mixes commercial booths with creator alleys and performance stages. You can see decades of growth in the diverse exhibitor list. Within, you can find rows of booths selling toys, comics, and limited-run collectibles.

The layout splits into clear sectors for comics, toys, games, cosplay, and live stages. The event runs across Level 1 and Basement floor, making navigation easy but crowded at peak hours. Notably, the halls of Marina Bay Sands Expo were already humming with steady excitement packed with cosplayers and attendees alike. You pass through security and the show floor opens like a compressed city.

Toys of the trade

This year top first floor is home to all things pop culture. The infinity studio booth with large detailed figures greets you at the entrance. You can find modern recreations of retro 90s toys such as those of Mask.

Also, there is a representation of Chinese toy design companies such as Spatkey studio, Kayou and Legend of Luoxiaohei. Though incumbents like Action City and 52 toys are notably absent from the exhibitors booth this year. In place you have Kayou collectibles, a pop culture brand with their pretty large booth.

Also, the booth featuring 3 separate brands, inart, queen studios and morfig has a showcase of Chinese mythology pieces and Teenage mutant ninja turtles inspired pieces.

There are also display of prototype and production pieces. Notably, the quality of original Chinese toy sets new standards in the industry.

Furthermore, Incumbent Japanese toymaker, Bandai featured their pop-up Gundam base here too. It is a prelude to the opening of the first new Gundam base store in Singapore Changi jewel next year.

Interestingly, Monopoly also has a section with life size play elements to promote their Singapore edition of the classic board game.

Local stores such as Gift greetings and Simply toys make a noteworthy presence. Strangely, though incumbent Action City with their Pop mart offerings are notably absent this year. Still, there are no shortage of blind boxes you can find being sold at various booths retailers here for your Labubu fix.

Regional representation

Moreover, Indonesia has an impressively large booth showcasing Indonesia comic artist talents. There are also booths where you can meet the various Indonesian personalities and artists in-person here too.

There are also promotional booths which mostly serve as ad photo opportunities for movie and Netflix franchises, such as K-pop demon hunters, SpongeBob movie, Avatar Fire and ash.

Also, the Toys and Collectibles zone overflows with limited drops and pre-release display cases. Interesting finds include the Galaxy bazaar fan film zone where you can find collections of retro and 90s-era collectable toys in-box. Do expect to pay a premium for these.

Moreover, Sabermach with their range of light sabers located beside the 501st Legion booth, a Starwars community which aims to showcase and educate on the Starwars universe.

This comprises of the Rebel legion and Singapore garrison who collectively form one of the largest Starwars presence in the convention many years running. Speaking of interest groups, Mages institute with a showcase of predator and alien displays.

Also, Media representation such as Tikitok with their live blog shop and BloomrSG with gimmicky booths where you can confess about your job. There are also government agency representation, such as National Library board, IMDA Digital for Life and the Singapore police force to promote topics of digital literacy, inclusion and cyber/scam safety.

Booth for indie game makers, and one by Singapore Polytechnic showcase of digital media and games. Notably, there is a lack of e-sports and PC gaming representation this year, with games confined to indie game maker booths where you can have a go at demos and play trail levels.

Cosplayers on the prowl

Speaking of staples, cosplayers are the soul of any comic con and this year’s SGCC has no shortage of them. Cosplay dominates the visual scene and the competition is a highlight.

There are also Sharks running around providing free misting services, especially for those under the heat around. You can chance upon members of the 501st legion booth, Singapore’s largest Starwars and cosplay interest group. They are a staple for every comic con event.

Cosplay is both competition and spectacle, with an official contest on the main stage. Also, the cosplay is both competition and spectacle, with an official contest on the main stage.

Each sector has a distinct pace and crowd. Additionally, you will find both polished veterans and inventive newcomers on stage. Costumes range from classic anime to modern game icons. Expect long photo queues around the main stage and corridors.

Artist alley and Guests Celebrity personalities

The artist alley feels tad like a mini doujin market we visited earlier this year and is one of the more crowded and popular portions of the floor.

Each sector has a distinct pace and crowd, with key sectors are clearly labelled and easy to find. You can visit via zig zagging the rows to cover the entire sector.

There are strong representation of comics and cyclic market at the artist alley, with comics booth hawking rare comics typically retailing in the $115 to $300 range for classics. There is also a strong representation of makers such as Pokemon keychains, pins, standing figurines and even hand-made craft paper figures.

Furthermore, this year’s guest roster mixes comic creators and pop icons. The Comics Guest Hall features international artists and live sketch sessions. Here you can meet in person your comic book and pop culture heroes and personalities. Artists such as Adi Granov, Derrick Chew and Dr. Rocke to name a few as well as Actor Jason Faunt, who you might know as the Red Ranger in Power Rangers series.

Other notable names include Dan Parent is a renowned comic artist and writer behind decades of beloved Archie Comics stories. There are also media personalities and television guests. You can queue for signings, commissions, and photo ops. You can either find the guests on-stage or at their booth here at the Guest alley. It is advised to watch SGCC social channels for last-minute line-up changes. Also, do check the schedule and guest appearances. Second, visit the creator alley for original art and commissions.

Stage performances and ensembles

Moreover, the main stage programme includes live music and curated performances. On-stage performances such as live orchestra music comprising of a wind ensemble played nostalgic video-game and film themes for a memorable segment. On-stage live panels with guest personalities and interviews cover craft, storytelling, and industry trends.

There are also exclusive screenings, artist meet-and-greets on stage and product reveals sprinkled across the timetable. There was also a live Godzilla stage performance with monsters and Ultraman.

Plan around headline shows if you want front-row access. Still, I found the stage area tad too small and tends to crowd into the walkway into the adjacent food zone.

The food area makes a come back though everything feels tad scaled down this year. It is like the food and artist alley sections were squished by the stage area which added to the congestion at the stage area during peak performance times.

Interestingly, Swensens, the restaurant who brought us Swensens Unlimited budget buffets also made their debut with a food truck serving western favourite staples.

Basement card and gaming area

Wrapping up, and definitely not the least the convention basement floor this year is an exclusive space to card based and table top gaming. The highlight be the traders card market area run by Collexi-con.

It dominates the entrance the first thing you see when entering the basement halls. It is packed in its own right. Here, you can find rare Pokémon cards, graded and ungraded, as well as retail card packs and box sets.

Notably, over half the space here in the basement is dedicated to the Bandai card games fest 25-26. Here within, you can witness card game competitions. Do note you need to register for an account to enter the space too.

Also, Gamersaurus Rex game store is back again this year too, offering figure painting and table-top gaming areas. Here, you can find Warhammer figure painting as well as use of tables for table top and card gaming.

Just like past years, a central elevator connects both the first and basement floors where you do not need to go through security bag check queues.

That’s all folks

All in all, that wraps up our exploration of the Singapore comic con 2025. Ticket tiers include early-access and platinum packages with preview night benefits. General SGCC tickets cost $38 per adult which is pricey by today’s standards. VIP passes allows for add fast-lane entry and themed merchandise.

Overall, SGCC 2025 feels like a grown-up playground. You can enjoy commercial displays and grassroots creativity in one place, and takes a follow or two from last year’s SGCC 2024 event. The organisers position SGCC as a pop-culture playground for all ages. You can tell they aim to bridge Western and Asian fandoms. This edition connects comics, gaming, cosplay, and music under one roof. The event is now marketed as Southeast Asia’s major pop-culture gathering. That goal is visible in the scale of exhibitors and programme variety, all accessible in a central location via public transport Bayfront MRT. If you love pop culture, bring patience and a plan. Expect long lines, rare finds, and memorable events with guests and cosplayers.

The post Singapore Comic Con 2025 appeared first on ShaunChng.com.

Route-wise, the South East CDC trail 5km route has five points of interests from the Fort Tanjong Katong start point, following along the entire length of the East coast park coastal route till the Siglap Canal Lookout Deck. Besides walking the trail, the route is also great for running and jogging with a mostly flat route well-served by amenities and toilets. Let’s take a 5km run along the South East CDC trail and complete the five checkpoints.

Notably, the South East CDC trail is part of a series of community walking trails organised by the Community Development Council (CDC). It aims to promote people’s wellness and get people exploring and rediscover their spaces through walking. The community outdoor activity initiative was also designed to promote healthy living via encouraging outdoor activity, with community engagement and awareness of heritage appreciation and neighbourhood connectivity.

Checkpoint 1- Fort Tanjong Katong as sea defences

Our journey and first checkpoint starts off at Fort Tanjong Katong, it is located near Meyer Road and Fort Road in the Katong neighbourhood. It is a small park flanked by tall residential buildings near along Fort road. The park well served by the public transport and is connected and beside the Katong Park MRT station. The relatively new MRT station is part of the TE (Thomson East Coast) Line which was opened since 2024.

On some history, a signboard here teaches you the function of Fort Tanjong Katong in 1879. Interestingly, the fort served as the first line of defence against invaders form the sea. This is of course, back when the sea was at this spot. The area shore line has been extended far out with land reclamation now.

Also, the fort was built in 1879 by the British colonial government to defend the eastern approaches of Singapore. Notably, the location here at Tanjong Katong was chosen because it oversaw the coast before major land-reclamation changed the shoreline. Interestingly, a Toy solider mural greets you at the entrance of the park illustrating the guards of fort road. Here, you can also find the Mindanao Gum Heritage Tree beside the Fort. There are also public toilets here for use.

Furthermore, the fort turned out to be structurally challenged (built on soft land) and was abandoned by 1901. Today most of the Fort now sits below ground level and revealed as an excavation site. You can see only partial remains set within Katong Park. Also, the site feels tucked away, with low signs and minimal interpretive panels. You might need to slow down and reflect on what remains rather than expect large dramatic ruins.

Checkpoint 2- Two slides on Coastal PlayGrove

The subsequent checkpoints along the South East CDC trail follows eastbound along the East coast park connector route. You get there by crossing under the ECP flyover, at junction between Marina Drive and Fort Road.

Do take caution crossing the road here, as there is quite a fair bit of heavy vehicle movement here, and it can get rather dusty too. The park area here has toilets and rest areas good for a water refill or rest too.

After traversing eastbound along stretch of park connector path spanning 1.2km, you come to the Coastal PlayGrove. Also, it is located within Area B of East Coast Park. This 4.5-hectare playground space occupies the former “Big Splash” site. The main highlight is a 16-metre-high play tower, touted as Singapore’s tallest outdoor play structure.

On its exterior, the Coastal Playgrove has 2 tall stainless-steel slides sticking out. The interior of the Coastal PlayGrove is now renovated into a large sheltered indoor bungee rope course offering a network of interior tube slides and vertical net climbing.

This spot is also home to cafes and toilets. There is also find a water play area, nature play garden and outdoor classroom by the sea. While you may not stop to climb the tower yourself, it offers a lively midpoint for families or a rest break. The viewpoint also gives you glimpses of sea and park from elevated vantage.

Chill east coast park route

The atmosphere is laid-back, you likely pass families, cyclists and joggers. The trail is easy to navigate with clear signage along the coastline and park-connector linkages. You would had cleared your second checkpoint here in about 30 minutes-in via jogging or walking.

Moving about 600m east along the long park path from Coastal PlayGrove, it is not long where you start to see sandy beaches and BBQ pits nearing the Area C of East Coast park. This is where our next point of interest be.

Checkpoint 3- Amber Beacon Tower at Parkland Green

Furthermore, continuing along the coastline you start to see larger beaches on your right, and soon come upon the yellow Amber Beacon Tower. It is a distinctive yellow-painted beacon tower in East Coast Park.

This structure served as a maritime marker and viewpoint. While the site is also associated with a tragic 1990 unsolved murder, the key point here is the landmark’s role as a coastal structure.

The tower stands out visually and gives a nice vantage point for photography as the coastline curves. Climbing the 40 steps up the Amber Beacon Tower, the tower offers nice panoramic views of the sea with large sandy beaches ahead of you.

The stairs spiral upwards around the center support pillar of the tower, with a flat intermediate mezzanine floor under the top floor. It is not a tall viewing angle at most as tall as a pedestrian overhead bridge. Out into the distant sea, you can spot several ships serving the busy sea lanes anchored out in the open water.

Nearby here is the Parkland Green and is also our next rest stop along the route. On my visit, the area was hosting a kite making and flying sessions, with large groups having their kites up in the air. It is quite a surreal sight of white. Also, this area of the park is notably more crowded than the previous Coastal Playgrove area, with more cyclists and picnickers on the beaches.

Checkpoint 4- East Coast Beach Breakwater 4 in Area C

Carrying on further east, brings us to East Coast park Area C. It is another favourite hangout spot and popular BBQ spot along East coast park. This spot is also known as Marine Cove, and is home to the East Coast MacDonald’s and eateries like a 24hr Coffee bean café too.

This spot is also where the Marine Cove Playground resides too. Here you can find a massive sprawling outdoor playground with giant slides and flying foxes. It is great for kids and those kids at heart.

Furthermore, as you walk, expect to see wide park-connector paths, beach views on one side, some built-heritage sign-posts, along the way. The paths here branch out with a mix of bicycle and pedestrian paths. The cycling paths are usually larger tarmac paths located inland while pedestrian paths tend to snake near on concrete paths nearer the beach. The East Coast Beach Breakwater 4 is our checkpoint of interest here.

The water feature is located at East Coast Beach just off the Marine Cove Playground part of the park. Near the beach coastline, you can see the beach breakwater structures that protect East Coast’s shoreline. These concrete or rock-lined features mark where reclaimed land meets the sea.

Also, these breakwaters serve both practical purposes to protect against erosion and provide wave control. On top of the breakwater offers nice view of the sea ahead and the beaches left and right. This spot is notably popular for recreational functions, such as wind surfing as well as a fishing vantage point.

You will also notice how land reclamation has shifted the original shoreline of Katong and East Coast. The breakwaters symbolise how Singapore manages its coast. The view is more open here, with sea breeze, and the sense of scale of the coastal park becomes clearer. It’s a good spot to pause and look back across the trail you’ve covered.

Checkpoint 5- Siglap Canal Lookout Deck

A short 600m walk from the Marine Cove Breakwater brings you to the final and ending Fifth Checkpoint, the Siglap Canal Lookout Deck. This lookout deck sits at the outfall of the Siglap canal into the sea.

Here, you can find an info board telling you about the water feature. For instance, the Siglap canal passes through the Kembangan, Telok Kurau and Marine Parade estates.

Located at the beach’s edge, the area is mostly open to the elements with concrete flooring and seats. The deck offers bench seating, planter boxes and an open lawn where people kite-fly or relax by the sea. Also, this deck and lawn were created as part of the Public Utilities Board’s ABC Waters programme, to transform a utility canal into a community-friendly landscape.

Also, this area sits beside an outdoor playground and fitness corner by the beach side. It is one of the quieter parts of the route. From the deck, looking inland towards marine parade, you can make out the open canal which is leads underground under you.

At the far end towards the sea, from the lookout deck, you can see two long prongs of concrete guides which divert the flow of water. The canal out into the sea. It is quite an engineering marvel.

Wrapping up

From Siglap Canal Lookout Deck, there are not many public transport options out of here by Carpark C4. An overhead bridge over the ECP brings you to the Marine Terrace Estate beside Victoria Junior College where you can catch a connecting bus to along Marine parade road to the Marine Terrace MRT Station.

All in all, that concludes our South East CDC trail from Fort Tanjong katong and ending at the Siglap Canal Lookout Deck. You I found this 4.9 km path has a good blend of history and interesting landmarks. Also, I clocked in a distance of 4.95km via my GPS smart watch, which brings it to just under a 5km run lasting about 40mins total. If you walk at moderate pace, you could budget about 90 minutes to two hours. This is especially if you pause at the highlights.

I recommend wearing comfortable road walking shoes as there are no muddy trails here. This unlike the ones we encountered at the more forested and rustic North West CDC trail. Do bring a bottle of water which you can easily refill at the many toilet stops along the route, and a well-charged phone. Do note the trail can be done in one direction starting at Fort road.

I particularly like the trail passing-by several green open spaces, seaside views, heritage landmarks and less of residential neighbourhoods which we encountered quite often on the less inspiring South West CDC trail. Also, the roads mostly flat are well-paved, with most of the CDC trail path following along the coastline and East coast park connectors and cycling track. This makes it fairly easy to navigate in a relaxed setting. This is especially for those who are bad in navigation or prone to getting lost. In all, a pleasant and enlivening north-east-coast walk with tangible landmarks, sea views and accessible infrastructure.

While you are at it, do check out the other five CDC walking trails and my explorations on them.

The post South East CDC trail Fort Tanjong Katong appeared first on ShaunChng.com.

Furthermore, the South West CDC introduced these heritage and nature trails to highlight local green spaces, encourage healthy lifestyles through walking, exploring, and reconnecting with the environment and community. This trail is one of the five routes available on the program with other routes being one in the Cityhall area as well as one at Punggol area. This South West trail brings us through the green spaces of Bukit Timah Park and the Little Guilin Granite Quarry Lake.

4.4km is the official measured trail distance of this South West CDC trail, starting from Beauty World MRT, taking you through Bukit Timah Park Connector, Hillview estate, and Bukit Batok Nature Park before ending at Little Guilin park.

However, I found this trail one of my least favourite for running. The bulk of the trail involves walking through busy traffic-heavy urban areas. There are too many road crossings and less of areas with nature. Let’s head to our first checkpoint.

Checkpoint 1- Beauty World MRT Station

You begin the South West CDC trail from Exit C of Beauty World MRT Station, sitting at the foot of Bukit Timah Hill. The spot is an area once bustling with shophouses and small markets. Sitting nearby is the Beauty World Centre and the namesake of the MRT station. Interestingly, the name “Beauty World” (and Beauty World MRT) came from a popular amusement park and market that operated right here in the 1940s and 1950s. Though the old park is long gone, its name lingers and the name taken by the shopping mall. The spot was a popular market and shopping destination.

Moreover, you can cross over into Beauty World Centre and the adjacent Plaza building from Rifle Range park. You do this via an overhead bridge running over Jalan Anak Bukit. The Rifle range trail runs along the North West CDC trail we explored previously from Cashew MRT. The overhead bridge brings you right into the top floor of Beauty World centre to begin your trial. An open-air hawker food court located up here too. The mall has a classic vibe, and tad smells like one too for malls built in the 1980s era.

Notably, Beauty World MRT (DT5) opened in December 2015 as part of Singapore’s Downtown Line Stage 2 extension. The line runs along Upper Bukit Timah Road and links Bukit Panjang to the Bugis district.

Busy road trail

Furthermore, from Beauty world MRT station Exit C, the trail heads Northwest along a park connector route which runs alongside Jalan Jurong Kechil road. Leaving Beauty World, this is a 1.2km stretch from Beauty World to the next second checkpoint. Also, along here, you can find several coffee shops and heartland stores, offering rest areas and toilet stop comforts.

Also, I found the following path here is one of the least enjoyable part of the trail. You have to pass through busy roads, many road crossings with long waits and squeezing through crowded bus stops. The route here is fine for slow walking, but is quite a horrible place to do jogging or running. Also, the air here in the urban sprawl is not fresh with constant vehicular traffic exhaust along the road.

The path gradually goes into a small uphill climb after passing by Bukit Timah Community Club. The path continues on this slight uphill through several private residential estates such as condos and landed properties.

Here, do take caution and watch out for vehicles coming-in and out of the blind corner exits from these estates. You come to a T-junction at the end of Jalan Jurong Kechil road. Thereafter, you need to cross the busy road intersection between Jalan Jurong Kechil and Bukit Batok East Ave 6 into Bukit Batok Nature Park.

Checkpoint 2- Bukit Timah Park Connector and Green Spaces Park

Crossing Bukit Batok East Ave 6 brings you to the entrance of Bukit Batok Nature Park beside a Shell petrol kiosk station. Here, you can find an NParks map and infoboard sign. This park is home to a small secondary forest housing a small tranquil quarry lake. Also, this signboard contains information for your second quiz checkpoint of our trail. Notably, here at the Bukit Timah Park Connector, Jurong Lake Gardens is not part of Bukit Timah Park Connector.

Inside Bukit Batok Nature Park is a network maze of interior concrete tiled paths which snakes around the hilly park. The path here to the quarry are clearly marked with signs. It brings you through a minor uphill climb into a secondary forest. This before hitting a playground clearing leading to the lookout Point quarry. This spot is our next and third scenic checkpoint on our route.

This forest is the more tranquil and quieter parts of the South West CDC trail is a much-needed refuge from the busier and hectic Jalan Jurong Kechil road we came from. You can find park goers doing their walks here and the occasional runner. Here, you can also visit the park’s World War II memorial dedicated to those who fought and lost their lives during World War II.

Checkpoint 3- Bukit Batok Nature Park Lookout Point Quarry

It is not long where you exit out the forest into a park clearing. There is an open-air playground and clean public toilets here you can use as the mid-point of our South West CDC trail. A 150m walk northbound from this open playground clearing brings you to the Bukit Batok Nature Park Quarry lookout point.

Historically, Bukit Batok Nature Park used to be the site of a granite quarry called Poh Kim Quarry. The quarry provided a local source of granite which provided for Singapore’s post-war developments. When quarrying activities ceased in the 1980s, the area was redeveloped into the public park you see today.

It is not long where rainwater filled up the massive quarry pit, forming the reflective deep blue-green pond you see here today. Only the rough edges of the hill faces are the only scars left of the quarry digging activities which happened here.

Moreover, the small lookout point offers you a nice view of the surrounding forest and the quarry’s lake. It is notably sized a lot smaller than the Singapore Quarry we visited at the sometime back. Also, you can spot the occasional kingfisher bird by the lake, as well as flocks of wild chickens in the bushes, and the occasional cheeky wild monkey from the trees. These wildlife are all native to Singapore.

Checkpoint 4- Hillview Estate and Park

Notably, the combination of nature and remembrance tad gives this part of the trail a peaceful, and reflective mood away from the buzz of the concrete jungle. When done, you exit out via long path leading to Bukit Batok East Ave 2. Interestingly, the path here is lined with rows of tall trees on both sides forming a cosy enclosed and shaded space. It is not long where you turn right when hitting the main road and carry on northbound towards Hillview Estate.

This next checkpoint is just a signboard, quite uneventful and uninteresting. We leave the tranquilly of the forested park back onto the urban concrete jungle towards Hillview estate and park. Hillview estate sits at the base of Bukit Gombak Hill. Also, it used to be home military camps and several factories, such as the old Ford factory site you can still visit today.

Exiting on the west entrance of the nature park brings you on a path along Bukit Batok East Ave 2. You carry on here passing by a heavy vehicle carpark till you see the welcome to Hillview signboard. It is not long where you reach the Hillview estate area and your third quiz checkpoint. This area is known for its quiet build-up residential estates home to HDB and condominiums.

Urban navigation

Furthermore, the stretch of road here is also one of the less enjoyable part of the walk. This is given the presence of traffic and heavy vehicles entering and exiting the heavy vehicle parking area. Also, do take caution and watch out for traffic when crossing the roads here. It is a tad more urban compared to the earlier parts of the trail but still green enough to keep things pleasant.

Interestingly, it is good to know that Hillview Community Club is along Hillview Avenue. Though I would question that this checkpoint quiz have not much educational value to the immediate area you are exploring. A community club is not really useful or historical information in relation to the trail walk.

Also, the nearby Hillview Park, which is not part of the CDC trail offers a short detour if you want a breather or a quick break. The area is also close to Dairy Farm Nature Park we explored previously and the old Ford Factory, a historical site and museum which you can visit at your own time out of this CDC trail route to learn about World War II in Singapore.

Checkpoint 5- Little Guilin Park and Granite Quarry lake

Furthermore, the last part of the trail the route is one which see you through a bulk through residential and one of the less enjoyable routes of the bunch. The path here brings through a 500m detour running through a dense HDB residential estate along Bukit Batok East Ave 2.

You make a right turn towards Little Guilin crossing a pedestrianised crossing in front of the Ar-Raudhah Mosque towards Bukit Batok East Ave 5. Built in 1993, the name of Ar-Raudhah Mosque, also is known as Riyadhul Jannah, means “The Garden of Heaven”. Notably, it is one of the pioneering mosques offering computer facilities to Muslims.

Along Bukit Batok East Ave 5, you pass by the Regent Heights condo before encountering another NParks park sign at the entrance of the Little Guilin park. Interestingly, Little Guilin got its nickname for resembling the famous Guilin hills in China. It features hard-edged granite rock seemingly rising from a calm lake. Also, it does create a picturesque view especially during sunset. The quarry was once part of Singapore’s granite industry before being redeveloped into a park in the 1980s.

Today, Little Guilin is touted to be one of the most photographed parks in western Singapore. It is often used for community events and photography sessions. A stoned path runs with some shaded benches runs along the lake’s edge. The park is also well-lit by lamp posts at night. The lake and quarry reflections are best viewed in the day. The chill ambience here makes it a great place to end your walk. The nearest exit MRT station from Little Guilin be the Bukit Gombak station (NS3). It is accessible about a 250m walk west-bound from Little Guilin park past the nearby Bukit Gombak ActiveSG Stadium.

Wrapping up

That concludes our 4.4km trail of the South West CDC trail. My total smartwatch GPS distance clocked in closer to 5.0km. The distance discrepancy to the official 4.4km is possibly due to extra distance for exploration, rest and toilet breaks, and factoring hill inclines. The trail intensity is moderate, with several uphill climbs at the start suitable for most fitness levels.

All in all, of the other CDC routes, this South West CDC trail is the least enjoyable route of the 5 routes available. Namely for the bulk of the walk traversing through busy road sides, intersections traffic and very few green spaces. It might be good if there were more nature, history and less of going through crowded built up urban areas and busy roads.

Still, I found the trail roads generally well-paved, so normal walking shoes are fine. Paths are well-marked with rest areas and public toilets located in the park areas. I found the route easy to navigate, though navigation might be tricky for some in the estate areas. Hence, sticking along the main roads be a safe bet. You are good for under an hour for running the trail, or 2 hours walking and taking in the checkpoint quizzes at your own time.

Its tad makes for a rewarding half-day adventure through the western green corridor from Beauty World MRT to Little Guilin.

While you are at it, do check out the other CDC trails too.

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Moon Moon is a Taiwan eatery at heart. Given its Taiwan roots, the restaurant probably took inspiration of the Sun moon lake, one of the picturesque lakes in the country. The Singapore branch is part of Minor Food’s portfolio. Notably “雙月” means “double moon,” symbolising reunion and comfort, which aligns with the brand’s mission. This VivoCity outlet is one of the chain’s locations in Singapore others include JEM at Jurong East and Ngee Ann City.

Moreover, the restaurant space feels clean, bright and inviting. It spots simple décor that does not shout pretentious, and just paints comfort dining. On entering, polite staff greets you and quickly direct you to your table. There is a sense that this is a place built for relaxed dining, without the formality of fine-dining given its Michelin status and deco.

Also, I found the dining pace rather relaxed. You do not feel rushed, even when the restaurant is packed at full house. The restaurant is quite family-friendly and with tables reconfigurable large enough for group gatherings. If you go during peak hours, there may be a slight wait, but the queue does feel well-managed.

Try their Signature Chicken soup bowls

Furthermore, the star here are their soup bowls. The restaurant establishment is known for their Authentic Taiwanese dishes particularly their soup-based dishes. They are priced in the range of $20 per bowl with generous portions. When you dine here, expect to pair a hearty soup bowl with small braised side dishes that is really the soul of the menu.  The concept is genuine Taiwanese comfort food, not flashy gastronomy.

I found their soup bowls their menu highlights. Recommended dishes to try include their Chicken Soup with clams (S$23.80). It offers a fragrant, lightly spicy broth made with free-range chicken. Also, their Peeled Chilli Pepper Chicken Soup (S$18.80) has a clean, gently spiced broth with a chicken leg being the highlight item.

Also, the chillies give a mild warmth, while the accompanying soft yet crunchy cabbage offered sweetness. There also other options with cordyceps as well as mushrooms. You won’t go wrong ordering this simple staple chicken soup if you are undecided on menu options.

Notably, the chicken soup base are meticulously prepared, with the chicken broth slow-simmered for hours to extract deep flavour. The chicken are also sourced using free-range chicken. I found the broth feels deeply nourishing, balanced by cabbage and tender chicken. It is tad like chicken soup for the soul. It is aromatic, soothing, and a hearty hot meal perfect for cold days.

Signature pork rib bowls

Additionally, their Signature pork rib soup (S$18.80), another soup dish worth trying. You have a choice of 6 different variations of accompanying ingredients similar to the chicken soup. The pork ribs really tender, with generous serving portions.

Also, I found the pork broths are flavourful, yet not overly heavy and not as greasy as I though it to be. Even the soup itself less little oil within. Notably, there are also subtle herbal or sweet-savoury notes such as, goji berries (wolfberries) in your soup. And the herb taste can vary with what is paired with your pork ribs, like chilli pepper, garlic or cordyceps for instance.

Another recommendation be their Sea Bass & Clam Soup (S$25.80), one of their more expensive soup offerings. Here you get an entire thick bone-in Sea Bass fillet which sits on top of your soup bowl. The fish is meaty, mixed with plump clams, and a sweet, clean broth. It has a umami-rich flavour, thanks to fresh clams. Also, I found the added accompanying cabbage brings in a soft earthiness to the soup, yet keeping the broth remains relatively clear despite loaded with ingredients.

Good value and large portions

Portions are very generous. On my dine-ins, the soup bowls are often filled to the brim with ingredients. Your bowls are overflowing with meat, cabbage, clams, sometimes to the point of spill-over. Your soups are also layered in Chinese cabbage (sometimes called napa cabbage). Its tad adds a natural sweetness to the broth. The base of your dish cabbage is not just filler, it contributes sweetness, volume, and a soft texture that complements the meat in your dish.

Also, during simmering, the cabbage is cooked low and slow, so it becomes soft and infuses the broth. It gives it a mild, vegetable sweetness. Do note your soups does not come with rice as pairing and it is recommended to add a bowl of white rice at $2 per bowl. If you are small eater, two could share a single soup bowl with 2 rice bowls each.

Do note that your soups do not include a side of rice, which completes your meal. Still, for what feels like a nourishing, almost “full meal in a bowl,” the soups offer good value, especially paired with the sides. Even though the bowls are packed with ingredients, the price feels fair relative to portion size.

Other dishes to try

On the sides, the braised (wind-blown) parts are an interesting find. From the menu you can pick three for a small platter (~S$10.80). You can see a selection behind glass counters as you enter the restaurant.

Also, in the braised platter, certain cuts comprising of pork ear tofu, pork large intestine, and moon bones (月亮骨肉) may feel rubbery or overly chewy for some people.

Signature picks include their Crispy prawn cake with Yuzu ($14.80) made from prawn paste, as well as their spicy sesame noodles ($12.80). While it is one of the signature items, it might be tad overpriced for what you get essentially sesame paste, mala powder, and no real protein.

Notably Moon Moon also offers staples like Fried rice, scallion noodles and shallot oil rice to round out your meal options. Their Signature Fried rice ($13.80) is one to go for, inspired by Din Fai Fung style with short grain rice.

Though the portions can be rather small in contrast to their soup dishes. This can be alternative pairings to rice. For other standalone carbs, their ($6.80) braised pork rice (滷肉飯) is a classic staple. It is a deeply savoury pork over rice. Wrapping up with desserts, is a selection of their Mango with Coconut Jelly ($6.80), Taro Toast with Ice cream ($8.80) and Roselle Poached Pear ($8.80). All offerings of a sweet desserts, though not a staple offering to your mains.

Wrapping up

Moreover, the restaurant servers are friendly, though not overly chatty, which suits the vibe. If you dine with friends, it is a no brainer to order multiple soup bowls and a few sides, dishes to share. The combination gives a good balance: soup as your main, braised items for texture, rice or noodles for comfort. It does not feel “fancy,” but it feels honest and warm. It has a homely feel with great service like eating a nourishing meal at home. On my dine-in on weekdays, reservations are not required, though the resultant does fill out pretty quickly during peak dinner time with short queues.

All in all, that wraps up our dine-in here at Moon Moon Food at VivoCity. The restaurant offers a strong choice if you want comforting Taiwanese fare in a relaxed mall setting. Service is friendly and efficient, and the environment feels welcoming. Soups are the menu highlight here at Moon Moon, with its roots in Taiwan with focus on soups and braised sides make it special without being pretentious.

You will likely come in expecting heart-warming, slow-simmered soups, and that is exactly what you get. The portion sizes are generous, particularly for the soup bowls they feel comfortably full. The sea bass clam soup and peeled chilli chicken soup are highlights, while the braised pork rice is a reliable staple.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.

The post Moon Moon Food VivoCity dine-in appeared first on ShaunChng.com.

It one of Singapore’s man-made beauties of suburban developments. The trail combines nature, architecture, and modern urban design, it tad offers a balance between tranquillity and urban sights. Also, this route is a fairly easy one with, mostly flat and paved, suitable for leisure walking. We are going to do a run for this one totalling about just under 5km for the entire trail length.

Moreover, on some history, the Punggol Waterway itself is the backbone of the area. Completed in 2011, it was part of the “Remaking Our Heartland” initiative led by the Housing and Development Board. The built concept was to integrate nature into urban living as a vibrant waterfront community.

Of the 5km path we are taking, we be touching a portion of the 4.2km waterway which connects Sungei Punggol and Sungei Serangoon. This forms a continuous water loop with the waterway ending on both ends into the sea. The path runs in one direction starting from the waterway murals as checkpoint one.

Punggol waterway point start point

Starting at Punggol Waterway Point at Punggol MRT station brings us to our first trail checkpoint of interest. The mall here is directly connected to both Punggol MRT and LRT transport networks. The waterfront mall here is tad a good starting spot to fuel up before your walk, with a recommended toilet stop location. It is home to a mix of retail stores, dining outlets, and entertainment options like Shaw Theatres.

Notably, Punggol Waterway Point is a landmark staple mall here for almost 10 years old, having opened in 2016 when the estate was new. This is even before other suburban malls in the area opened, such as the Northshore mall.

Checkpoint 1- Punggol Waterway Murals, hurling sticks

Furthermore, the Waterway park connector path starts just outside the mall is home to a series of outdoor murals placed on the walls. These bronze murals depict Punggol’s past as a rural fishing village. It showcases scenes of a past bygone of kampong life, fishing boats, and traditional homes here. This is told through a mix of informatic boards which spans almost 50 meters from the mall. Interestingly, Punggol has rich agriculture history. Interestingly, the name “Punggol” originates from the tradition practice of hurling sticks at the branches of fruits trees to bring the fruits down.

Also, as you move along this waterway stretch, you can see how water management, greenery, and housing are cleverly blended. There is a mix of green landscapes, waterfront views, community buildings, and technology-driven spaces (e.g. the PDD). It tad reflect Punggol’s transformation into Singapore’s first smart and sustainable town.

Additionally, there is plenty of shade and sea breezes which make the journey comfortable in the day, even under the sun. There are several rest points you can stop along the route with benches, toilets, and lookout points to rest or take photos. There are some bridges which spans both banks of the Waterway at several points, such as the Adventure bridge as you are towards Punggol SAFRA, our next checkpoint.

Checkpoint 2- Punggol SAFRA building

A short walk down the waterway and crossing under both the Sentui Crescent and Sentui walk flyovers brings you to SAFRA Punggol. The public clubhouse officially opened in 2016. It is one of the newer SAFRA clubs designed to serve NSmen and families in the northeast. Notably, this Punggol SAFRA is one of the eight SAFRA clubhouse as of early this year. It sits right beside the new One Punggol Complex, inspired by Our Tampines Hub building concept in Tampines. It brings together integrated public facilities all under one roof.

Moreover, the building’s architecture is modern, dab in a conservative beige colour and shaped like a cylinder with open terraces that face the water. Inside, you can find a range of facilities. This includes a Children’s play waterpark, a bowling alley, a gym, and even indoor playgrounds. This is also a nice stop with clean toilets and indoor rest areas too. Also, the clubhouse waterfront café area offers a relaxing spot where you can grab a drink while watching people jog or cycle by. The atmosphere feels casual yet community-oriented, a tad livelier during evenings and weekends.

Checkpoint 3- Waterway Oasis Terrace Wave bridge

This next stretch is the longest walk along the trail. From, here, your route carries on westbound meandering along the Punggol waterway, going under the Punggol road flyover and passing through the Edgefield Plains HDB estate. Here, you can see children playgrounds and some waterfront side coffee shops along the way. It is not long till you hit the Oasis terrace community building.

Completed in 2018, Oasis Terraces is a community hub and integrated development managed by HDB. It is small but self-contained one-stop place for patrons and residents here to gather, relax, and enjoy greenery right in their neighbourhoods. In a nutshell, the building serves as a one-stop centre for the residents around Punggol, housing retail outlets, shops, clinics, and even a polyclinic operated by SingHealth. It also connected to the Oasis LRT station.

Architecturally, it has open and airy cascading rooftop gardens, open-air decks and sheltered indoor event spaces used to hold all-weather events. Also, you can go up to the upper levels of the building to enjoy panoramic views of the waterway and the surrounding estates.

Furthermore, the Wave bridge here links the north and south banks across the waterway serving Oasis terrace. Indirectly, the wave bridge also connects Oasis terraces to Coney island via a long park connector route. Here, you have to pass through a long Northbound path under the bridge connecting to the Oasis terrace towards the Punggol Promenade bridge– our next point of interest.

Checkpoint 4- Punggol Promenade bridge

Continuing the walk from Oasis Terraces, you will reach the red-coloured Punggol Promenade Bridge. Reaching there involves going along a long straight which is usually quiet and devoid of people. Also, this stretch of path is also quieter than other parts of the waterway. It offers moments of peace before the trail transitions toward the buzzing digital district.

Here, you pass by the vast open fields and surrounding HDB estate of the Edgefield plains estate. Also, it can get rather breezy here with the large spaces and sea wall. It is also a popular kite flying location. Also, the path carries on under the Punggol North Avenue flyover before hitting the edge of the Punggol Promenade walkway where the Punggol Promenade bridge sits.

Moreover, Punggol Promenade bridge has a simple, elegant design with vertical bars along its side. It does look like wooden fence slits used in Kampongs. It serves as a park connector pedestrian bridge linking segments of the Punggol Waterway Park together. On top of the otherwise pretty low bridge, you get a broad unobstructed view of the waterway stretching both ways on the bridge. The breeze feels stronger here, making it a good rest point, before the final stretch of the North East CDC trail.

Punggol Promenade, part of the 36km coast-coast trail

Notably, the total length of the coast to coast trail is 36km. You will come to appreciate the extent of the trail, linking the Punggol Point Park, Punggol Waterway Park, and Coney Island through a continuous waterfront path. Also, interestingly, this waterfront development was completed in stages from 2011 onwards.

The trail and promenade are designed to give patrons better access to Punggol’s coastal areas. Also, the walkway stretches across scenic water views, greenery, and park connectors, creating routes along the waterfront with nature for resident activities such as jogging or cycling. It tad blends the concepts of urban living with natural and recreational spaces.

Moving on, continuing along our trail and going along westbound moving along the Punggol Promenade, you can see Coney Island in the distant right when headed North West towards PDD. Coney Island, also known as Pulau Serangoon (or Serangoon island historically). The reclaimed island sits just off the Northeastern coast of Singapore near Punggol.

Furthermore, on some history, Coney island has tad a mixed history dating back to the early 20th century. It was privately owned and even envisioned as a resort island in the 1950s. However, the plans never fully materialized, with the island remained largely untouched for decades. It was later developed into Coney Island Park as a green space. Also, it was officially opened as a public park in 2015 as part of the Punggol redevelopment project. The park as it is today preserves much of its natural charm, featuring coastal forests, mangroves, and sandy beaches connected by cycling and walking trails.

Checkpoint 5- Punggol Digital District, by Punggol Coast

About 500m after from the bridge, soon you will notice large modern glass-clad buildings which sticks out on the left side of the Punggol Promenade walkway. This is the Punggol Digital District and the final stop on the trail. Furthermore, the PDD still partially under development but already shaping up as Singapore’s next major innovation hub. This district will house the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) campus and JTC’s business park spaces. The area is designed as an integrated campus where academia and industry can collaborate.

Notably, the nearest MRT station to PDD is the Punggol Coast MRT station. Opened on Dec 202, it sits as the last North station of the North East line. This is the station which you can take along the North East line and a stop away from Punggol MRT station where we started from.

The Nexus Square here is a central space open public plaza used to host community activities and, exhibitions. The district tad showcases Punggol’s transformation from agricultural lands into the modern, digital and smart living zone. It integrates several eco-friendly features, smart lighting, and green corridors.

There is even a supermarket which uses smart shopping carts here too. Also, the SIT campus building is also quite a work of art, with sleek glass facades symbolizing modern education and innovation, open courtyards blending both commercial and school space. Look up and you can see a spectacular network of interconnecting red bridges.

Wrapping up

All in all, that wraps up our journey of the North East CDC Trail at Punggol. You are good for the sub-5km route for under 2 hours at a leisurely pace, and about 40mins to an hour on a slow run, stopping to answer the Crowdtask questions along the way. Also, the trail largely feels easy, safe, and its low intensity makes it enjoyable for all ages. As a reward, you get $5 in supermarket CDC vouchers clearing the 5 checkpoints and $5 extra collecting 5 collies totaling $10 for this trail.

The route is also well served by transport hubs to-and-fro, starting from Punggol Waterway mall all the way to Punggol Digital District. This CDC trail does nicely showcases the evolution of Punggol from a quiet rural area to a futuristic waterfront town without the gimmicks. It tad embodies Singapore’s vision of a sustainable and connected city, a glimpse into how urban planning, environment, and community can coexist seamlessly.

There are five CDC walking trails in total, check out my explorations on them:

• North West CDC trail (Cashew MRT to Bukit Timah Railway Station, 5.5km)
• Central Singapore CDC trail (Kreta Ayer Square to Fort Canning Centre, 4.7km)
• South West CDC trail (Beauty World MRT Exit C- Little Guilin, 4.4km)
• (This) North East CDC trail (Punggol Waterway Point to Punggol Digital District. 4.5km)
• South East CDC trail (Fort Tanjong Katong to Siglap Canal Lookout Deck, 4.9km)

The post Running the North East Punggol CDC trail appeared first on ShaunChng.com.

The museum is sits inside a tall 7-floor multi-story carpark converted into a restaurant and museum. The building itself sit inconspicuously within a small alley way and residential estate which is about over a kilometer from Himeji train station. To get there, you can walk about 15 minutes from JR Himeji Station’s North Exit. Head west along the main road toward the castle, then turn north by the Senba River for about 250 meters.

Alternatively, hop on a 5-min Shinki Bus service No.1 (210 yen per trip) from the station, and alight off at the Shirasagibashi stop and stroll a couple minutes. Also, the museum is also about a 15-minute walk from Himeji castle, where you walk through a shaded park area running along the Senba River and passing through some residential and Junior High School open fields and exiting the Uzumi-mon Gate Site. If you are driving, parking is easy too. The lower floors (1–4) offer free parking for about two hours, which covers your visit.

A new car museum

On some history, the museum is relatively new, having opened in 2021. It repurposes a seven-storey parking building into a car showhouse. Floors 5 and 6 host the displays, the top floor seventh has a café, and the bottom levels remain parking space. It’s the passion project of a local car enthusiast in Himeji. It aims to share rare and classic cars with the public, showcasing private collections you can see in-person into something everyone can enjoy.

You step off a quiet residential street and head into what used to be a garage. It feels a bit unexpected, in a good way. The layout invites you to wander casually down the floors. Here, you take a small elevator up on the 7th floor where you are greeted by an inconspicuous entrance of a steakhouse restaurant called Corniche. You need to walk through this restaurant before entering the entrance of the museum.

Also, from the restaurant, you can see the Himeji castle from the restaurant windows too. Furthermore, the restaurant sells itself as a Kobe steak house first. Interestingly, the restaurant is built on the grounds of the multi-storey carpark you will notice that the restaurant has a sloping walkway which snakes downward in a circular fashion.

At the 6th floor, the entrance to the museum has a small counter and gift shop manned by a lone counter staff selling some museum and brand-specific merchandise, keychains, towels, t-shirts and car and models. Handy if you want a small memento. Here, you can ask for complimentary parking ticket here too.

You pay for the tickets via a self-help kiosk which you can use to enter the turn tile gates within. Tickets costs about ¥1,300 per adult, children under certain ages pay less or enter free with guardian.

Italian and European classics

A Ferrari 288 GTO greets you right at the entrance of the museum, a red showpiece of automotive engineering. The car is lit under bright studio lights and backed by mirrored walls.  Here’s the big draw, only 272 of the 288 GTO were ever made, and just two officially came to Japan. This is the only one left here. It’s like seeing a legend up close.

The path goes on to a row of rows behind glass. Notably, the galleries within are all clad in black with black floor walls and ceiling going down in an anti-clockwise manner. If you are sharp, you will notice that you are walking down the ramp of the carpark complex.

Generally, the cars on displays sit behind glass walls on the outer path on your right, they sit within where the parking lots of the carpark which existed here. The inner left side typically parking house cars parked openly and segmented by barriers. These cars are usually highlight showpieces with one for every floor.

Furthermore, here you can find a curation of Italian and European classics cars with a mix of Ferrari and Lamborghinis. This includes a classic Lamborghinis tractor which the company manufactures before building cars. The highlight on the next floor is a Lamborghini P400 in red, with its front and rear covers opened to show the maintenance and V12 engine areas.

Other notable Lambo here include vintage Lambos such as a Countach as well as a Diablo. Both icons themselves with scissors doors, though debatable on a practicality front.

German super cars

Furthermore, the displays moves on more modern supercars built in the 2000 era, including German cars, such as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” Coupé, as well as concept such as the Mercedes-Benz W196 R Streamliner replica (based on a C6 Chevrolet Corvette chassis).

Like the Ferrari, this one is cool, with the display surrounded by mirrors so you catch its lines from all angles. It’s a visual treat and kind of hypnotic.

On display here too are notable Japanese supercars, a nod into Japan’s own classic as such as a Toyota 2000GT, Datsun 240Z (Nissan Fairlady) and R35 GT-R “Godzilla”. Interestingly, there is no Lexus LFA on display.

Also, the place feels like a well-curated with spaces roomy enough to move freely, with polished floors and soft lighting that lets the cars shine. It’s calm, almost like an art gallery for motors which does not feel rushed. You are just encouraged to look closely. You glance at spec sheets, step back, soak in the sleek curves. It’s tactile and visual, no fluff.

American Muscle and miscellaneous collection

The next section is one focused on American muscle cars. A highlight here be a light blue 1955 Ford Thunderbird, as well as a red 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 parked side by side which greets you as you enter the American muscle section. You can find a Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 on display at this museum level. Notably, the cars here are all right-hand drive and unlike Singapore, are legal to drive here in Japan.

Moreover, highlight pieces here include a bright green third-generation (C3) Chevrolet Corvette. It is also known as the Stingray which was produced between 1968 to 1982. The C3 sits alongside here beside a blue second-generation (C2) Chevrolet Corvette, produced from years 1963 to 1967.

Also, there are some quirky rides, like custom-made and celebrity-owned vehicles that tad adds a touch of glam to the gallery. Examples here include a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air with flame detailing.

Other miscellaneous American pop culture classics here include a 1959 Cadillacs, likely a Series 62 or Coupe de Ville model. These iconic vehicles are famous for their extravagant “jet-age” styling, particularly the massive tailfins with dual bullet taillights and chrome-laden bodies.

Wrapping up

Towards the bottom of the garage, the last part of the museum features more of a garage assortment of parked cars not behind glass and ends at the bottom where, the building actual carpark reside. Here, you can find iconic British luxury such as Rolls Royces and Bentley limousines.

Towards the end, you can find a Toyota Mega Cruiser placed next to the Hummer H1 for similar comparison, with the latter produced 5 years after the Toyota. Miscellaneous such as a Ford Crown Victoria cop car, a staple in movies, as well as a classic Volkswagen beetle.

Overall, Torino Car Museum is a tidy, slightly off-beat museum experience that hits the ticket if you are into cars, or just like seeing something different in Himeji City. You are good for Torino for about 1 hour, and 2 hours or even more if you were to browse through in detail every car on display with café time.

The museum is a neat spot, real laid-back yet full of automotive charm. No fancy fluff just rare cars, well-preserved, in a chill converted garage. Torino Museum is one to check out if you are an avid car fan or have a spare in Himeji city after a visit to the nearby Himeji castle. The museum is open 10 am to 5 pm, with last entry by 4:30. It is closed on Mondays and Thursdays, shifting with holidays.

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On some background, World Buffet Kobe Cook at Kobe Harborland runs under Kobe Bussan Co., Ltd., a Hyōgo based company founded in 1985. The group is best known for operating Gyomu Super, a nationwide discount supermarket chain, with one supermarket sitting adjacent to the Buffet restaurant.

Interestingly, while some assume the buffet belongs directly to the supermarket in the same building. It is tad more accurate to say both fall under the larger Kobe Bussan umbrella. The Buffet’s concept is based off the simple idea to make food accessible, plentiful, and affordable to everyday people. That philosophy carries directly into the Harborland restaurant. Let’s check it out.

World buffet ambience and setting

Located a short underground mall walk from Kobe main train station, World Buffet at Kobe is located at the basement B1 level of Harbor Center building. Within is a bright and vast dining hall. The atmosphere is casual, with long tables, counters, and sofa seats spread across the floor. Families, couples, and groups of students fill the space. There is children play area at the far end of the dining area which adds to the family-friendly feel. Interesting options in a family-friendly setting.

Speaking of family-friendly, the far end of the dining area is a kids play room, segmented from the main dining halls. The design isn’t luxurious, but it feels open and welcoming. The space gets lively but not chaotic, thanks to staff clearing plates quickly. On setting, the dining seating area is more food court than restaurant. You sense a tad of a cafeteria vibe, it being efficient, practical, but comfortable enough to relax for hours.

A uniquely Japanese budget buffet

The dining experience feels structured like in pure Japanese efficiency. If the restaurant is full, you take a number or sign into a waiting queue book, then wait to be called. When a table is available, your number be called to the counter where you pay for your meal with staff assigning you your seats with instruction a sheet and buffet map. Pricing is straightforward, costing about ¥1,500 (S$13) for adults, with discounts for seniors and children, which gives it incredible good value. Weekend rates run slightly higher, but still reasonable.

There is a 2-hour dining time, though unless if the restaurant is full, the 2-hour dining time is not-enforced by staff and based on trust. This is unlike the Swensens unlimited buffet in Singapore where staff would irritatingly repeatedly remind you to leave even before your dining time is up. Also, dining here at World Buffet does not feel rushed and you can eat at your own pace. It is not uncommon to see patrons finishing their meal within the hour and sit around and read a book.

Despite it being a popular dinner dining spot table turnover is pretty quick too, with very minimal to none waiting time during my visit on a weekday dinner. Still the restaurant is buzzing within, with almost every table filled. The dining area is huge and able to take in large number of diners at a go. With a typical Japanese flair, most of the seating are tabled seating are great for groups. Also, the seating areas caters to groups and even single diners with bar-style seating. One drawback is the distance from your seat to the food counters can be quite a walk away.

Buffet Food Spread

World Buffet at Kobe prides itself on variety, with more than 100 dishes at any one time. Recommended items include their cooked foods as well as selection of fried foods which are replenished quickly and always full. Here at the counters, you spot Japanese staples including staples such as ramen, yakitori, fried noodles, and tempura.

The buffet counters are located just where here the entrance is, where you pass by before entering the dining area at the end. There are rows of food counters, the buffet spread is extensive, near the entrance is the desserts counter with an accompanying selection of savoury and baked breads.

Cooked food selections

A self-serve stretch with an open kitchen behind it houses a cooked food section with selections of Chinese-inspired stir-fry sit beside curry and fried rice. Fried noodles are hearty and well-seasoned. Also, no international buffet is complete with an Italian pizzas and pasta section. Western options include pizza, two selections of pasta, and quiche.

The Pizza slices are really thin and lean and does not contain much ingredients. A central island kitchen houses trays of sushi and cooked noodles too. Here, you can find fresh sushi nigiri, chilled maki and cold soba in a chilled counter.

Despite being in Japan, I found the sushi section is limited, even dwarfing the sections in Japanese conveyor belt sushi with only a choice about 5-6 variety served on a platter.

To pack on your food, you have a choice of regular large plates or a cool 9 by 9 plates which you can build your own Sushi or dessert platter.

Fried food corner

Yaokori grilled chicken and mini French loaf bread appear here, though Kobe beef is strangely absent. Some dishes stand out. The yakitori carries a satisfying char. At the far end, the fried foods counter offers generous portions and a free-flow selection of karaage, French fries, and takoyaki balls. You also get freshly fried takoyaki, tempura, and fried karaage.

The tempura stays crisp, better than you expect for the price. Not everything hits the mark. The karaage varies in quality, sometimes soggy and sometimes tough because it can sit out too long. Still, the food is replenished quickly, so waiting for fresh batches helps. The fried items taste crispier and less soggy when newly served. You might also find the soups and Chinese-style dishes either overly salty or bland.

Do it yourself self-help noodle station

The live-stations are fully self-help. The self-serve noodle counter lets you cook your own noodles like ramen, udon, and soba. The noodle counter runs the width of the food area, linking the drinks bar to the fried foods corner. You prepare your ramen, udon, and soba at your own pace.

There is a lot of trust here, down to how long you leave noodles in the boiling water. Still, instructions are available for reference. Anything goes here, and you can mix noodles freely. Hot chicken ramen, udon, and soba in one pot during winter? Why not?

Dessert and Salads

The dessert section with it’s strong inviting colours catches your eye. Food selections here include ice cream, cakes, brownies, jelly and chocolate daifuku. There are also fried cheese mochi bread and churros that look tempting, and they taste as good as they look. The balance between hot dishes and sweet items feels just right.

Seasonal fairs add unusual items like coconut-based Vietnamese desserts or hojicha pudding. Among the desserts, the brownies and crepes are favourites. You would likely return for seconds.Though you might struggle at his point of time taking in additional dessert items after your main course.

Additionally, the buffet also offers a large salad and greens corner. There is a shaved ice and drinks bar, along with a chilled salad counter offering fresh greens and tossed pasta salads. It is a hearty selection, and you will not lose out as a vegetarian.

Ice machine and drinks

The snow ice machine makes for a very Japanese-style ice kacang. It sits beside a beer and bar counter where you can also purchase extra alcohol. Every once in a while, you can hear the grinding whirr of the ice machine, much to the delightful cheers of children as they garnish the shaved ice with an assortment of ice dressing and syrups.

The drinks counter at the far end nearer to the seating areas is pretty extensive. It offers instant and flavoured drinks, served hot or cold, plus self-mix cocktails. Wrapping up with sweets, the ice cream bar offers multiple toppings and feels fun and casual. There are also twelve flavours of self-serve ice cream and sorbet.

Wrapping up with service, the setup is minimal and straightforward. There are no staff clearing tables, so you return plates at the self-help counter. You empty your plates, return them, and clean your table before leaving. The restaurant also trusts you not to waste food.

Conclusion

All in all, this wraps up the dine-in experience at World Buffet at Kobe Harborland. Dining here is not fine dining, but it isn’t trying to be. The food is mediocre, and you come for volume and the chance to sample widely, not refinement. World Buffet offers tad a value-driven unrestricted buffet with a wide spread that keeps most people satisfied for the low asking price. You find standout dishes like tempura, yakitori, ramen, and desserts that justify repeat servings. Some items underwhelm, but that is expected at this price point. If you arrive with the right expectations, focused on affordable variety and casual comfort, you leave satisfied.

Also, the buffet feels very different from buffets in Singapore, with a food-court-style layout and a family-friendly vibe. It is reasonably priced and an interesting spot to check out during your visit to the harbour city of Kobe.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.

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Today, the Japanese city of Kobe is a major economic hub in western Japan. The port city is well-known not only for its shipping industry, but it’s urban scene, and resilience after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Notably, most of the Kobe point of interests are located at the harbour area. Notable landmarks here include the iconic red Kobe tower, as well as the chill riverside promenade area.

Furthermore, Kobe is a ideal city to do a day trip from nearby connecting Japanese cities such as Kyoto or Osaka. On getting here, the city is assessible via few train stations serving Kobe city, with JR Kobe station being the primary one, and Motomachi train station located by Kobe Chinatown being one station stop east of Kobe station itself.

A regular commuter train ride between Kobe and Osaka city takes 30-min and costing you about 500-yen for a one-way train trip. Additionally, Kobe is an hour commuter train ride away from Kyoto city, costing about 1000-yen on a non-limited express train service.

Kobe Harbourfront and Harborland Riverside

Furthermore, you can get to the harbourside from Kobe main train station via a network of underground passageways and overhead pedestrian bridge that connects the various malls together without having to transverse the street level.

In a nutshell, Kobe’s port area grew after 1868, when Japan reopened to world trade. Rivers were rerouted, breakwaters built, and in time, Kobe’s harbour became one of the most important ports in Western Japan. By mid-20th century, it topped the world’s container rankings. This despite the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. More on the earthquake later at the Earthquake memorial.

Today, Kobe harbour-side has more vibes than industrial, and more of a relaxed seaside shopping and hospitality destination. You can catch views of the Kobe Port Tower, a Port museum, and occasional cruise ships. You pass through malls such as Harbor Center home to the Kobe world buffet dining restaurant.

The malls are full of entertainment and Food & Beverage outlets, there is even a night market open at the harbourside by Kobe Harborland on my visit which runs till about 9pm. Most shops here close in the 9pm time range too.

The Harborland mall here is a cosy 2 floored converted warehouse with Cafes lining the promenade. The walkways are mainly open-air and non-air conditioned. Also, there is a good mix of retail as well as restaurants and pub here for all ages.

There is also a Starbucks coffee shop overlooking the bay area with Kobe bridge in the distance. If you have time, you might take a “Boh Boh KOBE” cruise or simply watch ships up here glide across the bay.

Moreover, you can see remnants of the Kobe’s old industrial past still etched into the buzzing chill riverside. Dockside cranes sit via the Mosaic Ferris Wheel & Mall. Converted Kobe Brick Warehouse home to pubs and night life area.

This, and the local music ambience does make for a rather chill place to hangout. At times, you can find local street buskers playing along side the night market area. You can also find small exhibitions of artwork here too.

Also, malls like Umie North and South, and Mosaic shopping complex grew on old freight yard land, redeveloped since 1992 and is a popular night hangout spot today.

Also, the Mosaic Ferris wheel sits 50m high overlooking the harbour. At night, over 120,000 LEDs light up the wheel, making for quite a visual spectacle when viewed from afar. You can get good overhead panoramic city, sea, and mountain views of the port up the Port Tower or take a spin on the Ferris wheel, especially sweet at night with lights.

Kobe Earthquake memorial at Meriken Park

Furthermore, the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum is a point of interest here. The memorial opened in 2002 telling a solemn story and one of resilience after the January 17 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. The 7.3 magnitude quake killed over 5,000 people, and destroyed and disrupted much of the port city.

Here at the Meriken Park today, you can view parts of the collapsed quay and damaged wharf. The park is built around the site preserved as a memorial here. You see cracked concrete, twisted railings, and plaques that quietly describe what happened.

Also, inside Memorial you find interactive exhibits, films on screens, and dioramas showing the quake’s damage and recovery. There infographics telling of the disaster, disaster prevention and recovery. Despite the tragedy, the city of Kobe recovered swiftly with the city representing a symbol of renewal. The tone of the exhibits here are serious, yet it leaves you with respect for Kobe’s resilience and preparation efforts.

Moving on, nearby, the Kobe Maritime Museum is an eye-catching one with its white sail-shaped roof. The structure itself adds a maritime nod to Kobe’s waterfront harbourline. It also tad celebrates the city’s deep connection to the sea, displaying models of ships, maritime technology, and the history of the Port of Kobe.

Meriken harbourside park explorations

Despite being a city park, Meriken Park itself by the sea offers open green spaces, fountains, cosy promenades, shaded benches and swings, where you can sit and mingle. Also, the atmosphere tad feels calm yet lively. Here, you can sit and watch passing ships, enjoy the sea breeze, or just people-watch.

The park is open all day and is popular with locals here sitting about the grassy greens and promenade after dinner. The park’s open space and thoughtful monuments remind you that Kobe’s strength lies not just in its recovery, but in its steady, human spirit that continues to shine by the harbour.

BE KOBE monument

Moreover, you can find sculptures and public art installations scattered throughout Meriken Park. For instance, the “BE KOBE” monument with large white letters, mounted on a low platform was installed in 2017. The installation has become one of the park’s most iconic landmarks and a popular photo spot.

These larger than live text were unveiled to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Kobe. It also tad symbolises the city’s resilience and recovery after the earthquake. The phrase “BE KOBE” reflects the human element and true charm of Kobe that lies in its people, not its infrastructure. At night, the texts are illuminated and glows warmly against the harbourfront and sea.

Also, the “Fish Dance” monument here has a striking design. It was built in 1987 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Port of Kobe, made from stainless-steel mesh depicting a leaping carp for strength and good fortune. Another piece, the bronze statue “Setting Sail for Hope” (also called the Emigrants Memorial). It honours those who left Kobe’s port in the early 20th century for destinations like Brazil. It captures a touching part of Kobe’s global history, showing how the city has long been a gateway between Japan and the wider world.

Kobe Port Tower

The crimson Kobe Port Tower catches your eye at the Harbour. Completed on 1963, the tower is designed as a tall interwinding spire. It was Japan’s first building designed using a pipe lattice structure. It is in-fact inspired by and shaped like a traditional Japanese drum (albeit one which is stretched vertically).

Also, the tower briefly closed for renovation but reopened in April 2024 with modern upgrades. The upgrades include smart exterior LED lighting allowing for light shows which changes colour and twinkers. New facilities include a new rooftop deck, a rotating café bar, and a light-themed museum inside. Also, the iconic tower’s red glow in relation to the 1995 earthquake. It presents a beacon of hope for the city and a symbol of strength and resilience even till today.

An internal elevator transports you up the tower, reaching the 90m-high tower observation deck. You can catch panoramic views of the port from up the deck. Other viewpoints includes the Rokko Mountains, Osaka Bay, and even Kobe Airport on a clear day in the distance. Inside, the rotating café gives you a slow, scenic spin of the city while you sip your coffee. There’s also a souvenir shop and a “Love-Love Key” spot. It is tad a lighthearted touch for couples.

Kobe Chinatown

Moreover, heading 200m northbound from Meriken park brings you to Kobe’s Nankinmachi, also known as Kobe’s Chinatown. The path is a 10-minute walk passing under a massive double story highway flyover and a few blocks into a tight street district. An iconic archway gate greets you at the streets leading in. Here you can find steaming food stalls, late night game stalls and glowing lanterns strung above the alleyways. Also, this Chinatown district dates back to 1868 when early Chinese immigrants from China Guangdong and Fujian settled here near the port grounds. Interestingly, the locals here called it “Nankinmachi,” meaning “Nanjing Town”.

In size footprint, Kobe Chinatown is much smaller and more compact than the buzzing Yokohama Chinatown we previously explored. Also, by the 1920s through the 1930s, the area had become a bustling market hub known as “Kansai’s kitchen.” However, World War II bombings destroyed much of the original town.

After the war, it briefly turned into an entertainment area for American troops stationed nearby. Thereafter, in the late 1970s, Nankinmachi was revived by the community with additions of ornate Chinese gates, plazas, and lanterns you see today. Walking through its narrow streets feels like stepping into a mini China street. The town is filled with the sights you expect of a Chinatown, dumplings, roast duck, tad like a mini Hong Kong or sort.

Wrapping up

The contrast between Nankinmachi and the calm waterfront feels balanced and refreshing. The harbour has openness and space, in contrast to Chinatown buzzes with energy and sound. Both reflect different sides of Kobe’s character, it is one international yet deeply local. The city’s ability to blend old and new, quiet and lively, feels natural rather than forced.

All in all, that wraps up our visit here to Kobe City. It a city you an easily do a half day to catch the highlights and sights from the Buzzing city of Osaka or the historical city of Kyoto. With the Kobe harbour being a focal point. From the red curve of the Kobe Port Tower to the Ferris wheel lights, from stylish malls to quake-scarred quay walls, every corner feels connected. You reflect at the memorial, then grab dumplings in Chinatown. The city feels compact, human, and resilient, the kind of place where everything fits neatly into one vibe-rich stroll. That’s Kobe for you, a city of strength and resilience.

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This review is based on long term use of the trainer over a period of about 4 months bringing it out for competitions, as well as daily runs to gauge it’s holistic performance. I found the Elite v5 offers great cushioning longevity exceeding the range for most trainers. There is good energy return even for distances up to 21km, even for trainers. Is the fifth generation of the New Balance SC (SuperComp) Elite super shoes up to the hype? Let’s check it out.

Design and aesthetics

Visually the SuperComp Elite v5 presents a sleek, performance-first look. It one more feature-first with a splash of ostentatious eye-catching colours. The shoe is available in two colours, first with an off-white “linen with sea salt and shipyard” colour, and “urgent red”, the variant we are looking at here today.

This Urgent Red colour is akin to what I like to call “salmon red”. You get a very contrasting red colour over a white base. Each shoe weighs about 203 grams each, which is very light by trainer standards typically sits in the sub 230g range like (e.g. the ASICS Gel-DS Trainer for instance).

Looking around, the shoe’s upper is a single-layer engineered mesh made of lightweight thermoplastic. The new upper design does hug your foot with minimal bulk. The silhouette is narrower than the outgoing v4 predecessor, which has a more padded collar. Also, this “fat-free” mesh top design with lesser padding on the v5 appears more race-ready. It has a streamlined vibe and is fast becoming a common place in modern Trainers today.

This involve typically doing away with the padded upper which saves weight without reducing comfort or performance. This akin to the Decathlon KIPRUN KSLight budget-friendly trainer we looked at previously several years back. The lack of padding tends to give the heel collar more of a sharp edge, but it is nice to see that New Balance improved this over Elite v4 to reduce rubbing.

The bad of this re-designed means the SC Elite v5 is a very different shoe from the v4 now with a different cutting. Hence if I would recommend a size refitting for the v5 if you are coming from the v4, ditching your old sizing. Still, I found the shoe also fits almost close to True to size, with the toebox width being slightly smaller and proportions more similar to Asics Trainers.

Bottom sole design

At the bottom outer sole, the rubber outsole pieces has good coverage, but might have durability issues. There is a 3-piece design with a large black piece which spans from the shoe’s tip to the ball of your feet. Also, there are two separate black sole pieces which are strategically glued on both side of the heels.

The design is simple and not as minimalist as racers. New Balance claims the sole is made from a new lighter polyurethane compound called Ultra-Light VPU instead of traditional rubber. The light polyurethane are non-marking, though they do screech on concrete surfaces. But you might also experience a sticking sensation on the polyurethane to the road when running-in your shoe, especially on paved surfaces. It tad like running on fly paper.

Though only time will tell on the durability whether these outer soles will stay on for long as New Balance shoes are often known for sole delamination. The failure mode and losing the sole heel piece would render the entire heel area without any sole rubber left for traction. The delamination of the front will tend to be more salvageable as it is more difficult to come on in one piece, given its larger surface area. Only time will tell if good glue is used for these parts.

Mid-sole and ride feel

The mid-sole of the shoe is often where the magic happens. Interestingly, visually, the v5 midsole has an angled geometric design. It does appear to be trimmed into the geometric shaped by a wire cutter. This is the New Balance design language for this range of shoes. You can also see several aspects of weight saving throughout the shoe. For example, the bottom of shoe sole under your feet arch has a large void and is home to the internal carbon plate.

The midsole uses a lightweight design with responsive cushioning to help maintain pace over long distances. Also, the v5 version spots an updated foam and carbon plate setup. It touts to deliver a smoother and more stable run. This v5 version also refines the fit and feel from the previous model, giving you a faster and more natural stride.

Also, the shoe’s drop measures 8 mm and the stack sit at 40mm on the heel and 32mm at the forefoot. Very similar dimensions to the heavier New Balance 1080x v14 we previously looked at with a shorter 38mm heel. Still, I found 40mm the highest you can go for a trainer, without having to sacrifice too much lateral stability. The core of this shoe is the FuelCell foam (PEBA) mixed with a full-length carbon/plate element (“Energy Arc” style).

Great for neutral runners but lacks lateral stability

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is great for neutral runners. But it is not recommended for runners with any degree of pronation, even mild. The shoe is quite lacking in mid sole stability, you can feel it the moment you put on your shoes where standing upright.

While there is a small amount of forefoot support, the heel is now extremely narrow, giving it a lack lateral stability. It leaves you to rely on their own stability throughout the stride. The platform is narrower than the outgoing v4 model which helped drop weight and sharpen the feel. In use I found the mid-sole to feel firmer than I expected from the SuperComp name. The forefoot of the v5 does felt stiff and the rocker less aggressive than some rivals. Still, there is just so much engineering you can pack into such a small space.

Moreover, this back-to-front arrangement does give the trainers a race-shoe stance rather than a plush trainer feel. The heel stack is pretty high for a trainer too and you can feel the extra height when you first put on the shoes. The heels are tapered at the end, which does feel unstable when you first put them on. It does make you tend to titter totter about when standing. Also, I noticed that at slower paces the shoe felt firm and not overly “bouncy” or soft. At faster efforts the plate and foam combined to deliver a solid push-off, albeit not as dramatic as some competitors. The transition from heel to toe was reasonably smooth but required more effort to maintain than a plush trainer.

Excellent energy return

With such a thick heel, you do expect pretty good energy return on your strides and I am pleased to report so. Over a mix of 5 km, 10 km and half-marathon runs in the SuperComp Elite v5 does provides adequate cushioning, reduces fatigue (and post-run sore feet) even after tens of kilometres of runs pounding on hard surfaces.

According to New Balance, the v5 features their FuelCell PEBA foam, full-length plate and an 8 mm drop. There is no hiding it, you can’t position the SuperComp Elite v5 as a marque racing model. It is no pure lightweight racer. Also, the Elite v5 does hold its weight well, literally too as a more cushioning-oriented trainer/racer hybrid which can maintain cushioning even beyond 10 km distances.

At 5 to 10 km distances, the shoe felt sharp and light, and it delivered clean turnover. The firm ride allows you feel connected to the road and push without mushy responses. For purely racing a 5 km, the Elite v5 is very usable and where it excels in it’s zone. But this is not the absolute top for explosiveness as compared to racers. Up to 10 km like the recent Real run 2025 at Punggol digital district over a mix of trail and hard asphalt surfaces, the shoe’s balance could hold pace well, feel confident in transitions and enjoy the upper’s lockdown. The firmer nature didn’t become fatiguing at 10 km, though the narrower platform did add to stability at the expense of toebox comfort.

A trainer for the distance

For distances beyond 10km, the v5 came into its own which sets it apart from other lightweight trainers. The stack height and foam held up, the upper remained comfortable, and the plate helped maintain momentum. Though the narrow base did not feel unstable, even late into a 21 km session, you can feel the foam start to get firmer with lower energy return beyond the 15km mark.

Still, I found the mid-sole domain the v5 is still very capable where you could feel the cushioning start to taper off slowly as the foam struggles to regain from its compression. I would be confident using this as a marathon race shoe, a half-marathon would be the limits for the benefits for cushioning without leaving your feet battered.

For ultra-long distance, this is where the 1080 v14 we previously looked at would come in. Drawing some comparisons to the New Balance 1080 v14 we looked at previously, the SuperComp v5 felt sharper and much more race-focused. However, the v5 is also less forgiving, more pinned down for race day. Hence, if you prioritise comfort, daily usability and broader foot fit then the 1080 v14 more forgiving, with broader usability and comfort for everyday miles or mixed sessions. This is courtesy of the 1080x more plush cushioning, broader base, softer ride, more stability. It is essentially a high-end daily trainer/racer hybrid. Or the Hoka Clifton 9 as an alternative.

Summary and conclusion

Wrapping up, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is the latest in the high-end racing line from New Balance that began with the RC/SC Elite series. It evolved into the SuperComp line, and now arrives in this v5 version. Compared to the outgoing v4 iteration the v5 the design shifts toward a lighter, narrower, firmer ride as a stable carbon-plated racer.

In a nutshell, if you need a lightweight trainer which offers better cushioning than typical trainers, the v5 is a solid, well-designed racing shoe. You will appreciate its lightweight, snug fit, firm but confident ride and strong performance at 10 km and half-marathon distances. It is less forgiving at very short sharp efforts and less plush/stable than a trainer-type shoe. The thicker mid midsole does give the shoes better endurance. Too bad it is let down by a less stable heel. I found the v5 to be the kind of shoe that grows on you during faster efforts, especially when you are dialled-in and ready to race. If you compare it to the Fresh Foam X 1080 v14, the distinction is clear as a more race-focus and minimalist trainer.

All in all, if you are a runner who thrives on a narrower fit, race geometry and clean turnover, the v5 is a strong contender. The SC Elite V5 is in a class of its own. It is a special shoe, one not for day-to-day runs, but one rather for special events. You can find New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 available in New balance stores at a handsome S$339.00. The supershoe is available in Urgent Red with White and Black colours.

Many thanks to New Balance for the opportunity to review the New balance FuelCell SuperComp SC Elite v5. As with all my reviews, manufacturers have neither editorial inputs to reviews, nor seen this review before it is released to you, my readers. Thanks for reading!

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Unlike the other more nature-orientated CDC trails, this 4.7km urban walking route that takes you through the city’s heart in the urban sprawl. You start off beginning at Kreta Ayer Square in Chinatown and ending at Fort Canning Centre. The route passes by landmarks such as the Elgin bridge and underpass, Victoria Concert hall and Central Fire station along the way as points of interest. Let’s see what’s up on this trail through the urban concrete jungle.

Checkpoint 1- Chinatown Kreta Ayer Square

You start your journey at Kreta Ayer Square, our first checkpoint stop. This small open plaza is located in the heart of heartland Chinatown and sits beside the buzzing Chinatown Complex and by the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. Notably, historically, Kreta Ayer was a water cart area during the early colonial years of Singapore. Here, working bullock carts convene, bringing water to residents before modern plumbing was introduced.

Today, the square is a popular and busy meeting point which is frequented by the locals and residents here. It is not uncommon to find events and line dancing on-going here in the evening. The vicinity is surrounded by shophouses, street food, and souvenir stores. It is not uncommon to find local performances, grassroot events and calligraphy displays. Elderly folks also love to gather here around the benches playing Checkers or Chinese chess. The air here feels tad rich with nostalgia, red lanterns strung across the area give it an unmistakable old Chinatown vibe. It is a good starting checkpoint with several food options to start your trail and one that captures the spirit of Singapore’s Chinese heritage.

Samsu Women mural, hammering nails

Furthermore, here you can find several art murals of Samsui women painted on staircases and building walls of Chinatown complex. Interestingly, this include a mural one hammering a nail on a brick. Notably, the Samsui women were female immigrants originating from the Sanshui district of Guangdong, China. They came to Singapore and Malaya between the 1920s and 1940s. They are recognisable by their red cloth hats and known for their hard contrition to Singapore early development as manual laborers in Singapore construction and industrial sectors.

Also, on landmarks here, a striking landmark is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum located right beside the square. You might remember our past visits to the grand four-storey temple. It is hard to miss with its traditional Tang-style architecture with bright red pillars, and ornate statues. Still, it is a rather modern temple constructed in 2007, and houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha from Myanmar.

Moreover, Ollies are back and a staple on all CDC trails which adds a “pokemon go” element of fun as well as fillers between checkpoints. Their locations also encourages you to follow a planned plan. On virtual Ollies to catch, in summary, there is the Trailblazer Ollie, which has a caring personality, followed by the “learning” Social Ollie. There is the inclusive Carefree Ollie and the Wellness Ollie focused on Health. Last there is the Chic-Eco Ollie focused on sustainable themes.

Checkpoint 2- Underpass History Mural at Elgin Bridge

The next landmark Elgin Bridge, which is a good full kilometre away. You pass by Chinatown point, Hong Lim park and Clark Quay Central along the way. You head toward the Singapore River, passing through modern skyscrapers that contrast the old-world charm you left behind. Also, I found the Chinatown starting point quite a distant outlier from the other 4 points of interests which are located more closely together, but far from the Chinatown starting points. The presence of 2-3 Ollie owls here guides you on the path to take. Generally going northbound along New Bridge Road is a good idea.

Moreover, the Elgin Bridge and its underpass, is a historical one. Notable the mural here in the tunnel showcases timeline scenes of Singapore’s past and present history. The bridge links the North and South sides of the river and is named after Lord Elgin, a former Governor-General of India. It has tad existed in various forms since the 1800s, with the current structure completed in the 1920s. Also, the bridge once marked the entrance to the Singapore River trade zone, where merchants used to unload goods along this entire stretch full of cargo bumboats.

Walking under the bridge, you find the underpass walls painted with colourful murals depicting the river’s trade history. It is quite a pleasant stretch to walk, and connects one side of the bank as a park connector route popular with joggers and cyclists. The view across the bridge also offers views of the Raffles place Central business district city skyline on the calm river water. Also, here, you can see the old police station and the Central fire station across the road, more on that later when you loop back into this part of the street again.

Checkpoint 3- Victoria Concert Hall numbers

Furthermore, moving on, the next key stop is Victoria Concert Hall (also widely known as Victoria theatre). This landmark is one of the most beautiful civic landmarks in the area. It is located along Empress Place near the old Parliament House. The white majestic building was built in the early 1900s and was originally part of the early Singapore Town Hall. This was before it merged with the Victoria Memorial Hall. Visually and architecturely, the building does tad resemble a grand town hall too, featuring neoclassical architecture with tall white columns and a central clock tower.

The hall today hosts classical concerts and community events. The concert hall’s interior are not open to casual visitors unless there’s an event. Still, from the outside, the structure feels grand and full of colonial charm. Also, if you look at the front façade of Victoria theatre, you will notice the numbers 9 and 11 on the Victoria theatre and Memorial hall building respectively.

Sometimes these Ollies require you to make a detour out of your route, like circling around the Asian Civilisations museum and around Cityhall Raffles City to get to the Central Fire Station while you can simply take a shortcut through the National Gallery and Funan Mall. Most of them will also fly away when you try to catch them, for all the reasons to make you walk more.

Checkpoint 4- Central Fire Station

Looping back via the air-conditioned National Gallery art museum near the Padang and the Funan mall, you reach Central Fire Station along Hill Street. It is still an active station today. Built in 1908, it is Singapore’s oldest fire station and a striking red-and-white brick building that’s hard to miss. It sits across the street from the Funan IT lifestyle mall we visited sometime back.

Moreover, the Fire Station also houses the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, you can visit to learn about Singapore’s firefighting history. Notably too, the Central Fire Station does open house events every Saturday form 9 to 11am in the morning. Inside, you can find old engines, uniforms, and photos of major fires that shaped the fire safety system today. You might spot firemen on duty. It is one of those rare places that blend history and modern service seamlessly.

Checkpoint 5- Fort Canning Centre Cupolas

Moreover, the final stretch brings you to Fort Canning Centre. It is located within the greenery of Fort Canning Park tucked away from the urban sprawl. This route from the Central fire station across Hill street brings you along Coleman street. You walk past the Children’s museum we visited sometime back as well as the Peranakan museum along the way. It is a small uphill climb here up into the entrance of Fort canning park past the Registry of marriages where you pass by the fragrant Fort canning spice garden gallery before hitting the Fort Canning Centre itself.

Also, Fort Canning Centre sits atop Fort Canning Hill, a place once home to Malay royalty during the pre-colonial period. The building used to serve as a British military barracks back in the 1920s. It was later converted to an administration office and today an exhibition, event space and hotel. You might remember Fort Canning Centre as the venue which hosted the Singapore Bicentennial Experience exhibitions back in 2019. It was also the venue for the Fort Canning Heritage Gallery. Also, you might notice and come across small white concrete Cupolas scattered across the park. These domed structures were designed by George Drumgoole Coleman, allowing for seating and rest here.

Furthermore, the surrounding Fort Canning park is lush, peaceful, and filled with historical markers. The park area is also home to several underground bunkers including the Battle Box. It is a well-known former British command centre during World War II, intriguing reminders of the hill’s wartime past. The park’s hills might be a tad tiring, but the shady paths and occasional breeze make it manageable.

Wrapping up

Reaching the Fort Canning Centre marks the end of the trail. You can take a break at the Cupolas benches or enjoy the panoramic view of the city below. My total distance covered via GPS is 4.4km, shorter than the advertised 4.7km. I reckon you could do it in under 4km if you take shortcuts through malls and avoid detours for Ollies.

Also, this CDC trail is also one of the easier trails to walk through an urban area which is semi-air-conditioned if you plan your route through malls. The route is mostly flat, with a few gradual slopes easy for most walkers. You do not need special gear for this walk, just comfortable shoes, a curious mind, and a fully charged phone.

With the completion of all 5 checkpoints and capture of 5 ollies grants you a total of $10 of supermarket CDC vouchers you can use on RedeemSG website. The total distance in my walk is about 5km which includes some detours inside the Cityhall shopping malls and toilet stops. Your total journey at walking pace won’t take over 2 hours at a leisurely pace. This route is not recommended for running.

All in all, that wraps up our walk of the Central Singapore CDC Trail. The walking trail offers an enjoyable and a meaningful way to explore the Chinatown and City hall district layered history at a comfortable pace. Whether it is Chinatown’s traditional roots, the colonial core, to the quiet greenery of Fort Canning. It is not too strenuous, with mostly pedestrian-friendly paths with plenty of shaded spots. You get to see how the city has evolved through different eras while staying walkable and accessible. The trail does gives you a fresh look at familiar places and a deeper appreciation of Singapore’s urban and cultural story.

There are five CDC walking trails in total, check out my explorations on them:

• North West CDC trail (Cashew MRT to Bukit Timah Railway Station, 5.5km)
• (This) Central Singapore CDC trail (Kreta Ayer Square to Fort Canning Centre, 4.7km)
• South West CDC trail (Beauty World MRT Exit C- Little Guilin, 4.4km)
• North East CDC trail (Punggol Waterway Point to Punggol Digital District. 4.5km)
• South East CDC trail (Fort Tanjong Katong to Siglap Canal Lookout Deck, 4.9km)

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Dough It Yourself is located in the heart of Joo Chiat. It is a vibrant food and lifestyle district, packed with cafes, restaurants, bars. Also, it is one of Singapore’s oldest and most culturally rich neighbourhoods, known for its Peranakan heritage and beautifully preserved ornate two-storey shophouses. Historically, the area was named after Chew Joo Chiat, a wealthy Chinese landowner in the early 20th century who played a major role in this region’s development.

What’s on the menu

Menu selections are simple, there are 2 options, a fixed-price do it yourself meal at S$19.90 per person, where you get only to make a single pizza or pasta. The second options is a buffet or “free-flow” DIY option at S$29.90 per person. This lets you repeatedly build your plates during the 90-minute dining time limit. For my dine-in and today’s review, I went for the $29.90 buffet option.

As you arrive, the restaurant has a large casual seating space with a bar and kitchen counter at the rear. The ambience is modest, with touches in wood and red tones, giving a casual but interactive vibe. The rear is dominated by 3 large open chillers housing the various ingredients you use to make your pizza. This comprises of the dough fridge, the salad bar and meat bar, pasta/pizza station clearly laid out.

A Do it yourself station

The concept struck me as fun yet straightforward, so let’s run through how you make your own pizza or pasta here. You indicate to the staff that you wish to go for the buffet, where they will gladly run you thought the stations and steps if it is your first time there. Next, start off picking your carb of choice (pizza dough or pasta), with pizza dough on the left and pasta pans on the right.

You take them out of sealed fridges, pick a baking pan with an 8-inch pizza dough or an empty pasta pan, and head over to the sauce and vegetable counter. Also, the kid’s pizza portions come in half sizes, though a smaller diameter round piece might be more fitting.

For pasta, you have a choice of two pasta types- penne, fusilli, and cubed potatoes which you load up here from the chiller too.

Load up the sauces and greens

At the vegetable greens and sauce open chiller, you choose between tomato or cream white sauce as a firm base. For pizzas, you ladle on your sauce and smear it evenly across the dough and exercise restraint without making the sauce too thick.

Sauces includes the red tomato-based sauce like marinara/pizza bianca, and Alfredo creamy white sauce. Also, if you are adventures, when combined, they form a “pink sauce”. A thin layer will do or you risk making the base soggy. Thereafter, you can garnish your sauce with dips of green pesto or red pesto.

Next you then load-up vegetable toppings, layering your pizza as you go. The toppings bar is generous with a good variety allowing you to keep trying different combinations. Vegetables include sliced bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, pineapples cubes, onions, chillies, corn, and leafy lettuce greens to name a few. Potatoes in your pizza? Pineapples in your pasta? There is no right or wrong here, everything you can find here from the counters can go into either your pizza or pasta pan.

Make it a meat dish

With the sauce base and vegetables on, you move onto the adjacent protein counter. This chiller offers a selection of pizza meat staples. Red meat selections of the trade include minced beef, beef pepperoni and beef salami.

There is also sliced turkey ham, smoked duck, garlic chicken breast, chicken sausage. If you are a meat lover, this is where you will spend most of your time at. Also, I found the garlic prawn selections the highlight here, with the prawns being large fresh and crunchy.

Next, with all your key ingredients in place, you wrap up by layering in your cheese. There are two options here, comprising of mozzarella cheese for a stringy stretch or cheddar cheese for a rich deep flavour.

Also, you can also mix your cheese for a varied experience. Also, do try to layer on as much cheese to and the recommendation is to cover up most of your toppings with the cheese to seal it in well. Cheese is optional for your pasta, though small portions does give you a “mac and cheese” recreation.

Moreover, the sky is the limit to what and how much toppings you can put on your pizza or pasta, the staff says they do not restrict what you can put on it from the counter in the spirit of DIY. So in general, it is sauce, vegetables, add proteins, sprinkle cheese. I found the somewhat fun and engages you like a light activity rather than just a meal.

Incredibly good value

When you are satisfied with your monster of a pizza creation, thereafter, the finishing step is handing your creation to staff at the restaurant central counter, who will bring your creation into the kitchen for baking. Their pizzas reportedly take about 3 minutes (roughly a quick 5-minute average) in their oven.

The staff hands you a numbered standee where they will serve you your DIY creation when cooked. Your creation comes out of the kitchen quick and does not eat too much into your 90-minute buffet time limit, which I noticed was not enforced during my dine-in towards closing time too.

The pizza dough had a decent chew and the baked pasta with melted cheese was comforting. You can eat your pizzas with the provided knife and fork cutlery “European style” or go all-American and use your bare hands. Do avoid piling on too many wet sauces or heavy liquids, I found the thin moist base for pizza is not too good when overloaded with sauce or toppings, where your overloaded pizza might break apart in your hand- where I would recommend using cutlery instead.

Also, the ingredient flavours may not reach gourmet heights, the ingredients are fresh and fun but do not quite compare with high-end artisan pizza venues, like Robertas pizza we previously tried at Marina Bay Sands. Still, if I were to single out signature best dishes, their pizza with the classic tomato-sauce pizza with large chicken and prawn chunks buried under mozzarella for a good cheese pull, or the cream-sauce pasta loaded with vegetables and chicken. Do avoid combinations that mix too many sauces or overly wet toppings that may affect texture.

Still, I found the buffet incredibly good value. My dine-in costed S$29.90/pax which comes up to $35.85/pax with tax and service charge included. Not bad for a buffet in the sub-$40 price point. With this, I managed to try the entire selection of pizza and pasta permutations- two 8” pizzas, one with either type of sauce base, and 2 pasta plates (both penne and fusilli) before calling it too full for the evening.

Wrapping up

Staff are friendly, service is fast and food comes out quickly. Also, the restaurant has more of a family casual feel and less formal than a typical sit-down Italian restaurant. Notably, as the buffet can fill you up fast, you would want to come moderately hungry if you are on the buffet. Also, do note the restaurant is not halal-certified. Water is served free and wine goes at about $75 per bottle.

All in all, that wraps our DIY dine-in at Dough It Yourself. The highlight for me was the DIY element itself, being able to tailor toppings exactly how you like. Dough It Yourself tad delivers a hands-on pizza and pasta outing that’s fun, flexible, and reasonably priced. If you enjoy a lively casual meal building your own dishes and sharing the experience, it’s worth dropping by. For with some creativity, it works well.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.

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In this article, we are going to check out points of interests such as visiting Arakurayama Sengen, Oishi Park, Oshino hakkai and ascending up Mt Fuji up to the Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station 2,300 meters above sea level.

Statistically, the iconic Japanese mountain stands 3,776 meters tall above sea level. It is rooted in Japanese history and culture. For centuries, it has been revered in Japanese Shinto beliefs, depicted in classical art, and immortalised in Japanese literature and folklore.

A sacred and spiritual mountain

Moreover, the mountain is also known as the goddess of volcanoes, flowers, and earthly life, and often referred to as a “she”. Also, Japanese pilgrims once ascended its slopes for spiritual enlightenment, captured in art by artists like Hokusai.

The experience of seeing Mt Fuji varies as well as being on her. Today, Fuji remains a must-visit destination, namely to witness its symmetrical beauty. Whether viewed from scenic spots like Chureito Pagoda or across Lake Kawaguchi, its presence dominates the landscape and sometimes shrouded in mist, other times clear against the sky.

Let’s take an explore going up the mountain and explore the neighbouring sights of the sights of Japan’s most iconic Mountain Volcano.

Arakurayama Sengen Park and Chureito Pagoda

Arakurayama Sengen Park in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan offers one of the best free scenic views you get of Mt Fuji. Notably, this park is tad famous for its panoramic distant far views of Mount Fuji, flanked with a red Pagoda. If you had seen postcards photos of Mount Fuji with an ironic traditional five-story Pagoda (Chureito pagoda), chances the photo was taken right here.

Moreover, on transportation, you can reach the rather remotely-located Arakurayama Sengen Park from Tokyo via a long 3-hour commuter rail train ride to Shimoyoshida Station via the Fujikyuko Line.

Alternatively, driving takes about a 90-minute on-the-road from Tokyo totaling about 120km via highway passing via several toll booths along the way.

From the Shimoyoshida Station, the Shinto shrine and highland park is about a 15-minute walk away. Here, you take a path after crossing a rail-crossing and follow the signs leading to the park through a residential and vehicle flyover area.

Along the way here, you can find several small stores hawking goods and fresh fruits here too.

It is not long where you enter a clearing into a wooded area with large Shrine arches marking the entrance of the shrine.

A 400 stair climb up

A sign and shrine archway greets you at the bottom of the park, you will need to climb approximately 400 steps to reach the main viewpoint where the Chureito Pagoda reside with panoramic views of Mount Fuji. Entry is free. There is an option of stairs or a meandering slope to get up or down. Also, the stairs are the quickest way up, but might be tad bit more of a physical workout.

Your rather physical uphill climb is rewarded at the top of the hill, where you are treated to vast panoramic views of Mount Fuji. Depending on your speed, you should be at the top in under 15 minutes or so from the bottom. There is a large wooden viewing seating gallery deck at a top clearing where you can take photos from.

Also, the Arakura Sengen Shrine residing here within this locale is a religious site dedicated to the Shinto goddess named Konohanasakuya-hime. For the local community, the shrine holds cultural religious importance.

The Chureito Pagoda structure, built in 1963 is a relatively modern addition here and was erected as a peace memorial. Architecturally, the Chureito Pagoda base is nothing much out of the ordinary, decked in brightly painted red ascents. It is part of the buildings here which forms part of the shrine complex.

Views on the hill

Moreover, the view of the pagoda against the mountain has become an emblematic image of Japan’s natural beauty. You can recognise the view up here immortalised in countless postcards and social media posts. Also, to get a clear view of Mt Fuji, this spot at Arakurayama Sengen Park is best visited during clear and cloudless days for optimal views of the mountain.

Your results may vary. You can also see the Fuji-Q Highland in the distance too, known as a thrill seeker’s themepark flanked by views of Mt Fuji.

Do note this deck spot is often crowded with tourists, alternatively you can catch unobstructed views from a hill clearing by climbing up the grassy area just above the viewing deck.

Do arrive early or visit on weekdays to avoid crowds. Crowds are exceptionally peak especially during peak cherry blossom and autumn seasons. Visually-wise, there is not much pictorial difference over the seasons other than foliage colour, with pink cherry blossom canopies in spring, while autumn is decked in a sea of reds and orange. In winter, you can see Mt Fuji being snow-capped.

Additionally, apart from the main viewpoint, the park offers some fringe activities on the shrine grounds. It is literally tad a walk in the walk, comprising of quiet walking paths surrounded by seasonal flowers and lush greenery. The paths are lined with rows of lanterns lit at night.

Oishi Park ice cream, Fujikawaguchiko

Furthermore, our next stop, Oishi Park is another neat spot to catch scenic views of Mt Fuji throughout the year. It is situated in the picturesque region of Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, near the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchi. It is also known to offer locally farmed-made blueberry ice-cream on sale as a treat. Also, the park offers an unobstructed view of Mount Fuji with a central lake, making it a popular spot if you are looking to capture the iconic mountain’s beauty, yet have a small town to explore during your visit too.

Notably, Oishi Park’s location within one the Fuji Five Lakes area contributes to its reputation as a prime viewing point for seasonal scene. Historically, the Park has been known for showcasing the natural splendour surrounding Mount Fuji.

Oishi Park is known for their well-maintained seasonal flower gardens and allowing you to get close to the flowers. Throughout, you are able to take nice views of Mount Fuji featuring prominently in the background with colourful flowers all around. It features the lavender festival that takes place during the summer months of June and July. The garden also changes to red and gold during autumn.

Also, I found the park’s serene lakeside paths easy to navigate and pass through several small planter and flower beds. It encourages exploration with some paths serving as shortcuts.

Notably, if it weren’t for the barrage of tourists here, the park’s open spaces make it suitable for leisurely calming picnics by Lake Kawaguchi.

Mt Fuji and blueberry ice cream

Sitting within the park is the Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center. It is the park’s main visitor center building which offers souvenirs, local products, and homemade blueberry items. It is also home to a small café selling their iconic blueberry-flavoured ice cream treats.

One of the highlights is the blueberry soft-serve, made using locally grown blueberries. It tad offers a sweet yet slightly tart flavour unique to the area. The café also serves other flavours, such as lavender and vanilla which you can consume in-café or around the park, just note that like in most parts of Japan, you can’t find trash bins out in the open.

There is also an infographic corner at the Visitor Center shop to learn more about farming in the area. You may also participate in some support for the local business by buying local jam and souvenirs with Yamanashi’s agriculture blueberry specialties. In addition, another good spot to take in Mount Fuji will be at the Visitor Center’s second floor café seating area right above the ice cream shop.

It is a good spot for photos of Mt Fuji with the gardens. If the crowds at Oishi Park are too much for you, you may always go for a stroll around Lake Kawaguchi. The area around the lake offers breathtaking views with Mt. Fuji visible at all times.

Going up 2,300 meters to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station

If being on Mt Fuji itself beats sights of it afar, the Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station is a spot which you can drive up the mountain and a popular starting point for climbers scaling the mountain.

Also, up here, the small town comprising of shops, shrines and a pretty high post office. It is situated at an elevation of around 2,300 meters. There is an elevation sign board here you can take photos with.

The 5th station is a popular yet convenient stop with a carpark and great panoramic views of Mt Fuji summit and the surrounding highland scenery. Also, this station offers a glimpse into highland mountain life without the need for strenuous hiking.

It is easily accessible by road, whether you are driving up or a bus from Tokyo and surrounding areas. You can get up here via public bus from Mt Fuji station, where the route also passes by Fuji-Q theme park along the way. Though do note that access to this spot is subjected to weather conditions and is usually closed during winter months.

Fujiyama Komitake Shrine

Furthermore, for centuries, Mt. Fuji is revered as a sacred site. The 5th Station has a small Shinto temple tucked behind an alleyway, called the Fujiyama Komitake Shrine. Here, you can find the temple gates, as well as a small shrine and gift shop selling Mt Fuji themed Omamori Lucky charms.

For over 1,080 years the Fujiyama Komitake Shrine is where locals and climbers pray before starting their accent. The shrine’s been cherished by locals and climbers as a central place of worship. Notably, during the July to September climbing seasons, the station is lively with climbers preparing for the ascent. Outside the season, with the trails closed, the spot still draws mainly sightseers who want to get as close to Mt. Fuji’s peak without the hike.

Exploring the temple, there is a great temple drum and a viewing deck overlooking down the mountain. Historically, the 5th station and shrine marks the halfway point up the summit, and is a rest and preparation area for climbers to pray and prepare prior to summiting Mt Fuji.

Today, the area mixes the traditional and modern components. It retains traditional shrines and buildings that showcase the ancient culture of the locality, while catering for tourists with modern amenities.

Try the 5th station melon bread

Moreover, the 5th Station is tad a bustling hub with various attractions, especially when the bus-load of tourists rolls in. Otherwise, the town is a rather chill and quiet village in the clouds, dotted with small shops provision and eateries provide snacks, souvenirs, and local specialties.

Here, you can find a café restaurant serving the iconic Fuji Melon Bread, which you can buy a box set of three. There is also a post office you can Mt Fuji postcards from. Notably, this post office is not the highest post office in Japan (2nd highest). The highest title is given to the seasonal Fujisancho Post Office at Mt Fuji summit sitting at 3,776m.

Post office and stamp station

Interestingly, there is also a Mt Fuji ink-stamp station here for those who collects them for your stamp collection passport. There are a variety of designs available on a rotation basis.

Also, above the melon bread café restaurant is a small roof-top viewing deck at the top. It is accessible via an external staircase just outside the restaurant. Up here, you can check panoramic views of the Mt Fuji peak, the Fuji Five Lakes, the Southern Alps as well as the surrounding town area. You can get great views out on clear days and is ideal for photography.

The crisp air and high-altitude environment provide a serene break from city life. Notably, on there are Horseback rides are available here. Notably, the toilets up here practice water rationing and are delivered daily via large water tanks. Quirky musings down the mountain is a “musical road” where you would pass on your way out on the road out from the 5th station. It is a tuned piece of road which plays a tune as your vehicle tires rolls over them.

Oshino Hakkai watering ponds

Moving from the 5th station, and wrapping up our Mt Fuji explorations is our last stop at Oshino Hakkai. It is a small minor town known for their volcanic features and crystal-clear freshwater ponds. It is less of a viewing spot of the mountain, but one for old towns and volcanic features. This picturesque village located in the Fuji Five Lakes region of Japan. It is renowned for its pristine spring water ponds, courtesy of melting snow filtered by lava layers directly from Mount Fuji.

Interestingly, you come to Oshino Hakkai to check out it’s eight distinct ponds. They are called Deguchi, Okama, Sokonashi, Choshi, Waku, Nigori, Kagami, and Shobu Ponds, each with its own unique characteristics.

The ponds are scattered all around the town, some more popular and recognised than others. Notably, the water in these ponds is filtered through volcanic rock over several decades, creating crystal-clear pools. The ponds are revered as sacred by local communities and are believed to purify pilgrims before they climbed the nearby Mount Fuji.

Moreover, the more famous among them include the Waku Pond, located in the central buzzing village and giftshop area. This deep pond is known for its pure, crystal-clear drinkable water and stunning clarity.

Crystal clear fresh water ponds

It is also home to interesting freshwater plant life and large fish. You can also bring a bottle to fill the water here. Though during certain peak seasons, you are expected to pay for a plastic bottle to get a fill.

Interestingly enough, the Nigori Pond, or the unclear pond, features a rather distinctive by interesting turqoise color. Next, the Kagami-ike, or also known as the Mirror Pond, is famous for its water reflection of Mt. Fuji. Lastly, the Sokonashi Pond situated within the Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan Museum is said to be the deep “bottomless pond”, where anything you drop would be lost forever.

Furthermore, you can drink the spring water and even observe koi swimming in the waters or take pleasure in the reflection of Mt. Fuji on clear days with traditional wooden bridges, waterwheels and greenery.

A buzzing traditional Japanese town

Moreover, the village is visually classically stunning, with the exception of few modern touches here and there. The town around the ponds is dotted with traditional single-floor thatched-roof houses, small shops, and eateries. The village does offer a unique blend of traditional Japanese natural beauty, cultural history and ambiance.

You pass by rows of shops and restaurants offering street food and wares. The setting is not much too different back in the day which traces back centuries, with the ponds being the focal point historically serving as a pilgrimage site.

Walking around, you can catch sights of local crafts stores with wares displayed storefront. You can also sample handmade soba noodles, and taste various regional delicacies street-food like tako balls and unagi (eel). Additionally, seasonal treats you can find on storefronts here include grilled corn and yaki manju (sweet buns).

A place to purchase Mt Fuji themed gifts

Also, here you can find rows of food stalls, street side markets hawking Mt-Fuji themed confectionary and souvenir trinkets. They make pretty good gifts to bring home. The town is usually a good spot to visit for lunch or dinner when you are in the Mt Fuji district. You can grab a quick snack or a sit-down hot meal at one of the few small family-run eateries. They are reasonably priced and can get rather packed on peak meal times, but table turnover is rather quick too, so waits are short.

When done, you can take leisurely walks to enjoy the peaceful rural town atmosphere, or check out all the ponds. The tourist crowds do taper off great out of the main town areas. If you have time, you can also explore the various business and shrines on the outskirt of the town, such as the Tōenji Buddhist Temple.

All in all, that wraps up our visit to Sights of Mt fuji Japan. From Arakurayama Sengen Park, Oishi Park, up the 5th station to Oshino Hakkai ponds, there is plenty to see and do here. You could cover all the sights here in roughly in the span of an entire day, let be two if you stay overnight. It offers cultural insights, scenic beauty, and practical facilities for a memorable visit to experience the natural beauty of Japan’s Mt. Fuji’s grandeur up close.

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A swim for charity

In a nutshell, the annual charity swimming event which typically runs in the second half of the year. It also encourages families and Singapore NSmen to stay active, strengthen bonds, and support those in need. It is tad not just a swimming challenge, but also a social movement. Notably, the event started as a SAFRA initiative to blend sport, family bonding, and community charity into one. It brings together swimmers of all ages and backgrounds. Over time, it grew from a simple local swim challenge into a national-scale event across SAFRA clubhouses.

Also, each edition raises funds for causes such as disability sports, child development centres, and support for servicemen and families in need. Swim for Hope continues its long-running tradition of swimming for charity. An average event registration rate of $1 per km, with $55 for the 55km swim event. This year’s Swim for Hope 2025 runs from 11 August to 18 October. Registration opened from early August to early October.

Additionally, the event fundraising period spans the same window, where you are given time to rally support donations while you swim for the cause for exposure to the cause. Notably, the beneficiaries for this year’s event includes the Community Chest, President’s Challenge, SAF Care Fund, and Singapore Aquatics.

Categories and Virtual Swim

The event caters for swimmers of all physical ability. On swim categories, the Open and Individual categories are targeted to those looking to push their limits or hit a personal achievement best. Here, you can choose distances ranging from 1 km up to the furthest distance at 55 km. You have to complete the total distance within a 2-month time frame. For those who prefer spread the load with teamwork, is the 250km group challenge where teams of 5 can combine their total distance. Interestingly, the mix of short, long, and team events keeps things inclusive. It lets anyone join regardless of swimming experience or fitness level.

Moreover, clocking in the distances into the web portal is honour-based. On the event web portal, you need to submit your swim distance in meters and your total swim duration with a date for each activity. Also, it would be ideal if you have a smart watch which has a pool swim function able to count your laps. An example be the Garmin Vivoactive series watches. I would screenshot my activities saved from my watch on the Garmin Connect App. This also serves as evidence of my swim distance and swim time for that added activity.

A familiar charity swim

Additionally, this year’s event still retains the physical swim format, where you need to clock at least 1km of physical swim at a SAFRA club. The remainder distance scan be done at your own time at any pool, including ActiveSG public pools. Notably, Swim for Hope does a rotation of supporting SAFRA clubs for the physical swim. Past Swim for hope events like the 2024 edition was held at SAFRA Mt Faber and the 2023 edition we swam held at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang.

This year’s event is held at both SAFRA Tampines and Jurong clubhouses. Also, the physical swims are fixed on 4th and 18th October, with physical 2 hourly slots from 10am to 6pm on SAFRA Tampines 4th October 2025, as well as 12pm to 4pm at SAFRA Jurong on 18th October 2025. Also, 18th October is the last day of swimming and clocking in of your final distance.

Physical Swim at SAFRA

On physical swim days, the atmosphere feels charged but friendly. You do not need to scan your SAFRA membership to enter the pool on swim days. The scene feels almost festive. As with the last 3 years, there isn’t much of a crowd and you are able to find a full lane you can do laps in. Strangely, there isn’t a family fair like that at Mt Faber last year, where there is bouncy floats, pop corn and cotton candy.

Also, you do not need to arrive right on dot for your swimming slot and it is fine arriving flexibly within your 2-hour swim window. You can request for an additional coloured swim band to tide you into the next hour slot if you see yourself staying in the pool doing laps for longer.

You are to bring your swimming essentials, goggles, cap, towel, and maybe a water bottle. What the venue provides are shower facilities and a safe place to swim with lifeguards on duty at the open outdoor pool. A small tent sits by the side offering cold isotonic drinks, water and bananas to participants. There is also a medic counter on standby by the pool side too. With such hot weather in Singapore this time of the year, hydration is crucial, especially under Singapore’s heat. Between swims, take a walk around the area to visit booths or talk to staff.

Strange pool rules

It was my first time swimming here at SAFRA Tampines. Here, you have a choice to do your laps at the fast lap pool lanes or leisure lanes. While the lap pool involves the conventional anticlockwise swim method in most pools, the leisure lap pool involves you swim in the same anticlockwise manner but having to repeatedly cross-under the pool lane divider ropes. Strangely, you can’t have an entire lane yourself to do laps even when the all adjacent pool lanes are empty. Weird inflexible pool rules, so go figure. They should had at least remove the lane dividers so swimmers need not have to swim under the ropes when crossing lanes to do their return lap.

Moreover, if you plan to swim more than 1km at the physical swim, a recommendation is to split your swim into the 1km first and remainder distance in a separate activity. Reason being any distance above 1km in your physical swim won’t be registered into your total tally. Hence it is recommended to submit the 1km to the event staff, while you can clock in the rest via the web portal yourself, so every km is counted.

In all, I managed to clock about 60km of the required 55km, dedicated to SG60 this year.

Also, you can collect your swimmer entitlements and finishers medal on the day of your physical swim if you had already completed swam your required swim distance. There is no limit to how far you can swim.

Wrapping up

On the completion of your event you be given quite a number of freebies. Items include laundry sheets (odd one), shampoo, tiger balm products as well as some drink packets. This is on top of your blue event Tee, black finisher T-shirt, and finisher medal. Also, you can have your entitlements mailed to you for free or have them collected on the spot at your physical swim event.

All in all, that wraps up this year’s edition of Swim for Hope 2025. The event ends in a weeks’ time on the 18th October, where you have to complete all your swim submissions to be counted into your tele. The event continues to captures what community sports is. You do not have to be a professional athlete to take part. Whether you swim one kilometre or fifty-five, you contribute to something larger than yourself. Do good and keep swimming!

The post SAFRA Swim for Hope 2025 event report appeared first on ShaunChng.com.

Notably, Real run had been around for quite a while on the Singapore running calendar. I remembered running my first real run in 2005 where it was held in Sentosa. It was then known as a cross-terrain race with a mix of sandy terrain as well as road and gravel elements. That was almost 20 years ago when I was still in school and it was sponsored by New Balance as a title sponsor.

The Nexus at Punggol Coast Mall is where the activities begin, located at 88 Punggol Way, the area is a vast hall which houses a central stage for prize presentations. The Race village opens at 3pm and closed at 7pm. Also, the race flag off was at the long walkway beside the Punggol Digital District Nexus square. This long walkway connects the various academic blocks of the SIT campus distinguished by the network of red overhead bridges.

A mid-day race event

Moreover, this year’s 2025 Real Run is one of the few races starting mid-day. Most large event races such typically starting in the wee mornings before 6am. I am glad that the weather was cloudy and shaded. A 4pm start time can lead to 2 possible extreme scenarios, firstly with a lot of residual heat accumulated mid-day making the run extreme hot-soaked. Or, with the monsoon season almost in full swing, a 4pm event time tad a risk itself as thunderstorms which typically takes place late afternoons.

The 10km run is reasonably priced at $55 for early bird and $70 regular price. The flagship 10km event started just after 4pm, the 5km run started at 4:35pm, with the last runner crossing the start line at about 5pm. Also, the 1.6KM fun walk flagged off at 4:50pm with a race time of 1 hr.

Also, all routes under covers part of the main 10km route, with the 5km route U-turning at the Punggol Promenade Nature walk area. The race start pen is split into compartmentalized starting areas depending on your desired pace. All elite runners starts in the first pen, while I recommend starting from the back for the thinner crowds.

Moreover, the shady 4pm clouds offered a hint of coolness that made the wait more bearable. As the horn sounded, the crowd moved in rhythm, each step echoing the shared goal of finishing strong while soaking in the scenic route that wound through one of Singapore’s most beautiful park connectors.

A recommendation to avoid the crowd rush at the start line. You should start at the last as far back for your event pen. Here, you let the bulk of the adrenaline-filled runners rush ahead of you and clogging up the front of the pack, while you can enjoy completely clear running path for your first 2km at least until you start to catch up on the slowing crowd ahead.

10km Race route and points of interests

The first kilometer takes you on a long downhill stretch passing by several SIT campus blocks left and right. This includes passing by the new digital Fairprice supermarket towards the riverside promenade.

You hit the Punggol Coast HDB estate before making a turn into Coney Island Park West Entrance linkway leading into the Island’s main gates itself. You enter the Coney Island Park West Entrance at around the 2km mark, the route veers toward Coney Island.

Along this stretch, you run beside mangroves, creek tributaries and verdant nature corridors. The path winds around gentle curves, offering occasional glimpses of the estuarine habitat and the quiet side of Singapore’s northeast coast. Also, here, you can catch with views across the Punggol waterways, shaded greenery, and the early morning light glinting off the waterway. The Punggol Waterway Park lies nearby, with its landscaped promenades and theme gardens quietly welcoming early risers. The Coney Island stretch has bit of a gravel path, but nowhere close to the uneven beach sand of the Real Run events of the yesteryears.

At about the 3 km point, the route continues deeper into the Coney Island grounds. You traversing forest tracks interspersed with shrubs, trees, and patches of scrub. There is even a small new activity area managed by Outward Bound Singapore (OBS).

This section brings a sense of retreat from urban surroundings, with birdcalls and the rustle of foliage, and occasional breaks in the canopy that allow glimpses out to sea or across lagoon inlets.

Crossing into Lorong Halus

After passing by the PUB Coney Island Pump Sump, you exit out the east entrance of Coney Island via the Serangoon East Dam and Serangoon Tidal Gates.

Here you can see the mainland on the right and Malaysia on the left side of the tidal gates. Also where you find you second water, H20 isotonic drink point and the first race chip check-in point.

The path head leads along the restored Lorong Halus Wetland area along the eastern bank of Serangoon River. It tad immerses you in a rich ecological zone: mudflats, shallow channels, reedy grasses and waterfowl in the morning light. Also, many local bird species frequent this zone, including kingfishers, herons, and potentially small migratory species. Also, the area here is a nicely shaded mangrove side path. Notably there were a family of monkeys here.

Approaching halfway, you cross the iconic Lorong Halus Bridge. the bridge is also known as the Lor Halus Red Bridge. Here, this striking red pedestrian bridge spans over the Sungei Serangoon estuary and river mouth, and connects the wetlands area to further paths toward Pasir Ris and Coney Island.

Also, the bold red colours of the bridge provides a vivid contrast against the wetland greens and reflective river surfaces. The bridge incline itself is very gradual and does not affect your pace much.

Punggol East shaded straights

After the bridge and wetland stretch, the subsequent 4- 5km segment curves around back toward the Punggol East region. You turn left at the Waterway Sunrise II HDB estate on a 1km stretch before U-turning back (with another race chip mat at the far end U-turn point) towards the Lorong Halus Bridge again.

This 5 km and 6 km part of the route loops outward around local green corridors. You pass by community gardens, nursery sites (e.g. Seed farm) near the container park). You also go under the Pasir Ris Bridge flyover serving Paris Ris industrial Drive 1. This area has a path-side toilet stop which was useful for few runners needing a mid-run toilet stop with a drinking water fountain.

Also, this part of the route is where things starts to get more congested with runners. As I caught up with the main pack, I found the path at some points are pretty narrow and difficult for large groups of participants to pass. This is especially as the path is not totally closed and shared with other non-event public park goers and cyclists too.

Punggol East Container Park straight and U-turn

Moving on, the straight flat path here skirts some edges of the Punggol East Container Park area. Notably, the Waterway Sunrise estate is also home to some F&B outlets here. You can also find community gardens, nursery plots and landscaped green corridors. This area is a mixed recreational and dining enclave along Tebing Lane, housing food stalls, cafes, container-styled eateries, and a social innovation park vibes.

After the U-turn you return back to the Waterway Sunrise and Lorong Halus Bridge on your return leg of the two-way park connector path back. Here, is where you find your first of two uphill climbs, first at the Sunrise Bridge at Waterway Sunrise estate.

This U-shaped bridge sits at the mouth of which feeds into the Punggol waterway. It offers an elevated view of the waterway and the Lor Halus Red Bridge.

Last 2km stretch and uphill finish

Around 6-7 km, you run back along the west bank of the Punggol Promenade Nature Walk. You follow the riverside tracks once more, with gentle undulations and water views along the Serangoon and Punggol river estuary. This area is also well-shaded with tall trees and vegetation.

Here, you cross the Punggol Promenade Bridge with views of Edgefield plains in distant left west side and Coney Island on your right.

The last 2km stretch is also very well shaded, with small spots of open sunny areas. It is a simple relatively flat run from 7 to 8 km mark. At the 9 km stretch, the route curves back toward the Punggol Digital District and starting precinct zone. You retrace your outward route back to the startline area.

Lastly, this final leg leads you back into the Punggol Digital District, the last 500m of the stretch is an uphill one, which provided a good 300m uphill sprint section before crossing the finishing line. This uphill is also what separates the better runners from the weaker runners. Notably, many runners were mostly seen all walking up this final stretch despite being so close to the finish line.

Also, the common finish line is pretty inconspicuous, distinguished by the red race chip mat and a small vertical LED screen on the left of the finishing line. Many runners remarked missing where the end-line is, as many would had expected a grander overhead gantry or sort.

Area for race improvement

The organisers should not close the 10km race route so early. Even with the advertised cut off time of 2-hours (6pm) for the 10km competitive, after flag off, the track security marshals were strangely observed to be too eager to quickly close off the 10km route at Coney Island 30 mins from flag-off. This forced several late or slower 10km runners to detour and do only the 5km route. The organisers should ought to look into the early closure of the 10km route (probably 1hr from flag-off) and not force runners off to another event distance they are not supposed to run in.

Also, the post-race bottle neck at the finishing line could be better managed with a larger tent to accommodate runners at the finishing line. At some points, the jam even extended before the finishing line. Finishing line drinks were all run-out for a number of 5km runners too with no replenishment.

This jam started from the finishing line leading to the medal and finisher shirt collection area created a bottleneck. Here, runners have to snake back into the Nexus area going down the performance stage area steps funnelled runners into a tight spot which could be much better thought-out. Collection after the chokepoint however was brisk with several counters in wait to distribute the finisher medal and Tee entitlements.

Wrapping up with Race expo and runner entitlements

Wrapping up with Race expo held at HomeTeamNS Khatib, where you collect your runner entitlements 2 weeks before the event date on 27- 28 Sept. The race pack collection was well organised, brisk and fast, you be done with your collection within 10mins, less any additional time spent on lucky draws and commercial sponsor booths.

Your race pack contains your event singlet, your bib race chip combo, a bottled drink and a pretty hefty voucher pack envelope. It contains an eccentric mix of different coupons and vouchers. Topping up the remainder of the runner entitlement is your finisher Tee and medal, which you get after crossing the finishing line on race day.

You can also have the race pack snail-mailed to you at $10 or collection on race day too. The finisher’s medal has a weird and gimmicky separate spinning ring.

All in all, that wraps up race of this year’s real run. I was going in expecting it to be a heatwave of a run, but the cloud cover and the choice of a shaded vegetated route was a great welcome. Still, I managed to clock in a 10km race chip timing of 58min 05s, which is not a PB, but surprisingly shorter than I expected considering the time I spent constantly taking photos along the route. This year’s new route had offered a refreshing visit with lush greenery, a brief but good escape from the city’s noise. The run’s largely flat route and pleasant great weather made it an enjoyable 10km. Not a bad run overall and looking forward to next year.

You can check your race timing at the racetime website here.

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On some history, the first Singapore GP took place in 2008. We even visited the Ferrari paddock area in 2009. Since then, the event is more than just a race, catering to a global audience, and promoting Singapore as a tourism and lifestyle destination. This 2025 edition, this race again delivered drama, spectacle, and a full carnival of supporting events. From my vantage as a Zone 4 walkabout ticket attendee, I got to move around many public areas, soak up atmosphere, and catch bits of race, concerts, fireworks, food stalls, and more.

Entering the race village as a Zone 4 walkabout attendee

The tight street circuit, the night setting, and the surrounding infrastructure make it a very demanding but yet visually striking spectacle. Notably, along the entry to the entrance, you can find several members of public looking to buy last minute tickets on the spot to enter the grounds.

Security through the gates is quick and took the most 10mins with a visual bag check. Once in the race village, you are free to roam the Zone 4 event grounds. This includes the Padang stage area, which needs additional purchase of wristbands to enter. Everything here screams money as nothing comes on top of your base race day entry ticket.

Moreover, your Zone 4 ticket is one of the more budget-friendly options available. It gives you access to general walkabout areas, public plazas, corridors between grandstands, fan zones, screens, and certain standing-only viewing vantage points (but no prime grandstand seating).

You have no seats allocated, which would cost you at least $100 more per day for a grandstand seat. Here you move around on foot, often weaving through crowds. Be prepared for some jostling, especially when a big race moment occurs. Having a portable umbrella or light rain jacket is wise, as Singapore tropical weather can surprise you.

Good viewing spots in Zone 4

Also, do arrive early at least 2 hours early to grab standing seats. Also, the crowds on free practice and qualifying are nowhere close to the massive crowds you get on race day. Everywhere is packed to the brim on race day, including the grandstands and standing platforms. This is also reflected on the day ticket sales, where race day tickets can cost upwards of twice for a single day to free practice days.

Additionally, a nice spot along Zone 4 be the War memorial stands facing the Singapore Recreation Club, and the Esplanade bridge area. Here, you could catch glimpses of cars making the Fullerton hotel hairpin- turn 13. This is the slowest corner of the track and flooring it through the Esplanade bridge straight towards turn 14 passing by tight walls, hear engine roars echoing off buildings, and catch the transitions under the floodlights.

Also, I found the event can make do with less overselling of tickets. Every single viewing deck on race day is packed full to the brim with people throughout the entire race. It does make for quite an packed unpleasant experience with no one wanting to leave or give up their spots.

Tips as a Zone 4 walkabout attendee

Moreover, do scout your viewing gaps early. Before the race, walk around corridors and identify gaps between grandstands. Then stake a spot (within your zone) before peak moments. Throughout the day, there are minor events from mid-afternoon like F1 Academy races, Porsche Carrera cup and the driver’s parade which you can plant yourself to catch, though most attendees won’t arrive till 6-7pm. Also, choose a spot with big screens smartly, these giant LED screens allows you to catch the highlights on other sectors of the track.

You will appreciate the flexibility, variety and movement of Zone 4 walkabout on less crowded days like free practice on Friday, and maybe Saturday’s qualifying, but not for Sunday race day. On Race day, every single viewing point packed to brim throughout. It is impossible to find any free viewing position during the race. You are very much grounded at your chosen viewing spot throughout the race, eliminating the chances of any walkabout. Hence, I would recommend a grandstand seat for race day itself for comfort and if you do not enjoy crowds.

Travel light and hydrate

On hygiene matters, do dress lightly as the air is often hot and humid, and hydrate yourself. Even under lights, Singapore is humid. Take breaks, sit when possible, and keep bottled water with you as you might be away from a toilet for the entire race duration of 2 hours. It is a good idea to bring a refillable water bottle (water refill stations are usually placed in fan zones). Do wear comfortable shoes as you be on your feet more than you expect. Also, do bring a portable electric fan and a portable power bank to keep your phone juiced up. You need it for event access, map, camera, and race app.

Ear protection is recommended but not compulsory, especially if you are not seated near the track. The Turbo-hybrid V6 engines are also notably quieter now. The esplanade is a great air-conditioned spot to beat the heat and its basement is home to water dispensers and clean toilets. It beats using the portable toilets at the Padang carnival areas. It drizzled moments before the start of the rain, but it cleared up quickly with thankfully no downpour. Having a foldable umbrella on the clearing is useful, and if it rains, use a poncho on the stands, and do not use umbrellas at the stands as you won’t have much space for it.

Race weekend highlights (2025 edition)

On the race itself, George Russell converted pole into a commanding win, leading from start to finish. Behind him, Max Verstappen held off Lando Norris to take second, while Norris grabbed third. What made this edition special: McLaren secured the Constructors’ Championship at this very race. The race was rather uneventful too, with this year is also a 2nd year in the row without any safety car incidents. There are a couple of light body and wall contact, but no major accidents which yielded in an retirements. There were no retirements and all 20 cars finished, which is rare for Singapore.

One of the major talking points is the intra-team clash between Norris and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri right on lap one, stirring up championship tensions. This confrontation saw Norris overtook aggressively, making contact, which left Piastri visibly aggrieved. Also, the FIA declared this the first “heat hazard” race, because cockpit temperatures under the humid Singapore climate were expected to hit extremes. Drivers were permitted to use cooling vests or extra ballast in mitigation. The fastest lap fell to Lewis Hamilton (1:33.808 on lap 48), setting a new official race lap record. Notably, the pit lane speed limit had been raised (from 60 km/h to 80 km/h), which tightened strategies.

The race carnival, fireworks & concerts

Post-race, the entire city precinct became a festival. Outside the track, you can find fan zones and open plazas. Nearer to the pit building, there were branded displays, racing simulators, autograph sessions, pit walkabouts (for some ticket classes), merchandise stalls, sponsor activations, and food and drink villages.

It does felt less like a race weekend and more like a carnival that just happens to have a Grand Prix in its centre, fun-fair style bumper cars included!

Also, there is ample food offered in the fan villages, with a selection of western, hawker-style food, local fusion pop-ups, gelato, and beers. You can have them from the stands or the few beer gardens in the Padang event area.

Also, as the event draws international visitors, you also get an international food selection like sushi, burgers, tacos, and dessert. Prices are premium, of course, typical event mark-ups. Re-entry to the event ground is allowed, where you can alternatively dine in the Marina bay shopping malls or food courts with better value.

Fireworks lit the sky above the circuit right after Russel crossed the finishing line first. You get the best views of the fireworks from the Esplanade bridge in my zone 4. Zone 4 is also where the big concerts are held-post race. Here you can find big name acts and local bands performed on stages near spectator zones with music genres ranging from pop, EDM, rock, catering to wide tastes and depending on which of the 3 days you are attending.

Elton John’s post-race Padang concert

Despite his age and health, Elton John was nothing short of electric. His one-night concert started right after the race at 10:20am and almost stretching into midnight. He captures the audience the moment he stepped onto the stage, with voices ready to sing along. His piano shimmered under the stage lights, with his fingers dancing along the piano like a skilful artist who perfected his craft. The chords of Rocket Man filled the night, you could feel a wave of energy sweep through the Marina Bay area.

Notably, you do not need to be an Elton John fan to appreciate his music. You be drawn in by the sheer presence he carried as he played and sung the timeless classics all from memory. Between songs, he chatted with the crowd, tossing in bits of humour and gratitude that made the whole show feel intimate despite the massive audience. He even introduced the band member who some had been with him since the 70s.

Wrapping up

After the event, do plan for transport out and avoid the mass exit after the race and concert. Know alternate exits, shuttle timings, and have a backup plan (walk further, bus stops further out). Also, the event exits seldom get crowded immediately after the race. It is recommended to leave about 15minutes before the last Padang concert ends. The MRT from City Hall station does a good job in getting crowds out fast, though do expect bumper to bumper traffic going into the station.

All in all, that wraps up this year’s Singapore GP event. The event weekend felt like a whirlwind of sound, lights, and emotion packed into one humid night. A walkabout ticket is ideal for less crowded days, where you can roam about and catch new viewing points. Though I would prefer to grab a grandstand seat in the future. The race weekend was some kind of organised chaos that somehow just worked if you do not mind being packed like sardines. It was not just about the race, but the atmosphere, the shared thrill, and that fleeting, electric sense of being exactly where the action was.

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The best time to visit is after dusk where the lanterns turn on and glimmer among trees and paths. The event runs from 27 September to 12 October 2025, with the event daily from about 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Last year the event ends at earlier at 10pm.

Despite this year’s edition being part of the SG60 commemoration, this year’s event is more scaled-down than last year. Last year’s lanterns were more extravagant and more impressive too. Possibly due to last year’s even coinciding with the re-opening of the Jurong Lake gardens revamp too. Let’s see what’s on the light up this year.

Tale of Journey to the West told

The Journey to the West lanterns this year form the heart of the festival. The Lakeside Garden’s Lakeside Field is bestowed with scenes that glow with colour and meaning. Each set recreates a chapter from the famous Chinese novel. It weaves together morality, perseverance, and transformation through light and artistry.

The trail begins with the Five Elements Mountain, where Sun Wukong was imprisoned by Buddha after rebelling against heaven. In folklore, this mountain represents restraint and the beginning of enlightenment. The Monkey King is depicted pinned beneath layers of glowing rock, his defiance slowly giving way to humility. Also, the lantern mountains glow in calming tones. It tad symbolises both punishment and rebirth, a reminder that even great powers must bow to wisdom.

Further ahead, the Flaming Mountain lanterns lights up in fiery red and orange hues. It is one of the more vibrant and dynamic sets. It shows the travellers struggling through searing heat. This classical story tells the tale where Tang Sanzang and his disciples must cross a burning desert cursed by the flames of a heavenly furnace.

The Monkey King eventually borrows the fan of Princess Iron Fan to extinguish the blaze. A rather powerful fan indeed. Also, the display here shows both the raging inferno and the massive magical fan in motion. It tad symbolises endurance and wit over brute strength.

Butterfly Field lanterns

The Spider Demon Cave wraps up The Journey to the West lanterns, located at the Butterfly Field. Here, the glowing spider webs stretch between lantern trees, with demon maidens spinning traps of light and silk.

It portrays both the allure and peril of desire, a story of temptation and illusion with seven spider demons try to seduce and ensnare the travelers to feed on their flesh. Sun Wukong uses his cunning and strength to rescue his master. The spiders here are notably motorized and move too. Lastly, the “Returning with the Scriptures” display, the climactic scenes of the journey, and thematic installations showing loyalty, sacrifice, transformation.

Also, each of these scenes feels connected not by story but also through the moral lessons from each character. For instance, Sun Wukong learning discipline, Zhu Bajie confronts laziness, and Tang Sanzang embodying compassion.

Together, they show how enlightenment is achieved not through a single victory, but through many trials and self-reflections journeying together. The lantern craftsmanship is lifelike with their forms illuminated from within. Though it appears that some of the lanterns look similar and are duplicated reused for the various different scenes.

Chinese Garden lanterns

Most of the Chinese Garden lanterns are located at the garden entry gate and white rainbow bridge leading into the island Grand arch. The Path of Harmony archway with white rabbits greets you at the Chinese garden entrance.

Also, the White rainbow bridge here is lit on both ends with rows of lanterns, titled “Bridge of Radiance” It does add to the lantern atmosphere.

Interestingly, the Chinese garden Grand Arch also serves as a projection canvas, but one with simple lights these and not those by digital facade projection we typically see at night festivals.

Hourly Cloud Pagoda music and light show

Furthermore, the Cloud Pagoda is a centrepiece is the centrepiece here. Here, the Moonlight Crescendo plays every 30 minutes from about 7:30 pm till 10pm, you can catch light-and-projection show cast onto the pagoda’s surfaces.

It is tad dramatic, with shifting colours timed to music and silhouettes dancing across the architecture. This is courtesy of spotlights placed on the pagoda itself.

Here at the Lotus Pond Stoneboat is the Chang’e and The Moonlit Garden lantern display. This one stands apart from the Journey to the West sets, yet fitting of the Mid-Autumn theme perfectly.

The glowing figure of Chang’e (the Moon Goddess) can be seen floating above a sea of lighted lotus blooms. Her long sleeves appear to flow like waves of silk with a soft white radiance surrounding her.

It tad reflects off the lily pond water surface. In Chinese folklore, Chang’e ascended to the moon after drinking an elixir of immortality, leaving her husband Hou Yi behind. It is tad a bittersweet story of love, separation, and eternal grace.

Japanese Garden lanterns

The Japanese Garden sector has a subtler but still magical feel and is not as crowded as the other 2 garden sectors with fewer lanterns. A highlight here be the circular floral garden lantern display, rows of veil of lanterns circling the area.

Also, taking center stage here is the Blossoms beneath the moon display, with lantern cranes, cherry blossoms and the moon themed and built around the red wooden bridge.

It is one of the more picturesque lanterns out there and good for group photos. Just watch the moon backlight when taking your photos (HDR mode recommended) as it may wash out your subjects in black.

Moreover, the Lantern Dream of Little Mei at the Resthouse Pond is described as a cute or whimsical display, with Little Mei aboard a floating boat lantern. Together with lantern fishes, the boar appears to drift across the pond to reunite with her family on the Mid-Autumn night. The imagery evokes a dreamlike journey.

Japanese Garden Sunken garden lightup

Also, the Sunken Garden see a return with the Sunken Garden Illumination. It is a play of coloured light, mist, and audio that layers the usual quiet ambience with a soft lighted glow.

You can hear the sound of water splashing in the distance, with subtle lighting along paths reflecting from the pond water, and artistic lighting of flora makes this garden side feel meditative and dreamlike. Also, if you need a break to cool down, there is also an small ice cream shop with seating here serving ice cream waffles.

Lastly, the Water lily pavilion is an open activity space, focused on Community events such as Singapore Community Cats, and astronomy open house organised by the Science Centre Singapore. Here you can have a go viewing the full moon from telescopes.

The lake scape here rather is peaceful and quiet, especially from 9pm. Here, you can take a pause in the serenity. It feels like a natural centrepiece for the Mid-Autumn Festival, connecting the folklore of the heavens with the light of the earth.

Food market and festival events

Through the entire gardens, you can find adorable illuminated rabbit lanterns in varying poses. Some can be seen playing with Mooncake, serving tea, or sitting around.

It is a nice touch and does add ambience and fillers in the quiet parts of the gardens, as well as guide you towards attractions. There are also some solar powered bunny plastic seats which guides the way.

You can also find the Food Market and the Wings of Light installation here at the Lakeside Field. A rather gimmicky relook at the wings which resides at the Japanese Gardens. Also, the food market is typical of a Pasir Malam (night market) letting you pause for snacks, soak up the atmosphere, and recharge before going deeper into the lantern trail.

Notably, there is no carnival funfair here at the Butterfly field like that of last year. Also, notably, the Lakeside Garden this year has an absence of activity and carnival tents. These typically hosts minor family-themed events, wishing lantern ponds.

Though many of the activities had moved to the Japanese Garden Water lily pavilion end, which may not be as accessible or known to most visitors.

Fringe activities

Speaking of events, there is also a Roving Art Studio organised by the National Gallery Singapore on some weekends. Here, you can make mooncake-stamp art or visit a miniature kampong display. Though the event may not be on your visit.

Also, Lantern Riddles is back this year again at Wave Plaza by the passion wave building running from 6:30 to 9:30 on most selected nights (e.g. 29 Sept to 2 Oct, 6 to 9 Oct). You you can test your wit on the stage, as well as on-stage cultural performances, featuring music, dance and instruments.

Wrapping up, other events here includes NParks Concert Series: Rockestra held only on 11 Oct at the Chinese Garden Ficus Lawn. It is billed as “Dancing in the Moonlight,” with local artists playing under the moonlit sky. To most visitors, this area would be just an empty stage most of the time sitting on a field which could house more lanterns light-up like last year.

Wrapping up

Still, it is pleasing that this year’s event saw a welcome extension of the operating hours to 10:30 pm (from 10pm last year) which gives more time for viewing, especially if you are coming in after dinner time. The crowds thin out on weekdays, giving you more breathing space. I found evenings near opening time or after 9 pm better for more contemplative strolling.

All in all, that wraps up out exploration of this year’s Lights by the Lake 2025 at Jurong Lake Gardens. It is tad a more scaled back version of last year’s festival the clearer emphasis on Journey to the West with a pretty a cohesive narrative storyline rather than a series of separate installations. I found this year’s lantern display captures that emotion well. It is calm, elegant, and a tad melancholic. The balance of spectacle and quiet moments, of story and ambience, works well. If you like lanterns, folklore or garden walks under the moon, this edition is definitely worth your time.

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In a nutshell, the PDD is a 50-hectare smart district in Singapore that serves as a hub for digital and cybersecurity industries out of the CDB area. It is touted to be the heart of Singapore’s first smart and sustainable district. It integrates the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) campus with business park developments by JTC Corporation.

Furthermore, FairPrice at Punggol Digital District feels a tad different from your usual supermarket run. This outlet blends retail with technology in a practical, forward-looking way. This is noticeable the moment you walk in, with bright lighting, wide aisles despite the small market footprint.

Also, the standout feature here is the new electronic shopping carts that let you scan, bag, and pay for your groceries right on the cart itself. These black electronic carts are the main attraction here. Each cart is equipped with a touchscreen terminal, barcode scanner, and card payment reader.

A tech test bed

Moreover, at the supermarket entrance, you can see rows of these carts with handlebar screens parked along the supermarket entrance alongside conventional “dumb” shopping trolleys. It gives you a choice of your desired shopping experience. Not coin deposit is required to use the smart carts. Besides the smart cart, the supermarket also has the usual staple of self-checkout counters as well as the express FairPrice automated checkout lanes.

Also, notably, the store represents a step in FairPrice’s long journey of adapting to changing consumer habits. On some history, the supermarket chain, founded in 1973. It since has evolved with the times from barcode scanners in the 1980s to self-checkout counters in the 2000s. The Punggol Digital District outlet tad takes this evolution further. It acts almost like a testing ground for next-generation retail experiences, with some “powered by Ai”. It fits neatly with the area’s smart infrastructure, which is home to tech-driven offices, educational spaces, and automated systems designed to make urban life smoother.

Additionally, the cart design itself is sleek black, but though do weigh a lot more than a conventional cart of the same size and is smaller in capacity too. The screen interface appears to be an Android-like tablet attached to a myriad of sensors and cameras bolted on tightly into the cart. The cart is still not motorized and still had to be manually pushed around. It does take more effort to push the heavier cart around.

Still, the wheels do glide easily even when loaded. If you had ever fumbled with the old metal trolleys, this feels like a breath of fresh air to your smart, but also a rather gimmicky shopping experience.

Using the smart cart

Moreover, you start off by logging into the smart cart using the FairPrice app on your phone. The cart requests to scan to identify your Fairprice account, using the QR code you use to pay for your Kopitiam food court meals which identifies you and your account.

Your account details are then loaded into the cart with the session started. The smart card menu interface is intuitive and well laid-out. There is a navigation bar on the left and screen contents on the main right. The learning curve is not high for someone who is familiar with smart phone interfaces.

From here, you simply scan your items as you go, drop them into your bag, and complete payment as you wish. Scanning an item adds to your total bill on your cart shopping list. Removing items is pretty easy too, changed your mind on your purchase? Do not worry and you can simply remove items on the cart screen and taking out the corresponding item. You won’t be charged immediately for items placed in the cart.

Cart interior is strictly for purchase items only

Also, there is a camera unit situated at the front end of the cart which constantly scans the cart content area. This camera system strictly monitors all items inside your cart. You scan your item using either on the integrated barcode/QR scanner embedded in the cart handlebar, or using the wired hand-held wired scanner for larger bulkier items.

Thereafter, you are instructed to put your items into the cart, where the cart visually verifies the item and weighs your items before allowing you to carry on.

Also, when shopping, I noticed the cart does not allow you to put your personal foreign items. This includes bags or water bottles, so you have to carry these items on-person. The experience feels like having a naggy self-checkout counter with you at all times.

Additionally, there appears to have a weighing pad in the cart which also doubles up as an inductive charger coil. This allows the cart to be wirelessly charged from the cart in front when parked in rows. Also, it appears that you cannot use the cart outside of the supermarket, or wheel it out of the supermarket premises from the design standpoint. Here, you are required to take out all your items from your cart and return it to the designated parking and charging point after checkout.

A connected shopping cart

Furthermore, the goal of introducing these smart carts seems clear, with the smart intent to cut waiting time and improve shopping convenience. It also reduces contact points, something that became a bigger concern after the pandemic. The technology, developed in collaboration with local tech startups and FairPrice’s in-house innovation arm, is part of a wider move toward digital transformation in retail.

Within, you can independently navigate through the cart’s functions. The cart is a connected one too, with in-built indoor location tracking able to tell you where you are in the supermarket, or where the store offers are.

Moreover, beyond the carts, the store layout is well thought out. Here, you can find fresh produce, bakery items, and ready-to-eat meals upfront, catering to the busy office and student crowds.

Also, the ground floor stocks fresh food and dry staples such as everyday rice and noodles. The upper floor offers selections stocked with a mix of essentials and premium goods. This includes a unity pharmacy and a row dedicated to international artisanal snacks and a pretty sizable alcohol section too.

Compact packed Fairprice outlet

Moreover, the store has subtle sustainability features to go with the environmental message. Examples include energy-efficient lighting, digital price tags, and smart refrigeration help reduce waste and energy use. It tad fits with Punggol Digital District’s vision of being a sustainable urban hub. Also, the FairPrice here feels less like just another grocery store but more a glimpse into how modern tech retail might look like in Singapore in the coming years.

Notably, the success of tech here might be propagated to other Fairprice outlets around Singapore. Interestingly, this Fairprice also has a drinks bar and a “buy and dine” section and oyster bar on the upper second floor. It is similar to the one at Clark quay and first popularised at their Vivocity Fairprice Xtra branch. There is no a travelator spanning the floors here and you have to use the lift to get your cart to the second floor. Checkout for smart carts are also limited to the ground floor area.

Checking out and system limitations

At the end of your shopping journey, you simply just tap “checkout” on the cart. Here, everything be charged to your Fairprice app with order details and receipt within the app. Linkpoints are also automated credited into your account. With, this there no need to queue at the cashier. For someone who is used to conventional checkout lines, this feels like a small but meaningful upgrade.

Also, the system automatically tracks your total and even applies FairPrice member discounts or promotions in real-time. The cart is able to also point out new store offers and how to navigate there too. But do note that the cart while the cart allows discounts like Merdaka, and Pioneer discounts, the use of CDC vouchers have to still be done at regular checkout or self-checkout counters. This limits the smart cart checkout options.

Still, the smart carts are tad an efficient way to beat the queues on peak periods. It is intuitive enough for anyone who knows how to use a smart phone to use without fuss. Still, the regular self-checkout area still exists for those who prefer it, though most patrons on my visit seem to be drawn to the novelty of the smart carts with a relatively high ultliisation. There’s also a dedicated section promoting local products, which adds a touch of community spirit amid all the modern tech.

Wrapping up

From a visitor’s point of view, the experience is surprisingly smooth. Also, there are checkout staff on-hand to guide you through using the cart if you’re new to it. The payment process supports cashless options, including cards and mobile wallets. The receipt is digital too, sent straight to your phone or email. The system does feels integrated, minimal, and thoughtfully designed for convenience.

All in all, that wraps up our Smart cart shopping here at PDD. Shopping here does not feel rushed or complicated. It offers tad a quiet blend of technology and practicality that enhances the everyday routine. You leave with your groceries, sure, but also a small sense that you had stepped a little closer to the future of shopping. It is not dramatic or overdone, rather, smart, efficient, and just a tad futuristic.

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Moreover, each walking Trails @CDC are curated to showcase local heritage, green spaces, and civic landmarks. This North West CDC route we are doing is the longest of the 5 CDC walking trial routes. Coincidentally, this 5.5km North West route we are doing today follows closely our last exploration of the Bukit Timah rail corridor run we did sometime back.

Notably, the completion of each of the 5 trails in the program allows you can earn up to $10 worth of free CDC vouchers which you can be redeemed via RedeemSG. This means, you can earn up to $50 worth of CDC vouchers completing all 5 route all around Singapore. This comprises of $5 after completing all 5 checkpoints per trail, and an additional $5 when you collect 5 CDC Ollies owls along each trail.

The North West CDC route and other routes

In a nutshell, the 5.5km one-way route starts from the Walkway outside Cashew MRT, and ending at the old Bukit Timah Railway Station, with and approximate distance of 5.5km. There are MRT stations at both the start (Cashew) and end points (King Albert park). It follows very closely to our previous explorations of our 11km Bukit Timah Rail coordor run as well as our exploration of the Dairy Farm and wallace trail area.

Highlights vary by district with each route is intentionally scenic and educational. Notably, the other 4 trails are firstly the 4.7km Central Singapore route features historical shophouses and Fort Canning’s parkland, with start point at Kreta Ayer Square and ending at Fort Canning Centre.

Secondly, there is the 4.5km North East CDC route starting at Punggol Waterway Point features and ending at the new Punggol Digital District. The 4.9km South East CDC route starts from Fort Tanjong Katong with Siglap Canal Lookout Deck being the end point. And lastly, there is the shortest of the bunch, a 4.35km South West route with start point starting from the nearby Beauty World MRT Exit C, and ending at the Little Guilin in the Bukit Batok area.

Setting up for your trail walk

To start, you register on CrowdTaskSG with Singpass first. This associates your account to credit your CDC vouchers. Thereafter you can explore the portal and select your desired trail on mobile for you to review the five checkpoint locations. Notably, the platform is mobile-first and requires you to start the quest from a phone. Also, as the entire app runs completely on your browser, so do remember to grant the website both location and camera permissions to your phone browser when prompted.

Furthermore, the walks are mostly friendly to most fitness levels. It is especially good for anyone wanting a low-effort way to discover local sights. Moreover, you can also complete the trail as part of a run. I paced myself to enjoy sights rather than rush. Expect roughly an hour and a half at a steady pace. You might be good for just under 2 hours for a slow walking pace and under and hour for a run/walk run pace.

Also, the web-app uses both your camera to check-in into each of the 5 checkpoints where you be presented a quiz question to answer at your point of interest. It is not difficult to answer them. Tasks at checkpoints are straightforward involving you to take a photo of a landmark, answer a short quiz, or tap to register presence.

Usually, the answer can be found right where you are. It is either hidden through visual observation or on signs and information signboards at your point of interest. Completing one brings you to the next checkpoint and unlocks part of the trail badge. Do note you cannot stop halfway and continue beyond day, and have to restart from the first checkpoint even you had checked into it previously.

Catch Ollie owl mascots

Moreover, a playful element of the programme is the CDC Ollie mascots. The digital ollies appear randomly on your trail map. It is part is tad synonymous to finding Pokémon’s on your journey. There are 5 unique different ollies to catch. These small digital characters appear on the map and can be “caught” for bonus rewards.

Also, fret not if your Ollie flew away after you try to catch one. Random new Ollies will pop-up along your route. Similarly, as said, the benefits of finding Ollies includes being awarded $5 CDC vouchers when you collect all 5 on your route. You also get $5 to complete all 5 checkpoints on your route itself, totaling $10 of RedeemSG vouchers, subject to availability.

Checkpoint 1- Cashew MRT Station, a civil defence shelter

Cashew MRT Station is our first stop and point of entry. The station opened in 2015 on the Downtown Line, sits near the Bukit Panjang area. It serves as a convenient gateway to the Rail Corridor to improve accessibility to the north-western part of Singapore. Also, it stands close to military landmarks like the former Bukit Timah Camp (which served the British), and also serves a civil defence public shelter. For the CDC trail, this marks an ideal starting checkpoint, symbolising how modern infrastructure connects communities to natural and heritage sites.

Also, I found the trail is a tidy way to explore familiar neighbourhoods differently. The programme blends physical trails with short digital tasks, and rewards walkers who complete five checkpoints on a route. It felt like a deliberate attempt to make neighbourhood walks more engaging and informative.

Checkpoint 2- Hillview Rail corridor

Moreover, the checkpoint 2 route brings you along upper Bukit Timah road. You cross the road here via traffic lights or overhead bridge into the Rail Corridor route proper. Interestingly, the Rail Corridor is a 24-kilometre green trail in-totality that once carried the Malayan Railway (KTM) trains linking Singapore to Malaysia.

After the tracks were decommissioned in 2011, the route was redeveloped as a continuous nature and heritage corridor. Today, it serves as a recreational path for walkers, cyclists, and heritage enthusiasts. On the CDC trail, it represents continuity, blending history with active lifestyles in a scenic walking route.

Checkpoint 3- Singapore Quarry home to kingfishers

Going along the rail corridor east-bound past the Hillview connect tunnel brings you over the Upper Bukit Timah truss bridge and into a long gravel straight leading to the Singapore Quarry.

Furthermore, the Singapore Quarry, once an active granite quarry, is now a tranquil wetland habitat located near Dairy Farm Nature Park. Mining ceased in the late 1980s, and the site was rehabilitated into a nature reserve, rich with bird life and lush greenery. Today, it is a peaceful spot for wildlife observation and leisure and home to several blue kingfishers. Within the CDC trail quest, it highlights Singapore’s transformation from industrial use to green conservation, offering participants a scenic checkpoint.

Here, you make a detour from the rail corridor route into a small flight of steps by the side of the path. These stairs bring you up to the Singapore quarry bridge over the path below. Interestingly, there a crossed-out danger sign greeting you at the start of the bridge. The small bridge looks well-built and solid, standing the test of time serving the quarry in haulage. Today it stands strong, albeit bit grimy and overgrown with vegetation all around it.

Crossing the bridge over the rail corridor brings you into a small vegetated clearing. You do need some bashing with some muddy patches. Still, the trail path here is well-worn out so you would not get lost here, soon after a short 20m walk through the vegetation, you hit the upwards service tarmac road to the quarry. Do note the quarry closes at 6:30pm daily, so do factor that in your visit.

Checkpoint 4- Hindhede Crossing old KTM Railway Bridge

Notably, the routes up and from the Singapore quarry was littered with Ollies to catch. This made catching all five different birds by the 2nd checkpoint very doable. When you complete a set, all future Ollies new positions are all greyed out and completed your five-Ollie collection for this route. Also, from the quarry, it is a long straight. You can simply run this stretch with your phone stowed for a nice uninterrupted run. If you had not caught all your Ollies.

Additionally, the old KTM Railway Bridge at Hindhede Crossing is a remnant of the former Malayan Railway line. Built to support trains traveling southward toward 11.5km from here to Tanjong Pagar railway station. Here, it retains its rustic steel structure as a heritage marker. Although no longer in use, it remains a photogenic landmark and reminder of Singapore’s transport past. For the CDC trail, it acts as both a visual highlight and a nod to the country’s railway history.

Final Checkpoint 5- Bukit Timah Old Railway Station

Our last and final check point along the route is the Bukit Timah Old Railway Station. Built in 1903, the Railway Station was once an important stop for trains on the Singapore to Malaysia route. Decommissioned in 2011, it has since been conserved as a heritage site with restored station buildings and a short stretch of track. Today, it is a popular spot for photography and history lovers. The area here is also family friendly. It is not uncommon for entire groups to complete the journey together.

Additionally, on the CDC trail, the old Bukit Timah Old Railway Station serves as a meaningful endpoint. It tad anchors the walk in heritage and connecting past transport links with present community recreation. Also, an informative sign by the toilet near the Truss bridge and the meter-wide arm rests on the benches here pays homage to the meter-gauge tracks used on the railway here.

Interestingly, at this spot, my total GPS distance came in at about 5.6km, just a tad more than the official 5.5km. This could be due to GPS drift and additional distances covered exploring the nooks at each point of interest.

Wrapping up

Lastly, in summary, the route does require going over a mix of gravel trails, off road muddy paths, so do wear sensible shoes, bring water, and check the CrowdTaskSG page for any notices or downtime before you leave. Rewards are limited to eligible residents aged 15 and above, and vouchers are distributed while stocks last. The trails are OT-OT (on-your-own-time), so you can plan around your schedule. Also expect that some Ollies can disappear from the map if many users catch them before you do.

Do bring a power bank if you expect your phone to run dry. Continuous use of GPS does put a drain on your phone, on my run with nearly continuous screen usage except on long running straights, my exploration used up 20% battery drain, for a total run journey of about 45 minutes, to an hour.

All in all, that wraps up our exploration of the North West Crowdtask CDC Walking Trails @CDC. I found completing all five checkpoints rewards you beyond the vouchers. It allows you to explore new areas, notice small neighbourhood details, and pick up bits of local history your did probably skip otherwise. For anyone keen on a short, structured activity, the programme offers a neat mix of exercise, learning, and a little incentive. Plus, you can even catch a few Ollie owls along the way, which adds a light-hearted touch to the walk.

There are five CDC walking trails in total, check out my explorations on them.

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