Last summer's blockbuster hit Crazy Rich Asians may have flung Singapore into the spotlight, but this Southeast Asian city-state has long been on the rise.

The ex-British colony morphed into the state we know today when Sir Raffles negotiated British rule over the area in 1819 and declared Singapore a free port. A rush of trade from across the region followed, solidifying Singapore as a booming economic hub.

Today, Singapore is known as a modern, immaculate, and prosperous city filled with breathtaking architecture, art and greenery all around. It is a true melting pot of cultures, where Chinese, Malay, and Indians live side-by-side along hoards of ex-pats from Australia and the UK, amongst elsewhere.

Singapore's Changi Airport is considered the best in the world, with connections across the globe, while the efficient (and squeaky clean!) MRT system easily connects the entire island, making it easier than ever to visit and explore.

But beware: the gorgeous green city, ridiculously good food, lively nightlife and efficient living (oh and tropical weather), made me almost never want to leave!

How did Singapore steal my heart so quickly and become one of my favorite cities? These top highlights of my time in Singapore should help showcase how you too can enjoy the best of Singapore:

Visit Gardens by the Bay

Turn on your inner Sir David Attenborough voice, and prepare to absolutely amazed by the incredible Gardens by the Bay.

Upon seeing the gigantic Supertree Grove, I actually gasped out loud in pure awe of the towering giants. Ever since watching Planet Earth II's City episode, I had wanted to visit these iconic man-made trees, but you simply have to see them for yourself to truly soak in their grandeur.

Rising up 16 stories high, the 18 Supertrees have over 158,000 plants from more than 700 species planted on them - it is simply mind-blowing.

To fully appreciate the phenomenon constructed, take a walk up in the grove's canopy along the OCBC Skyway. The walkway gives you an eye-level view of the trees, plus gorgeous views of the marina and beyond.

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If the Supertree Grove wasn't enough, the Conservatory Flower Dome and Cloud Forest take Gardens by the Bay for the win.

The Flower Dome is the world's largest glass greenhouse, filled with arrays of spectacular flowers. There are gardens of exotic plants from 5 continents, and a flower field display that changes with each season.

When I visited in early May, tulip season, the displays showcased tulips completing famous Van Gogh pieces of artwork, such as The Starry Night:

The Cloud Forest is a remarkable conservatory with a 35m (115ft) mountain and cascading waterfall right in the center. To explore the forest, you descend down the mountain via the misty Cloud and Treetop Walks, surrounded by unique tropical plants and beautiful artwork dispersed throughout.

BUT even beyond all that, Gardens by the Bay is filled with even more gardens, lakes and incredible sculptures.

With so much to see, make sure to set aside enough time to enjoy the masterpiece of gardens Singapore so beautifully developed. If you run out of time during your day, don't worry, the Gardens are gorgeously lit at night, making it a sight to been seen day or night (and even worth a trip back to see them both ways!)

The details:

The majority of the park is free admission, with the Outdoor Gardens open from 5am - 2am daily.
The conservatories are open from 9am-9pm daily, and cost S$28 for adults and S$15 for children. Joint tickets can be bought in advance here.
The OCBC Skyway costs S$8 for adults and S$5 for children, and is also open from 9am-9pm daily.

Walk around the Marina

It's the view that defines modern Singapore - a skyline filled with dramatic buildings, slick towering skyscrapers, colonial architecture, and art galore, all lining the glistening Marina Bay. There is no way better to enjoy these iconic views than by wandering along the waterfront path.

Every step I took along the path seemed to provide yet another picturesque shot, as each vantage point just got better and better than the last.

View highlights from the walk include: the CBD Skyscraper Skyline, made up of towers filled with offices, malls and top restaurants.

The quintessential Marina Bay Sands, where you can stop for some shopping, casino games, or a trip to the observation deck - but sadly only hotel residents can reach the infamous top level infinity pool.

The ultra-modern ArtScience Museum shaped like a blooming flower.

The DNA inspired, trippy Helix bridge with the Singapore Flyer - Asia's largest observation wheel - behind.

Esplanade - the one of kind arts venue and theaters

...and Merlion Park, showcasing Singapore's mythical national icon, the Merlion, a half lion / half fish spouting water from its mouth, and offering panoramic bay views.

By the end of the day my feet may have been a little sore, but my face was smiling wide from this fantastic loop that I highly recommend exploring for yourself!

Eat your way through Little India and China Town

Having been deprived of any decent India food for awhile, I could not wait to jump into Little India and indulge! Needless to say, it did not disappoint.

Crossing the bridge over the Rochor River, I was immediately whisked into what could have been India itself. The delicious of aroma of curries filled the air and a certain hustle energy erupted on the streets. I quickly sought out the popular Lagnaa, Bare Foot Dining which was even more delicious than I could have hoped! Regardless where you eat, Little India is jammed with countless options to treat yourself with, and is an atmosphere you need to explore and experience yourself.

Similarly, China Town is stuffed with endless food stalls and hawker stands to keep you full and satisfied for days. As a vegetarian I sadly wasn't able to enjoy some of the more famous dishes from the area, but like Little India, China Town goes beyond the food and was a quite the scene to experience.

Between the bright lanterns, temples and Cantonese signs, infamous hawker stalls reign in China Town - the most famous being Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle Stall which received a Michelin star in 2016. Each stall, which normally only sells one specialty dish, excels in their offerings, which can be anything from frog porridge, mutton soup to classic stir fried noodles.

Here is the perfect place to embrace your adventurous food side and eat like the locals - your taste buds will thank you.

Take in the architecture and art

The architecture in Singapore is one of a kind. And that is to say that nowhere else can you find such an eclectic mix of architecture all in one spot!

For one, Singapore is on the forefront of urban sustainability driven by their "City in a Garden" vision. New green buildings are being built all over, resembling more like towering gardens than office buildings or apartments.

These futuristic sustainable buildings are complimented by the hundreds of green trees lining the streets, helping to push the city garden dream further.

Then, there is also the beautiful clash of traditional and religious buildings, with the new age skyscrapers.

Temples shine throughout the city, despite the city creeping in around them.

Colonial and classic style buildings still stand strong as well.

Plus, in between these architectural wonders are countless sculptures and pieces of art decorating the streets and parks.

Walking throughout the streets is my favorite way to get to know a city, and walking throughout Singapore was no exception. There is no better way to appreciate all the incredible buildings and art that is sprinkled throughout, than to wander the streets and take it all in.

Stroll around the Botanic Gardens

If you couldn't tell by now...Singapore is proudly known for their beautiful gardens, so I had to go to the Botanic Gardens to see more of Singapore's beauty.

The gardens have been around for 160 years, and are hailed as Singapore's first UNESCO Heritage Site. Sprawling over 200 acres, the various gardens, forests and lakes are a peaceful escape from the busy city streets.

The star of the gardens is the National Orchid Garden, nestled right in the middle of the gardens. With over 600 species and hybrids of orchids, the gardens are the pride of Singapore, even housing the National Flower. The world of orchids was completely foreign to me, but I really enjoyed wandering throughout the various gardens and greenhouses.

Overall, it was so peaceful strolling throughout the property, absolutely a perfect way to spend a few hours soaking up the sun and beautiful surroundings.

The details:

The park is free admission, and open from 5am - 12am daily
Free walking tours are available on Saturdays (check here for times)
National Orchid Garden is open from 8:30am - 7pm and costs S$5 for adult, S$1 for seniors and students, and is free for children under 12

Take a museum break

The tropical climate of Singapore can mean very hot days and sudden rain down pours - a perfect excuse to take a break from the city explorations and visit one of 50+ museums in Singapore.

Although, I will admit I was too busy running around all over town too spend proper time in the museums (though I admired the outsides!), I would love to go back and take more time to enjoy the internationally acclaimed museums.

Some top museums include the National Gallery Singapore, National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, Asian Civilizations Museum and Peranakan Museum. Whatever type of museum you prefer - you can for sure find something of interest in Singapore!

Sip cocktails all over town

Though cocktails can be a bit pricey due to the "sin tax" on all alcohol, Singapore sure knows how to party. I was lucky enough to have some friends who moved to Singapore show me around, and what a fun couple of nights they were!

I had the best time soaking up Singapore at night from the terrace of LeVeL33 - the world's highest urban craft brewery. You can even score a good birds eye view of Spectra - the Marina Bay Sands light and water show.

Even more fun, was hanging out with all the ex-pats in Boat Quay, where restaurants and bars line the Singapore River. There is plenty of room to grab an outdoor table along the river and eat/drink to your heart's content. Nearby, Operation Dagger had the perfect cocktails with a cozy ambience. No matter where you go though, there are hundreds of great bars to choose from all across the city - part of the reason I just wanted to stay and try them all!

Overall, to me Singapore is the perfect mix of city - with tons of great green spaces, beautiful architecture, a melting pot of cultures, an appreciation for the arts, and lots of amazing food and drinks!

Whether you visit Singapore on its own, or use it as a stopover to head deeper into Asia, Singapore should be a must-visit for any itinerary.

Want to experience Singapore for yourself? Let's go! Contact Wanderful Journeys today to start planning your ultimate Singapore and Southeast Asia trip!

Have you been to Singapore? What were your favorite spots?! We want to hear from you! Let us know in the comments!

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