2 Best Sights in Singapore

Take a 10-minute ride on a bumboat (a small launch) from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to be transported back in time on this boomerang-shaped island. It's best explored by bicycle, which can be rented on the island. There are three trails that lead past old plantations, mangrove swamps, forests, the occasional wild boar, and abandoned granite quarries that look surprisingly picturesque. You should also consider a visit to the Chek Jawa Wetlands, one of Singapore’s richest ecosystems, to wander the 1-km (0.62-mile) boardwalk (Mangrove and Coastal Loops) and take in views from the 66-foot Jejawi Tower. There's also the Ketam Mountain Bike Park, a 10-km (6.2-mile) park around the Ketam Quarry. Before heading back, cool off with a fresh coconut drink or order a kampong-style meal from one of the small seafood restaurants near the jetty.

One of the Southern Islands and situated less than 4 miles southwest of Singapore, Kusu, whose name means "turtle" in Chinese, is known for its beaches and temples. One of these is Kramat Kusu, dedicated to a Malay saint named Haji Syed Abdul Rahman, who, with his mother and sister, is said to have disappeared supernaturally from the island in the 19th century. To reach the shrine, you climb more than 100 steps that go up through a forest. Plastic bags containing stones have been hung on the trees by devotees who have come to the shrine—particularly during the ninth lunar month—to pray for forgiveness of sins and the correction of wayward children. If their wishes are granted, believers return the following year to remove their bags and give thanks. Staying overnight or camping is not permitted, and it's best to pack food and drink.