Think you’ve already seen Singapore? Beyond the iconic skyline and downtown attractions lies a richer side of the city. Our Singapore guided tours go beyond the usual sights into its outlying neighbourhoods for hidden historic sites and lesser-known cultural landscapes that many visitors overlook. While Singapore is compact and well connected by public transport, these off-the-beaten-path locations are best explored with a private car tour, saving you travel time and allowing our knowledgeable local guides to reveal stories, contexts and perspectives to bring an unseen side of Singapore to life.
Changi Chapel & Museum – WWII Memories and Memorial
One of Singapore’s most evocative small muse
ums is tucked away in the far eastern corner of Changi, far from the bustle of the downtown cityscape. Set on the site of one of the former prison camps during the Japanese Occupation, Changi Chapel & Museum offers a moving account of WWII in Singapore through the personal artefacts, letters and photographs of the interned prisoners. Of note are the recreations of five large murals, originally painted in one of the chapels by a prisoner hoping to offer comfort to his fellow inmates during those harsh times.
Getting to Changi Chapel Museum: Located within the industrial estate of Loyang, Changi Chapel & Museum is a 20min drive from the downtown area. Taking public transport requires a combination of MRT and bus and can take up to 1.5hr. Changi Chapel & Museum on Google maps
What’s around Changi: There’s not much immediately around the museum as it is in an industrial area, but with a private car tour, you can make a day of it by visiting the nearby Changi Village along the northeastern coast, with a well-loved hawker centre for local food, and coastal boardwalks for some scenic strolls. Alternatively, visit the hip new Cosford Container Park for alfresco food, weekend market stalls and live music.
Changi Chapel & Museum. Photo used with permission by The Occasional Traveller.
Kranji Countryside – Singapore’s Last Farms
Escape densely built-up Singapore with its towering skyscrapers to a slower, greener way of life at Kranji Countryside, home to Singapore’s last remaining pockets of farmland. This rural enclave in the northwestern end of Singapore is a rare sight in this land-scarce nation and feels worlds apart from the modern metropolis. Notable farms to check out around here include Hay Dairies Goat Farm, fun for families with regular goat feeding and tasting of fresh goat milk, and Bollywood Farms has lots of greenery to explore and fresh produce to enjoy in its in-house restaurant.
Getting to Kranji Countryside: Public bus 925 stops near some of the farms, but navigating the district without a car is tough as the farms are quite spread out. From downtown Singapore, the journey to Kranji Countryside takes about 30 mins by car compared to up to 2 hours by public transport.
What’s around Kranji Countryside: Nature lovers can check out Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, one of Singapore’s best places for migratory bird watching. The Kranji War Memorial is also a short drive away for those looking to pay respects to the fallen from the World Wars.
Bollywood Farms. Photo used with permission by The Occasional Traveller.
Sembawang Hot Spring Park – Therapeutic Waters Amid Greenery
Singapore is not known for volcanic activity, which makes it all the more surprising that the island has its own natural hot spring at Sembawang Hot Spring Park. Once little more than a single tap emerging from the ground, this geothermal spring has since been transformed into a landscaped park with a welcoming foot-soaking pool. The park may not compare to Japanese onsens, but it offers a charming glimpse into everyday Singapore life – where visitors arrive with personal buckets and pails. Some even bring raw eggs and cups to cook under the steaming hot water taps, turning this quiet green oasis into a uniquely local gathering spot.
Getting to Sembawang Hot Spring Park:
Tucked between the northern residential estates of Sembawang and Yishun along Gambas Avenue, the park is relatively remote from the city centre. Reaching it by public transport typically involves a combination of MRT and bus and can take around 1.5 hours from downtown Singapore, while a private car journey takes just over 20 minutes.
What’s around Sembawang:
The surrounding neighbourhood offers an excellent opportunity for food lovers to explore local-favourite eateries beyond the typical tourist radar. Highlights include Chong Pang Nasi Lemak, a malay dish known for its fragrant coconut rice, and White Restaurant along Jalan Tampang, famed for its classic stir-fried vermicelli. Nearby Sembawang Park provides waterfront views and a glimpse of colonial-era black-and-white houses. With a private car tour, the area can also be easily combined with a visit to Mandai’s nature reserves for a day beyond the city.
Sembawang Hot Spring Park. Photo used with permission by The Occasional Traveller.
Go Beyond the Sights with Local Insight
It takes local knowledge to go beyond the typical tourist sights and see an unexpected side of Singapore. At Wayward Tours, our guided Singapore tours are curated by locals who know where to go, when to visit and what stories matter. With customised private car tours, we help you explore deeper, travel more comfortably and experience a side of Singapore that most visitors never see. Get in touch to discover how our cultural tours in Singapore can transform the way you see the city.
