Singapore is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Asia. It is relatively small, yet has highly developed and state-of-the-art infrastructure that is ready to welcome tourists from around the world.

Before booking your ticket (or if you already have one), check out these 10 incredible facts about Singapore!

1. Singapore is home to the world’s first “Night Zoo”.

Have you ever wondered if zoos are open at night?

Most zoos around the world usually close before the sun sets, which is around 4 pm to 5 pm in most countries. 

However, Singapore does things differently. If you want a special nocturnal experience on your to-do list while you’re in the country, you must include the Night Safari.

Singapore first opened the Night Safari in 1994. It is home to over 1,000 animals from more than 100 different species.

This 35-hectare park provides these creatures with a comfortable space to live in their natural nocturnal habitat. 

2. Singapore is home to the world’s largest indoor waterfall.

In Singapore, you can find a large waterfall inside a massive structure in the middle of a busy metropolis. 

Photographers and videographers will have their hands full during their stay. 

Visitors will truly feel moved once they step out of Gardens By The Bay’s doors and it will surely give them something deep to think about during their time in Singapore.

3. Singapore initiated the very first Formula 1 night race.

If you are an adrenaline junkie who has a knack for speed and the roaring sound of over 20 expertly engineered cars racing to be the best, then the Singapore Grand Prix should be at the top of your list.

According to experts, each F1 vehicle has more than 1,000 horsepower V6 turbocharged engines under the hood. 

Every car is robust and meticulously engineered, from its motor to its aerodynamic shape, which allows the F1 cars to reach speeds of around 400 km/h.

The Singapore Grand Prix is located at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, which is widely known for its 23 corners — the most out of any Formula 1 circuit around the world. 

The length is roughly 5 km, with a road distance of 308 km.

4. Singapore has the world’s largest hawker center in Asia.

With over 700 stalls and a diverse selection of Asia’s best cuisines, the Chinatown Food Complex should always be part of any tourist’s itinerary when they visit Singapore.

It is located at the heart of the Central Business District and it is home to the tastiest and most affordable dishes that will make anyone feel like a local on the island. 

Since the 80s, the Chinatown Food Complex has been a melting pot of different cultures and traditions. 

Since there are almost infinite choices here, we made a list of the best hawker stalls in the Chinatown Food Complex.

5. Singapore has the third tallest Ferris wheel in the world.

The Singapore Flyer used to be the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, but the High Roller in Las Vegas beat it by only 2 meters in 2014. They were both dwarfed by The Ain Dubai in 2021.

The third highest Ferris wheel in the world can be found in Downtown Core, Singapore. Its height is over 160 meters tall and has fully air-conditioned pods.

The capsules are attached outside the Ferris wheel’s rim and are the size of a contemporary bus. 

This quirky style allows the passengers to get a full 360-view of Singapore’s skyline and the surrounding area’s gorgeous sights.

At the peak of the Ferris wheel, passengers can see as far as 45 km away. In good weather, you can spot parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and even Sentosa!

6. Chewing gum is banned in Singapore.

Singapore’s gum ban was legislated for the primary purpose of maintaining cleanliness in the city. The ordinance originally came to light in the 1990s and is still widely used today.

However, with a prescription, chewing gum may now be bought from pharmacy stores in Singapore. 

The fine for chewing gum in Singapore is quite comparable to the littering fines.

Having said that, just don’t bring gum when you’re going to the country.

7. Singaporeans are one of the fastest pedestrians in the world.

According to research done more than 10 years ago, Singaporeans are among the world’s quickest walkers, crossing 19 meters in only 10.55 seconds. 

A new study reveals that this may actually help Singaporeans age more slowly and serve as a reliable marker of mental wellness.

Out of all the nations included in the research, Singapore had the fastest-growing pace of life during the initial stages of the study. 

This is correlated with the increased walking speed of 30%.

8. Singapore is the least corrupt city in Asia.

An extensive majority of Singaporeans, according to a Transparency International poll, had never heard of corruption incidents involving public individuals or organizations. 

Singapore’s public sector was classified as the most transparent in Asia and the fourth least corrupt in the world in 2020.

The nation is ranked 4th out of 180 nations in Transparency International’s 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index, where a low score indicates less perceived corruption in the nation’s public sector.

The other Asian country that’s included in this list is Hong Kong, which finished in 11th position.

9. Military service is mandatory for all men in Singapore.

All male Singapore citizens and permanent residents are expected to do National Service under the Enlistment Act.

Building up its defense was one of the first things the nation had to do when it gained independence in 1965. 

Due to Singapore’s limited manpower, it is unable to maintain a regular armed force large enough to fend off outside aggressors.

As a result, the government concluded that requiring male teenagers to enlist in the military is the best method to strengthen Singapore’s defenses.

10. Singapore has the first-ever park dedicated exclusively to gardening.

The 9-hectare HortPark, which is a part of Singapore’s Southern Ridges, is a garden resource center and is said to be Asia’s first one-stop-shop gardening lifestyle hub. 

The educational, recreational, and gardening-related activities are all housed under one roof in this lovely park.