10 Cool and Quirky Things to Do in Singapore! ✴️🗺

Singapore is a city that thrives on surprises, blending modern skyscrapers with ancient traditions. Let's step off the beaten path and dive into unusual experiences that reveal its rich history and quirky spirit.
From hell-themed sculpture parks to dragon kiln pottery jungles, this guide reveals 10 unique and unusual activities ideal for adventurous souls seeking a fresh perspective on this dynamic city. Let’s explore the fun!

1️⃣ Haw Par Villa
➜ What It Is
A bizarre outdoor sculpture park filled with over 1,000 colorful statues depicting Chinese folklore and dioramas of the Ten Courts of Hell, located at 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Queenstown (near Haw Par Villa MRT Station on the Circle Line).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Wandering through vivid, grotesque scenes of mythical punishments offers a thrilling, macabre adventure, perfect for quirky photography and cultural storytelling that’s equal parts eerie and educational.
➜ The Story
Built in 1937 by the Aw brothers, creators of Tiger Balm, as a venue to teach traditional values through folklore, abandoned in the 1980s and revived in the 1990s as a free public park, it reflects Singapore's fusion of immigrant Chinese heritage and moralistic whimsy in a rapidly modernizing society.
🔴 Tip: Best visited in the morning to avoid heat; free entry, but respect the cultural depictions.

2️⃣ Japanese Cemetery Park
➜ What It Is
A serene, cherry-blossom-lined park encompassing a historic mass grave site with memorials and tranquil ponds, at 120 Lim Chu Kang Road, Mandai (near Kranji MRT Station on the North South Line, then bus 67 or 171).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Strolling shaded paths amid blooming sakura and reflective monuments blends peaceful nature walks with poignant history, ideal for contemplative photographers and those seeking a quiet, layered escape. ➜ The Story
Established in 1942 as a burial ground for over 4,000 Japanese civilians and soldiers during WWII occupation, it was rededicated as a park in 1974 to foster reconciliation; featuring rare Japanese flora, it symbolizes Singapore's multicultural healing and remembrance amid its wartime past.

3️⃣ Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle
➜ What It Is
A rustic pottery workshop and kiln hidden in a lush jungle setting, featuring Singapore's last operational dragon kiln at 85 Lorong Tawas, Jurong West (bus 178 from Boon Lay MRT Station on the East West Line, alight near Jalan Bahar).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Browsing handmade ceramics amid tropical greenery and joining kiln-firing demos turns shopping into a fiery, creative adventure, great for hands-on cultural dives.
➜ The Story
Established in 1965 by immigrant potters from China, it's one of the few surviving traditional kilns amid Singapore's industrialization; family-run for generations, it preserves ancient firing techniques, symbolizing the city's enduring artisanal roots.

4️⃣ Bukit Brown Cemetery
➜ What It Is
An overgrown, historic Chinese cemetery with ornate tombs and nature trails, located along Lornie Road, Novena (near Caldecott MRT Station on the Circle Line; guided tours recommended).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Exploring vine-draped graves on heritage walks blends spooky folklore with birdwatching, offering a reflective, adventurous trek through forgotten stories.
➜ The Story
Opened in 1922 as Singapore's first municipal Chinese cemetery, it houses over 100,000 graves of pioneers; partially exhumed for development but preserved as a heritage site since 2011, it ties into the city's multicultural history and ancestral reverence.
🔴 Safety Note: Join official tours for safety and respect; avoid solo visits, and no littering.

5️⃣ Pulau Ubin
➜ What It Is
A rustic island escape with granite quarries, mangrove trails, and kampong houses, reachable by bumboat ferry from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, Changi Village (near Changi Airport MRT Station on the East West Line).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Cycling bumpy paths and spotting wild boars creates a thrilling, back-to-nature adventure, like time-traveling to old Singapore for eco-photography and relaxation.
➜ The Story
Once a granite mining hub in the 19th century supporting Singapore's construction boom, it transitioned to a rural retreat in the 1970s as quarries closed; now a protected nature area, it embodies the city's shift from resource extraction to biodiversity preservation.

6️⃣ Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
➜ What It Is
A mangrove wetland park with boardwalks, bird hides, and migratory wildlife, at 301 Neo Tiew Crescent, Kranji (Kranji MRT Station on the North South Line, then bus 925).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Spotting monitor lizards and rare birds amid tidal mudflats delivers a serene, exploratory thrill, perfect for nature enthusiasts craving a watery wilderness immersion.
➜ The Story
Discovered as a bird sanctuary in the 1980s and gazetted as Singapore's first ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003, it protects vital mangroves once threatened by development; it showcases the city's commitment to ecological balance in an urban island-state.

7️⃣ Kampong Lorong Buangkok
➜ What It Is
Singapore's last remaining traditional kampong village with wooden houses and community gardens, tucked away at 7 Lorong Buangkok, Hougang (near Buangkok MRT Station on the North East Line; visits by appointment or respectful wandering).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Peeking into rural life—chicken coops and fruit trees — offers a nostalgic, cultural time capsule, ideal for quiet reflection and authentic snapshots.
➜ The Story
Built in 1956 by a Chinese medicine seller on rented land, it's the sole survivor of Singapore's kampong clearances during 1960s-1980s urbanization; preserved amid high-rises, it represents resilient community bonds and pre-modern heritage.
🔴 Note: Private property—be respectful, keep noise low, and seek permission for photos; no uninvited entry into homes.

8️⃣ Gillman Barracks
➜ What It Is
A contemporary art cluster in repurposed colonial barracks with galleries and murals, at 9 Lock Road, Alexandra (near Labrador Park MRT Station on the Circle Line).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Gallery-hopping amid graffiti-covered walls sparks creative inspiration, with outdoor sculptures adding a whimsical urban art hunt.
➜ The Story
Constructed in 1936 as British military barracks and used during WWII, it was transformed into an arts precinct in 2012; hosting international exhibits, it highlights Singapore's evolution from colonial outpost to global cultural hub.

9️⃣ Former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station
➜ What It Is
A grand, abandoned Art Deco railway station now hosting occasional art events and tours, at 30 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar (near Tanjong Pagar MRT Station on the East West Line).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Sneaking peeks at faded platforms and murals evokes a haunting, exploratory vibe, perfect for history buffs imagining bygone train journeys.
➜ The Story
Opened in 1932 as the southern terminus of the Malayan Railway, it ceased operations in 2011 with tracks relocated; gazetted as a national monument in 2011, it preserves Singapore's rail heritage amid port redevelopment.

🔟 Kusu Island
➜ What It Is
A tiny island with Taoist temples, a turtle sanctuary, and lagoons, accessible by ferry from Marina South Pier (near Marina South Pier MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line).
➜ Why It’s Fun
Climbing to hilltop shrines and releasing turtles for luck creates a spiritual, island-hopping ritual, blending folklore with serene swims.
➜ The Story
Legendarily formed from a giant tortoise in the 19th century to save sailors, it hosts an annual pilgrimage since the 1920s; with Malay and Chinese shrines, it symbolizes Singapore's multi-ethnic harmony and maritime myths.

💥Ready to dive into Singapore’s quirkiest corners? These adventures await—share your favorites! #singaporehiddengems #quirkysingapore #offthebeatenpathsingapore #singaporeadventures #hiddensingapore