Singapore is well known internationally for being one of the most orderly and law-abiding countries in the world. Its laws are passed by Parliament whose members meet in Parliament House.

Parliament House sits impressively next to the river with its formal gardens adding a touch of green to its exterior. Unlike the late Victorian style of its predecessor, the old Parliament House (now the Arts House), the present one was designed “to represent a contemporary architectural expression of stateliness and authority”. Its prism-shaped top, is a modernist take on the traditional dome. What is it like inside? And how does the Parliament of Singapore function?

Join us on a private guided tour of the building to see its different areas – it was designed not only as a venue for parliamentary debates, but also a research centre and meeting place for the members of parliament (MPs), as well as a place of interest for students and the general public. You will learn about Singapore’s unique parliamentary system, the different categories of Members of Parliament and the roles of officers in the system.

Throughout the ages, Indian women have been drawing kolams (geometric designs) at their doorsteps or in their courtyards as a welcome sign every morning. Traditionally they use rice powder mixed with water. Nowadays many have switched to commercially available dry coarse powder.

This form of art from South India serves three main purposes: a religious ritual, a social activity, and a channel for artistic expression for the commoner. It is an ephemeral art that is kept alive not in galleries, but in the common man’s home. It is not meant to be permanent. Like life, it has to be constantly regenerated (the life of a kolam is usually just one day).

Join Explore Singapore! to learn about kolams and its variations throughout India like the Rangoli in the North and Alpana in the East. Experience the joy of learning how to create these geometric designs on paper and discover the benefits it brings, such as improved concentration and creativity amongst others.

A newspaper report on the opening of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Centre in June 2008 said its modern design and zen-style décor “could raise the eyebrows of the traditionally inclined”. Everything about the centre – from its concept and design to construction materials - is completely unlike conventional Buddhist temples. There are no red and gold pillars nor green-tiled roofs with colourful qianci (cut and paste ceramic) decorations. Instead, visitors are bound to admire the bright airy main hall with soaring ceilings and special lapis lazuli wall, the serene calligraphy room and ultra-modern columbarium. The entire centre exudes an ambience of calm and peace.

Join us for a guided tour of this unusual and modern temple and learn about this branch of Buddhism. We will end the tour with an optional lunch (at own cost) at the centre’s teahouse with delicious and healthy vegetarian food prepared by the centre’s own staff.

Does Singapore produce its own fish? Yes, it does! Join us on this is exciting new tour which is completely different from our usual ones to find out more. We start off by boarding a boat to go out to sea. From the boat you will see a different perspective of Singapore and can admire its coastline. On our journey we will pass several kelongs (traditional fish farms) which look like ramshackle floating huts on stilts. Then we arrive at our destination - a high tech fish farm in sharp contrast to the kelongs.

We will tour this farm and find out how one man’s dream to provide Singapore with a reliable source of locally produced fish that are antibiotic, vaccine and micro-plastic free, materialised.  Our guide will explain how fish fry are hatched from eggs on site and then reared to maturity using advanced, game-changing technology. You will be impressed by the eco-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable methods used. As a contrast, the guide will also enlighten us about kelongs and their traditional fishing methods.

When we end the tour back on land, you will have an opportunity to buy some fish from the farm's shop, if you wish.

Please note that the tour requires physical agility as it involves climbing flights of steep stairs in a marine vessel.

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