Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Singapore , Singapore

Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

On this self-guided GPS walking tour, modern buildings shine alongside heritage sites as new and old Singapore come together. We'll cover lots of ground, venturing where the younger generations eat, play and study.

Beyond the monuments in front of your eyes are histories hidden in plain sight. You’ll dive into the lives of former communities, but also learn about the unique cultural context of Singapore today.

Together, we're going to uncover the incredible stories simmering beneath the surface of this island-city.

This is a one-of-a-kind tour for the curious traveller, especially because we're exploring areas in which tourists don't usually find themselves. Prepare for ghosts, naked buttocks, and convent schools to reveal themselves to you.

The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

Available options

Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

What's included

VoiceMap Application

Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour

Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Lifetime access to Singapore: Stories and histories beneath the surface tour in English

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1 Pass by

The National Museum of Singapore began as a proposal by Sir Stamford Raffles. Unlike many of the repurposed buildings in Singapore, the National Museum is a piece of heritage that stands in its original skin.

Stop 2 Pass by

Clarke Quay is a historical riverside quay in Singapore, located within the Singapore River Planning Area. The quay is situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River and Boat Quay. Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_Quay)

Stop 3 Pass by

Before Fort Canning Hill got this name, it was Government Hill, and before that, it was Bukit Larangan. That's the Malay name for Forbidden Hill.

Stop 4 Pass by

The CHIJMES chapel was built by the nuns who ran the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus from 1854. At the beginning, the convent was a single wooden bungalow.

Stop 5 Pass by

After 1996, the St. Joseph’s Institution school relocated and the building was converted to become the Singapore Art Museum. Today, it houses the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Southeast Asian art.

Stop 6 Pass by

The National Library of Singapore is curved, tall and white with lots of glass. While this 16-story building was only opened in 2005, the National Library has a longer history. It reaches back to 1823, as Singapore’s first public library.

Bras Basah gets its name from the Malay term for ‘wet rice’, which was once laid out to dry on the banks of a nearby river. Back then, the Bras Basah neighbourhood was designated as a European area by the British colonial planners.

Stop 8 Pass by

Singapore Management University, founded in 2000, is Singapore’s third public university with 7,500 undergraduates. When the school day is over, SMU students take advantage of their proximity to Singapore’s downtown and nightlife district in Clarke Quay.

Stop 9 Pass by

Old Hill Street Police Station may look new with its shiny glass ceiling and polished floors, but it’s history is long and supposedly haunted. Its official address is 140 Old Hill Street Police Station.

In 1825, there was only one Catholic priest in the British colony of Singapore, who served a small group of European settlers. Under his care, the Catholic community in Singapore grew and in 1906, the original St. Joseph’s Church was demolished and a Gothic-style one was built in its place.

What's not included

Smartphone and headphones

Transportation

Food/Drink

Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour

Available languages

Audio guide

Important information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Meeting point

Begins at the fountain on the left side of McDonald’s. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace. Directions to the starting point are in the app.

Important notes

VOICEMAP CODE
───
Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. VoiceMap has sent you an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
2. Create an account
3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
4. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE
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• You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
• This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
• When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
• Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT
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For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me

About Singapore

Singapore is a vibrant, multicultural city-state known for its futuristic architecture, lush green spaces, and diverse culinary scene. It's a blend of modernity and tradition, offering everything from ultra-chic shopping districts to historic temples and serene nature reserves.

Top Attractions

Gardens by the Bay

A stunning 101-hectare nature park featuring iconic Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome.

Nature 3-4 hours Moderate

Marina Bay Sands

A world-famous resort with an infinity pool, luxury shopping, and stunning city views.

Architecture 2-3 hours Expensive

Chinatown

A vibrant district with traditional shophouses, temples, and a bustling street market.

Cultural 2-3 hours Free to explore, budget for food and shopping

Singapore Zoo

One of the world's best zoos, known for its open-concept habitats and night safari.

Nature 4-5 hours Moderate to Expensive

Sentosa Island

A resort island with beaches, theme parks, and luxury hotels.

Entertainment Full day Expensive

Must-Try Local Dishes

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock, often accompanied by chili sauce and ginger paste.

Lunch/Dinner Contains chicken, gluten, and soy

Chili Crab

A iconic Singapore dish featuring mud crabs stir-fried in a sweet and savory tomato-based chili sauce.

Dinner Contains shellfish, gluten, and soy

Laksa

A spicy noodle soup with a rich, coconut-based curry broth, topped with shrimp, fish cakes, and cockles.

Lunch/Dinner Contains seafood, gluten, and coconut

Satay

Grilled skewers of marinated meat, typically served with a peanut sauce and ketupat (rice cakes).

Snack/Appetizer Contains peanuts, gluten, and soy

Popular Activities

Kayaking Hiking Ziplining Beach lounging Spa treatments Garden strolls Temple visits Museum tours

Best Time to Visit

February to April, and July to September

These periods offer the best weather with less rainfall and plenty of sunshine. It's also when major events and festivals take place.

26-32°C 79-90°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
Widely spoken: English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese
English: Widely spoken

Currency

Singapore Dollar (SGD)

Time Zone

GMT+8

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Very safe

Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world, with low crime rates and strict laws. However, petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas.